VANL-CARFAC
Visual Artists Newfoundland & Labrador

ART=WORK: a public forum regarding arts workers in NL

Eastern Edge Gallery and VANL-CARFAC are joining forces to present a public forum to discuss the status of arts workers* in Newfoundland and Labrador with representation from across the sector.

TUESDAY APRIL 9  at   7PM   AT EASTERN EDGE GALLERY

We strongly believe in supporting those workers in our sector and adjacent sectors who have recently been affected by provincial budgetary cuts.

Specifically but not limited to those cuts experienced by The Rooms, but also Education, Health and other community sectors.

In our minds, thriving creative communities require continued support to all of these sectors combined.

Arts infrastructure is integral to present, preserve and share our province’s culture with the world. These cuts will no doubt add significant pressure to artists, arts workers and communities across our province.

Please join us and make your support heard for artists and arts workers this Tuesday!

Public statements will be heard from:

+ ARTISTS – Philippa Jones, Marlene Creates
+ ARTS WORKERS – Christina Parker (Christina Parker Gallery), Mary MacDonald (Eastern Edge Gallery)
+ ARTS ADVOCATES – VANL-CARFAC
+ LOCAL BUSINESS – Dave Hopley (Living Planet, Rocket Bakery, Pi)
+ ADDITIONAL COMMUNITY SUPPORTERS

Followed by AN OPEN COMMUNITY FORUM moderated by Dave Lane from Happy City to hear your thoughts.

In addition, the evening will including a PERFORMANCE ART piece by April White entitled ASSEMBLE that features both local artists and arts workers at the beginning of the event.

The discussion will be recorded and delivered to the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, the Hon. Terry French. The Minister will also be invited to attend and partake in this discussion.

*Arts workers include artists, educators, administrators, curators, arts businesses etc.

Questions may be directed to:

Mary MacDonald (Eastern Edge Gallery 709 739 1882, easternedgegallery@gmail.com)

Dave Andrews (VANL-CARFAC 709-738-7303 or vanl-carfac@nf.aibn.com)

Thank you.

For Immediate Release:

April 5^th, 2013:    Members of Visual Artists Newfoundland and Labrador have expressed dismay at the recent cuts in this year’s budget, which have had a dramatic impact on the visual arts sector across the province. Speaking on their behalf, VANL-CARFAC chair Gerri Lynn Mackey has said that the government has undervalued the arts and that such a shortsighted approach to arts funding will damage both the financial and cultural life of the province. “The cultural sector in Newfoundland and Labrador makes a substantial contribution to the economy annually, and is a draw for skilled labour and tourists alike.”

Addressing the cuts to The Rooms, members of VANL’s Advocacy committee say that the arts infrastructure of Newfoundland and Labrador is being dismantled by the cuts and the impact will affect rural populations just as much as it will St. John’s.  “Isolated communities count on the staff of The Rooms to train volunteers, offer advice, install art in public buildings, provide direction to community museums and archives, and much more. You can survive the amputation of a finger or toe, but when you cut the head off, the patient dies.”

Mackey calls on the government to consider the indirect damage and ongoing ripple effect that these cuts will have, not only to arts groups but to the general population: “artists wish to work with, not against, the government. With the oil industry arriving on the scene, people are changing, the culture is changing, and we must have a place to share how that is happening or we will lose ourselves, our identities.”

For more information, contact Dave Andrews at the VANL-CARFAC office, 709-738-7303 or vanl-carfac@nf.aibn.com

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