Empowering artists to be artists.

We envision a healthy arts community that ensures a rich cultural landscape for our city.

Elephant Artist Relief Society (EAR) is a registered charity that offers practical resources to creative professionals in the Calgary region. The society provides financial and career supports that emphasize community wellbeing and promotes artists’ livelihoods.

Join the Herd!

Become a member of Elephant Artist Relief Society today.

EAR was formed when a group came together to help a fellow artist with a medical crisis in 2007. The event created awareness of how vulnerable artists are when struck with an unexpected hardship and identified the absence of urgent supports for the creative community. By forming a society the group established a last resort relief fund to meet this broader need. In this way, the organization provides a unique service, which is not duplicated by any other agency.

EAR in the News: Pilot program offers some Calgary artists ‘lifesaver’ health insurance

Calgary visual artist Sabine Lecorre-Moore says a pilot health insurance program provides her with a safety net she didn’t have before. Carolyn Kury de Castillo/Global News

"EAR has been around for 15 years and has developed a reputation in the arts community as a supportive and respected organization. Artists have come to depend on EAR "to always be there". EAR was a major support to artists in crisis during the floods of 2013 and again throughout the Covid pandemic."
Board Member

Emergency Relief

Emergency support to creative professionals experiencing unforeseen crisis.

Programming

Workshops, gatherings, presentations and more.

Membership

Join the Herd and help independent artists in times of crisis.

Support us

Contribute to the good health and wellbeing of creative professionals in Calgary and the surrounding region.

Events

EAR’s current strategy for a thriving arts community includes ongoing fundraising to replenish an emergency relief fund. While also providing referrals to related resources EAR’s mandate has grown to include professional development activities such as workshops on health and safety, fiscal management and taxes, career advancement and entrepreneurial tools. The society also serves as a community hub by hosting occasional gatherings and multidisciplinary presentations by emerging and established artists.

The Herd

EAR’s Board of Directors represent a community of vital arts supporters, creative workers, and makers who also lead all working and adjudication committees.

Karen Begg

President

Colleen Krueger

Treasurer

Vivian Smith

Secretary

Margo (Jill) Armstrong

Director

Carolyn Connors

Director

Kayleigh Hall

Director

Suzanne Presinal

Director

Catherine Rankin

Director

Bryan McLean

Director

Elephant Artist Relief Society acknowledges the traditional territories of the people of the Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta, which includes the Blackfoot Confederacy (comprised of the Siksika, Piikani, and Kainai First Nations), as well as the Tsuut’ina First Nation, and the Stoney Nakoda (including the Chiniki, Bearspaw and Wesley First Nations). The City of Calgary is also home to Metis Nation of Alberta, Region 3. Elephant Artist Relief Society acknowledges the impact of colonization on Indigenous peoples in Canada and is committed to our collective journey towards reconciliation.