2024
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF ORILLIA AND AREA, STEPHEN LEACOCK AWARD
2024 was the final year of a five-year grant to the endowment for the Stephen Leacock Memorial Medal for Humour award.
2023
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF ORILLIA AND AREA, STEPHEN LEACOCK AWARD
2023 was year four of a five year grant to help build the endowment for the Stephen Leacock Memorial Medal for Humour award.
2022
AL PURDY A-FRAME ASSOCIATION
A grant was provided to help with raising the a-frame and rebuilding the foundation so that Al and Eurithe’s historical residence can continue to provide a writers’ retreat and inspire future artists.
CALGARY PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY
Funding went to subsidize student access to the Education Concerts which returned to live, in person performances in the 2022/2023 season. The concerts allow students to interact with the conductor and the music and include teacher resources materials plus the option of musician-school visits.
EARLY MUSIC ALBERTA SOCIETY
Support went toward the 2022 Edmonton Early Music Festival.
“Early Music Alberta’s general mission is to support the growth of the discipline of early music in Alberta through historically authentic performances & instrumentation, recordings, workshops, interdisciplinary education programmes, publications and electronic media, as well as creating an inclusive space where the community can participate…” -Julian Martin, President
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF ORILLIA AND AREA, STEPHEN LEACOCK AWARD
2022 was year three of a five year grant to help build the endowment for the Stephen Leacock Memorial Medal for Humour award.
2021
AL PURDY A-FRAME ASSOCIATION
Year three of a three year commitment went toward the APAFA’s writers-in-residence program.
My six weeks at the A-Frame were incredible, an experience which I will carry with me as a guide in my art and in my life. I have developed the practice of quiet & contemplation—invaluable skills for a young poet. -Writer in Residence 2021
CALGARY PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY
This year’s grant helped audiences access CPO’s virtual concerts and music education programs
Cost is the biggest challenge for us — I would love to be able to access the CPO (and other arts exposure) for students, but many of our families struggle to make basic ends meet. Having the tickets gifted to us was a wonderful present! -Audience member 2020
CANADA WILD ARTS SOCIETY
Funding was provided for the continued development of virtual reality installation showings of UNiNTERRUPTED
UNiNTERRUPTED.CA and all your sponsors…thanks so much for a memorable evening. Even my 5 year old could not stop talking about it. Truly an immersive visual spectacle and so information. We are all connected and need to do out part to look after ‘Mother Earth”! -2021 Audience Member
THE ORCHESTRA SOCIETY OF CALGARY
A second grant was given to support the orchestral outreach work of the Calgary Civic Symphony. Funding helped CCS to develop concert live streaming for audiences during Covid-19 restrictions.
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF ORILLIA AND AREA, STEPHEN LEACOCK AWARD
2021 was year two of a five year grant to help build the endowment for the Stephen Leacock Memorial Medal for Humour award.
2020
AL PURDY A-FRAME ASSOCIATION
2020 was the second year of a three year grant commitment to the APAFA writer-in-residence program.
…After they leave, I enter into the deep solitude of the A-frame, including several forays into Al’s bookshelves and the limestone shelves of the lake. I submerge myself into what I can only call a pandemic time. Poetry can communicate our otherwise hidden selves to one another in such a time, where everything must be questioned anew… -Writer in Residence 2020
CALGARY PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY
Funds were given to help CPO virtualize the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra’s Education Concerts and PhilKids programs. The Calgary Philharmonic was then able to offer schools & educators in the community subsidized access to virtual Education Concerts.
THE ORCHESTRA SOCIETY OF CALGARY
A grant was given to support the orchestral outreach work of the Calgary Civic Symphony
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF ORILLIA AND AREA, STEPHEN LEACOCK AWARD
A 5 year grant commitment to help build an endowment for the Stephen Leacock Memorial Medal for Humour award. Begun in 1947, the annual writers award along with the student’s award is to encourage the growth of Canadian humour writing. In 2020 Stephen King won for his autobiographical novel Indians on Vacation.
2019
AL PURDY A-FRAME ASSOCIATION
A three year grant commitment continues our funding support to the A-frame’s writer-in-residence program.
I felt like we were trading shifts, the raccoon clocking out as I clocked in. I watched for the herons, each visitation a special occasion. Every evening we watched a shocking number of fireflies announce the night (while contending with a shocking number of mosquitoes, which bit into the magical fantasy quality of the lightshow somewhat). Levi and I watched a hummingbird flit in front of the main window. The house inspired a constant state of active observation. I spent a lot of time watching, and taking notes. This heightened sense of attention allowed me to live in an extended compositional space that was always there in the background of my days, even when my family was with me, even when I was cooking dinner, even when we were swimming. This radically reorganized how I thought about my practice. -Writer in Residence 2019
BANFF CENTRE FOR ARTS AND CREATIVITY
A five year grant commitment was made to the Banff Artists’ Fund for scholarships and financial assistance to underfunded artists attending programs at the Centre.
CALGARY PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY
The Calgary Calgary Philharmonic’s Education Series exposes new, young audiences to music with the musician outreach program, which sends concert musicians into local schools, and by providing subsidized tickets to interactive education performances at the Jack Singer Concert Hall.
It is a full body immersive experience of culture and music, I love that they tailor the experience to students. It allows those who may never go to experience something culturally significant and memorable. -Participant comment
CALGARY SCOPE SOCIETY, PICTURE THIS FILM FESTIVAL
Support was directed to the PTFF, an annual venue that showcases international films created by film makers living with disabilities.
I think it is amazing that anybody can make a film no matter your background. I like how people get involved with different organizations showing off their talents with film and videography. It’s amazing what you’re doing to support plus include everyone in the film and video. -PTFF attendee
PACIFIC PARKLANDS FOUNDATION
Funding was provided for the continued development of a 2020 showing of UNiNTERRUPTED; a multi-media presentation that brought the experience of salmon migration to urban audiences under the Cambie Street Bridge during the summer of 2017.
2018
AL PURDY A-FRAME ASSOCIATION
The time spent in the A-Frame was time spent with Al’s ghost. I often found myself wondering what I would tell my younger self, the 19 year old who first read “Wilderness Gothic” in undergrad, about the experience. I expect it would have floored the younger me to know that, in 14 years, I’d be setting up shop and finishing the final edits on my first book at Al’s desk, next to his typewriter and coffee stains.
-Jeff Weingarten
CALGARY PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY
A grant went to the musician’s outreach program to bring music into schools where concert access is limited.
CALGARY SCOPE SOCIETY, PICTURE THIS FILM FESTIVAL
None of our young local filmmakers have ever made disability films before – and it is our hope and aim that we can inspire them to do so in order that the film we make with them is not the only one they make, but the first of many – that they will go on increasing awareness and understanding of disability issues within their country. The Picture this …. film festival is a wonderful means of providing that inspiration. -UK Producer of Lisilojulikana
PACIFIC SALMON FOUNDATION
A research and development grant went to the work on a new showing of UNiNTERRUPTED
View the promo video for the 2017 event in Vancouver.
UNINTERRUPTED: A Cinematic Spectacle/Le Spectacle Cinématique from Uninterrupted on Vimeo.
2017
AL PURDY A-FRAME ASSOCIATION
There was also a part of me – in addition to the parts that oppose and mourn racist instances – that appreciated Purdy’s explicit transcriptions of his conscious and unconscious leanings. Much of racism resides at that edge, and many of his contemporaries might have hidden or denied their prejudices, while still destructively enacting them in their lives. Some of Purdy’s poetry makes them openly visible, and therefore less insidious. If Canada, the nation, is the land that is meant in ‘The Voice of the Land’, then Purdy was honest and accurate. I might have raised these thoughts, if I had known him, and then as far as the biographical information suggests, we would have argued.
CALGARY PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY
Funding supported the CPO musician outreach program.
CALGARY SCOPE SOCIETY, PICTURE THIS FILM FESTIVAL
…high production values, some wonderful subjects explored. I love the people who gather together at this festival. Great networking event.
I enjoy independent films and want to support arts in disability.
It is a wonderful place to be, to learn, to be human, to embrace art, culture and heart and mind.
MOMO MULTI-ABILITY MOVEMENT ARTS SOCIETY
A final year of general support funding supported MoMo’s all-ability movement and dance workshops and theatrical performances.
Momo Mixed Ability Dance has always been about integration; the integration of people with disabilities and those without, dancing together, creating together, performing together and modelling what a diverse society looks like. -2017 report
2016
AL PURDY A-FRAME ASSOCIATION
Support went to the A-frame’s writer-in-residence program.
CALGARY PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY
2016 funding went toward subsidized concert tickets for children and their families to attend live music performances.
CALGARY SCOPE SOCIETY, PICTURE THIS FILM FESTIVAL
MOMO MULTI-ABILITY MOVEMENT ARTS SOCIETY
Funding supported MoMo’s all-ability movement and dance workshops and theatrical performances. A teacher training workshop early in the year resulted in glowing comments from participants:
“I would recommend this training to anyone who interested in the integrated dance forms, it provided appropriate use of language, mobility concerns for participants, it engaged individuals in the community and students got the opportunity to dance with persons who are experiencing a form of disability without any restricting barriers.”
WORDFEST
This year’s grant sponsors the author Peter Wohlleben at the annual Wordfest writers festival in Calgary. Peter has written a number of books on woodlands and nature conservancy. The Hidden Life of Trees, presented at Wordfest 2016, is his first book to be published in English.
2015
AL PURDY A-FRAME ASSOCIATION
The A-frame’s writer-in-residence program was given a grant for their second year. Here are reflections from Laurie Graham, one of the 2015 residents:
“I was able to breathe a different sort of air while there, ignite a different voice and a new set of poetic concerns, that quite simply wouldn’t have happened anywhere else.”
CALGARY SCOPE SOCIETY, PICTURE THIS FILM FESTIVAL
EDMONTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
This was Glasswaters’ final year of support of a three year pilot project; the YONA-Sistema after-school orchestra program for underserved youth in Northern Alberta.
MOMO MULTI-ABILITY MOVEMENT ARTS SOCIETY
WORDFEST
A 2015 grant went to general program support for the annual WordFest writers festival in Calgary.
2014
AL PURDY A-FRAME ASSOCIATION
A grant included funds for septic upgrades to the A-frame to help complete renovations and support for two months of an incredibly successful first year’s writer-in-residence program.
CALGARY SCOPE SOCIETY, PICTURE THIS FILM FESTIVAL
EDMONTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
A grant supported the second year of a three year pilot project; theYONA-Sistema http://www.yona-sistema.com/
MOMO MULTI-ABILITY MOVEMENT ARTS SOCIETY
WORDFEST
2014 support went to the author sponsorship of Thomas King. King presented The Back of the Turtle, his first literary novel in fifteen years, following the success of The Inconvenient Indian.
2013
CALGARY SCOPE SOCIETY, PICTURE THIS FILM FESTIVAL
EDMONTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
A grant supported the first year of a three year pilot project; theYONA-Sistema
MOMO MULTI-ABILITY MOVEMENT ARTS SOCIETY
PROJECT BOOKMARK CANADA
Support was for the development of Bookmark’s first “instant cluster”, a series of innovative, public installations in Calgary that feature place and scene related quotes from Canadian writers.
SIERRA CLUB BC
Funds were to assist Garth Lenz in his Alberta tar sands photographic exhibition and public education project. Exhibits included a January through April showing at the Galt Museum in Lethbridge.
WORDFEST, BANFF-CALGARY INTERNATIONAL WRITERS FESTIVAL
2013 support went to the author sponsorship of Susan Delacourt, Shopping for Votes, and Sarah Elton, Consumed. Susan’s event with author Chris Turner examined the health of Canadian Democracy; Sarah’s presentation looked at the state of the world’s food supply.
2012
AL PURDY A-FRAME ASSOCIATION
A one-time grant facilitated the purchase of the Al Purdy A-frame to preserve its cultural heritage and provide an inspirational retreat centre for writers.
CALGARY SCOPE SOCIETY, PICTURE THIS FILM FESTIVAL
MOMO MULTI-ABILITY MOVEMENT ARTS SOCIETY
WORDFEST, BANFF-CALGARY INTERNATIONAL WRITERS FESTIVAL
A grant supported the 2012 Price of Oil event featuring Arno Kopecky and Andrew Nikiforuk.
2011
CALGARY SCOPE SOCIETY, PICTURE THIS FILM FESTIVAL
CKUA RADIO FOUNDATION
A one-time grant was directed to CKUA Radio Network’s diverse range of community supported, local radio programming.
MOMO MULTI-ABILITY MOVEMENT ARTS SOCIETY
WORDFEST, BANFF-CALGARY INTERNATIONAL WRITERS FESTIVAL
Funding supported a fall festival event that partnered with the Calgary Drop-In and Rehab Centre to reach a broader group of literary artists and audience members.
2010
CALGARY SCOPE SOCIETY, PICTURE THIS FILM FESTIVAL
MOMO MULTI-ABILITY MOVEMENT ARTS SOCIETY
2009
MOMO MULTI-ABILITY MOVEMENT ARTS SOCIETY