[BCMA] Visual artists across Canada outraged by BC cuts

[Moderated BCMA subscriber listserv.]

/For immediate release/
/ /
/Press release/
* *
*Visual artists across Canada outraged by BC cuts*
 
/Ottawa, Tuesday, September 15^th , 2009/ -- CARFAC, the national 
association of visual artists, is outraged by the 85-92% cut to arts 
investment in British Columbia. Not only will these cuts destroy the 
arts community just as the world is watching Vancouver but it will also 
cost the BC government millions in lost tax revenue.
 
"The rest of Canada has often looked to British Columbia as an example 
of a vibrant and successful arts community," said April Britski, 
Executive Director of CARFAC's national office in Ottawa. "A loss of 
investment of this magnitude will undoubtedly mean the loss of one of 
BC's greatest assets."
 
B.C.'s arts and culture sector employs more than 78,000 people and 
contribute over $5 billion each year to the provincial economy. The B.C. 
government's own research has demonstrated that for every dollar 
invested in the arts between $1.05 and $1.36 comes back in taxes. The 
costs of creating jobs in the arts and culture sector are among the 
lowest compared to other sectors of the economy. Creating a new job in 
the cultural sector is estimated to cost $20,000-$30,000, compared with 
light industry ($100,000) or heavy industry ($200,000). Ontario, Quebec 
and Newfoundland have all increased their level of investment 
understanding that it brings returns in economic growth. BC will now 
have the lowest arts funding in all of Canada

"The BC government is shooting themselves in the foot," said Britski. "I 
seriously hope they reconsider."
 
Even before these cuts, visual artists were under huge financial 
pressure. The average income of a visual artist in Canada is $13,976 and 
the median, or typical income is less than $8,000. This despite the fact 
that 41 per cent of artists have a university degree, a certificate, or 
a diploma -- almost double the rate of the overall labour force.
 
"The stories we are hearing from visual artists are upsetting," said 
Julie McIntyre, President of CARFAC BC. "These are people who are 
already working with razor-thin budgets on microscopic salaries and 
their important work is suddenly at risk of being completely wiped out."
 
CARFAC (The Canadian Artists' Representation/le Front des artists 
canadiens) is the national association of Canada's professional visual 
and media artists. CARFAC defends artists' rights through advocacy and 
professional development and produces a schedule of artists' fees that 
is widely recognized as the national standard. The Status of the Artist 
Act empowers CARFAC to negotiate with national organizations on behalf 
of all visual artists in Canada.
 
Visit CARFAC BC's cuts event 
<http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=119552309106> on Facebook.

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*For more information contact:*
 
April Britski
Executive Director, CARFAC National
613-233-6161, director at carfac.ca <mailto:director at carfac.ca>
www.carfac.ca <http://www.carfac.ca>