Art auction tries to fill funding gap left by province

As the ministry of culture and community spirit scaled back its support of Alberta artists and arts groups this last year, one Edmonton-based provincial arts association decided to fight back with a series of social events culminating in the conclusion of a special annual art auction tomorrow evening.

Chris Carson, executive director at the Visual Arts Alberta Association (VAAA), called VAAA Bay its major fundraiser of the year.

“The money we raise from this one really does a lot,” he emphasized. “With a 16 per cent cut in money that we received from the [Alberta Foundation for the Arts] this past year, this fundraiser is absolutely vital to the survival of non-profit organizations like the VAAA.”

The VAAA is a provincial arts service organization whose mission is to promote a broad spectrum of visual arts and artists. It also hosts exhibits at its downtown gallery and acts as an important link and communication hub by distributing important news and making connections.

Carson sees how it plays a critical role in cultural development but wishes it would receive more critical support and that the arts would be more valued in the eyes of those with political power. Given his druthers, these types of events wouldn’t have to happen in the first place.

“Fundraisers are essential things to have. They’re also a necessary evil in a certain kind of way. If we lived in an ideal world, we wouldn’t like to do them at all. Finding different sources of raising money is becoming more and more essential for arts groups.”

One person who is trying to help the cause is St. Albert potter JulieAnne Hage. She participated in one of the gallery’s recent shows and feels the VAAA deserves more support, not just from the government but from its own membership as well.

“They worked so hard and they put on a beautiful, beautiful show. I was very impressed with their dedication.”

The auction features a few dozen pieces of visual art. It closes at 9 p.m. tomorrow, although telephone and email bids must be received by 3 p.m. All money raised goes to support the VAAA’s education, exhibition and information programming. To view the pieces, head to www.visualartsalberta.com.