Artists Town Meeting Promotes Empowerment

By Jen Thomas - June 27, 2007

Organizers of the "Town Meeting" include Matthew L. Barron, a political researcher, Gallery 51's Jonathan Secor, local artist Joshua Field and speaker Kathleen Bitetti, the executive director of the Artists Foundation.

North Adams - At an informal “Artist Town Meeting” Tuesday night, about 20 area artists gathered at Main Street's Gallery 51 to learn about specific efforts aimed at protecting their unique profession.

Kathleen Bitetti, artist and executive director of the Artists Foundation (a non-profit organization that focuses on advocacy for artists), led a presentation that centered on encouraging working artists to take an active role in their communities.

“We should no longer let anyone speak for us,” said Bitetti. “We need to be at the table. If not, we’re going to miss opportunities.”

Legislation to Benefit Artists

Bitetti stressed the importance of informing artists of new legislation that positively affected their businesses, including an act she helped pass in 2006.

The Massachusetts Consignment of Fine Art Law outlines a clear “trust relationship” between owners of fine art and art dealers. The new law mandates that the owner must receive sale proceeds before the art dealer may use such funds. Additionally, the art dealer is responsible for the artwork upon delivery of the work, including responsibility for any loss or damage.

Bitetti said the legislation is indicative of future advances for artists’ rights.

“Now, we’ve got a baseline that says artists have got sound business practices,” she said.

Bitetti said this legislation is the strongest consignment law in the country, but New York and California have similar acts.

Currently, Bitetti is working with several state politicians, including Representative Eric Turkington (D-Falmouth), Senator Jack Hart (D-Boston) and Representative Michael Rodriguez (D-Westport) to pass key legislative bills that directly impacts artists.

“We’re going to be low cost and high impact,” said Bitetti.

Proposed legislative action includes establishing a disaster and emergency aid fund for Massachusetts artists, exempting living artists from collecting sales tax from the selling of their work and creating “artist enterprise zones” in an effort to develop artist live/work housing.

Bitetti is also actively seeking to reverse the 2004 Independent Contractor law changes, which make running an independent contractor business difficult in the state, she said.

“[Artists] are done if this doesn’t pass,” she said.

Unique Circumstances

With the passage of the Health Care Reform Law in 2006, all Massachusetts residents are required to acquire health insurance by an advertised July 1st deadline, but there are ways to make that more affordable for artists with little or variable income, Bitetti said.

“The law doesn’t adequately address how our income works,” she said. “It doesn’t consider shoebox income that’s not straight income.”

Bitetti referred artists, and any concerned individual, to consult Health Care for All’s website at www.hcfama,org to compare rates on health insurance or just to learn more about the law and its consequences.

“Health Care for All goes after providers who aren’t doing the right thing,” she said.

She also recommended contacting North Adams-based Charles "Chip" Joffe-Halpern, the executive director for Ecu-Health Care, Inc. and member of the Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector Board.

“You have one of the best advocates right here to help you navigate the system,” Bitetti said.

“Citizen Artists”

After her “crash course,” Bitetti encouraged individuals to become involved in the “citizen artist” movement. She defines the revolution as a statewide campaign to empower artists to become more involved in public policy, legislative and community issues and dialogues that directly impact the arts world.

“Politicians don’t see us because we’re invisible. They don’t know anything about our industry,” she said. “We need to be visible.”

Bitetti outlined specific goals for artists including registering to vote and getting involved in local politics.

“This is a huge moment for our population. A little goes a long way,” Bitetti said.

Jen Thomas may be reached via e-mail at jthomas@iberkshires.com or at 413-663-3384 ext. 23.