CALGARY.- The City of Calgary Public Art Program announced the appointment of Rachael Seupersad as Superintendent, Public Art. Rachael has been acting in this role since November 2008 and has already proven herself to be an invaluable asset in overseeing, promoting and programming the Public Art Collection held in trust for the citizens of Calgary.

Rachael attended the University of Calgary where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Art degree, with a double major in painting and drawing, and a minor in Management and Society. In 1996, she returned to the U of C to complete the requisite courses for her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Art History. In 1998, she began her post-graduate studies in Cultural Resource Management with a specialization in Collections Management and Leadership in Cultural Organizations through the University of Victoria.

“I am thrilled to be a part of the dynamic and growing cultural experience that Calgary has to offer,” says Rachael. “We have a lot going for us and public art is just one of the many areas in which we as a city are making a name for ourselves.”

As Superintendent, Rachael is responsible for the implementation of the Public Art Policy through the direction and management of the Public Art Program, including Percent for Art projects and commissions, the Civic Art Collection and other visual art objects owned by The City of Calgary. She will lead the strategic development and implementation of the Public Art Master Plan, manage Program staff, foster cross-departmental cooperation and coordination, continue to grow working relationships with internal and external stakeholders and partners, and negotiate, monitor and manage public art budgets, including Public Art operations, the Public Art Reserve and the Percent for Art project budgets.

“The Public Art Board is delighted over the recent announcement of Rachael's appointment as Superintendant. We believe her to be an excellent selection for this position and will assuredly bring effective, strong leadership to the Program and its enthusiastic staff,” says Tom Tittemore, Chair of the Public Art Board. “Our Board has worked very closely with Rachael over the past year in developing the new Public Art Policy, which recently received unanimous support by City Council, and we look forward to continued collaborations with her as we jointly pursue other priorities, including the ongoing development of the Public Art Master Plan.”

The Public Art Policy provides cultural leadership and guides the evolution of a distinct and vibrant artistic character for the city’s public places. Through this policy, The City of Calgary contributes to:

►a visually rich environment
►attracting creative businesses and workers;
►art opportunities that are freely accessible to all;
►our diverse cultural character and the celebration our living heritage;
►the growth of a culturally informed public.