2008 News and Information
Calling All Artists
24 November 2008Are you an artist living or working primarily in Richmond? If so, the City of Richmond’s new Manager of Community Cultural Development wants to hear from you.
“There must be hundreds of musicians, visual artists, dancers, potters, weavers, and so on, who identify themselves as artists, but unless they have joined an umbrella organization, like the Richmond Arts Coalition, we have no way of reaching or identifying them,” says Liesl Jauk, who started her full-time job at the Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services last month.
Jauk wants to create a database that will provide statistics on the number and types of artists in our midst, which could be helpful in future proposals and planning. To that end, artists are urged to fill out a quick online survey at www.richmond.ca/culture/artists.htm.
“If we have an opportunity to commission a local artist, or need to spread the word about a new program targeted to artists, it’s good to know who is out there and to have a way to reach them directly,” Jauk explains. “And if they don’t want to be contacted, that’s okay too. Just filling in the survey is immensely helpful as those artists will be included in our stats, even if just as names on a list.”
In her new role at the City, Ms. Jauk is helping to implement Richmond’s 2010 Arts & Culture Plan including working with the Major Events Development Manager on activities like the Winterfest weekend, establishing an arts awards program, setting up an arts conference, and generally looking for opportunities to raise the profile of and involve Richmond's arts community where possible.
And if you are an artist who is a member of an umbrella group, don’t assume that you are already counted. “Privacy laws quite rightly do not permit groups to share their lists with me. They can ask their members to fill in the survey, though, and that’s a great start. It’s the non-joiners out there that are more difficult to reach, so I’m hoping they will read this, go online and take a minute or two to be counted,” she added.
While online, artists will notice they are on a newly created Information for Artists page of the City of Richmond website. Jauk expects this section to grow over time as new artist-focused programs, events and opportunities are announced. “We’re looking for proposals for some upcoming festivals, for instance, and artists can download a pdf of the form on that page, too.”
For more information, contact Januk at 604-204-8672. Complete the survey online at the City’s website, Richmond.ca >Culture & Heritage>Information for Artists.
