VANL-CARFAC
Visual Artists Newfoundland & Labrador

This year, VANL-CARFAC made five recommendations to the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador for the up-coming 2014-15 budget:

The NLAC sees an increase in project grant applications every year. In 2013 there was $573,658 of funding awarded through the Professional Project Grants program, but the request for funds was $1,494,820.  425 Project Grant applications were submitted, and 37% of those were approved, but at dramatically lower grant amounts than those requested.  Only 38% of funds requested were awarded, even though the quality of applications has been steadily increasing and the juries need to make hard funding choices between equally qualified candidates.

This means that 63% of the artists who applied for grants were unsuccessful, and the remaining 37% of successful applications being awarded funds that are far below the amounts they need to successfully complete their projects.  The reality of the situation is that no one wins; even those whose applications are successful are forced to make serious compromises in order to complete their projects at all.

In terms of sustaining grants for arts organizations, in 2013 the NLAC supported 16 organizations for a total of $575,000 – which was $103,119 less than the amount requested. This situation places arts organizations in stringent fiscal situations, many of whom have no other source of sustaining funding available to them.

As the professionalism of the province’s artists continues to grow, and stronger applications are being submitted, it is becoming increasingly difficult for assessment juries to narrow down many deserving applicants to the few they are able to support, and as a result the small amount of funds are stretched beyond capacity, forcing artists to try and make their work with drastically reduced resources. This illustrates a sector that is a victim of its own success.

We strongly suggest that the provincial government increase the NLAC’s budget from $2.1 million to $4 million in order to increase the funds available for grant support to professional artists and arts organizations. This would show the artists of Newfoundland and Labrador that the government values their hard work and their direct and indirect contributions to our economy. It would enable more artists to continue to produce the work that enriches our community life, and our tourist industry.

_____

This year, VANL-CARFAC made five recommendations to the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador for the up-coming 2014-15 budget:

Beyond the creation of artworks, a necessary element of a visual artist’s career is the ability to adequately access a wider art market.  Much of a visual artist’s income comes from outside of Newfoundland and Labrador: through exhibition fees from publicly-funded galleries; copyright and reproduction fees; visiting artist projects; guest lectures; grants; commissions; and through selling their work.  Therefore many of the province’s artists earn a significant portion of their income from elsewhere, and then spend it here. True economic development means new money coming into the province and this is one of the primary ways that artists contribute to the local economy.

The Market Access and Export Program was a granting component of the Cultural Economic Development meant to address this need.  These were not grants to assist with the creative side of producing artistic works, but to help to “expand the marketing, promotion and distribution of cultural products and activities.”  Artists were eligible for up to $5,000 to cover the costs of activities such as: the shipping and insurance of their work; travel and accommodation; the production and distribution of promotional materials; and attendance at trade shows and showcases.  As a result of a 10% cut to the CEDP program last year, the Market and Access component was eliminated; and, while organizations, festivals, and small performance series still qualify, individual artists are no longer eligible to apply to the CEDP.

The rationale may be given that individual artists can apply to the Newfoundland & Labrador Arts Council for some of these costs under Professional Project grants; however, there are two major impediments to this:  first, while the Market and Access program has been discontinued, the Arts Council’s budget has not been increased—a fund which is already strained beyond capacity.  In the most recent granting session for Professional Project Grants, in September 2013, the NLAC was only able to award 44% of the requested funds across all sectors.  Second, while individual artists can apply to the NLAC to support “creation, production, operating and travel costs,” the NLAC Best Practices Project Assessment guidelines explicitly state that marketing and publicity expenses are given a low priority by the jury.  Therefore funds to build crates, print posters, and buy promotional ads (and precisely the kinds of marketing activities that the CEDP supported) are not eligible.

___

This year, VANL-CARFAC made five recommendations to the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador for the up-coming 2014-15 budget:

Public Art is considered to be a key component to the attractiveness and identity of a province and its municipalities. It demonstrates the character of communities, and we know that investment in the arts strengthens local economies. Indeed, support for the arts is a reflection of a progressive province. It increases public awareness and appreciation of the arts and stimulates the growth of the arts and arts-related business.  It encourages the use of public areas and it stimulates public art in private developments through example.

The dedication of 1% of the budget of all capital works projects towards public art commissions is a show of commitment to enhance the daily lives of all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. By making a commitment to infuse more visual art into public spaces, the province would help lead the way toward a more enriched way of life for all of its citizens.

Applicable projects would include new building construction, major additions to existing buildings, park development projects, and new engineering structures like bridges. Art is not simply something to be experienced within the confines of a gallery. Public art projects could be as varied as sculpture, memorials, fountains, site-specific art, special lighting, special landscaping (land art), architectural components, murals, community art, and electronic art such as media boards. The policies for 1% for public art which have been adopted in several provinces and many cities across Canada provide a useful blueprint for the implementation of this important public program.

Spread the word!   #nlpoli    #prebudgetconsulations   #nlarts

______

You are invited to VANL-CARFAC’s 2nd Annual Mail Art Fundraiser! If you participated in this event last year, you already know what a great opportunity it is to get some beautiful, crazy, quirky, moving and/or generally fabulous pieces of art; and to give your own as well!

Want to know how it works? :

Step 1: Private Message or E-mail Hillary Winter (hillarywinter@yahoo.ca) your mailing address and donation amount (Suggested $10.00).  She will be taking addresses until Saturday, March 15. (More details below)

Step 2: Each person is responsible for creating three small original (mail size) artworks. (More details below)

Step 3: Once your artwork is complete, you just take a picture of your completed work and email it to hillarywinter@yahoo.ca and you’ll receive a message/ e-mail with 3 addresses where you will be expected to mail your artworks. The artworks must be mailed NO LATER than April 15th (Please!!)

Step 4: You will receive 3 artworks in the mail from 3 different artists!

Details:

Donation:  Donations can be made by drop-off (to the VANL office), email transfer, regular mail or through the PAYPAL button below. Whatever works best for you. However, please let me know when you send your address how you would like to donate.  I will reply to each message, so if you do not get a reply please contact me again (through facebook if you think e-mail isn’t working).   All money raised will go to support VANL-CARFAC (https://www.vanl-carfac.com)

Sizes: 3 1/2″ x 5″ (Standard postcard ) and maximum 11″ x 14″ . Mailing rates will vary, depending on the weight of the work and its destination.

Materials: Be creative. Drawing, painting, sewing, photography, sound art, collage!

Note: If you do participate in this event please honor the commitment and be sure to mail your three works. Last year left us with a couple of people not receiving all three of their expected pieces.   SO, this year, we are asking participants to send a quick pic of your finished pieces and send it in to us, at which point we’ll give you the three addresses where you send your work–which should take care of that problem.  This fundraiser is based on a collective act of good faith, and the organizers cannot be held responsible for art that isn’t sent.  However, we also have a few participants making extra so hopefully no one should be left empty handed.

And Please invite your friends!

(suggested: $10.00)