Congratulations from the membership of Visual Arts Alberta to the Canadian Artists’ Representation/le Front des artistes canadiens (CARFAC) on celebrating 40 years of service to the visual and media artists of Canada.

Since its formation in 1968, CARFAC has been working to improve social and economic conditions for professional artists across this country. Establishing standards for artists’ exhibition fees and copyright/reproduction fees are just two of the important milestones in CARFAC’s history.

CARFAC operates from a national office in Ottawa and through affiliate branches in each province. The exception to this arrangement has been Alberta which has not had an affiliate office or provincial representation since 2005. That is not to say that there has not been support for CARFAC’s aims and activities here, but although the history of CARFAC in Alberta has been a long one, it has also been one of ups and downs. (Did you know that the first National President of CARFAC, 1971-1976, was Sylvain Voyer of Edmonton?) Without an Alberta office, current CARFAC members in Alberta hold their membership directly through the national office.

Now, Alberta is about to have CARFAC representation again. I am pleased to announce that on June 1, 2008 having been nominated by CARFAC members in Alberta, I was elected to the CARFAC National Board as a Director at Large and the Alberta representative for a two year term. I look forward to Alberta once again having a voice in CARFAC’s future direction.

If you have comments or opinions about the roll of CARFAC or especially about the development of CARFAC in Alberta, please email or write to me through Visual Arts Alberta at margaret@visualartsalberta.com, or Visual Arts Alberta, 3rd Floor, 10215 112 Street, Edmonton, Alberta, T5K 1M7. For information about CARFAC’s programs and seervices and how to join the membership contact www.carfac.ca or write to CARFAC, 2 Daly Avenue, Suite 205, Ottawa, Ontario, K1N6E2 or call toll-free 1-866-344-6161.

Margaret Witschl
President, Visual Arts Alberta