1. The Creative Rural Economy:
From Theory to Practice
Traditional Heritage Assets:
Case Study: Rosebud, Alberta

2. Welcome to Rosebud, Alberta
• 100 km NE of Calgary
• 40 km SW of Drumheller
• Population: 100
• No Gas Station, No ATM
• One 4-way stop

3. Rosebud, Alberta
• A hamlet within Wheatland County
• Historical foundations:
 Agriculture
 Railway
 Coal Mining
• Current foundations:
 Arts
 Tourism
 Agriculture
 Natural Gas

4.  40,000 annual patrons
 $1.3 million ticket sales
 Resident company of artists

5.  30 Post-Secondary Students
 Professional Theatre Arts training
 Mentorship/apprentice model

6.  Dining Room (theatre patrons)
 Wild Horse Jack’s Bistro & Grill
 Rosebud Gift Shop
 Encana Conference Centre.

7.  20 full time staff
 50 – 100 part time staff
 $2.7 million budget
 40 – 50 volunteers

8. Heritage Assets
Opera House
• Granary: 1915 – 1945
• Community Hall: 1945 – 1970
• Theatre : 1984 – present
• 220 seats
• Expanded: 1991, Renovated: 2007 – 2008

13. Heritage Assets
Hotel Rosebud
• Original Hotel located adjacent to railway
• Acquired by Rosebud School: 1975
• Serves as administration centre
• Features Alberta Supernet and Wireless service
• Designated Heritage Building

16. Heritage Assets
Akokiniskiway
Gallery
• Original Presbyterian Church– built 1915
• Changed to United Church in 1953
• Vacant by 1972
• Converted to Art Gallery – 1983
• Recording Studio added - 1998
• Performance space renovated - 2005

19. Heritage Assets
Mercantile
• Original General Store – built 1911
• Included living quarters
• Vacant by 1972
• Acquired by Rosebud School in 1976
• Multi-use facility: dorms, dining, classrooms
• $5 million expansion 2009-2011.

22. Expansion Concept
Design - 2003

23. Expansion Complete 2011

24. New/Old Features:
“Bank” design + Livery Stable

25. Livery Stable (west view)

26. Ingredients to Success
5 “P’s”
1. Passion
2. Prepare
3. Partnerships
4. People
5. Patience

27. 1. Passion
• Original Founder: 32 years
• Music Director: 22 years
• Production Manager: 18 years
• Education Director: 17 years
• Hospitality Director: 16 years
x Wages – below industry standard
x Facilities – less than ideal
√ Lifestyle: Pursuit of art and education: 24/7

28. 2. Prepare
• Research
• Patron Surveys
• External Consultants
• Preliminary Designs
• “Elevator Speech”

29. 3. Partnerships
• Local: church, hall, service clubs,
businesses, residents
• Government: Province and Federal
– cash!
• Government: Municipal –
infrastructure, by-laws
• Donors, patrons, supporters –
cash, in-kind, volunteer hours
• Time-consuming. Communication
is the key

30. 4. People
• Board: vision, capacity (finances
and expertise), passion
• Staff: skills, dedication, flexibility,
problem-solvers
• Volunteers: available, willing. Do
you know their strengths?
• Partners – get to know them –
they are people first
• Key person(s). Who are they?

31. 5. Patience
• Mercantile: 10 year project
• Theatre: Ups and Downs
• School: Summer camp … high
school … 1 year apprenticeship …
4 year academic program
• Community – history, “baggage”
• Partners – change in elected
officials, corporate decision-makers

32. Results?
• Full-time staff: 20+
• Part-time employment: 50 – 100 –
mainly youth!
• Economic impact
 3 B & B’s
 Country Inn (20 rooms)
 Golf course
 RV park
 Museum expansion
 Café

33. More Results …
• Supplemental income through
rental suites: 20 rooms
• New Fire Hall
• Government and public attention,
interest and awareness

34. Spin Off’s
• Canadian Badlands Passion Play
• Badlands Summer School
• Chemainus Theatre – B.C.
• Rosebud on Radio

35. Summary
5 “P’s”
1. Passion
2. Prepare
3. Partnerships
4. People
5. Patience

36. Traditional Heritage Assets:
Case Study: Rosebud, Alberta
Bob Davis
Executive Director
bobd@rosebudtheatre.com
www.rosebudtheatre.com
www.rosebudschoolofthearts.com