The Rozsa Foundation is very happy to announce that Samantha MacDonald has joined our team as the new Director of Training. Samantha has recently been working as a freelance theatre producer across the country and was previously a big part of Calgary’s arts and culture scene as the former Artistic Producer of Lunchbox Theatre, a role she followed by becoming the producer at the Indigenous Theatre at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa. Samantha will oversee the Rozsa Foundation’s training programs, with an eye to expanding and developing additional programs over the next few years.
Ten Questions for Samantha MacDonald
You have an extensive background in theatre as an artistic leader, director, and producer; what made you want to take on the Director of Training role at the Foundation?
I have been so impressed with, and excited by, the work that the Foundation has been doing to support and uplift arts leaders in Alberta – it’s unlike almost any other training out there. Having run companies myself for many years, I know how challenging it can be. If there is an opportunity to be of service, even in some small way, to one of our amazing, tireless leaders, I’m all in and so thrilled to be.
What parts of your work and life experiences do you think lend themselves best to this new role?
My sense of Hope. My ability to make, and own, mistakes and keep going. Oh – and 35 years as an arts professional can’t hurt either.
Dogs or Cats?
Both! I have a 16-month-old Newfoundland-cross puppy and a 21-year-old cat.
What elements of the work ahead are you most excited to get started on?
One of the things I’m very keen to start digging into is conversations with our community to find out what training opportunities they’re excited about. How can we best help those that are doing this incredibly important, incredibly difficult work?
Recognizing we’re at the very start of this journey, how do you foresee the Rozsa Foundation training programs changing over the next, say, five years?
The Foundation currently has some truly fantastic training programs that are serving a great need in the community. I took the Rozsa Arts Management Program myself back in 2015! Moving forward I think we want to find ways to hone those offerings, while supplementing them with more short-term, specialized training opportunities, especially for folks aspiring to, or already working in leadership positions. We want to find ways to maximize the impact of the training by ensuring it speaks to the needs and ways of learning of our arts leaders, so the development of both form and content together, in-step.
Mountains or Ocean?
Ooof. That’s a hard one. Love them both. But I think my heart belongs to the ocean.
You have worked with Indigenous Theatre at the National Arts Centre and co-designed a training program for Indigenous Producers at Native Earth Performing Arts – how do you see your learnings from those experiences impacting your work at the Rozsa Foundation?
Something I’m always eager to explore is how we work to decolonize our processes and make space for all ways of learning and working. At the same time, how do we invite in and practice wisdom and teachings that haven’t been part of most predominantly white institutions? To commit to working in a good way?
Your experience has seen you intersect with the arts community across the country. What special challenges or opportunities do you see in supporting the Alberta arts community specifically?
I think the Alberta arts sector is currently suffering from an outdated reputation across the country. By that I mean that in conversation with colleagues in Ontario, they believe that Alberta is still the “land of plenty” with oil money just flowing around and everyone thriving.
Since I arrived in Alberta in 2014, I’ve seen us struggle to reconcile our funding models and temper our expectations – we have had to work harder and truly diversify our revenue streams to eke out a path to survival. It’s hard to do that when the rest of the country still thinks we’re eating bonbons and watching the money roll in.
Summer or Winter?
Spring! :D
What is your biggest dream for the future of the arts sector in Alberta?
Something that drew me to Calgary before I ever came here was what I saw as a beautiful synergy – that this community works together and looks after each other. I’m excited to see how we expand that framework of care beyond the arts community and continue to welcome into the process our audience, and those who have yet to discover us.
Please join us in welcoming Samantha in her new role, and feel free to get in touch with her with any questions or words of advice at samantha@rozsafoundation.com!
Comments