Media Contact
Ian Forsyth, President
Creative City Network of Canada
604-982-3891

(September 16, 2011) Vancouver – Ian Forsyth, President of the Board of The Creative City Network of Canada, announces the appointment of Tammy Isaacson as the new General Manager of CCNC.

“We are so pleased to have Tammy join our team, she brings a wealth of experience working in the cultural industries, and will be just the person to work with the board as we continue to evolve the organization.” – Ian Forsyth

Tammy has worked in theatre, opera, and festivals and has been an arts administrator for over fifteen years. She was the General Manager for several arts organizations, including Pi Theatre, Alberta Opera Touring Association and Northern Light Theatre. She is passionate about contributing to community and the value of arts to society.

“I am delighted to be on board with such a unique and important organization as The Creative City Network of Canada. I look forward to serving the growing membership, working with municipal cultural professionals across Canada to further the sharing of expertise, and celebrating the upcoming tenth anniversary of the organization at the 2012 Summit in Greater Victoria, BC, and beyond.” – Tammy Isaacson

Tammy Isaacson will take the helm as General Manager for The Creative City Network of Canada on October 3, 2011.

The Creative City Network of Canada/Réseau des villes créatives du Canada is a national nonprofit organization that operates as a knowledge sharing, research, public education, and professional development resource in the field of municipal cultural policy, planning and practice. For more information on the Creative City Network of Canada visit creativecity.ca

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Download Media Release (PDF, 520 KB)

(July 14, 2011) Vancouver – The Creative City Network of Canada announces the resignation of Kelsey Hicks from her position as Interim General Manager of CCNC due to medical reasons. Kelsey will leave the Creative City Network as of August 8, 2011.

"It has been a very rewarding and valuable experience working for the Creative City Network of Canada since September 2008. During my time here, I have come to understand the value of the CCNC and the important work it supports in creative communities across Canada. I've had the opportunity to work with an incredible group of people and I continue to be inspired by the Members and Board of Directors of this organization. It has been a difficult decision to leave my position with the CCNC but I wish you all the best in your communities and great success for the Creative City Network." Kelsey Hicks, Interim General Manager, Creative City Network of Canada

"We will miss Kelsey, her energy and her dedication to the CCNC. She was instrumental in making this year's Summit in London, Ontario the success it was, and we wish her good health and good luck in her future endeavours." Ian Forsyth, President, Creative City Network of Canada

The Board of the Creative City Network of Canada is currently working to fill the position of General Manager. If you are interested in viewing the job posting or for more information, please contact Ian Forsyth at 604-982-3891 or Ian.Forsyth [at] artsoffice.ca.

The closing date for the posting is 5:00 pm Pacific Standard Time, Friday July 22, 2011.

The Creative City Network of Canada/Réseau des villes créatives du Canada is a national nonprofit organization that operates as a knowledge sharing, research, public education, and professional development resource in the field of municipal cultural policy, planning and practice.

Services provided include a monthly e-Newsletter distributed widely across Canada and around the world, a number of list-serves connecting cultural planning professionals across the country, annual publications dealing with various aspects of cultural development, and active research into the value and impacts of arts and culture in communities. A national in-person meeting, held each year in a different location in Canada, brings together cultural planners, practitioners and decision makers with acknowledged experts, to discuss pressing issues in cultural and community enrichment, and share professional development opportunities.

Through its work, CCNC helps build the capacity of municipal cultural planning professionals – and their municipalities – to nurture and support cultural development in their communities. By doing so, CCNC aims to improve the operating climate and conditions for artists, arts and cultural organizations and ethno-cultural populations across the country, and the quality of life in Canadian communities of all sizes.

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Creative City Network Board of Directors:
President: Ian Forsyth, North Vancouver, British Columbia
Vice-President: Elena Bird, Toronto, Ontario
Past-President: Angela Watson, Fredericton, New Brunswick
Treasurer: Rebecca Cann, St. Catharines, Ontario
Secretary: Sheila McKinnon, Surrey, British Columbia

Directors:
Kay Anonsen, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
John Ariyo, Mississauga, Ontario
Robin Armistead, London, Ontario
Lois Harper, Grande Prairie, Alberta
Betty Anne Keller, Waterloo, Ontario
Andrew MacGregor, Amherst, Nova Scotia
Caroline Obeid, Ottawa, Ontario
Alison Turner, Edmonton, Alberta
Frances Westlund, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

For more information on the Creative City Network of Canada, please visit creativecity.ca

Contact Information:
Ian Forsyth, President, Creative City Network of Canada
Ian.Forsyth [at] artsoffice.ca
604-982-3891

Download the Media Release (PDF, 940 KB)

Download the Job Posting (PDF, 256 KB)

Mr. Forsyth succeeds Angela Watson whose two-year term as President of the Board ended in May. Ms. Watson will continue to serve on the Executive as Past President.

“It has been a hugely rewarding experience to work with such a dedicated and bright team of people to continue the important work of past Creative City Boards,’ said Angela Watson, of the City of Fredericton. “It is essential that we continue to build the network in support of professionals working in cultural development roles in communities across the country. As more Canadian communities become increasingly engaged in the development of local arts and culture, the Network continues to grow and respond by providing relevant resources and tools.”

In accepting his leadership role on the Board, Mr. Forsyth commented, “I’ve been involved with the Creative City Network since the 1990’s, when it was a life-line list serve for cultural workers across the country. I am very grateful to now have the opportunity to lead the organization as it goes through an important and challenging transition as we approach our 10th anniversary. More and more municipalities recognize the importance of arts and culture to further a community’s sense of place and revitalize and recharge neighbourhoods, creating exciting economic development opportunities, and the Creative City Network can support, facilitate and incubate all of these ideas."

The Creative City Network of Canada/Réseau des villes créatives du Canada is a national nonprofit organization that operates as a knowledge sharing, research, public education, and professional development resource in the field of municipal cultural policy, planning and practice.

Services provided include a monthly e-Newsletter distributed widely across Canada and around the world, a number of list-serves connecting cultural planning professionals across the country, annual publications dealing with various aspects of cultural development, and active research into the value and impacts of arts and culture in communities. A national in-person meeting, held each year in a different location in Canada, brings together cultural planners, practitioners and decision makers with acknowledged experts, to discuss pressing issues in cultural and community enrichment, and share professional development opportunities.

Through its work, CCNC helps build the capacity of municipal cultural planning professionals – and their municipalities – to nurture and support cultural development in their communities. By doing so, CCNC aims to improve the operating climate and conditions for artists, arts and cultural organizations and ethno-cultural populations across the country, and the quality of life in Canadian communities of all sizes.

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Creative City Network Board of Directors

President: Ian Forsyth, North Vancouver, British Columbia

Vice-President: Elena Bird, Toronto, Ontario

Past-President: Angela Watson, Fredericton, New Brunswick

Treasurer: Rebecca Cann, St. Catharines, Ontario

Secretary: Sheila McKinnon, Surrey, British Columbia

Directors:

Kay Anonsen, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador

John Ariyo, Mississauga, Ontario

Robin Armistead, London, Ontario

Lois Harper, Grande Prairie, Alberta

Betty Anne Keller, Waterloo, Ontario

Andrew MacGregor, Amherst, Nova Scotia

Caroline Obeid, Ottawa, Ontario

Alison Turner, Edmonton, Alberta

Frances Westlund, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

For more information on the Creative City Network of Canada visit creativecity.ca

Download Media Release (PDF, 940 KB)

The Board of Directors elected Mr. Forsyth on May 12, 2011 at a meeting of the Board following the Annual General Meeting, which saw two new members elected to the Board: Robin Armistead of London, Ontario and Andrew MacGregor of Amherst, Nova Scotia.

They join continuing members: Kay Anonsen of St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador; John Ariyo of Mississauga, Ontario; Elena Bird of Toronto, Ontario; Rebecca Cann of St. Catharines, Ontario; Ian Forsyth of North Vancouver, British Columbia; Lois Harper of Grande Prairie, Alberta; Betty Anne Keller of Waterloo, Ontario; Sheila McKinnon of Surrey, British Columbia; Caroline Obeid of Ottawa, Ontario; Alison Turner of Edmonton, Alberta; Angela Watson of Fredericton, New Brunswick; and Frances Westlund of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

Angela Watson, Cultural Development Officer for the City of Fredericton, NB, who stepped down after completing a two-year term as President, assumes the role of Past-President. Betty Anne Keller of Waterloo, ON stepped down as Past President and remains on the Board. Elena Bird of Toronto, ON assumes the role of Vice-President. Rebecca Cann of St. Catharines, ON continues as Treasurer and Sheila McKinnon of Surrey, BC continues as Secretary.

Two Board Members resigned including David Plouffe of Calgary, AB and Steve Fournier of Gatineau, QC. The Creative City Network of Canada wishes to thank these two individuals for their contributions as Board Members. They have both shown great commitment to the CCNC and its membership, and will continue to support the Network as member municipalities in the years to come.

The 2011 Annual General Meeting was held during the 2011 Creative City Summit, May 12, 2011 in London, Ontario.

Services provided include a monthly e-Newsletter distributed widely across Canada and around the world, a number of list-serves connecting cultural planning professionals across the country, annual publications dealing with various aspects of cultural development, and active research into the value and impacts of arts and culture in communities. A national in-person meeting, held each year in a different location in Canada, brings together cultural planners, practitioners and decision makers with acknowledged experts, to discuss pressing issues in cultural and community enrichment, and share professional development opportunities.

Through its work, CCNC helps build the capacity of municipal cultural planning professionals – and their municipalities – to nurture and support cultural development in their communities. By doing so, CCNC aims to improve the operating climate and conditions for artists, arts and cultural organizations and ethno-cultural populations across the country, and the quality of life in Canadian communities of all sizes.

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 Creative City Network Board of Directors

President: Ian Forsyth, North Vancouver, British Columbia

Vice-President: Elena Bird, Toronto, Ontario

Past-President: Angela Watson, Fredericton, New Brunswick

Treasurer: Rebecca Cann, St. Catharines, Ontario

Secretary: Sheila McKinnon, Surrey, British Columbia

Directors:

Kay Anonsen, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador

John Ariyo, Mississauga, Ontario

Robin Armistead, London, Ontario

Lois Harper, Grande Prairie, Alberta

Betty Anne Keller, Waterloo, Ontario

Andrew MacGregor, Amherst, Nova Scotia

Caroline Obeid, Ottawa, Ontario
Alison Turner, Edmonton, Alberta

Frances Westlund, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

For more information on the Creative City Network of Canada visit creativecity.ca

Download Media Release (PDF, 940 KB)