| Re: "Starving the arts: Despite a massive surplus, the Klein government continues to shortchange the cultural community," by Amy Steele, Cover, April 28 - May 4, 2005.
I agree completely, but am disappointed that there was no mention of the most impoverished of all the arts organizations, artist-run centres. Further, regarding the article on Alberta Scene ("One hell of a party: Alberta’s biggest centennial arts bash will be taking place in Ottawa," by Wes Lafortune), there was not a single mention of the 28 media artists or the many visual artists who are presenting in Ottawa.
It also would have been nice if you had mentioned the arts awards at the Mayors Luncheon last week. EMMedia won the Telus award for Innovation in the Arts, and Sandra Vida won the Epcor Established Arts Award for 35 years of contributing to the arts in our community. Both award-winners are recognized nationally and internationally, but we were deeply touched to have our hometown notice our work.
Usually Fast Forward is so thorough about recognizing the depth of artist-run culture in Calgary, and so these omissions surprised me. Calgary has artist-run centres between 20 and 30 years old, whose determination to contribute innovative art to our community has been relentless, despite the lack of funding, very little press coverage and the ongoing need for permanent stable facilities.
Nevertheless, thanks anyway for approaching the subject of the failure of the Alberta government to fund its artists and arts organizations. I doubt that Ralph has heard, though.
Diane S. Dickert,
executive director, EMMedia,
Calgary
Prairie & Northwest Territories region director, and treasurer,
Independent Media Arts Alliance / L'alliance des arts Médiatiques Indépendants
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