Proposal for new provincial legislation to support professional artists

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New legislation proposed by the provincial government on Tuesday aims to formalize out loud and in print a commitment to artists working in Alberta.

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Bill 75, the Artistic Professions Recognition Act, formally recognizes the contributions of artists to the provincial scene and encourages fair compensation and greater respect for freedom of expression. It would also provide a set of tools (sample contracts only one of the items included) to assist professional artists, at the same time in the hope of encouraging emerging talents to view the arts as a viable career path.

In 2019, the visual and applied arts and live performance industries contributed around $ 1.3 billion in GDP to Alberta, maintaining about 20,000 jobs. In 2016, the median total individual income for artists in the province was 51 percent lower, $ 28,500, than that of all Alberta workers, $ 52,400.

“I have spoken with many artists and leaders in the arts sector in my time, both as a minister of culture, as before that, as a cultural critic, with book publishers, filmmakers, visual artists,” said Culture Minister Rick Orr at a press conference Tuesday, noting that it is the 50th anniversary of the province’s first arts legislation and the prime minister of culture. “Over and over again, I have heard the same concerns about financial security and respect for the arts as a profession.

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“Through legislation, our government is clearly affirming that art is an important economic engine that creates jobs and helps with our economic, social and emotional recovery. I am truly committing the Alberta government to supporting the arts and culture as we move forward. “

Orr said the legislation will help the government’s goal of growing the arts sector by 25 percent over the next decade.

“But even more,” he said, “it’s a statement that artists are welcome in Alberta. You can have a career and a family and make a living here in Alberta. And that’s what we’re here to try and make sure it happens. “

The law does not provide any additional funding or alter in any way the grant structure administered by the Alberta Foundation for the Arts, which has experienced a decrease of approximately five percent in funding for each of the past two years under the current government.

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When asked if increasing funding for artists and venues would be a faster way to support artists, especially after the pandemic, Orr noted: “This is more than a COVID response, it is a long-term solution to a challenge. long-term.

“We are committed to implementing an ecosystem that truly recognizes the value of the arts, the value of artists, and helps them have the professional respect and earnings they should receive.”

While the law will state that working artists are entitled to a contract, the government is committed to leading by example, it will not require organizations outside of the government to enter into contracts with artists.

“In many cases, organizations that are professionally managed (already) use contracts,” Orr said. “Most artists act as entrepreneurs, but many of them individually do not, especially beginning artists.

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“For many artists, the discussion about money is uncomfortable, they don’t like to do it.”

He also pointed out to customers that after completing a job, they change their mind about the price.

“By engaging and fostering a culture of contracts in the arts community itself, in many cases I hope it will protect them and enhance their own capacity for success,” Orr said.

The law does not specify any penalties for deviating beyond its promotion of freedom of expression.

However, it fulfills one of the six promises under the banner of Art and Culture on page 81 of the 114 page platform published in 2019, which reads: “Adopt an Arts Professions Act based on the Saskatchewan statute of 2009, to grant formal recognition to artists, their representative associations, their freedom of expression, and their economic rights, including contractual ones.”

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The law follows similar bills in force in Saskatchewan, Quebec, Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador.

The proposed legislation follows a series of interviews with industry professionals by the previous minister, as well as an online survey of professional artists, amateur artists and workers in the arts sector that solicited 1,800 responses.

“The arts sector has been and continues to be one of the hardest hit by COVID, so this legislation is very timely,” said AFA Board Chair Mary Rozsa do Coquet. “We need to get artists back to work and make sure they are fairly compensated, recognizing that their contribution benefits all Albertans.

“The arts stimulate the economy and attract investment, improve mental health outcomes, enrich education and strengthen social cohesion; for these reasons, they certainly deserve this new support. “

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