One of Camrose’s own just received a special commendation for making a significant contribution to arts touring in Alberta.
On Saturday, Oct. 26 Nicholas Beach, general manager for the Jeanne and Peter Lougheed Performing Arts Centre, was awarded the Rhoda Taylor Award at the Arts Touring Alliance of Alberta’s (ATAA) annual Alberta Showcase.
Since 2000 the award has been handed out to an organization or individual who has made a significant contribution to the arts touring industry in Alberta.
The Alberta Showcase is a performing arts industry event that brings together presenters, agents, and artists and it’s also a chance for the ATAA to support the efforts of these groups.
It was during the showcase that Nicholas was recognized, and it took him completely by surprise. “It really caught me off guard,” says Nicholas.
“But the body of work we’ve done at the Jeanne and Peter Lougheed Performing Arts Centre, it’s a celebration of what we’ve done as an organization.” Nicholas Beach added.
Kennedy Jenson, the ATAA executive director, was thrilled to see Nicholas receive the award.
“His passion for supporting and presenting live entertainment in Alberta is second to none,” says Jenson. “Nick was on the ATAA board for two years and provided us with valuable support and insight on the current touring industry not only in Alberta but in the rest of Canada and abroad.”
For his part, Nicholas was humbled by the recognition of his peers.
“It’s our role to constantly be looking for opportunities to bring as much to our stage as possible,” Nicholas added. “So that Camrosians have access to a variety of arts from Albertan, Canadian, and international artists.”
Even more, being part of the ATAA allows the Lougheed Centre to be one of many stops for artists as theatres work together to build tours that help drive artists to the province.
Jenson also said Nicholas’s drive and passion helps support long-term performing arts planning.
“Someone with this much drive and community participation doesn’t come along very often,” Jensen explained. “Nicholas Beach is an asset to the arts and cultural industry in our country.”
The award comes at an apropos moment in the history of the Jeanne and Peter Lougheed Performing Arts Centre as staff are celebrating 10 years of the performing arts in Camrose. Much of the success and growth of the Centre is directly related to the passion and support from the community.
“I think it’s important for us to always be building bridges with artists and promoters so that we create ripple effects within the arts world in Alberta,” Nicholas explains.
That passion is what drives staff to move forward, explains Nicholas. “It’s clear that everyone here really cares about what we do, and they really want to do it as well as they possibly can.”
Nicholas says it’s the passion of the Lougheed Centre staff that motivates what he does and how he plans.
“We are here to provide access to as many genres of the performing arts as possible in Camrose,” says Nicholas, adding that this award is really about the people and not one person.
About the Rhoda Taylor Award
Rhoda Taylor dedicated her entire life to the support and promotion of the performing arts and was a fountain of knowledge for both artists and presenters alike. Rhoda was elected to the ATAA Board of Directors in 1993 and served on the board until 1997.
Upon her passing in 1998, the first Rhoda Taylor Award was presented at Alberta Showcase to honour her memory and her notable work to the performing arts community.
This annual award is presented to a person or organization who has made a significant contribution to the arts touring industry in this province.
About Nicholas Beach
Nicholas’s recognition comes from the hard work he’s done in presenting the performing arts for Camrose and area along with and making tours happen throughout Alberta. He has served on the boards of Arts Touring Alliance of Alberta, Canadian Arts Presenters Association, National Working Group for Contemporary Circus, Camrose Arts Council, and Prairie Regional Presenters Coalition. Nick has also taken part in international trade missions to Columbia, Australia and, Scotland, which has brought international artists to Camrose and the prairie region. He also teaches a course on the business of presenting the arts at Augustana.
