Wednesday, May 19, 2010 – The national association of visual artists (CARFAC) announced in Banff last week that Edmonton artist, Todd Janes is the 2010 winner of the National Visual Arts Advocacy Award. The award honours a professional artist who has made a significant contribution as an advocate for the Canadian visual arts community.
The award was first presented to founding members Kim Ondaatje and Tony Urquhart in 2008 in celebration of CARFAC’s 40th anniversary. The award continues to pay tribute to achievements made by artists in the improvement of the socio-economic conditions of visual artists, and the overall well-being of the visual arts community.
Todd Janes has worked for 13 years as the Executive Director of Latitude 53 in Edmonton while maintaining his own artistic practice in performance art. He initiated and curated Visualeyez, a festival held for time based and performance art which boasts the participation of artists from Canada and around the world. Todd has participated in the Professional Arts Coalition of Edmonton as president. He has successfully advocated for increased funding for the Edmonton Arts Council for organizations and for individual artists. He has been involved with the Alberta Association of Artist-Run-Centres and is currently president of Artist-Run Centres and Collectives Conference.
“Todd has been outspoken on issues of fair pay for visual artists at all stages of their careers, as well as on issues about the importance of cultural life to the health of a society,” said artist Sydney Lancaster, who nominated Janes for the award.
Janes received a craft-based artwork made by Alberta artist Mason Eyben of Kitskoty.
Marlene Creates of Portugal Cove, Newfoundland was the 2009 winner.
CARFAC (The Canadian Artists’ Representation/le Front des artists canadiens) is the national association of Canada’s professional visual and media artists. CARFAC defends artists’ rights through advocacy and professional development and produces a schedule of artists’ fees that is widely recognized as the national standard. The Status of the Artist Act empowers CARFAC to negotiate with national organizations on behalf of all visual artists in Canada.
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For more information contact:
Melissa Gruber
Communications Coordinator
CARFAC National
613-233-6161
April Britski
Executive Director
CARFAC National
613-233-6161
For media inquiries outside business hours, call 613-791-6411 or 613-255-4645.