News

11 August 2010

The winners of the inaugural John Fries Memorial Prize 2010 were announced last night at the opening of the finalists’ exhibition, at Viscopy’s new contemporary art space, Blackfriars off Broadway.

The competition was open to emerging Australian artists of all ages and disciplines who are not represented in a regional, state, territory or national public art collection. At its inception, the John Fries Memorial Prize 2010 offered a first prize of $10,000 to the winning artist and a solo exhibition at Blackfriars off Broadway in early 2011.

Viscopy and the organisers of the John Fries Memorial Prize 2010 wish to thank the 300 artists who submitted entries. The calibre of the works submitted was of such a high standard that selecting just one winner was difficult. The panel of three judges thus decided to award first and second prizes.

Sixteen finalists were selected and their works are now on exhibit at Blackfriars off Broadway until 30 September 2010. Congratulations to all finalists.

The winners of the John Fries Memorial Prize 2010 are: First Prize of $10,000 + an exhibition at Blackfriars off Broadway is Melbourne artist, Hannah Bertram. Second prize of $5,000 + an exhibition at Blackfriars off Broadway is Melbourne artist, Melanie Irwin.

The John Fries Memorial Prize is an annual prize donated by the Fries family in memory of former Viscopy director and honorary treasurer, John Fries, who made a remarkable contribution to the life and success of Viscopy.

Viscopy chairman, Jeremy Thorpe said: “Viscopy is delighted to be a part of this entrepreneurial award made possible by the generosity of the Fries family in honour of the memory of our colleague John Fries. The prize is substantial and acknowledges the difficulty many visual artists face in making a living through their art.”

In delivering a keynote address to members of the visual arts community, Red Cross NSW Executive Director, Lewis Kaplan, honoured the memory of John Fries and recognised John’s contribution to Australian Red Cross. “John was an indefatigable advocate of Red Cross. He contributed considerable business acumen and played an active role in governance and leadership. John is sorely missed by colleagues, members and volunteers at the Red Cross.

The decision to award the John Fries Memorial Prize to emerging artists of any age and discipline is an important symbol of John’s world view as a humanitarian” he said.

Details and images of the John Fries Memorial Prize 2010 finalists’ exhibition are now available from the new Viscopy website at www.viscopy.org.au/johnfriesprize:

8 April 2010

Viscopy welcomes the commencement of the resale royalty scheme on 9 June 2010.

However, Viscopy is surprised and disappointed by the federal government’s decision to appoint a publishers’ and authors’ organisation to administer a visual arts scheme. Arts Minister Peter Garrett yesterday announced that Copyright Agency Limited (CAL) was the successful tenderer to implement the resale royalty scheme. Viscopy, which represents visual artists exclusively, is concerned that the government’s decision will mean that visual artists are not being heard.

Viscopy tendered for the implementation and administration of the right in February 2010 and is one of several key organisations that campaigned for many years for the introduction of the right. As a not for profit membership organisation it represents more than 7,000 artists and their beneficiaries, approximately 43% of the total population of artists in Australia and New Zealand. Indigenous artists account for approximately 3500 of these. Viscopy also represents some 40,000 international artists in the Australasian territory.

Viscopy is concerned that the government’s appointment is not in the best interests of artists as artists represent a small minority of CAL’s stakeholders who are largely book publishers and authors. Furthermore, the scheme will charge artists 10% of royalties collected whereas Viscopy’s tender submission included a service offering featuring a significantly lower administration fee.

Viscopy Chairman and visual artist Michael Keighery said: “The resale royalty scheme in its current form has been criticised as it will not yield significant returns to living artists in the short to medium term. Artists want a truly representative agency that has their interests as its primary motivator, ensuring that that those interests are recognised by industry and government. Viscopy is that agency.”

16 March 2010

Viscopy, Australia’s dedicated rights management organisation for visual artists, announces the appointment of publishing executive Georgette Mackay as its new Head of Licensing.

Georgette comes to Viscopy from global publishing house Conde Nast Publications where she has worked for more than 10 years, most recently as Asia Pacific Director of Editorial Administration and Rights. Her appointment is the latest measure in Viscopy’s move to improve its service offering to copyright licensing customers and expand licensing opportunities for visual artists.

Viscopy’s chief executive Joanna Cave said: “We are delighted to welcome Georgette to the Viscopy team. Through her experience with a leading global publisher, Georgette has gained a great understanding of copyright licensing from the Viscopy customers’ perspective. She brings to Viscopy valuable commercial skills that will ensure that Viscopy’s licensing services deliver good value to our customers.”

Viscopy operates licensing services which generated more than $2 million for artists in 2008-09. Viscopy offers copyright licensing services to customers in Australia and New Zealand who wish to reproduce or transmit copies of artworks in a variety of ways including in books, on websites, in auction catalogues, magazines and on merchandise, among others. Viscopy also participates in two statutory copyright licensing schemes: the photocopying scheme under which books, magazines and newspapers are copied in educational institutions (operated by Copyright Agency Limited); and the broadcasting scheme in which broadcasts are copied for use in schools, colleges and universities (operated by Screenrights).

Upon her appointment Georgette said: “I am thrilled to be joining Viscopy at this important time of change and further growth. I look forward to working with the team at Viscopy to strengthen and improve our licensing services.”

Georgette Mackay will commence as Viscopy’s Head of Licensing on 19 April 2010.

11 March 2010

Donny Woolagoodja, senior Indigenous artist from the Kimberley region of Western Australia, last night addressed a large crowd of artists and leading figures from the creative industries at Viscopy’s exhibition space Blackfriars off Broadway.

It is estimated that more than 100 people attended the exhibition entitled Mowanjum Wandjina Artists which showcases the work of 14 artists from the Mowanjum Art and Cultural Centre near Derby in Western Australia. Included in the show are works by Donny Woolagoodja whose design for the giant Wandjina spirit featured in the Opening Ceremony of the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.

In his address, Mr Woolagoodja expressed his support for Viscopy and its recognition and protection of artists’ copyright. He noted that for members of the Mowanjum community it is important to have an opportunity to show and sell their art.

The Mowanjum community is made up of three Indigenous tribes: the Worora, Ngarinyin and Wunumbul who are the traditional owners of the lands north of Derby. The Wandjina represents the supreme spirit being and its image features in rock shelters throughout the region. Mr Woolagoodja and members of the Mowanjum Art and Cultural Centre instruct younger artists in cultural matters including painting techniques so that they have the knowledge and skills to maintain and protect the region's sacred rock art sites that are estimated to date back more than 10,000 years.

In officially opening the exhibition, Viscopy director and renowned Indigenous artist and illustrator Bronwyn Bancroft said: "These artists are continuing a tradition that has endured for hundreds of centuries and a tradition that allows them to deliver strength to their community and cultural continuity. Aboriginal people across Australia have had varying degrees of success with their art and it is wonderful to see these artists being recognised for their combined community efforts."

The event also featured a performance by Indigenous soul rapper Radical Son.

18 January 2010

Today Viscopy launched its new website www.viscopy.org.au.

The new site is designed to provide more information about Viscopy's services for both artists and licensing customers. Features include the ability to find licensing prices online, search for images to hire, peruse Viscopy's member database, sign up for a free copyright workshop and find out all the latest news and information about artists' rights. The new site also showcases a changing selection of work by Viscopy members and features a different artist every month on the homepage.

Viscopy has changed its website address and the new site can be found at http://www.viscopy.org.au

14 December 2009

Viscopy has been awarded a grant of $170,000 to deliver a copyright education program to Indigenous artists in Australia. The grant has been awarded by National Arts and Crafts Industry Support, which is part of the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA), to enable Viscopy to raise awareness amongst Indigenous artists of their rights under copyright law.

Viscopy's chief executive, Joanna Cave said: "We are especially proud of the copyright education program we deliver for artists, students and arts organisations throughout Australia. We are committed to ensuring as many artists as possible learn about copyright and are able to benefit from our expertise in this area. We are delighted that the Government has demonstrated its support for this important work by awarding Viscopy further grant funding which will enable us to take the program to Indigenous artists living across Australia, including in some of the most remote regions".

In a new initiative, Viscopy is planning to partner with other organisations working in the field to maximise the effectiveness of the program in the year ahead.

Viscopy is a not-for-profit membership rights management organisation representing over 7,000 artists and their beneficiaries, approximately 47% of the total population of artists in Australia. Indigenous artists account for almost half of these.

Viscopy also represents some 40,000 international artists in the Australasian territory.

Indigenous artists and organisations interested in participating in a free copyright education workshop should contact Viscopy by telephoning 02 9310 2018.

12 November 2009

Virginia Judge MP addressed a large crowd of artists and leading figures from the creative industries when she launched Blackfriars off Broadway, Viscopy's new Sydney exhibition space for artists on Tuesday 10 November.

It is estimated that over 200 people attended the opening event of the inaugural exhibition, Cache which features work by 14 artists from every state and territory in Australia. Included in the show are several famous names such as Tracey Moffatt and Janet Laurence as well as up and coming artists such as Kim Yong Hun and Eva Marosy-Weide.

In her address, the Minister expressed the government's support for the visual arts and recognition of the importance of artists' rights. She said: "Intellectual property rights enable artists to receive the recognition and financial reward their creativity deserves. It is a sad reality that approximately 50% of artists in Australia struggle to earn more than $8,000 a year from their art. The royalties Viscopy collects on behalf of these artists provide a vital source of additional income".

One of the highlights of the evening was the Minister's announcement of a new annual prize for artists. The John Fries Memorial Prize will award the winning artist a $10,000 cash prize plus a solo exhibition at Blackfriars off Broadway.

Virginia Judge said that she was "delighted" to announce the new opportunity for artists to receive such a career boost: "This annual prize will be open to all artists in Australia who have not yet secured recognition through a commercial gallery. Artists of all ages and disciplines, whether members of Viscopy or not, will be eligible to enter" said the Minister.

The prize remembers John Fries, who died suddenly following an accident earlier this year. John served on the Viscopy board of directors for 5 years and made a remarkable contribution to the life and success of the organisation. The cash prize has been donated by the Fries family. Speaking on behalf of the family John's daughter Kath Fries, herself an artist, said :

"My father was always supportive of my work and through his work with Viscopy he really understood the financial challenges that face artists. I think he would be very proud of this award and the opportunity it presents for the winners to significantly advance their careers."

Entries will open in April next year and the winner will be announced at an exhibition of finalists' work in October 2010.

The opening event at Blackfriars off Broadway also featured a live blindfold piano performance by the legendary Domenico de Clario which was dedicated to Sydney curator Nick Waterlow following his recent and sudden death.

28 August 2008

The Viscopy Board of Directors is very pleased to announce that Joanna Cave has been appointed as the new Chief Executive of Viscopy. Viscopy is the rights management society in Australia and New Zealand representing over 7000 artists, almost half of whom are indigenous.

Cave joins Viscopy after eight years as Chief Executive of the equivalent organisation in the UK, DACS, where she played a crucial role in arguing for the acceptance and introduction of the Artist's Resale Right. The right entitles artists to a royalty whenever their work changes hands through a gallery or auction house. Despite strong opposition to the introduction of the Right, its implementation in the UK has been extremely successful, delivering genuine benefits to artists without harming the art market.

Cave's arrival at Viscopy is timely as both the governments of Australia and New Zealand are currently considering whether or not to implement Artist's Resale Right.

Viscopy's Chair, Michael Keighery said "Jo's unique blend of knowledge and experience made her an ideal choice for this important position. She combines skills in management with a real understanding of the challenges faced by artists making her an ideal choice to take Viscopy forward into a new and dynamic chapter."

Brett Cottle, Chair of CISAC (international confederation of societies of authors and composers) and Chief Executive of Australian music rights society APRA said: "Jo has built a very impressive reputation in the UK and internationally. Her appointment by Viscopy is terrific news for artists in Australia and New Zealand".

Joanna Cave commented: "It is a privilege to be given the opportunity to lead an organisation such as Viscopy which has an essential part to play in ensuring the governments of Australia and New Zealand do the right thing for their artists. The Artist's Resale Right is hugely important not least for indigenous artists, many of whom continue to be poorly rewarded for their work, despite its popularity throughout the world".

Next month, Joanna Cave will be attending meetings in Sydney, Canberra and Auckland to discuss the Artist's Resale Right with key stakeholders. She is available for media interviews between 8 and 17 September. Joanna Cave takes up her post at Viscopy in February 2009.