Month of the Artist
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Minister of Culture and Tourism Ricardo Miranda has proclaimed January 2019 as the first-ever Month of the Artist in Alberta. The month will be an annual celebration of artists and the value they bring to the province, both socially and economically.
Alberta’s artists and the arts sector make important contributions to Alberta’s economy and quality of life. Statistics Canada figures show that in 2016, the visual and applied arts, and live performance industries in Alberta contributed approximately $1.3 billion in GDP.
Month of the Artist Proclamation
The Government of Alberta met with artists in the fall of 2017 and summer of 2018 to gather their input on what can be done to help support them. The language used in the Month of the Artist proclamation reflects their input, and officially recognizes the diversity of their work and their important contributions to Alberta’s social fabric and economy. The proclamation also specifically recognizes Indigenous artists, deaf artists and artists with disabilities.
Alberta’s artists are storytellers, innovators, entrepreneurs, community builders, teachers, and mentors. Art enriches the lives of Albertans, promotes creativity and innovation, and contributes to a more diversified economy.
According to a Survey of Albertans:
- About 81% of Albertans feel that arts activities make an important contribution to the quality of life in Alberta.
- About 86% agree that arts and culture activities make their community a better place to live.
But there would be no art without artists. The Month of the Artist is one way the Government of Alberta is helping to raise awareness about Alberta’s artists, celebrate their accomplishments and contributions to the province, and say thank you for making Alberta a better place to live.
Learn more at alberta.ca.
