Election day is September 20th, and the next Canadian Government must commit to ensuring that Canada’s artists, and all Canadians who are impacted by precarious work, are able to survive the COVID-19 pandemic, and be positioned to flourish in the future. 

Members of all parties use language such as “build back better”; now, we must ensure that this language translates into action. There are many issues impacting visual artists, and the larger arts and culture sector, and many policy and economic changes that must be put in place. 

We urge artists to familiarize themselves with the parties’ positions on arts and culture.The Canadian Arts Coalition has prepared a summary of arts and culture commitments from the leading federal political parties, and has invited members of the leading parties to respond to a set of questions through video statements.  Please click here to learn more, and watch the video responses.

Debate on Culture 2021 | September 13th, 12 – 1:30 p.m.

The Coalition for Diversity of Cultural Expressions (CDCE) and the Department of Communication of the Universite de Montreal will present a debate on cultural issues featuring members of the leading federal parties: 

• Steven Guilbeault (Liberal Party)
• Steve Shanahan (Conservative Party)
• Martin Champoux (Bloc Québécois)
• Alexandre Boulerice (NDP)
• Mathieu Goyette (Green Party)

The debate will be broadcast live on CPAC’s website. Please note that the debate will be conducted in French, and an English translation will be available.  

To ask a question during the debate:

1. Twitter: use the hashtag #CultureElxn44
2. Facebook: post your question on the event’s Facebook page.

SNAPSHOT OF VISUAL ARTISTS IN CANADA

Primarily self-employed, visual, media, and craft-based artists derive income through various revenue streams. It is extremely rare for a single source of revenue to provide enough income to live on. It is a common practice for artists to occupy several roles, including but not limited to: creation, sales, instruction, mentorship, consultancy, speaking, curation, writing, and working for art institutions and organizations. This leads to a mixture of royalties and fees paid, sales, and wages from additional part-time jobs, such as teaching in universities or working for galleries. Many artists and cultural workers supplement their arts incomes with labour in other sectors, which often involves low-paid and/or precarious gig-work.  

ACTIONS YOU CAN TAKE

VOTE

Information on how to vote in 2021 can be found here.  

USE SOCIAL MEDIA

Elevate issues important to you, your practice, and your community. Connect with the Federal party leaders: 

On Twitter: 

Jagmeet Singh (New Democratic Party) 

Justin Trudeau (Liberal Party of Canada)

Annamie Paul (Green Party of Canada)

Erin O’Toole (Conservative Party of Canada) 

Yves-Francois Blanchet (Bloc Quebecois) 

And tag us @carfacnational and @carfacontario

On Instagram: 

Jagmeet Singh (New Democratic Party) 

Justin Trudeau (Liberal Party of Canada)

Annamie Paul (Green Party of Canada)

Erin O’Toole (Conservative Party of Canada) 

Yves-Francois Blanchet (Bloc Quebecois) 

Use the hashtags:#ArtsVote #votezarts #Elxn44 #cdnpoli 

ASK QUESTIONS. 

Questions you can ask your local candidates (candidates for each riding can be found using this search tool): 

To survive the economic impact of the pandemic, Canadian artists require an extension of the Canada Recovery Benefit. Do you support an extension of this program? 

How will you address gaps in the Employment Insurance program to ensure self-employed and gig-workers, and low-income Canadians, are supported? 

All Canadians will benefit from a Basic Income Guarantee. Will your party commit to studying effective ways to design and implement such a program?

Is your party committed to increasing equity and inclusion in the arts sector? If so, how? 

KRISTEN FAHRIG
You will be dearly missed.

It is with great sadness that we share news of CARFAC Ontario Board Member Kristen Fahrig’s passing. We extend our heartfelt condolences to her family and loved ones. Former CARFAC Ontario Executive Director Kristian Clarke worked closely with Kristen over the years offers us the following remembrance:

“The visual arts community in Ontario has lost a colourful champion in Kristen Fahrig. Her big smile, sparkling eyes and infectious laugh always filled the room with light.

My first meetings with Kristen centered around legal concerns that she had with a commissioned bronze piece that she was subcontracted to provide help on. Soon, our relationship evolved into regular chats in the hallways of the 401 Richmond building where we would discuss her travels, new pieces she was working on and the community garden project that she wanted to get off the ground – which she did with great aplomb. Kristen was never afraid to shoulder responsibility if she felt she could positively impact the community.

This commitment extended to her work for CARFAC Ontario. When I approached her to serve on the board of directors, she was more than ready to do her part. My most vivid memory of Kristen was attending the Supreme Court of Canada session in May of 2014 when CARFAC successfully made its case and forced the National Gallery of Canada to negotiate a first agreement. The picture of Kristen proudly wearing her “HAS THE ARTIST BEEN PAID” shirt in the middle of Spark Street in Ottawa as we celebrated our historic victory will be a moment in time that I will always cherish.

When I left CARFAC Ontario roughly 2.5 years ago, I was fortunate enough to receive three little framed designs for garden sculptures that she was working on. They will light up my living room for years to come much in the same way that she has brought light to the countless people that she touched.

Safe travels, Kristen“

We also wanted to share the below note from Margie Ziedler, the force behind the 401 Richmond building where CARFAC Ontario has its office and where Kristen had a studio:

A year after we started 401, a very special person, Kristen Fahrig, set up her artistic practice in the building. For these last 22 years she has practiced her craft here and made us all the richer for it. Kirsten had a love of learning, observing and seeking out new ideas. A chat with her was always fascinating, finding out about what her latest projects and travels entailed. She worked in many different media over the course of her career but the common theme was the exploration of the world around her and creating community through her art. (Please read the obituary below – it will give you a sense of what this wonderful person was up to.)

She died a few weeks ago. We did not have that information when we went to press on our latest newsletter. Kristen had cancer and knew she was dying. She therefore ceased her practice in the fall, so the newsletter said that she had moved out. Her studio-mate will stay in studio 394. There will be an exhibition of her most recent work at Loop Gallery in February.

We will miss her beautiful smile, her warmth and positive spirit and the wonderful interactions we’ve had with her over the past two decades! I will personally miss her terribly, but I do believe her spirit will live on in this place. She, and some of the others who have formerly inhabited this old factory building are the reason people feel good as soon as they walk through the front door – I’m convinced of that.

I’m sure you will join me in extending condolences to Kristen’s family.

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/thestar/obituary.aspx?n=kristen-fahrig&pid=187340594

With great sadness,

Margie