Setting up a Local Arts Group

How to Set Up an Association
Rules
Art Associations/Businesses in Nunavut
Other Art Associations in Canada

There is strength in numbers, goes an old saying, and the same holds true when artists band together to form an artists' association - be it a carvers' society, sewing society or other type of artistic group. When a team of artists works together, it may be easier to fulfil job contracts or commissions. If one artist isn't available to work, another artist will be. Also, an artists' association may be eligible for funding not open to individual artists. And a group can voice concerns over pressing issues like lack of available carving stone or a need for a studio more loudly and persuasively than one person alone.

To create an artists' association, your group must become incorporated as a society under the government of Nunavut's Societies Act.

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How to Set Up An Association

At least five people are needed to create an incorporated society. These people must sign an application and bylaws that they've drafted for the association, then send those documents, plus a fee and a notice of registered office to the Registrar. If the application and bylaws comply with the Societies Act, the group will be incorporated.

The Registries Office will provide you with a sample application and sample bylaws so that you know how to write yours.

If you need any help writing these documents, ask your local Economic Development Officer for assistance.

Rules

Every year, 14 days after its annual general meeting, an incorporated society must send the following documents to the Registrar:

1. financial statements signed by the society's auditor, or by two directors if there is no auditor. These statements will list the assets and liabilities of a society, as well as its receipts and expenditures.
2. a list of the directors, including their jobs and addresses. A director or other authorized officer with the society has to sign this list.

The society must have a mailing address in Nunavut so that letters and legal notices can be mailed to it. If the address changes, the society must let the Registrar know.

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For more information, contact:

Nunavut Legal Registries
Department of Justice
Government of Nunavut
P.O. Box 1000
Station 570
First Floor
Brown Building
Iqaluit NU X0A 0H0
Phone: (867) 975-6190
Fax: (867) 975-6194
E-mail: tkusch@gov.nu.ca

The Inuit Art Foundation provides small kick-start grants under its Artists Association Program to artists looking to set up their own group.

Artists' Associations/Businesses in Nunavut

Arviat

Arviat Carvers' Society
Contact: Nick c/o Housing
Phone: (867) 857-2973

Kiluk Ltd.
P.O. Box 366
Arviat NU X0C 0E0
Contact: Judy Issarkiark
Phone: (867) 857-2713
Fax: (867) 857-2714
E-mail: kiluk@arctic.ca

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Baker Lake

Nunavut Miqsuqtiit
(Sewing Group)
Phone: (867) 793-2430

Saviirgayak Society
(Precious Metals/Jewelry)
Contact: Karen Yip
Phone: (867) 793-2322

Jessie Oonark Centre
Phone: (867) 793-2428

Akubliriit Arts Society
Phone: (867) 793-2599

Cambridge Bay

Ikaluktutiak Arts & Crafts Society
Contact: Elizabeth Hadlari
Phone: (867) 983-2151
Fax: (867) 983-4106

Cape Dorset

West Baffin Eskimo Co-operative (houses studios for etching and lithography; markets the art of local carvers)
Contact: Jimmy Manning
Phone: (867) 897-8944

Clyde River

Clyde River Carvers Committee
Contact: Qaunaq Palluq, chairman
Phone: c/o Economic Development Officer's office at
(867) 924-6706.

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Gjoa Haven

Qarggivik Society
Contact: Salomie Arqviq
Phone/fax: (867) 360-6199

Natsilik Fine Arts
Contact: Joseph Suqslak or Joseph Aglukkaq
Phone: (867) 360-7824

Quqmak Sewing Group
Contact: Marlene
Phone: (867) 360-7620

Igloolik

Niurvik Carvers
Contact: Natar Ungalaq
Phone: (867) 934-8809 (work) or (867) 934-8000 (home)

Nalluat (sewing group)
Contact: Madeline Ivalu
Phone: (867) 934-8359

Iqaluit

Nunavut Arts & Crafts Association
Contact: Beth Beattie, Coordinator
Phone: (867) 979-7808
Fax: (867) 979-6880
E-mail: arts@nunanet.com

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Kimmirut

Siangu (sewing group)
Contact: Saa Pitseolak
Phone: (867) 939-2221

Pangnirtung

Uqqurmiut Inuit Artists' Association
P.O. Box 453
Pangnirtung, NU X0A 0R0
Contact: Peter Wilson, General Manager
Tel: 867-473-8870
Fax: 867-473-8634
E-mail: inuitart@nunanet.com

Kittaq Women's Group
c/o Hamlet Office
P.O. Box 253
Pangnirtung, NU X0A 0R0
Tel: 867-473-8950 (Economic Development Officer) or 867-473-8953 (Hamlet Office)
Fax: 867-473-8832 (Hamlet Office)

Pond Inlet

Niumak Arts & Crafts Society
Contact: Abigail Ootoova
c/o 899-8972
Rebecca P. Idlout Library;
or Shelley Elvellin at the High School 899-8959

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Rankin Inlet

Ivalu Arts and Crafts
P.O. Box 599
Rankin Inlet NU X0C 0G0
Contact: Mohammed Zidoune
Phone: (867) 645-3400
Fax: (867) 645-2115

Matchbox Gallery
P.O. Box 157
Rankin Inlet NU X0C 0G0
Contact: Jim Shirley
Phone: (867) 645-2674
Fax: (867) 645-2674
E-mail: matchboxgallery@hotmail.com

Repulse Bay

Aivilik Arts Society
Contact: Paul Maliki
Phone: (867) 462-9952 c/o Hamlet
Fax: (867) 462-4411 c/o Hamlet

Sanikiluaq

Soapstone Artists of Sanikiluaq
Phone: (867) 266-8917
Fax: (867) 266-8877
E-mail: carvings@nunanet.com
Web site: www.soapstoneartists.com

Taloyoak

Taluq Designs Ltd.
P.O. Box 174
Taloyoak NU X0E 1B0
Contact: Mona Igutsaq
Phone: (867) 561-5280
Fax: (867) 561-6500
E-mail: taluq@polarnet.ca


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Other Art Associations in Canada

Crafts Association of British Columbia

Alberta Crafts Council

Conseil des Metiers d'Art du Quebec

Manitoba Crafts Council

Nova Scotia Designer Crafts Council

Ontario Crafts Council

Saskatchewan Craft Council

Yukon Arts Centre

Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador

Organization of Saskatchewan Arts Councils

Visual Arts Nova Scotia

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