BANFF – Janice Price, president and CEO of the Banff Centre, will continue as the head of the arts centre as it approaches its 90th anniversary.
Last Tuesday (July 23), it was announced that Price’s contract with the Banff Centre was renewed for another four years.
“It continues to be really such a privilege," Price said. "It’s really an honour to lead this institution."
Price has worked at internationally recognized arts institutions and creative arts festivals, including the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia, New York’s Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts and the Stratford Festival, to name a few.
Although her career in the arts industry brought her to lead incredible arts institutes, Price holds her work at the Banff Centre to the highest regard.
“Here in beautiful Banff, we actually have a place that the opportunity to run it is the pinnacle of a career,” Price said.
“I mean people around the globe know about the Banff Centre … I believe and I say to people, when you do what I do for a living this truly is the best job in the world. Not just in Canada, in the world. So I’m thrilled.”
First appointed as president and CEO of the Banff Centre in 2015, she has driven the organization in a whole new direction.
According to a press release from the Banff Centre, Price integrated new changes to the centre, including a brand shift and new marketing campaign, revitalizing campus facilities such as Whyte Hall, and implementing the Creative Voice strategic plan.
Price wants to add to that list of accomplishments for the Banff Centre, not only reinforcing the institutes national importance, but furthermore on a global scale.
“I’m not sure even all Canadians realize that we are the country's largest post-graduate arts school. We want even more Albertans, Canadians and international artists and leaders to come here,” Price said.
As the Banff Centre approaches its 90th anniversary, Price said it’s important to emphasize the Banff Centre’s role in the art world.
With the Banff Centre hosting prestigious artists such as Jens Lindemann, Barry Shiffman and Crystal Pite, time-and-time again artists come back to the centre whether it be to strengthen their craft or to perform.
“We really are one of the most important long-lasting arts [and education] organizations in our country. I think it’s really important to acknowledge 90 years, that’s really significant,” Price said.
"But again, to continue to convey that message that artists know that we’ve been here 86 years, we’re going to approach 90 under my leadership and I want artists to know that we’re a resource to them throughout their entire creative lives.”
