16 per cent exhibition

The 16% Exhibition January 15 - March 26, 2011 Opening Reception: Saturday, January 15 from 2 - 4pm Alberta’s arts sector and its supporters were shocked last spring to hear rumours, and then announcements, of huge funding cuts. The provincial government chose to cut $5.5 million or 16% of the entire resources of the Alberta Foundation for the Arts. The Craft Council lost $37,000 or 16% from its 2010-11 core grant. The Craft Council Board has decided to demonstrate this cut, as visibly and shockingly as possible, with “The 16% Exhibition”. From January 15 to March 26, this exhibition in the Craft Council’s Feature Gallery in Edmonton will be empty. Plinths will be in place. Lights will be on. Labels will tell the story of 16%, and how this affects the arts. Gallery visitors will be asked to participate, by contributing their thoughts, and by sending message cards to the Premier and MLAs. The story… in its simplest form… is a dire warning… that 16% gone… might mean… some day… nothing is left!
The Arts need your help. Please join the “I support the arts” campaign.
Last spring the provincial government announced a $5.5 million cut to arts funding through the Alberta Foundation for the Arts. At 16%, this was one of the worst rates of cut anywhere in the government budget. The 16% cut to the Alberta Craft Council’s Provincial Arts Service Organization core funding amounted to $37,000. In addition, funding for individual and organization grants, artists in schools, travelling exhibitions and art acquisitions has been cut. Now, before the next provincial budget cuts, it is time to speak up. Please join hundreds of other Craft Council members and visitors, and thousands of other arts supporters. Regardless of your political stripe, your politicians need to hear and see your concern for the future of Alberta’s arts sector. To participate in the “I support the arts” campaign pick up your postcards at the Alberta Craft Council; or, if you are not in the area you can request to have a set mailed to your home. Contact us at acc@albertacraft.ab.ca or (780) 488-5900. Or just download the picture below and mail it off to the Provincial Legislature Recent news coverage for The 16% Exhibition Edmonton Journal's interview with Tom McFall on The 16% Exhibition. It's an art exhibit without the art, a public statement to illustrate the impact of a 16-per-cent cut to arts grant funding by the Alberta government last year. The council worries further cuts may come when next year's budget drops some time before April. Click here to read the full article Metro News interview with Tom McFall on The 16% Exhibition. "Galleries generally feature art, but there is an empty one in downtown Edmonton. The lower gallery at the Alberta Craft Council has been void of art since Saturday. The reason, said executive director Tom McFall, is to create as visibly and shocking an image as possible to showcase provincial cuts to the arts." Click here to read the full article