EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE
The Allied Arts Council celebrated two significant anniversaries in 2018; the 60th anniversary of our organization and the 5th anniversary of the opening of Lethbridge’s remarkable art centre, Casa. Even as we celebrated our past we looked to our future. Early in 2018 the AAC Board of Directors contemplated and developed their 20192022 Strategic Plan and began the process of building a new four year budget that supported their new strategic direction. They also made a number of significant future focused decisions to safeguard our sustainability and support organizational growth. The AAC has endured for 60 years because it is an organization that embraces change and responds to opportunities. The AAC Board demonstrated this responsiveness when they took the measured risk to add additional space to the 7 Street office when space immediately above our current location became available. The new space was renovated by an exceptional group of sixteen volunteers who contributed over 300 hours to the project. Additional assistance was provided by members of the Downtown Clean Sweep program who were hired to assist with a variety of tasks. Renovation materials as well as additional furniture and equipment were purchased in part with matching funds from a City of Lethbridge Community Capital Improvement Grant. The expansion not only provides much needed office space for AAC staff but also includes a board meeting room and a small office which will be made available to the community. An additional positive result of the expansion is the freeing up of main floor space which will converted to a small retail space for handmade artworks by Lethbridge and area artists.
The AAC renovation before and after.
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ANNUAL REPORT
The Allied Arts Council employees a skilled team of arts administrators, support staff and instructors who are responsible for developing and delivering programs and initiatives that support the Board’s strategic direction and vision. The team experienced some change in 2018 with the addition of Kelly Reay as Education Manager in June who came to us from Calgary with an extensive background in theatre supported with experience in educational programming. We were saddened but not surprised when Kelly left the AAC to take the position of General Manager of New West Theatre at the end of 2018. Long time Projects Manager, Muffy McKay, took an extended leave during the summer of 2018 and we were happy to have former Communications Coordinator, Ashley Markus, assist the 7 Street staff with Arts Days as well as helping to complete a successful grant application for a 60th anniversary book project to update the AAC history. The success of the AAC is reflected, in part, by the strength of our staff team. In 2018 this team persisted in their efforts to provide information, events and programs that ensure the vibrancy and growth of the arts community for the benefit of Lethbridge’s citizens.
