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commentary qwen qreenwag !7V[ucic Sthoo( Creative 9v[usic Lessons group Pop, Piano, Reyoard 986-2838 Payment to Artists? A Troublesome Question by Paula Gustafson Artist's fees--payment to visual artists whenever their work is presented in a public exhibition--is a troublesome question for community galleries and arts organizations. Bill C-60, the federal legislation passed in 1989. stipulates that artist's fees must be paid except in cases where the exhibitions are organized primarily as sales opportunities. More recently, the BC Advisory Committee on the Status of the Artist recommended that all galleries pay artist's fees. According to this proposal. "any person. company or society operating a business, enterprise or public display with...a view toward the sale or use of the works of visual artists or craftspeople" would be required to pay a fee to exhibiting artists. City art galleries and artist-run centres which derive a major portion of their program funding from Canada Council (which insists on adherence to the federal guidelines) have not faced the same dilemma as local arts councils, municipal art galleries, or other community-based exhibition spaces, such as libraries and regional colleges. At the local level there is often barely enough money to mount exhibitions, let alone pay artists to participate in them. In fact, voluntarism, goodwill, and entry fees are the way art exhibitions usually happen. There is something intrinsically wrong with a system that expects artists to pay forthe "privilege" ofshowingwhatitis they do, and one that treats artwork as free entertainment. That's what the Advisory Committee is trying to redress. But, in the process, the committee's recommendations have revived some old problems and raised some new ones. For instance, there is the question of the amount of additional funding that would be needed if artist's fees became compulsory. Ifminimum CARFAC (Canadian Artists Representation/Front des artistes Can adiens) rates had applied (e.g., $1028 per solo show, more for group exhibitions), the Community Arts Council of Vancouver estimates it would have cost $40,000 in fees for the approximately 20 solo and group exhibitions it presented in 1993. Multiply that figure by the number of exhibitions scheduled in all the visual arts venues throughout the province and the dollar total is in the millions. Given the inability (or reluctance) of elected officials to increase cultural grants, some galleries might decide to charge admission as a source of revenue. Others might simply close their doors. Even without the implications of artist's fees, the Maple Ridge Arts Council has recently found it necessary to initiate a $100 exhibition charge, payable by the artist, to offset the costs of each exhibition. (Not one of the 12 artists selected has objected to the imposition of this charge--an indication of how artists are prepared to accept economic sacrifice for the sake of their art.) In New Westminster, where city council grants $5000 annually for community arts council programming, the picture is somewhat brighter. Although no artist's fees are now paid, coordinator Andrée St. Martin says "we are trying very hard to find ways to pay at least an honorarium to the artists." She hopes to convince local businesses to financially support the gallery's operations. In the meantime, the $5000 grant allows the council to supply each of the New Westminster exhibitors with about $300 worth of "free" services, including a $150 newspaper advertisement, 200 press releases mailed out, and refreshments at the opening reception. Artists deserve better. In a consumer culture that puts a dollar value on everything, including talent and hard work, it's time we started to value the contribution artists make to our lives. As the Advisory Committee pointed out, the problem isn't whether money can be made available--it is about recognizing that artists are highly skilled, productive professionals, cultural experts who have a particular purpose and responsibility towards the community as a whole and who cannot be replaced or substituted or simulated. And it is about understanding that artists are not claiming special status when they speak of Status of the Artist, but are seeking fair and equal treatment in the workplace, and asking for recognition that art production occurs in different and often difficult circumstances which have to be respected and accommodated. In a province that barely tolerates artists (arts funding accounts for less than 0.5% of the provincial budget), doing what's fair and right will continue to depend on the will of individual organizations to actively advocate for change, both locally and collectively. The Advisory Committee's report has opened up an opportunity to change the status quo, to take some of the burden of supporting the arts off the shoulders of artists themselves. Paula Gustafson is a Vancouver freelance writer and the co-editor of Artichoke: Writings about the Visual Arts. This article originally appeared in Quarterly Commentary, apublication of theAssembly ofB.C. Arts Councils. "If minimum CARFAC rates had applied, the Community Arts Council of Vancouver estimates it would have cost $40,000 in fees for the approximately 20 solo and group exhibitions it presented in1993" `The rt of Improvisation .l 1O-wcekcourse which ea.plores the basic principles ofjazz and blues piano styles. Session I: Sep. 19-v. 28 11amnoon or rioon-lpm Session II: Yan. 9-7'(ar. 13 ham-noon or noon-i pin Session III: `4pr. 3-Yune L9 hlam-noonornoon-lpm $200 per session. Regizration must be received 1 weekprior to session date. CALL FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST for a PUBLIC ART COMMISSION The District of North Vancouver wishes to commission an artist to produce public art for the atrium of its newly renovated and expanded Municipal Hall. The budget for the artwork is $65,000, inclusive of all artist fees and installation costs and a small budget is available for development of models by shortlisted artists. An Artist Selection Committee is being formed with the mandate to select an artist and to recommend a concept for artwork for the atrium of the Municipal Hall. A detailed information package is available for any artist wishing to submit a proposal. Information packages may be picked up at: North Vancouver Municipal Hall Reception Desk 355 West Queens Road North Vancouver, B. C. V7N 2K6 Please note that the deadline for submissions is Friday, September 16, 1994. Arts Access sep/oct 1994 3