The Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec (CALQ) renews its support by providing the Artists’ Foundation with an additional $300,000 to sustain its psychosocial support program

MONTREAL, April 17, 2023 — Today, the Artists’ Foundation announced that it will extend its services through its Psychosocial Support Fund for artists and cultural workers from all arts sectors in Quebec.

Financial reinforcement of $300,000 from the CALQ will allow eligible artists and cultural workers to either receive consultations with recognized professionals through a service partner of the Artists’ Foundation or an amount of $850 to cover the fees of their own therapists.

By awarding this grant, the CALQ is helping to improve socio-economic conditions and taking concrete actions to build a better safety net for Quebec artists and self-employed cultural workers.

Since the Artists’ Foundation launched its Psychosocial Support Program in April 2021, grants totalling $915,000 from the CALQ have supported over 1,225 applicants.

“ The year 2023-2024 will pose a new and unavoidable challenge for the Artists’ Foundation, which continues to receive an overly high number of requests for financial assistance and psychological support. It is therefore imperative that we maintain these programs and even supplement them to uphold the well-being of our artists. These projects have been sustained since 2021 thanks to the Government of Quebec’s attention, openness and cooperation. We also thank Anne-Marie Jean, President and CEO of the CALQ, and her incredible team for this special grant to help culture workers access our Psychosocial Support Fund. ”– Hélène Côté, executive director, The Artists’ Foundation

 

“ The Psychosocial Support Fund lets us invest in our culture. Deployed resources, adapted programs, and support from the government attest to the value and contribution of cultural philanthropy, which lets us take concrete action to improve the socio-economic conditions of artists and cultural workers. Never before has the Artists’ Foundation been so indispensable to the arts community. ” – Michel Laperrière, actor and president, The Artists’ Foundation

 HIGHLIGHTS

ABOUT THE ARTISTS’ FOUNDATION

The Artists’ Foundation (AF) is a non-profit organization that has been providing one-time financial assistance since 1984 to local professional artists from all disciplines who are going through a difficult period. Since 2021, it has offered psychosocial support to professionals in the cultural sector through access to immediate assistance. AF professional artists access suitable and equitable living conditions so that they can practise their crafts and pursue their careers. Supporting the AF means playing a leading role in a highly engaged community that cares about local culture and the well-being of its artists.