Over the past six months, our campaign for the Artist’s Resale Right has been picking up speed. All three opposition parties have endorsed our proposal. Heritage Minister James Moore, Health Minister and Nunavut MP Leona Aglukkaq and the Prime Minister’s Office have all expressed an interest in the Artist’s Resale Right but we are still waiting for them to confirm their support. You can help tip the balance by writing your MP and the Conservative members of the Legislative Committee on Bill C-32.

About the Artist’s Resale Right Many people profit when an artwork is resold – but not the artist. The Artist Resale Right would allow visual artists to share in these profits just as they do in 59 other countries around the world.

•The Artist Resale Right would entitle artists to receive 5% from the resale of their work.
-The full value of an artwork often isn’t realized on the initial sale. It is common for visual art to appreciate in value over time, as the reputation of the artist grows
-For example, acclaimed Canadian artist Tony Urquhart sold a painting, The Earth Returns to Life in 1958 for $250. It was later resold by Heffel Fine Art auction house in 2009 for approximately $10,000.

•Canada’s Aboriginal artists in particular are losing out on the tremendous profits being made on their work in the secondary market.
-Many artists living in isolated northern communities live in impoverished conditions, while their work dramatically increases in value.

Find out you can help! Check out the CARFAC National website.