As part of a successful fundraiser for Guelph artist Sue Richards on Sept. 13, Guelph Arts Council announced that it is in the process of establishing an artist relief fund to assist local artists who are dealing with debilitating health issues.
The creation of the fund is in response to a growing community realization of the plight of self-employed artists whose health can leave them unable to work and, unfortunately, also unable to collect employment insurance or other government benefits. For some time, the council, in its role as a resource to and advocate for artists in the Guelph area, has been exploring opportunities to provide emergency financial assistance to artists who find themselves in that position.
Thanks to a recent anonymous donation, the council is able to proceed. A partnership is being established with The Guelph Community Foundation, which will manage the fund, and detailed criteria are being developed. Eventually, the annual interest from the fund will be used to make awards.
Guelph Arts Council executive director Sally Wismer noted it would take some time to build the fund to the point where enough interest is generated. The council “will be looking for donations to ensure that we can increase the fund as quickly as possible.”
Anyone interested in making a donation or more information should contact Guelph Arts Council at 519-836-3280 or email gac@sentex.net. For more information about the council, visit www.guelpharts.ca/guelphartscouncil.
