The Family Behind Season of Gratitude
Long-time patrons of Arts Commons, as well as avid supporters of the arts, Rodney and Karen McCann along with their children, Brandon, Connor, Andrew, and Meghan, wanted to find a meaningful way to give back to our essential workers who have given so much to get us safely through the pandemic. The idea that they came up with, in collaboration with Arts Commons, is the Season of Gratitude program which aims to bring essential workers to productions by the Resident Companies of Arts Commons, including Arts Commons Presents, Alberta Theatre Projects, Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, Downstage, One Yellow Rabbit, and Theatre Calgary. Season of Gratitude could not be possible without a remarkable donation from the Rodney and Karen McCann family, as well as the support of the Arts Commons Founders Circle and Explorers Circle members.
“With COVID there was such disconnection. I think it was a difficult time for everybody, being so separated from each other, and away from their families,” says Karen McCann. “We've all had to learn to connect in different ways. Because we haven't necessarily been able to be in each other’s space, this is just an amazing opportunity to give thanks and show appreciation for all of the hard work that everyone's done.”
Starting at the end of August, those who have performed these key roles and more during the pandemic can now enrol in Season of Gratitude. The program’s goal is to distribute 10,000 free tickets to Calgary’s essential workers and their households from Arts Commons’ Resident Companies. The window to enrol is open from today until October 29, 2021. Arts Commons is not designating who is or is not deemed “essential” – applicants to the Season of Gratitude program are encouraged to decide for themselves if their work qualifies. To learn more, visit artscommons.ca/freetickets.
Rodney, Karen, and their children spent the last 18 months of the pandemic enjoying time together as a family and feeling so grateful for those essential workers that kept us going during that time. They all missed the connection with people they socialized with in their daily lives as active members of the arts community. It is for that reason that they chose to give Arts Commons a gift that allowed our organization to adapt to the new normal, and continue to bring programs to Calgarians in new, innovative, and safe ways.
“From my perspective, it comes down to being a part of the energy of a live performance. Whether it is the orchestra, music productions, or theatrical performances, it's the energy that comes from that,” says Rodney McCann. “That has never been more obvious to me than coming out of the last 18 months and hearing live music again as an audience member.”
Karen echoes Rodney’s sentiment. “My favorite type of moment at Arts Commons is feeling the energy of being in an audience. It’s that feeling that you get from seeing something for the first time, and everything is always a new experience at Arts Commons. I think that’s it for us – seeing people experiencing something for the first time and how exciting that is, and that cool type of energy not only in young children, but in anyone.”
Rodney and Karen first got involved as patrons of Arts Commons thanks to their love for youth programming. The National Geographic Live shows, particularly the student education series that are offered to over 8500 students during a regular season, have always been close to their hearts.
“I get such a charge to this day at the National Geographic matinees watching all of the kids that are in attendance. You can see the look in their eyes and know what is going through their heads as they're seeing new and exciting things, opportunities, and career paths that they never would have thought of,” says Rodney. “You see it and you hear it in their questions, in their voices, their cheers, and their little giggles. I think of the impact it can have on people right at their core. We get the benefit of not only having that experience, but also feeding off the energy of the people that are experiencing it with us at the same time.”
Rodney is also a board member at Arts Commons and serves as a member of the Governance Committee and the Arts Commons Transformation Project (ACT) Capital Campaign Steering Committee. His level of involvement with the organization is multilayered, and he brings his business expertise, his philanthropic passion and his dedication to our organization.
When asked what keeps him coming back to Arts Commons, he says, “We have an ability and an opportunity to be exposed to world class talent, world class facilities, world class management and labour – world class everything at Arts Commons. I think that’s one of the great unexpected benefits for us as individuals and our families. We get to realize that a strong and vibrant city doesn't just need big business or small business, we need these outlets, and a strong arts sector to provide these experiences. They are a bit of a retreat from some of the pressures, and that is what keeps us involved. The important role it plays in our community can’t be understated.”
You can read more about Season of Gratitude here, and if you are an essential worker, welcome to Arts Commons, we’ve saved you a seat!
