It All Adds Up: Delving into key role of philanthropy when the stages go dark
Time to read: under 6 minutes
Arts Commons welcomes thousands of people through our doors each season for live concerts, theatre performances, comedy shows, and speaker talks, as well as educational initiatives, workshops, and professional development sessions. Though much of this programming has a ticket price, the price of the ticket only covers a small portion of what it costs to bring these events to you, our audiences. It’s through government support, corporate sponsorship, and generosity of our donors that we are able to keep the ticket price affordable and accessible for these amazing events.
As we enter a season where our stages have been dark for over eight months, what is the new face of donor philanthropy? Why donate in a time when there is no arts, in the traditional sense, to enjoy?
NYSSA AND JORDAN MOORE
Nyssa and Jordan Moore joined the Explorers Circle in 2015 after having the opportunity to see Joel Sartore’s talk: Grizzlies, Piranhas & Man-eating Pigs. In Nyssa’s own words, “I'm not exaggerating when I say that if there was one person alive in the world today, he'd be the one I'd choose to meet!”
Though joining the Explorers Circle started as an opportunity to meet the National Geographic Explorers face-to-face, it has since become a passion for their family to the extent that they have continued to donate despite there being no opportunities to meet Explorers this year live and in person.
“I think the value of what they [Arts Commons] do is huge. Even if nothing happens this year, they’re going to continue doing what they do in the future, even outside of National Geographic,” says Nyssa. “To support Arts Commons is to support a hopeful future for everyone. I feel really lucky to be involved in the Explorers Circle. I wish more people knew just how wonderful it is and how it does make you care about the world.”
left to right - Jordan and Nyssa Moore at an Explorer’s Circle reception at the Calgary Zoo.
DOUG FLAIG AND HELEN TIMMONS
Entering their fourth season as Arts Commons donors, Doug Flaig and Helen Timmons are also members of the Explorers Circle. At their first National Geographic Live event in 2016 they met marine biologist Silvia Earle and attended her presentation focused on the key role our oceans play in every part of life on earth. Ever since that first taste of National Geographic Live, they were hooked!
“We were both so impressed with the quality of the program that we did not hesitate to put our support to this program by becoming Engagement Sponsors,” says Doug.
As we approach a season when the prospect of live performances is still very much in question, both Doug and Helen have no doubt in their minds that they’ve made the right decision in continuing their support.
“Given this extraordinarily unprecedented situation that we are now facing - a world-wide pandemic - we believe our contribution cannot be contingent on whether there are live presentations,” says Doug. “This situation is very likely to be short-lived; we will come through these dark times. Live presentations will resume!
“Withdrawing our contribution would be short-sighted. Our abandonment of support, when times get tough for the Nat Geo Live program, could risk the loss of momentum for this highly successful lecture series. The Nat Geo Live series has been, and needs to remain, a model for other communities in North America and throughout the world. To lose this program would be a terrible loss for Calgary. This is why we support the Nat Geo Live program through these difficult times.”
from left to right - Doug Flaig and Helen Timmons with David Taylor and Janine LaBossiere.
NEIL AND SUE HUCKLE
Relatively new donors and enthusiastic supports of the arts, Neil and Sue Huckle, emigrated from the UK 10 years ago. Back then, they lived within an hour's drive from London's West End and their evenings often including popping out to see a show, a play, or musical. Things have been a bit different since they moved to Canada, but they’ve maintained their love for the stage.
“2020 has given a small taste of what life could be like without any arts organizations. Fortunately, it's temporary, but I think it has driven home the truth behind the old saying, "You don't know what you have until it's gone," says Neil.
“We've seen some great creative examples of adapting to the times, reaching out and engaging a disconnected community: Vertigo Theatre with their Mystery Radio series, and the fantastic news that we will be getting an - albeit online – A Christmas Carol this year.”
What’s unique about Neil and Sue’s perspective is that they significantly increased their donation this season, a season when the stages are dark.
“This year, more than any other, I see that support as being critical. Everyone has felt the impact of COVID on their lives to some degree and there is an overwhelming desire for life to return to ‘normal’. Once we come out the other side of these testing times, I think it's so important that all [arts organizations]: Arts Commons, Theatre Calgary, Vertigo Theatre, Southern Jubilee… can hit the ground running,” says Neil.
“Once it's deemed safe to do so, you need to be able to throw the doors open as soon as possible so people can begin to see and feel a return to normal. Getting opened up again will be a medicine that is going help in all sorts of ways, it's not just about providing Calgarians with an evening’s entertainment.”
DAVE AND ROXANNE DUNLOP
“We’ve been supporters of the arts in Calgary for a number of years. We feel it's important that as a vibrant city, Calgary needs an active arts community.”
It was Roxanne Dunlop who first discovered Arts Commons online and made the suggestion that her and Dave look at getting involved. They decided to attend the National Geographic Live presentation of Paul Nicklen’s Polar Obsession. In Dave’s own words, “we started going and because of the fabulous reception from the organization we kept it up and amped it up!”
Dave and Roxanne have supported the organization in numerous ways since that initial introduction, as donors, subscribers, board members, advocates, and most recently, spearheading a COVID relief fundraising campaign, that has raised $551,826 to date, to help Arts Commons weather the significant financial challenges caused by the pandemic and ensure we are able to continue to bring the arts to life in our city.
“We need to make sure that we get out the other side,” says Dave. “One thing I really credit Arts Commons with is doing everything they can to keep their staff as employed as possible. I think that’s commendable, and I think that they need support from the community to keep that happening.
“In a time when you can’t gather in the thousands to watch the arts, we need to support what is being done, and make sure things keep moving forward.”
Lochlan, Roxanne, and Dave Dunlop pictured with biomedical scientist Zoltan Takacs (left)
The generosity of our individual donors, corporate sponsors, foundation partners and all three levels of government will pave the way for Arts Commons to navigate the recovery that lies ahead and re-open a stronger, more impactful institution at a time when the world needs the arts more than ever.
