STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
The Rozsa Foundation is a philanthropic, learning-focused organization that advances equitable leadership and management practices in the arts in Alberta through an integrated use of training, funding, and storytelling supports. We focus on learning and advocate for the arts as we believe that a knowledgeable, equitable, and thriving arts community can play a critical role in bringing about social change.
OUR VALUES
We are committed to EQUITY, embedding it within our own programs and processes, while also supporting and calling for that work in the arts community. We respect the beliefs, feelings, and perspectives of our participants and stakeholders.
We act with INTEGRITY, taking great care in what we do and how we do it and are willingly held accountable for our actions by our stakeholders, while also expecting the same of them. Our actions are consistent with our values and beliefs.
We view our work as being in PARTNERSHIP with our stakeholders, requiring the fostering of close relationships to enable shared learning, meaningful convening, and honest conversations. We recognize that our impact can be enhanced through collaboration with others.
We seek to be in a continual process of GROWTH, developing our skills, knowledge, and pathways of support. We recognize that the arts operate in a constantly shifting environment, which requires an ability and willingness to change direction, experiment, take risks, and learn through our work.
We believe in the need for RIGOUR, that a commitment to curiosity, creativity, qualitative and quantitative data, and evidence-based decision-making are key in exploring and designing bold, forward-looking leadership, organizational and business practices in the arts.
Our values continue and build upon the legacy of our founders, Drs. Ted and Lola Rozsa, and reflect our principles and beliefs, which serve as implicit criteria guiding our actions and decision-making.
WE WORK ON TREATY 7 TERRITORY
The Rozsa Foundation operates where the Bow River meets the Elbow River, a place traditionally known as Moh’kins’tsis to the Blackfoot, now also known as Calgary.
In the spirit of truth, respect, and reciprocity, we honour and acknowledge that this is the traditional territory of the Treaty 7 people; the Blackfoot Confederacy, comprising the Siksika, Piikani, and Kainai First Nations, the Iyarhe Nakoda, which includes the Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Goodstoney First Nations, and the Tsuut'ina Nation.
This territory is also homeland to the historic Northwest Métis and to the Otipemisiwak Métis Government, and we are based in Alberta District 6.
As an organization grateful to be working in this territory, we thank the generations of people who have taken care of this land for thousands of years and understand that we must uphold our own responsibilities toward honouring Treaty 7.
OUR FOUNDERS
Drs. Ted & Lola Rozsa
Rozsa Foundation was founded in 1990 by Drs. Ted and Lola Rozsa to support and strengthen the arts sector in Calgary. Ted, having started and successfully grown several companies, realized that pairing a sharp understanding of business with this passion would ultimately strengthen each company and the arts sector as a whole.
In 2003, the Rozsa Foundation established the Rozsa Award to recognize, promote and celebrate excellence in arts management in order to make the field more attractive for future leaders. Leveraging funds given to Dr. Ted Rozsa as part of the 2002 Edmund C. Bovey Award, the award would have an impact on more than one arts organization. In 2019, a second award was added to celebrate excellence in board leadership.
