Alberta Arts Sector Coordinates Flood Relief Efforts with Igloo Software

Social intranet brings together 37 organizations in a virtual space across government, academia and the arts to accelerate the rebuilding effort in southern Alberta.

Kitchener, ON – July 11, 2013

Summary
Igloo Software, a cloud intranet provider, today announced the launch of the AlbertaArtsRebuild intranet site in conjunction with Calgary Arts Development. The pro bono project is designed to bring together 37 organizations in a virtual space to assess the flood impact, facilitate connections, distribute relief funds and coordinate restoration projects across southern Alberta.

Within a two week span after the first surge, Calgary Arts Development received a total of 108 reports from organizations and individual artists citing losses. Early estimates have pegged the number at over $3 million, including damaged or destroyed venues, offices and homes; loss of equipment or supplies; and lost revenue due to cancelled contracts and events.

“Arts organizations in southern Alberta are experiencing both short- and long-term impact from the devastating 2013 floods,” said Terry Rock, President and CEO of Calgary Arts Development. “Over 30 agencies are attempting to collaborate across the province to find solutions, and we needed an online platform to help facilitate this work.”

“More and more, organizations are moving away from legacy systems and turning towards software that’s built for a fast-moving, post-PC world,” said Dan Latendre, CEO of Igloo Software. “When Terry reached out to explain their collaboration challenges, we jumped at the opportunity to participate because we’re ideally suited for those facing compressed timelines, silos of information, tight budgets and dispersed teams.”

Participating organizations include: The City of Calgary, Canada Council for the Arts, Writers Guild of Alberta, Mount Royal University, University of Calgary, Alberta Culture, Alberta Museums Association and Theatre Alberta.

Resources
To support the arts by providing specific resources or skills, visit Calgary Arts Development.

To create your Igloo, visit IglooSoftware.com/try.

About Igloo Software
Igloo is an intranet you’ll actually like. It’s a cloud solution that brings together content and conversation in one place, so you can share files, give updates and work better together with your employees, partners and customers. That is why world-class companies, such as Harry Winston, Kimberly-Clark and RSA, choose Igloo. Learn more at www.igloosoftware.com.

About Calgary Arts Development
Calgary Arts Development plays a leadership role to promote, foster and direct investments that develop the capacity of Calgary’s arts sector to achieve public and artistic impact.

As the city’s designated arts development authority, we are a central hub that learns about, promotes, connects, advocates for, and leads strategic initiatives in the arts to animate Calgary as a vibrant cultural centre. Calgary Arts Development allocates municipal funding for the arts provided by The City of Calgary through granting programs that support operations and innovation for more than 190 arts organizations in Calgary. Learn more at http://calgaryartsdevelopment.com/

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