I am renewing my membership because CARFAC offers valuable professional workshops. The organization also keeps me abreast of current activities within the visual arts and the arts in general in Edmonton, Alberta and Canada. I also appreciate having my website hosted on the CARFAC site. This is a good professional boost for me.
Throughout my career, and especially in earlier years, I have used Canadian Artists’ Representation/Le Front des artistes canadiens (CARFAC) guidelines to help me discuss exhibition contracts with public galleries. Even when those guidelines were not been fully met by particular galleries I was able to discuss and agree to something as close as possible. CARFAC is always there to help work out legal issues if they arise and I have used this service occasionally by phone and have been given solutions that have worked for me.The Canadian Artists Representation Copyright Collective Inc. (now known as Copyright Visual Arts) has always been a little more work in keeping good records of one’s published images but is so worthwhile when one receives a cheque each year.”
CARFAC Alberta is a Provincial Arts Service Organization funded provincially and municipally and the affiliate for the national arts organization Canadian Artists Representation/Le Front des artistes canadiens (CARFAC) in the province of Alberta.
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.
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. 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.
Copyright Visual Arts (previously known as Canadian Artists Representation Copyright Collective Inc or CARCC) is run by artists for artists. Our aim is to help artists maximize the potential uses and compensation for their work. Membership is free and we negotiate royalties (including exhibition fees) for our members at a rate above the CARFAC RAAV Minimum Recommended Fee Schedule. We encourage you to learn more about this valuable service by visiting our website.
Discount offered by Canadian Galleries for CARFAC members
The following offer free admittance to CARFAC members:
National Gallery of Canada (ON), Art Gallery of Nova Scotia (NS), Beaverbrook Art Gallery (NB), Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (QC), Musee des Arts-Contemporain (QC), The Rooms (NF)
The following offer reduced admittance to CARFAC members:
- Vancouver Art Gallery (student rate)
“Ten years ago I won a public art competition. It was a relatively new field for Canadian municipalities. I was asked to sign a contract, written by the municipality. I took some time to read the contract carefully. It was a struggle. It was about 10 pages long. There was a half page on how I was expected to sign over my ownership rights, completely and totally.
I thought that this might relate to copyright. I knew that this was in direct opposition to the Status of the Artist legislation passed and amended in 1998. I was worried that if I did not sign the contract I would lose the commission. I did not know a lawyer with public art experience. I was anxious about the cost of a lawyer. In a moment of audacity, I rewrote the copyright section of the contract and emailed it into the Canadian Artists’ Representation/Le Front des artistes canadiens (CARFAC) office, asking them if they could help me with the formal wording. They forwarded it to a CARFAC lawyer. It was emailed back to me in 3 days, with minor variations in the wording. There were no extra charges. I signed and submitted it, very thankful for my membership. CARFAC, Yes!”
“Canadian Artists’ Representation/Le Front des artistes canadiens (CARFAC) offers, among other support services, “Certificates of Canadian Origin.” Stamped in Ottawa, they facilitate the re-entry of Canadian-made artwork from exhibitions overseas. I can certainly vouch for their efficacy (and reliance on CARFAC support should a dispute arise).”
Current Certificate of Canadian Origin
For artists that ship artwork outside of Canada, CARFAC offers help through the Current Certificate of Canadian Origin (click on above to view certificate) form that accompanies the shipment. CARFAC members pay a reduced rate for this service. This is another reason to join your provincial affiliate Visual Arts Alberta – CARFAC.
Best Practices for the Craft, Media and Visual Artists in Alberta
Published in May 2022, the Alberta Best Practices for Craft, Media and Visual Artist are ready to be read, used and shared.