As musician, songwriter and recording studio owner Kathryn Calder ends her term as artist in residence, the City of Victoria recognized her legacy in the role.
“I am grateful for Kathryn’s leadership as artist in residence and chair of the city’s music advisory committee, where she guided the creation of our first-ever Victoria Music Strategy,” Mayor Lisa Helps in a press release. “Through her many community projects, she helped show us how important music and art are in our lives, especially during stressful times like this pandemic.”
READ ALSO: 2019: Victoria’s new artist in residence Kathryn Calder brings music to the city
Calder’s residence term will end this spring after two years in the position. During that time, the unanimous choice of the selection panel in 2019 hosted several online concerts, collaborated with the community from youths to seniors, built artistic resources for local teachers and even created a mental health hotline.
The Be Calm phone line (1-877-2BE-CALM), created in collaboration with Emily Hamel, connects callers with calming stories, soundscapes and readings from Elders, youth and local poets. A learning guide, created with James Bay Community School teachers Leigh Pharis and Lynda Fraser, connects young students with knowledge, experience and songs as shared by elderly residents of Victoria.
As chair of the music advisory committee, which included local musicians and music industry professionals, Calder helped create the city’s first-ever strategy for fostering and supporting a growing music industry.
READ ALSO: City of Victoria heralds first-ever music strategy
“Reflecting back on the past two years, I feel so lucky and thankful to have been in the community working on these projects,” Calder stated. “It has been an incredible experience, and I’m grateful to the City of Victoria for offering this position, to city staff for their dedication and support throughout, and especially to everyone who took the time to engage with my projects. I look forward to following along as this wonderful program continues into the next term, and the next artist in residence is selected.”
The program aims to ‘keep art in mind’ for the city and will see a call for the next artist in residence issued this spring. All of Calder’s related works can be viewed at victoria.ca/kathryn.
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