Copyright debate

On January 25 there will be a debate at the University of Ottawa regarding government reform on copyright. This from the Canadian Conference of the Arts press release: "The debate will focus on the bill’s controversial proposal to include education exemptions, which will allow for more free use of copyrighted materials. On one side, many argue that the exemption will enhance the academic experience for students and foster the development of the knowledge economy. On the other, critics argue that the provision does not protect artists’ rights by allowing the widespread copying of original works without fair compensation, which will in fact hurt the development of the knowledge economy."

It's important for artists to stay educated about such things. Let's keep our eye on this one...

the pace

Officially, the gallery is closed until delivery day of the juried members show, January 17. However, the restoration of the lower level studio, stripping the wax off the gallery's maple floors, and catching up on 134 emails has sucked me back in to the office. I am finding it difficult getting back up to the pace I was going all last fall and pre-Christmas. Two weeks is just enough time to slow down. January arrived like a snowball in my face. We've just decided to postpone the fundraising event scheduled for January 30, "The Feast of Impropriety," but hope to hold it in April. With about 90% of the funds raised for the bathroom renovation, we feel confident in scheduling the contractor for early May. The gallery will be closed for the renovation, so that the various trades can make a lot of noise and mess, and just "get 'er done." Alas, no exhibition in May. The youth exhibition will be held in September, watch for more details on "Mash Up."

Restoration

Holidays, time to slow down and get a little perspective on life. This past week or so I've gotten to know my kids again, and had good extended visits with friends. Another week and I'll be downright relaxed. But then, it will be hair-straight back as we embark on yet another fundraiser, this time to restore the bathrooms at the Arts Centre. We've now received several small grants, and one significant one, to bring the two washrooms up to code and make one entirely wheelchair accessible. I, for one, am looking forward to hands-free paper towel holders. Only one event to go - the "Feast of Impropriety." It truly will be a feast, prepared by a well-known local chef, and we will be talking about bathrooms the whole time. Perhaps a little bathroom humour would be appropriate. Sunday, January 30 is the date, and tickets will be $100. A charitable tax receipt can be given for $50 of each ticket. All Johns get a free gift... can you imagine what that would be?

Flood!

Is this amazing wonderful historical building trying to tell us something? While we're desperately trying to find funding bodies willing to help us renovate the sorely inefficient bathrooms, the heating system has been staging its own drama. Today we arrived to a flooded lower level, damaging a great deal of items in the studio space, plus ceiling, floor and walls (interesting how paint will stretch into those large sacs!) However, cool heads have come and gone in the past few hours and we seem to be over the shock of it all. The building wants some attention. Not just physically, perhaps. Sure, we catch drips and patch walls, improve, renovate and replace where necessary, but that's not our focus. We've been discussing how the Arts Centre fits into the City's offerings as far as cultural services, and hoping to become one of the budget items on their books. Arts service is our focus. It's time to look at things differently, what we offer, what we can offer, how we can offer it. Efficiency is the word of the day.

Budget Line

Even though it's not official, we recently read in the Observer that the application from the Arts Council and Art Gallery for joint funding was approved by Council, and that we now have a line in the budget. That's pretty exciting! Even though it's not the full amount we asked for ($25,000 approved, $45,000 requested) it still gives us some security and the ability to leverage that money for other kinds of funding. When an arts centre has a municipal commitment, it's much more likely to get approved for project funding from foundations, other levels of government, and Canada Council. Things are looking up! Maybe now I can buy a pen. When we lost Direct Access funding ($23,000 SAGA, $5500 SDAC) and was cut by BC Arts Council ($3500), I could scarcely breathe. We slashed the budget so severely that I thought any day I could be out on the doorstep. Thankfully, Council acknowledged that we are indeed a very important part of this community, and that our free programs for all ages of residents and visitors is worth something. It's worth a line in the budget!

Face to Face with Art

Just spent five days in Vancouver, gallery-hopping and discovering more wonderful places to eat. Was not very impressed with some of the current shows in the commercial galleries, plenty of mild work. Also, seeing works from the collection again at VAG wasn't too exciting. However, the new Carr exhibit on the third floor was excellent. "In Conversation with Carr" is work by EC and other artists who are responding to her incredible influence on Canadian art. Douglas Coupland was one, and wow, I was impressed. Also of value was an interview with each of the artists, playing on DVD and headsets. I love that. It inspires me to do something like that here at SAGA. It always helps to hear what the artist has to say about their work - it expands our understanding of it. Plus, there's something about seeing the artists face and watching them speak - the media is the message!

Dedicated Staff

Now I know why corporations and even non-profit organizations have dedicated staff to manage social media... Since my last post, we've had Paint the Town, Paint the Festival at Roots & Blues (both raucous events, netting the gallery some much needed cash and engaging a huge number of artists - thank you all!), Fall Fair and the opening of Arthur Brooke's watercolour journals. What a treat to have that in our community. Imagine curator Deb Chapman's delight when someone showed up at the museum with six books containing 324 watercolour paintings of early 1920's farming life with this little girl named Ruth. The exhibition is on at SAGA until September 25 and should not be missed. Today at Coffee Break, I encouraged Deb to take this to the National Gallery - it certainly wouldn't be out of place there. Of course, she's another one who needs dedicated staff to do these extra projects.