Canadian Artists' Representation - CARFAC and The Exhibition Right

CARFAC and The Exhibition Right

CARFAC has worked hard to achieve the Exhibition Right for all visual artists in Canada. The Exhibition Right is the right for artists to present a work of visual art other than a map, chart, or plan at a public exhibition, for a purpose other than for sale or hire. CARFAC defends of the rights of artists to be paid to exhibit their works publicly rather than being forced to exhibit without pay if they desire exposure.

In 1968 the first suggested Rental Fees Schedule was sent around to galleries. In 1975 the Canada Council approved of the adoption of rental fees to galleries, stating that the payment of rental fees to living Canadian artists would be included as a requirement for eligibility to the Program Assistance to Art Galleries funding.

Canada’s success in the implementation of artist fees in Canada influenced international arts groups to create similar legislation. In 1979 Exhibition fees are introduced for professional artists exhibiting in British exhibitions organized by the Arts Council or the Regional Arts associations as a direct result of CARFAC’s influence.

Canada received new copyright law in May 1987 which includes recognition of exhibition rights and expansion of moral rights in terms of copyright. The Copyright Amendments Bill C-60 passed in 1988 which brought CARFAC-suggested exhibition fees into law.