Steve Foord is planning on creating synergy amongst Lethbridge’s arts community as the new Allied Arts Council Manager of community engagement.
“We want to create more connection in the community amongst arts and other artists and the Allied Arts Council,” Foord said.
The first step towards that long term goal is promoting Allied arts Council memberships, which are free this year.
Foord who is a well known local musician and part owner of Owl Acoustic lounge observed Allied Arts Council memberships had a steep decline during Covid which the organization is still recovering from.
He said it is more important to build connections between artists and arts supporters and arts organizations.
“ For example if a musician wants to know where to get merch made, we can help with that by connecting them with someone who does that,” Foord said, adding the Allied Arts Council offers professional development workshops such as a recent workshop about the grant application process which was part of the Allied Arts Council Art Works series.
“ We’re building our online connections,” Foord said.
“ Right now we‘re doing a membership blitz in April and into May,” he said, adding The Allied Arts Council will also be looking making this years free membership policy permanent.
“We want t make it easier for people in the arts community to connect with each other,” Foord said.
There are several different levels of memberships. An artist membership is for people who create all kinds of art, including physical art, music and drama. it allows access to Allied Arts Council initiatives and events; included in the online arts directory; professional development workshops; promotion of arts related events, subscription to e- newsletters and invitations to Allied Arts Council events. An associate membership is for individuals, groups businesses , corporations, ad hoc arts organizations and collectives engaged in supporting artistic endeavours.
That includes all the benefits of an artist membership.
An Allied membership is for not-for-profit groups and organizations engaged in artistic endeavours. That also includes one vote at the annual general meeting and special general meetings and mail address service where available. Friend memberships are also available which includes free subscriptions to Allied Arts Council publications providing arts related information and events.
You can sign up for any of the memberships at https://artslethbridge.org/forms/.
—by Richard Amery, L.A. Beat Editor
