News Release

FREDERICTON (GNB) – The provincial government introduced legislation today to amend the New Brunswick Arts Board Act.

“Since our government announced administrative changes to the New Brunswick Arts Board’s model in February, we have held numerous consultations with the transition committee, which included members of the board, the Association acadienne des artistes professionnel.le.s du Nouveau-Brunswick (association of professional Acadian artists of New Brunswick), ArtsLink NB and two professional artists,” said Tourism, Heritage and Culture Minister Bill Fraser.

Fraser added that the department has worked with the committee to facilitate a dialogue around the proposed changes to the board’s operating structure and legislative changes to enable a focused purpose of the board.

In addition, the department was able to identify $400,000 in administrative efficiencies. This represents $200,000 in savings during the 2016-17 fiscal year and another $200,000 during the following year.

Kathryn Hamer, president of ArtsLink NB, is pleased with the work accomplished by the committee.

“We are pleased to see that the proposed changes to the legislation maintain the fundamental principles of independent decision-making, adjudication by peer juries, and freedom of artistic expression,” said Hamer.

“The transition committee reached a consensus on the proposed changes to the New Brunswick Arts Board Act,” said Philippe Beaulieu, president of the Association acadienne des artistes professionnel.le.s du Nouveau-Brunswick (association of professional Acadian artists of New Brunswick). “These amendments to the act reassure us that the key principles defining the board’s independence will be upheld. Obviously, once the act has been passed, we will again work together to ensure the long-term viability of the board.”

Under the proposed amendments, the board will be given an amended mandate, with a primary focus on administrating funding programs, celebrating excellence in the arts and promoting the value of the arts in the province. It will also ensure that the maximum amount of funding reaches the artists in a cost-effective way and that the arm’s-length, peer assessment model remains intact.

Moving forward the provincial government and the board will work collaboratively on this new direction.

“I thank the members of the transition committee for their work,” said Fraser. “Through these consultations with the arts community, I feel that we will have a stronger, more focused New Brunswick Arts Board.”

“The board is pleased to have been able to work with Minister Fraser and his staff at the department on the proposed amendments to the act,” said Pierre McGraw, president of the board.