About the Recipients

THE ROZSA AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE

Congratulations to our most recent recipient of the Rozsa Award for Excellence in Arts Management, Marilyn Smith, Director of the Southern Alberta Art Gallery.

THE ROZSA INNOVATION AWARD

  • 2011 Eva Cairns - Catalyst Theatre
  • 2010 Penny Ritco - Citadel Theatre
  • 2009 Gerard Gibbs- Empress Theatre
  • 2008 Bob Davis – Rosebud Theatre
  • 2007 Xstine Cook – Calgary Animated Objects Society (CAOS)

THE ROZSA HUMAN RESOURCES AWARD*

  • 2010 Rose Brow - Quest Theatre
  • 2008 Murray Kilgour – School of Alberta Ballet

*This Award was formerly named the Rozsa Award for Education

Award Recipients biographies

MARILYN SMITH  MarilynSmith  2011

Marilyn Smith has been the Executive Director of the Southern Alberta Art Gallery since 1999.  Earlier in her career, Marilyn was awarded the Commissioner’s Medal for Outstanding Contributions to the development of tourism in Yukon when she was the co-owner and producer of Frantic Follies Vaudeville Revue.   She has more than 30 years experience in the arts & culture sector in areas such as education, management, public programming and fundraising.  From 2008-2010 Marilyn managed the most significant renovation in the gallery’s history with over 6000 square feet of new construction while also implementing a 3 year strategic plan designed to capitalize on the momentum gained from the new face and capacities of the building.  During her tenure, SAAG has increased revenue over 200%.

 

  SUZANNE MOTT Suzanne Mott2010

Suzanne Mott has worked with Vertigo theatre in a variety of capacities since 2001:  as a consultant, project coordinator, founder of theatre for young audience series (Y Stage), and since July 2004 as General Manager.  Suzanne’s achievements include successful construction of Vertigo Theatre Centre on time, on budget and without capital debt, successful transition of Vertigo Mystery Theatre from semi-professional to full professional status and Y Stage’s establishment as a premiere presentation series in Western Canada for young audience’s work.

TOM McFALL Tom McFall photo  2009

Mr. McFall became the Executive Director and Curator of the Alberta Craft Council ten years ago when it was facing a looming deficit, the rapid succession of a number of Directors and the falling off of the most senior and professional artist members. He eliminated the debt, re-engaged members, revamped their national magazine and moved operations to a more profitable and accessible venue in downtown Edmonton with the search for a Calgary building on-going. Strategic planning has become a key component of Board work under Tom’s tenure and his goal to gain recognition for fine crafts as a serious, relevant and professional art form has become a reality. Under Tom’s leadership, The Alberta Craft Council has presented an exhibit at the Smithsonian 2007, and many professional Alberta fine crafters are now exhibiting internationally.  Tom heads one of Canada’s largest craft councils, and in this capacity he consistently promotes and nurtures member artists and groups.

 LES SIEMIENIUK  Les 2008

General Manager of the Calgary Folk Music Festival and Recipient of the 2008 Rozsa Award for Excellence in Arts Management. Les's vision, based upon his encyclopaedic knowledge of folk music and enthusiasm for musical excellence, his passion for nurturing some of the industry's up-and-coming artists under the wing of the CFMF, and his commitment to community and audience development, has led the CFMF to expand the scope of the organization to effectively enhance the quality of life in Calgary. His track record as community leader, locally and nationally, team builder, educator and nurturer, coupled with his astute business and financial, indicate that as a leader of the CFMF growth and operations, Les clearly meets the standards of excellence set out in the qualifying criteria for the Rozsa Award in Arts Management.

TONY LUPPINO  Tony  2007

After working as the Executive Director of the Art Gallery of Alberta for only five years, Mr. Luppino successfully initiated an international architectural competition that culminated in the construction of an outstanding new gallery designed by renowned architect Randall Stout of Los Angeles. The new Alberta Art Gallery building will open in 2010 on Sir Winston Churchill Square in the heart of Edmonton’s Arts District and will double the gallery space and educational classroom space of the former gallery.

Mr. Luppino earned an undergraduate degree in journalism, and two Masters degrees in Anthropology and Art History. His business career spans twenty-five years in North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific with senior positions in leading advertising and public relations agencies and international corporations. He is also an active reviewer and writer, dealing with Asian and contemporary art and museum issues.

STEPHEN SCHROEDER   Stephen 2006

Executive Director Stephen Schroeder has been involved with Calgary-based One Yellow Rabbit Performance Theatre for the past fourteen years. Under Stephen's tenure, the budget has grown to $1.5 million dollars, the donor base has expanded, and audience numbers have increased, while artistic integrity has been maintained, a remarkable accomplishment given the prolific activity of the company and the experimental nature of their work. In May 2007, One Yellow Rabbit was honoured to receive the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Distinguished Artist Award.

Stephen was a recipient of Calgary Magazine's "40 Under 40 Award" which recognizes talented entrepreneurs who work diligently to promote the city and make it more competitive and vibrant. Stephen often mentors managers of smaller arts organizations, and still finds time to produce some shows and choreograph short dance works.

KATHI SUNDSTROM kathi  2005 

As General Manager, Kathi Sundstrom’s exceptional management skills have enabled Decidedly Jazz Danceworks to become one of Canada’s most innovative and successful dance companies. Kathi has proven herself as one of Alberta’s most adept arts managers, taking DJD from a struggling founder-driven company over ten years ago, through a period of tremendous growth, to become the mature and sustainable company that it is today.

In the years that Kathi has been the General Manger of DJD, she has achieved operating surpluses, and has increased its operating budget by 237% in ten years to $2.6 million, and has implemented effective marketing strategies that have resulted in the doubling of paid attendance at the annual DJD performances. Within a highly competitive Dance sector, DJD has developed a large and loyal audience base and built incredible community connections through its dance school.

Now celebrating a new milestone – its 25th Anniversary Season – DJD has carved a niche for itself in the heart of Canada’s dance audience by touring extensively from coast to coast. DJD also continues to create ground-breaking work here in Calgary. In January 2009, Skyscraper premiered as part of One Yellow Rabbit’s High Performance Rodeo. This new site-specific work took audiences on an interactive exploration through Calgary’s historic Grain Exchange building.

ANNE GREEN AnneG  2004 

Anne Green, Director of Wordfest, is known for her creativity and dynamism in the cultural industry as well as in the business sector. With experience regionally, nationally and internationally with not-for-profit companies and the small business sector, Anne has a diverse and valuable range of experience that has contributed to her success at Wordfest. Her efforts have resulted in an enviable degree of financial stability and community support for the Festival. Enduring partnerships, both with external organizations and with the many Festival volunteers, are a hallmark of Anne's work.

Wordfest is an international Writers Festival that takes place annually in Banff and Calgary. This event is a "celebration of the written and spoken word".

BOB McPHEE Bob  2003 

Bob McPhee, General Director & CEO of Calgary Opera, began his career as a performing artist. The last 20 years have seen him involved in many facets of arts administration including marketing, development, production, and senior management. In this capacity he has worked in 4 performing arts disciplines, theatre, dance, orchestra and opera. As President of the Edmonton Concert Hall Foundation, Bob was in charge of fundraising and construction of the $45M state-of-the-art Winspear Centre for Music.

In 2003 Bob was the Producer of the most successful world premiere of John Estacio and John Murrell’s Opera “Filumena” and in 2006 “Frobisher”.

Bob has been fortunate to receive several awards for his leadership in the Arts including the Chalmers National Award for Excellence in Arts Administration. Until recently he was chair of the Board of Opera.ca and now he sits on the Board of Opera AMERICA.