Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development
January 12, 2017
Improving the Economic and Social Status of Professional Artists
Provincial Government Engages Arts Community on Status of the Artist Legislation
To enhance recognition and support of artists throughout Newfoundland and Labrador, the Provincial Government is collaborating and engaging with the arts community to seek input on Status of the Artist legislation. A targeted stakeholder engagement roundtable session with the province�s arts sector organizations and professional artists is being held today (Thursday, January 12) in St. John�s.
�Recognizing and supporting professional artists is a key priority for our government as outlined in The Way Forward. Today, representatives from the province�s eight arts sector organizations as well as professional artists have gathered together to share their thoughts and perspectives on the feasibility of Status of the Artist legislation.�
- The Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development
This roundtable session will help identify issues and opportunities to inform Status of the Artist legislation with a focus on looking at the various needs of the arts sector organizations and professional artists as well as determining shared interests. Following the roundtable session, an online survey for professional artists will be available on the Department of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development�s website at www.btcrd.gov.nl.ca. This survey will provide professional artists with the opportunity to provide input on the Status of the Artist legislation.
�Combined with policy, programs and financial supports, legislation is one of a number of means to advance the status of artists in Newfoundland and Labrador. I encourage all professional artists to complete the online survey as your feedback will guide the development of Status of the Artist legislation by providing us with a better understanding of the level of involvement artists have working with our government and the ways in which this legislation could work for them.�
- Minister Mitchelmore
In spring 2017, the department will release a �What We Heard� summary document to outline feedback gathered throughout the engagement process.
Status of the Artist legislation is one of more than 50 initiatives included in The Way Forward: A Vision for Sustainability and Growth in Newfoundland and Labrador, available online at www.gov.nl.ca/pdf/the_way_forward.pdf. The vision guides Provincial Government actions to achieve greater efficiency, strengthen the province�s economic foundation, enhance services, and improve outcomes to promote a healthy and prosperous province.
QUICK FACTS
- To continue moving forward with the development of Status of the Artist legislation, the Provincial Government held a targeted stakeholder engagement session today (Thursday, January 12) for representatives of the province�s art sector organizations and professional artists.
- In addition to the engagement session, an online survey is available at www.btcrd.gov.nl.ca to provide professional artists with the opportunity to share their experiences living and working in Newfoundland and Labrador, as well as to gauge their expectations for Status of the Artist legislation.
- This initiative is one of more than 50 included in The Way Forward: A Vision for Sustainability and Growth in Newfoundland and Labrador.
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Media contact:
Eric Humber
Media Relations Manager
Department of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development
709-729-4819, 725- 9655
erichumber@gov.nl.ca
2017 01 12 3:00 p.m.