POST-IT to Mr. Harper-a complete exhibition directly in his mailbox

For Immediate Release

October 2, 2008

Peterborough Artspace announces the POST-IT petition campaign in reaction to Conservative government’s cuts in funding for arts and culture.

To showcase the importance of arts in our community, and the value of arts organizations such as Artspace, we will send to our Prime Minister an ORIGINAL PIECE OF ART ONE POST-IT AT A TIME.

Using the most recent exhibition at Artspace, “Taking Care of Business” by Immony Men which is comprised of 10,000 Post-it notes, we are aiming to put one signature on each Post-it from members of our community that are concerned with the recent cuts in arts funding and mail them individually to the Prime Minister’s office.

For $1.00 you will have a choice of any unsigned Post-it on the wall, numbered and labeled with Ordinary Canadian For the Arts. In support of the arts, you will leave your signature on the chosen Post-it which we will document, and send individually with an explanation of the petition directly to Mr. Harper at the Office of the Prime Minister of Canada.

The proceeds from this campaign will cover administrative costs for the petition as well as help to support Artspace in light of recent funding cuts to our programming.

We are seeking 10,000 signatures! To make this action effective we ask everyone to stop by Artspace and sign the POST-IT petition.

The petition kicks-off on Saturday October 4, 2008 at NOON in conjunction with the Artsweek street party. Artspace will remain open until MIDNIGHT on October 4th. We will be showcasing other ways you can get involved and provide information on the actions Canadians across the country are undertaking to highlight culture as a nationalist issue in the coming election. The POST-IT campaign will continue until October 10th 2008 and regular Artspace programming will resume after October 14th.

Please tell your friends, family and colleagues about this campaign and show your support by participating in this one-of-a-kind petition: POST-IT to Mr. Harper. A complete exhibition directly in his mailbox.

AND

GONE IN 30 SECONDS-ARTSPACE SPEAKER'S CORNER

Saturday October 4th from 9pm to midnight we will extend our video equipment to help you make your 30 second videos-a reaction to the cuts, the future of culture, or whatever message you want to send to the government.

Lester Alfonso, our resident filmmaker, will compile and edit your videos, post them on Youtube and forward them to the Department of Culture for a national collection of stories from across the country.

Show Up! Speak Up! This is your future at stake!

For information and questions please contact Artspace:

705-748-3883

info@artspace-arc.org

378 Aylmer St. N. Peterborough ON