Being the art in heart

The Canadian Conference of the Arts (CCA) hosted its gala dinner here at the National Arts Centre on Nov. 1, kicking off its three-day 2010 National Policy Conference entitled "Artists: Powering the Creative Economy?" According to the CCA website, the conference featured "an Emerging Thinkers Speed Speaker Series, providing young leaders in the arts and culture sector with an opportunity to present their vision for the artist within the creative economy." Young leaders. Okay.

The CCA celebrated its 65th anniversary this year, and enjoys a fairly hefty list of member organizations. Art galleries and arts schools, arts networks and arts collectives, arts guilds and arts, and government agencies linked to provincial arts initiatives. Locally, the CCA members list includes the Council for the Arts in Ottawa, the Ottawa Arts Court Foundation, and the Saw Video Association.

http://www.ccarts.ca/en/

What's surprising is that the CCA's website has a donate button and yet its arts advocacy doesn't seem to include the welfare of those artists from the Canadian entertainment culture - including film - who where around when the CCA was just starting out, 65 years ago. Aren't the elders of any community vital its strength, knowledge and longevity? Yes, they are.

So, who does care?

Incorporated in 1958, the Actors' Fund of Canada (AFC) is a national organization mandated to aid in the welfare of all members of the Canadian entertainment community. UK-born Canadian and US actor Barry Morse (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0607579/) was one if its founding members. According to its website, the AFC "set a new record for the amount of financial aid delivered to industry members in a single year, topping $600,000 in 2009." Locally, the Great Canadian Theatre Company raised over $25,000 in donations for the AFC during its 2009-2010 season.

http://www.actorsfund.ca

So, why does this matter?

Early this month, the Performing Arts Lodges of Canada (PAL Canada), another national organization focused on the welfare of elderly members of Canada’s Performing Arts Community, posted a news release entitled "Canada's senior artists at risk." The findings of the report are chilling:

• 46% of senior artists in need have had health care needs not covered by public health plans in the past year and 38% do not have extended health coverage. Overall, 73% are at moderate or high health risk;
• 35% have annual income from all sources that is less than $20,000;
• 61% are at moderate or high financial risk; and
• 23% reported having “financial difficulties” over the past year.

Read the report here:
http://www.palcanada.org/articles/132-senior-artists-research-project-press-release-november-09-2010.html 

http://www.palcanada.org/

Christmas is coming. So, while you're out shopping for movie theatre gift cards and DVDs, give back to the elders and those in need in your national film and entertainment community by sending some cash their way this year.

Thanks for checking in.