Steve Martin to Headline Contemporary Calgary's LOOK2016 Fundraiser

Legendary comedian, actor, writer, producer and musician Steve Martin will headline Contemporary Calgary's LOOK2016 - the premier fundraising event for the Calgary's new gallery for modern and contemporary art.

Martin will appear in conversation with long-time friend Adam Gopnik (The New Yorker) at the LOOK2016 on October 22, 2016 at the Centennial Planetarium, the future home of Contemporary Calgary, already in progress. Gopnik, a best-selling author and cultural icon in his own right, is also set to deliver a new, expanded keynote address for guests attending a VIP reception at LOOK2016 as a follow up to his memorable address last year.

LOOK2016 will feature a rousing live auction of modern art and activate an inspiring conversation about the art of our times - all while celebrating Calgary's cultural revolution with an award-winning party. Last year, LOOK2015 brought together more than 700 guests, artists, and donors to raise $1 million. With this investment and a $24.5 Million commitment from the City of Calgary to modernize the Centennial Planetarium, Contemporary Calgary is experiencing great momentum to establish Calgary's first significant public destination for modern and contemporary art.

"The idea to invite Steve to be a part of Contemporary Calgary' story actually came from conversations with Adam Gopnik at LOOK2015, last year," said Jay Mehr, Contemporary Calgary's Board Chair. "Truly, the connections and commitments made through LOOK events catalyze significant growth and progress for our community. This year will be no exception."

For more than 40 years, Steve Martin has become known globally as a comedic Hollywood legend, bluegrass musician and best-selling author. His work has earned him an Academy Award, five Grammy awards, an Emmy, the Mark Twain Award, and the Kennedy Center Honor and taken him from Saturday Night Live to Broadway.

Lesser known is Martin's association with modern and contemporary art. Indeed, his passion for visual art as a collector, supporter and curator, particularly Canadian work, has made a profound impact. Recently, he co-curated The Idea of North: The Paintings of Lawren Harris, which has appeared in the Art Gallery of Ontario, the Hammer Museum in Los Angeles, and the Boston Museum of Fine Arts.

"The collective excitement and momentum behind this project is astounding," said Contemporary Calgary's Pierre Arpin, who was appointed Director & Chief Executive Officer earlier this year after an exhaustive international search. "Steve's reputation as a champion of modern and contemporary art is only now becoming widely appreciated and Adam is a cultural force whose words have continued to resonate with our community, even months later. We are gratified and delighted to have these gentlemen join us for LOOK2016 as we continue the evolution of Contemporary Calgary."

Tickets for LOOK2016 will go on sale Thursday, June 16, 2016 at 10:00 am MT via contemporarycalgary.com. There are several event levels available. All funds raised will support the establishment of Calgary's first significant public destination for modern and contemporary art; programming and the ongoing transformation of the Centennial Planetarium. For more information, please visit www.contemporarycalgary.com.

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