Created in 2003 to honour the philanthropic efforts of Ted and Lola Rozsa, the Rozsa Award for Excellence in Arts Management is unique in Canada, celebrating outstanding arts managers and providing additional professional development benefits to the recipient and his or her organization. Since inception 15 years ago, the foundation has distributed more than $1 million in cash prizes and benefits to award recipients and their organizations throughout Alberta.
Past recipients of the prestigious award are captains in the arts and read like a who’s-who including: Bob McPhee; Anne Green; Kathi Sundstrom; Steve Schroeder; Tony Luppino; Stephen McHolm; and Erin O’Conner.
Scores of guests gathered in the Jack Singer Concert Hall lobby Oct. 15 for the 15th Annual Rozsa Award. Shortlisted for this year’s award were JP Thibodeau, artistic producer of Storybook Theatre; Keri Mitchell, executive director of Theatre Alberta; and Shelley Youngblut, CEO of Wordfest.
Youngblut received the award this year. Apt indeed given that only a short time ago, Wordfest was about to close its doors. Since taking over as creative director in 2015, Youngblut has implemented pivotal changes and fostered powerful partnerships that have transformed Wordfest from the host of a weeklong literary celebration to a purveyor of dynamic and profitable year-round programming that draws major talent and audiences from around the world.
Guests in attendance are pictured.
With files from Rozsa Foundation
From left: Jim Dewald, dean of the Haskayne School of Business; Sippy Chhina, partner at Deloitte Canada; and Mary Rozsa de Coquet, board chair, Rozsa Foundation. Courtesy, Diane + Mike Photography
From left: View Point Foundation’s Sue Van Wielingen; Mary Rozsa de Coquet; Al Duerr; and Jan Fichtner. Courtesy, Diane + Mike Photography