Greg Epton

Vice President & Chief Advancement Officer at Arts Commons

Speaker

A third-generation Calgarian, Greg Epton brings over 40 years of experience working in Alberta's performing arts industry. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated the ability to align artistic aspirations with effective risk management strategies, achieving budgetary growth and financial resiliency.

Prior to joining Arts Commons in 2009, Epton served as Alberta Theatre Projects' (ATP) Managing Director for two years and as their Resource Development Director for four years. During his time at ATP, he led a team that increased community-derived revenues by 98% while establishing two endowment funds to improve ATP's financial sustainability and support the creation of new Canadian plays.

Before ATP, Epton was the Senior Director of Marketing, Development, and Sales for the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra and Winspear Centre, where he successfully completed a capital campaign that commissioned one of Canada's largest pipe organs, the Davis Concert Organ.

Epton also served as Executive Director of Alberta Ballet from 1989 to 2001. Key achievements included merging Alberta Ballet and Calgary City Ballet, relocating the company to Calgary's Nat Christie Centre, establishing the Alberta Ballet School of Dance, and securing live orchestral accompaniment from the Edmonton Symphony and Calgary Philharmonic.

In his current role as Vice President & Chief Advancement Officer at Arts Commons, Epton provides strategic oversight and leadership to all fundraising efforts, ensuring the organization meets its annual operating, lifecycle, and Arts Commons Transformation capital campaign goals while strengthening relationships with government, the corporate community, foundations, and individual donors.