Seven Legacy Artist Award winners honoured at Mayor’s Lunch for Arts Champions in Calgary! 

The Mayor’s Lunch for Arts Champions, organized by Calgary Arts Development and the Office of the Mayor, was sold-out for the fourth year in a row. On March 16, 2016, 675+ Calgarians from all sectors gathered to recognize and celebrate the many ways that they champion the arts in our city.

This year’s recipients of the Cultural Leaders Legacy Artist Awards were announced through a video featuring interviews with award-winners and sponsors including the following recipients from the Calgary theatre community:

ATB Financial Healing Through the Arts Award Recipient: Clem Martini
Clem Martini is a healer, well-known as a playwright and author who tackles the dark subject matter of mental illness, trauma and marginalization with wit and compassion.

Colin Jackson and Arlene Strom Creative Placemaking Award Recipient: Swallow-a-Bicycle
Under the direction of founders Mark Hopkins and Charles Netto, Swallow-a-Bicycle has re-contextualized the way Calgarians engage in art by creating theatre experiences in non-theatre places since 2006.

Enbridge Emerging Artist Award Recipient: Anton de Groot
A technician and stage manager, Anton is becoming more recognized for his work as an emerging designer. His success is the result of years of committed practice, and an ongoing relationship with Calgary’s arts and innovation community.

Doug and Lois Mitchell Outstanding Calgary Artist Award Recipient: Old Trout Puppet Workshop 
The Old Trout Puppet Workshop is a true Calgary institution: wildly creative and totally original, there’s nothing else like them in this city, in the country and even worldwide.

Winners received a $5,000 cash prize, and Old Trout Puppet Workshop receives a residency at The Banff Centre as the winner of the Doug & Lois Mitchell Outstanding Calgary Artist Award.

Each Legacy Award is funded by a contribution from a local philanthropist or organization with matching money from Calgary 2012, and is to be awarded annually with winners determined by a jury of peers.

For information on the Awards and all 2016 Award recipients, please visit mayorslunch.com.