| Re: "Losing the space race," by Amy Steele, News, August 24-30, 2006.
It was with some dismay that I read about CSIF’s difficulties in finding new space.
My business partner and I heard about CSIF’s search for a new location while we were running our film and television casting/rehearsal facility. We e-mailed CSIF, and left them a phone message: "We have space, and we’re expanding; come talk to us." CSIF did not respond.
In the case of CSIF, the difficulty is not finding new space; it is in finding competent management.
Oh, and Calgary Arts Development Agency (CADA) is "researching the gaps in arts and cultural spaces"? Newsflash: everyone in the arts community knows there is a need for space.
I know. It is naïve of me to expect non-profit organizations to behave like aggressively run small businesses where one’s pay is commensurate with one’s diligence, success and, to a great extent, luck and foresight. I also acknowledge the naïveté in expecting a political entity like CADA to function in a manner demonstrably useful to the community it alleges to serve. The trouble is I do expect the above.
My experience has been that Calgary is full of some magnificent creative energy. Instead of whining, hand-wringing, and cries of ‘something must be done,’ it would be lovely to see these creative groups and the bureaucracies that serve them act directly, concretely and manifestly.
Responding to e-mail and phone messages might be a good first step.
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