To mark The Banff Centre’s 75th Anniversary this year, the Alberta Foundation for the Arts (AFA) has generously entered into a partnership with the Centre to commission an original work of art, to be completed over the next two years. The work will be unveiled as part of the 2010 opening of the new Kinnear Centre for Creativity and Innovation.

“We are very pleased to partner with The Banff Centre on this commission by an Alberta artist, and to help celebrate 75 years of the Centre’s diverse contributions to the arts in Alberta,” says Audrey Luft, chairperson of the AFA.

The AFA will commit up to $100,000 toward the commission, which will be chosen from an invitational competition involving three to five artists chosen by AFA staff and staff of the Centre. The Foundation will also commit an additional $50,000 to assist artists in developing proposals. The successful artist will be chosen by a jury appointed by The Banff Centre, with representation from the AFA.

“Both The Banff Centre and the Alberta Foundation for the Arts have a very proud history of supporting the creation of new work by Alberta artists,” says Mary Hofstetter, president and CEO of the Centre. “This commission is a perfect way to celebrate our 75th anniversary, to promote a significant partnership with the Foundation, and to bring an important new work of art to the public. The Centre is also grateful to the Hon. Lindsay Blackett, Minister of Culture and Community Spirit, for his support of this project.”

As part of the competition process, the Centre will bring invited artists to develop their proposals on site, and may provide a creative residency for the creation of the chosen work. Once it is unveiled, the work will remain part of the AFA collection.

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More information on The Banff Centre’s 75th Anniversary