Tim Jones, President & CEO of Artscape, announced today the appointment of Catherine Hurley as the Chief Philanthropy Officer, effective December 12, 2011. Ms. Hurley will lead the funding and fundraising efforts of Artscape and the Artscape Foundation, including major gifts for capital and endowment; annual operating and program support; government and foundation funding; and special events.

"We are thrilled to have Catherine join us at one of the most exciting and ambitious times in Artscape's history," said Mr. Jones. “Catherine has a demonstrated passion for creative placemaking and will bring a depth of understanding and strategic thinking to the complexity of Artscape's practice.”

Ms. Hurley is an internationally certified fundraising executive (CFRE), with an extensive background in major gift fundraising from the private sector following an extensive career in cultural policy and funding, primarily at the federal level. She has spent the past 15 years as an independent consultant offering senior business support services and creative philanthropy counsel to the not-for-profit arts, heritage and educational sectors. Her clients have included: Audio-Visual Preservation Trust of Canada, Canadian Foundation for the Preservation of Chinese Culture & Historical Treasures, Cultural Human Resources Council of Canada, Culture & Heritage Institute at Centennial College, Harbourfront Centre,  The Department of Canadian Heritage, Industry Canada, National Screen Institute, The Randolph Academy for The Performing Arts, Ryerson University, the Town of Oakville,  Niagara Region and Sheridan Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning.

Ms. Hurley’s experience in capital campaign development includes designing a $21M campaign for Ryerson University’s Photography Gallery and Graduate Research Centre, as well as dispersing over $110M in grants during her time as a  national public funder to establish some of the largest capital facilities in the province. She is the National Chair of the Canadian Association of Gift Planners’,  Leave A Legacy  and Community Roundtables Committee, Graduate  of  The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP)  International Faculty Training Academy,  AFP Fundamentals of Fundraising Course Instructor,  AFP Toronto Philanthropy Day Jury member, Founding Chair of the Oakville Heritage Trust,  Oakville Community Foundation,  former President of the Oakville Arts Council, and holds a Master of Environmental Studies in Communications Media from York University.

"I have been a long time admirer of Artscape's transformational work in Toronto's community development, and its well-deserved international reputation as a creative city builder. Art, culture and creativity expressed powerfully through place can and does create vibrant communities. I am honoured to be joining the Artscape team and contributing to this innovative organization’s future growth and development." said Ms. Hurley.

Celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2011, Artscape is a not-for-profit organization that makes space for creativity and transforms communities. Artscape projects provide affordable space for creativity while generating positive cultural, economic, social and environmental impacts. The organization has transformed a portfolio of underutilized buildings across Toronto into dynamic community assets that serve to enable innovation and creativity, including the award-winning Artscape Wychwood Barns and multi-tenant arts facilities in the Queen Street West, Liberty Village, Toronto Island and Distillery Historic District neighbourhoods. Collectively, Artscape manages 10 buildings for 863 artist and cultural worker tenants and owners in 417,000 square feet of space. While Artscape’s development work is focused on Toronto, it has shared its expertise with over 60 communities across Canada through its Knowledge Exchange program which includes workshops, conferences, research, online resources and mentorship programs.

The Artscape Foundation, a registered charity, is responsible for fundraising initiatives at Artscape. Donations to the Artscape Foundation are an essential source of funding for Artscape. Philanthropy empowers Artscape to take on ambitious projects that are transforming the lives of artists and making our communities and cities better places to live through the power of the arts. The Artscape Foundation is mid-way through a Capital Campaign to raise $16 M in private philanthropy for its current capital projects: Regent Park Arts & Cultural Centre and Artscape YOUNGplace, and for its Knowledge Exchange program.

For more information, please contact:

Liz Kohn
Director of Communications
Artscape
T: 416-392-1038, x 25
E: liz@torontoartscape.on.ca