An Overview about CARFAC (National) and CARFAC BC
Artists Working for Artists
If you’ve ever been paid an artist’s fee for exhibiting your work, you’ve already benefited from the existence of CARFAC (Canadian Artists’ Representation/le Front des Artistes Canadiens). Founded by artists like the late Jack Chambers, CARFAC is a democratic, non-profit, national artist-run organization for visual artists. It has members in B.C. and affiliates across Canada.
Canadian Artists’ Representation/Le Front des Artistes Canadiens (CARFAC) is incorporated federally as a non-profit corporation that is the national voice of Canada’s professional visual artists. As a non-profit association and a National Art Service Organization, our mandate is to promote the visual arts in Canada, to promote a socio-economic climate that is conducive to the production of visual arts in Canada, and to conduct research and engage in public education for these purposes.
We believe that artists, like professionals in other fields, should be paid for their work and share equitably in profits from their work. As the national voice of Canada’s professional visual artists, CARFAC defends artists’ economic and legal rights and educates the public on fair dealing with artists. In doing so, CARFAC promotes a socio-economic climate conducive to the production of visual arts. CARFAC engages actively in advocacy, lobbying, research and public education on behalf of artists in Canada.
CARFAC was established by artists in 1968 and has been recognized by the Status of the Artist legislation. CARFAC is guided by an active Board, elected by the membership.
CARFAC BC
CARFAC BC is the primary vehicle in British Columbia through which visual artists may obtain information and practical advice to support their professional practices.
CARFAC BC was incorporated in 1990 and functions as a volunteer organization on behalf of its membership. CARFAC BC currently receives no operational funding. It functions on the resources of its members alone, and is run by volunteers. Together, we have the strength to make fair contracts and payments of proper fees the norm, to tackle the illegal reproduction of artists work, and lobby for tax reform, etc. With hundreds, if not thousands, of artists in British Columbia, we hold tremendous untapped power to actually change the conditions in which we live and work.
We contribute to, and draw support from, the Canadian visual arts community through the CARFAC National Office. We work together with National and other regional CARFAC representatives to develop guidelines, information, and policies. We believe in the visual arts as profession, and we value and respect all artists, their rights, their art forms and their cultural diversity. We have a strong commitment to public understanding, awareness and appreciation of the artist. Our membership includes students, practising visual artists, artists from other disciplines, museums and art galleries, educational institutions, and other individuals and organizations with an interest in visual art.
CARFAC BC is run by an active board of directors and a President which includes representation from across the province. We also employ one part-time staff member as a Membership Coordinator.
As the membership of artists in British Columbia increases, our ability to actually change the conditions in which we live and work will increase too.
Join CARFAC BC today!
