“I THINK WHEN WE ENHANCE THE EXPERIENCE OF THE AUDIENCE, IT ALSO HELPS THE ARTISTS.” Jenny Belzberg
ZACK BELZBERG has fond childhood memories of attending arts events with his grandmother, Calgary-born community builder and philanthropist Jenny Belzberg. Those experiences gave him the opportunity to see the arts through her eyes.
“In the summer I come to all the classical concerts. There’s something magical about this place,” Jenny says. “The arts have enriched my life and my [late] husband’s. [Art] just does something for your heart and your soul.”
“Any intersection of young developing talent, Canadian content, and culture in Western Canada was always paramount to her,” Zack says.
Zack says his grandmother grew up in a home where artists were often present. Her interest in the arts came from her family and it’s important to her that the tradition of supporting artists continues through her family.
PHOTO CREDIT: KARI MEDIG
That’s why he believes Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity was a perfect fit when it came to the family's decision to make a transformational gift to revitalize Banff Centre’s Eric Harvie Theatre — one of the largest private gifts Banff Centre has ever received. Banff Centre was always a fixture in Jenny’s life, Zack says, and by extension a fixture in the rest of the Belzbergs’ lives. Jenny served as chair of the Board of Governors from 1987 to 1991, and still regularly attends a variety of performances.
“She truly leads by example. I feel very lucky to have a front row seat as a witness to the incredible contributions she’s made,” he says. The revitalization of the current Eric Harvie Theatre will begin in November 2019, and is slated to reopen fall 2020 as the newly named Jenny Belzberg Theatre. Banff Centre will honour the over 50-year history of the Eric Harvie Theatre with a permanent public installation in the lobby of the renewed space. The Belzberg family is excited about the theatre’s potential in many areas, including patron comfort, improved sightlines, accessibility, acoustics, amenities, common space, and modernization.
Fall 2019 / Winter 2020 InStudio 25