Calgary, Saturday, January 19, 2008

Good afternoon and welcome to this instalment of Art Matters, created as a forum for dialogue and reflection.

My husband, Jean-Daniel Lafond, and I are thrilled to welcome artists, patrons, business people, decision makers and the citizens of Calgary interested in exploring the place that the arts and culture hold in the development of a thriving city.

The arts and culture have always had an extraordinary power to draw us in.

Culture is one way for peoples and civilizations to represent themselves, to make their mark, to leave clues for us to decipher so that we may understand their vision of the world.

Culture is a treasure. One that reaches across time, that is ultimately timeless. Truly, there is nothing that stands the test of time quite like works of art.

There is no denying that culture is a collective jewel, a precious resource.

Of course, there is yellow gold, white gold, even black gold, but what would Calgary be without its One Yellow Rabbit?

Without its High Performance Rodeo and magnificent EPCOR Centre, where we have gathered today?

Without its Theatre School, its Glenbow Museum, its Heritage Park, its International Film Festival?

Without the excitement of its cultural production and its artistic community?

And what would Calgary be without its Francophone community, which has enriched the cityscape with its unique perspective and culture?

Take all that away, and what’s left?

I believe that Calgary would surely lose part of its charm, to say nothing of its spirit.

I would add that without the work of our artists, who are the very backbone of culture, our lives and communities would be impoverished and infinitely sad, without a soul, or vision, if you will.

Art is not measured simply in terms of ratings, receipts, attendance and profitability.

To consider art as little more than a commodity is to reduce it to the lowest common denominator, which I believe would pave the way for uninspiring culture and narrow thinking.

For me, a city is so much more interesting when it offers a wide range of viewpoints and cultural and artistic experiences, when it is bold and innovative.

And thanks to people like you, Calgary is one such city.

I can’t wait to hear your ideas about how you are transforming your economic wealth into cultural richness.

Thank you for joining us today. Jean-Daniel, if you please…