The Inuit Art Foundation terminated March 31, 2012, after 27 years of operation. Below is a press release explaining the reasons for its closure and some recent video footage, which provides a good picture of what the foundation was all about.
Time To Stop: Inuit Art Foundation makes decision to dissolve
MARCH 26, 2012
Concluding that it is no longer viable, the directors of the Inuit Art Foundation are in the process of dissolving the organization. Rather than taking the risk of going bankrupt, the directors made the decision to dissolve the organization while funds remained to do so in an orderly way. As Vice-President Okpik Pitseolak said: "We've done what we can. It is time to stop."
The foundation has been providing professional development services to Inuit artists for over a quarter of a century . Its most visible activity is the publication of the Inuit Art Quarterly, the only magazine in the world dedicated to Inuit art.
A registered charitable organization, the foundation's funding consisted of a mix of government grants, cost recoveries and private sector donations. In spite of the best efforts of the small Ottawa-based staff (varying, but typically four or five full-time people), revenues simply failed to keep pace with expenses. Calling it "a solemn occasion," President Mattiusi Iyaituk said: "We cannot continue. We have seen for several years what has been happening. Our financial instability leaves us with no choice."
Executive Director Marybelle Mitchell said: "We have had to face the fact that we have stretched our resources to the maximum. Rising expenses have meant that we can barely keep up with core programs, let alone initiate any new projects. We have been losing ground over the past few years."
Nonetheless, the directors stress that the foundation should be viewed as a success story. There is sadness, of course, in dismantling something we have worked so hard to build up, but we have accomplished much of what we set out to do. In fact, given the scant resources available to us, what we have done is remarkable.
We are grateful to the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development for making it possible for Inuit artists to become directors of the only national Inuit Arts Service organization in Canada. We also extend our thanks to IAQ subscribers worldwide and to the many private donors and the handful of committed volunteers who provided invaluable resources and support over many years.
It is gratifying to see that other agencies are now picking up on some Inuit Art Foundation initiatives. As we finish up projects and wind down our affairs, we have reason to believe that our resource materials will be transferred to other organizations that will not only conserve, but find ways to use them. The terrain may change, but the wheel has been set in motion and will travel paths unforeseen. As for us, we've had a good run.
View our 25th Anniversary Celebration of IAQ and video footage from our latest Board Meetings by clicking on each image below.
