Update – May 15, 2007

For two years, associations of artist-run centres from all regions of Canada have assembled within the Artist-Run Centres and Collectives Conference. An unseen occurrence and dialogue for many years. Barely two years old, this Conference has established links covering 7000 kilometres, six time zones, two main languages and quite a few cultures. The discussions are sometimes heated, but expertises developed over 35 years of existence are wholeheartedly shared, in complete respect of differences and autonomy.

The federal government’s funding to the Canada Council for the Arts is of strong concern, as is the funding from the Council itself to artist-run centres. The Conference has kept a close eye on the results of the latest one-time Supplementary Operating Funds Initiative and will actively participate in the consultation on the strategic plan 2008-2011 that has just been launched. We are also hoping to address the access of artist-run centres to the programs of the Department of Canadian Heritage as soon as possible, as these programs do not seem adapted to the nature of centres’ activities.

The socio-economic condition of artists is another strong concern and, although we cannot at this moment fully support the current Fee Schedule, we are trying to work with CARFAC/RAAV to collaborate our efforts. However, we are concerned about the equally poor socio-economic condition of artist-run centres’ staff, and believe that one issue cannot be addressed without keeping the other in mind.

As with society in general we are keenly aware of the urgent necessity to prepare for the future. What are artist-run centres becoming and what is their raison d’être? These are questions that will be examined attentively in the coming year. This June, RCAAQ will address the question: d’art, de centres. Later on, in May 2008, ARCCO will invite all artist-run centres across the country to a national conference —the first since PAARC’s InFest in 2004— titled Hot Buttons / Points chauds, that will continue to address what artist-run culture has become, as well as how it could evolve in the future. Meanwhile, the November 2007 Visual Arts Summit, with partners such as ARCCC-CCCAA alongside all major organizations from the sector, should contribute to the holistic view of the arts community.

The regional representation sitting at our Conference table remains the same, although there were a few changes amongst officers: busy with personal projects, Jonathan Middleton continues on the Board but stepped down as President and Michelle Bush took over this responsibility, while Lynn Acoose became Vice-President. Jewell Goodwyn and Bastien Gilbert retain, respectively, Treasurer and Secretary positions, while Todd Janes, Anna Scott and Theo Sims lead many committees. Daniel Roy is employed as Director of ARCCC-CCCAA.

We look forward to working with you all in the upcoming year and informing you of all new developments.
Get in touch with us at info@arccc-cccaa.org


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