Financial Help Available to Artists in the Entertainment Sector

It's been a challenging year for residents of the Wood Buffalo Region. If you are an entertainment professional who is facing financial hardship, there is help for you by way of The AFC, previously known as the Actors’ Fund of Canada.

The AFC provides emergency financial assistance to all who work professionally in the arts and entertainment industry, including all aspects of film, television, theatre, music and dance. They strive to help Canadian entertainment professionals  when illness, injury or other personal or professional hardships compromise their health, dignity and  ability to work.

You are eligible to apply for assistance if you have:

• earned more than half your income in the Canadian entertainment industry over the past 3 years;
• earned the majority of your income from the Canadian entertainment industry, if you are over 65;
• experienced an unforeseeable emergency that has led to a financial crisis;
• made reasonable efforts to find other means of income or support.

Within the last 24 months, The AFC has distributed close to $1 million in emergency financial aid to help entertainment professionals working in all aspects of Film & TV, music, theatre and dance.

Learn More 

Please visit: http://afchelps.ca/about/what-we-do/ 

For Assistance 

Please visit: http://afchelps.ca/get-help/ 

Graffiti Abatement Mural Program

You might recognize some of these murals from around Fort McMurray, but did you know that they serve more than just one purpose?

The murals were commissioned as part of the Graffiti Abatement Mural Program.  The basis of the project is simple: when a mural goes onto a wall, it is less likely that the wall will be tagged or vandalized with graffiti.  When large spaces become less vulnerable to the threat of graffiti,  it means that property owners and municipalities spend less on graffiti removal and remediation of that space.  

Launched in 2012, the project also provides an opportunity to explore urban art in a legal, respectful way.

Each spring, a Call to Artist is issued nationally.  While the call is open to any artist living in Canada, extra effort is put forth to encourage submissions from local candidates.  

Once all the submissions have been gathered, a local selection panel (comprised of community volunteers including representation from the arts community) reviews the proposed designs and picks the artist and proposal that they feel will be the best fit for our region.  Murals are usually completed by the end of September.

For more information about the Graffiti Abatement Mural Program, please visit: rmwb.ca/mural.  If you have any suggestions for future mural locations, or would like to discuss the program in detail,  please contact beautification@rmwb.ca. 

Paint Nite

There's a new creative craze taking over local restaurants and bars in Fort McMurray. If you remember the days of Bob Ross and his "happy little trees", Paint Nite is taking the painting lesson to the next level! Combining everyone's love of art, food and drink, Paint Nite has mastered the recipe for bringing creativity into the mainstream. 

Paint Nite offers an inviting social atmosphere where an instructor guides participants through the process of making their own masterpiece as a group. At $45 per seat, you can select your preferred date and unique design that you will take home at the end of the night. All supplies including paint, brushes, canvas and instruction are included with your purchase of a ticket.  

Anyone, no matter their skill level, can participate in Paint Nite. If you're looking for a fun night out, or even a team building session, this is a great activity that brings people together to enjoy each other's company in a creative atmosphere. 

For information on how to book your ticket to the next Paint Nite happening at a restaurant near you, visit www.paintnite.com. Tickets sell out fast! So be sure to book early to secure your seat and easel. 

Check out results from past paint nights by visiting www.facebook.com/Paint-Nite-Fort-McMurray