S4:E2 From Calgary with love... Alex Sarian & Nicholas Bell in conversation with Criena Gehrke
Guest
Alex Sarian & Nicholas Bell
In conversation with
Criena Gehrke
In her swan song as a host for The Three Bells, Criena Gehrke speaks with two leading figures in Calgary’s arts and culture scene, Alex Sarian (President & CEO, Arts Commons) and Nicholas R. Bell (President & CEO, Glenbow Museum). The dynamic conversation covers plenty of ground: from the magic and warmth of Calgary’s cultural scene to the personal and institutional responsibilities carried on the road to reconciliation with indigenous communities.
Date of Recording
23 January 2024
Date of Publication
15 February 2024
[00:00:00]
Criena Gehrke: Buckle up, folks. I'm coming in hot. It's early morning here. I've only had one coffee, and I'm making it up as I go along. But I am actually really excited about what this meandering and unstructured conversation might take us to with these two amazing guests.
[00:00:18]
THEME MUSIC
[00:00:22]
Criena Gehrke: Hello, I'm Criena Gehrke and welcome to The Three Bells. This podcast is one of a series brought to you by AEA Consulting for the Global Cultural Districts Network, in which we explore what's happening around the world on those busy and sometimes congested intersections of cultural and urban life.
Today, I'm speaking to you from Brisbane, Australia, on the lands of the Jagera and Turrbal people. I pay my respects to Elders, past and present, and to all First Nations people of the many lands from which you are all listening today.
For those playing at home, you may know that Australia recently held a referendum where we asked our citizens to vote on whether our Indigenous people should have a voice to parliament enshrined in our constitution. Basically, did we think First Nations people should have agency and input into the decisions that deeply and directly affect them? The Australian people voted and it was a resounding no. And for that, I am truly, deeply sorry.
Now, in a complete change of gears, I also have a confession, and I suspect that our listeners may totally relate to this:
This week I have over committed to the extreme.
Two weeks back from Christmas holidays, my diary indicated that I had it all totally under control. But it didn't factor in the curveballs and random life moments. We had to relocate Queensland Theatre – yes, an entire theatre company, in seven days due to roof replacement works. I had an urgent government report pop up. My apartment was evacuated due to a burst water main – water seems to be a recurring theme here. Yes, there's a cyclone headed this way to Queensland and my dog literally vomited on me.
And then I looked at my calendar and thought, what even the- it's podcast time already and it's at 6am tomorrow, which means buckle up, folks! I've only had one coffee and I'm making it up as I go along. But I am actually really excited about what this meandering and unstructured conversation might take us to with these two amazing guests.
Alex Sarian is President and CEO of Arts Commons and Nicholas Bell is President and CEO at Glenbow Museum in Calgary, Canada.
Both are responsible for key cultural institutions in a city that has been experiencing significant growth. Both institutions are undertaking disruptive and vital infrastructure projects, and both have a shared passion for reimagining what it means to be a cultural institution: how you open the doors to community, be innovative and responsive and deliver on the difference that the arts can make in the world.
I may have been caught short in terms of preparation time, but what I did read about you both absolutely sings to my soul and everything that I believe about the arts.
Nicholas and Alex, welcome to The Three Bells.
[00:03:22]
Alex Sarian: Thank you.
[00:03:23]
Nicholas Bell: Thank you so much, Criena.
…
About Our Guests
Alex Sarian was appointed President & CEO of Arts Commons in January 2020, at the age of 36, becoming the youngest executive to oversee a major performing arts center in North America. In this role, he is responsible for the third largest arts center in Canada, home to six resident arts organizations, and over 200 community groups and commercial presenters. Since beginning his tenure, Alex has led Arts Commons’ successful response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the development of free outdoor and digital programming, the creation of an Indigenous reconciliation strategy, an unprecedented investment in digital and accessibility infrastructure, and launched the single largest cultural infrastructure project in Canadian history—scheduled to break ground in 2024. Passionate about civic engagement, Alex volunteers on a number of international boards in the areas of education, philanthropy, economic development, advocacy and policy, and innovation. +
Nicholas Bell joined Glenbow in 2019 from his position as Senior Vice President for Curatorial Affairs at Mystic Seaport Museum in Mystic, Connecticut. Nicholas launched a formidable exhibitions program during his three years at the preeminent American maritime museum. He previously served as The Fleur and Charles Bresler Curator-in-Charge of the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s Renwick Gallery in Washington, DC, where he led the Renwick’s relaunch, increasing attendance from 150,000 annually to one million. In 2023, Nicholas was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal in recognition of his service to community. Nicholas is an author and editor of over ten books on art, museums, and contemporary culture and offers a proven background in spearheading change and successfully implementing strategic initiatives. +
