The Quebec Minister of Culture and Communication has kicked her Standing Committee for the Socio-Economic Condition of Artists into high gear, with the appointment of a president and an action plan titled Living Better Through Art. Minister Line Beauchamp named Raymond Legault, current vice-president of the Artsists’ Union, as president of the committee, which unites leading representatives, unions and associations within the Quebec cultural sector. The mandate of the committee - under the umbrella of the Living Better Through Art plan - which will work in close cooperation with a permanent secretariat located within the ministry, is to review the follow-up of the governmental plan of action, to serve as a permanent outpost for cultural milieu, to examine and to comment on the results of the studies, to propose new avenues for work and, finally, to present to the Minister a recommendation regarding artists' laws. In addition to Mr. Legault, the committee includes:

Mr. Pierre Tessier, The Artists Group in the Visual Arts of Quebec

Mr. Yves Légaré, The Society of Authors for Radio, Television and Cinema

Mrs Catherine Loumède, Quebec’s Trade Union of Cinema and Video Technicians

Mr. Gérard Masse, The Musicians’ Guild of Quebec (GMQ)

Mr. Michel Beauchemin, Association of Dramatic Authors of Quebec

Mrs Solange Drouin, The Quebec CD, Performance and Video Industry Association

Mrs Claire Samson, The Association of Film and Television Producers of Quebec

Mrs Louise Boucher, The Quebecois Council for Human Resources in Culture

Mr. Alain Monast, Association of Private Theatre Producers ‘So that artists live better by their art, creativity must be honoured,’ said Minister Beauchamp, at the committee unveiling. For further information in French, CLICK HERE.