Government is revitalizing the Alberta Foundation for the Arts board by appointing five new directors to fill upcoming vacancies. The appointments include a new chair and vice chair, once those two terms expire next spring. The revitalized board will guide the work the foundation does on behalf of government to support the province’s arts community.
“The programs and services provided by the Alberta Foundation for the Arts are part of our commitment to the arts sector. The important work of the foundation will benefit from the experience and leadership of new board members. We thank the outgoing board members for their service and commitment to the arts.”
The following people have been appointed for terms of either two or three years:
- Mary Rozsa de Coquet, incoming chair, is an arts sector leader with more than 25 years’ experience in innovative management programs, contributions to public policies and research (Jan. 11, 2020 to Jan. 10, 2023).
- Paul R. Baay, incoming vice chair, is a member of the National Gallery of Canada board of trustees. He is a community builder and energy sector leader (Jan. 11, 2020 to Jan. 10, 2022).
- Peter Kiss has more than 20 years of experience as a business leader supporting local Indigenous communities. He has a passion for the Alberta arts scene (Jan. 11, 2020 to Jan. 10, 2022).
- Maryann Chichak is the mayor of Whitecourt. She is passionate about increasing access to arts and cultural experiences in rural communities (Jan. 11, 2020 to Jan. 10, 2022).
- Tom Jackson, whose career in film, television and music spans more than 40 years (Jan. 11, 2020 to Jan. 10, 2023).
The terms of the current chair and vice chair will expire in April 2020, when the new chair and vice chair will assume their duties. The transition period will help ensure greater business continuity.