Proposal made for federal subsidy to create sustainable artists' insurance

A coalition of arts associations has made a proposal to the federal finance ministry for a $10 million subsidy program to increase the number of professional artists -- including freelance writers -- who can enrol in medical, dental and life insurance. They are hoping to create the Healthy Artists Trust or HEART, which would underwrite part of the cost of enrollments on a declining scale over 10 years.

The coalition includes the Professional Writers Association of Canada (PWAC), The Writers' Union of Canada (TWUC), The Actors’ Fund of Canada. the Canadian Dance Assembly, the Canadian Media Guild and CARFAC Ontario.

There already is a program called the Writers Coalition Program or the Arts & Entertainment Plan, run by the ACTRA Fraternal Benefit Society. But the proposal to the federal government says a subsidy would make a major difference in scale. In a letter to various associations across Canada, the coalition says

"We calculate that a $10 million investment would ensure that a critical mass of subscribers will be achieved in one or more of these insurance program to make them self-sustaining." 

Without federal help, the coalition estimates that the number of subscribers to insurance programs would reach about 500 and grow slowly. With it, the number would increase ten-fold in the 10 years after HEART was launched. 

Applied Arts magazine offers group benefits plan to subscribers

Talk about added value. Applied Arts magazine has announced a group benefit plan for its subscribers.Starting May 1 its current and new subscribers (many of whom are freelancers, self-employed or small business owners) may purchase insurance at three levels of coverage.

“As part of our 25th anniversary celebrations, which started last year with our bold redesign, we were looking to do something special for our subscribers, whose loyalty and commitment to Applied Arts has helped ensure our ongoing success,” says publisher Rosetta Heckhausen [in a posting on the magazine's website]. “We know, from research, that our audience is made up of mostly freelancers, or self-employed individuals. Further research revealed that many did not have access to affordable group benefits. We contacted insurance companies about the concept of offering a group plan to our subscribers. Through Simon Maxwell of CompleteBenefits.ca, ASSOCIUM Benefits and Green Shield Canada, a plan was created specifically for Applied Arts subscribers. Now, not only do our subscribers get the benefit of our great industry coverage, they can actually get benefits!”

As members of the group plan, subscribers will also get access to group buying of such business expenses as phone services and office supplies.

Write-Aid benefit to be held May 24

The cause is just, the venue somewhat baroque and the price reasonable, plus the music is by 3-Chord Johnny, the house band of the magazine industry (John Macfarlane, David Hayes, David Macfarlane etc.) It's all in support of Write-Aid, to raise funds for the defence of Derek Finkle (late, editor of Toro) in his fight against a subpoena ordering him to turn over the research materials for his book, No Claim to Mercy, to the police.

May 24 (doors open at 7:30 pm) at Stones Place, 1255 Queen St. West, music by 3 Chord Johnny, DJ Dave Morris (Eye Weekly's music editor), and friends. You could bid in a live auction on one of three packages - Living Large, Writer's Starter Kit, and East Side Spree

To purchase tickets to the Write Aid event, make a donation, or learn more about the cause visit writeaid.