CF Artist Program (CFAP)
The need for Canada to record the actions of its military members has not been forgotten and, on June 6, 2001, Chief of Defense Staff, General Maurice Baril, officially announced the creation of the Canadian Forces Artists Program (CFAP). This new artistic endeavour would allow Canadian artists the opportunity to record Canada's soldiers in Canada and around the world. These artists, all volunteers, will help usher in a new era of Canadian military art.
The CFAP provides a range of unique opportunities to support the independent, creative work of professional Canadian artists of all cultures who wish to contribute to the history of the Canadian Forces. It is the aim of the CFAP to allow artists from across Canada, working in various mediums, to capture the daily operations, personnel, and spirit of the Canadian Forces.
Professional Canadian artists will have the opportunity to research, understand and reflect on the participation of men and women of the Canadian Forces in a wide variety of activities at home and abroad. Any professional artist who is a Canadian citizen or landed immigrant in good health will be able to participate in the Program. The Program will welcome painters, sculptors, and printers as well as other professional artists such as musicians, actors and writers.
Artists will be transported and escorted according to available resources and imposed operational limitations. National Defence will also provide food and accommodation to the artist equal to the level provided to the members of the Canadian Forces being deployed. National Defence may request from the artist a tangible artistic contribution to be negotiated at the time of selection.
Thank you for your interest in the Canadian Forces Artists Program.
Historical Background
The production of Canadian war art was officially started in 1916, with the creation of the Canadian War Memorial Fund which commissioned, created, and exhibited over 800 paintings, sculptures, and prints. The Fund's works were exhibited in London, New York, Toronto and Montreal in 1919. Additional works were also shown in Toronto and Montreal in 1920. These works are now located in the Canadian War Museum, the National Gallery of Canada, and in the Senate. The Fund was created in 1916 and ended shortly after the conclusion of the Great War.
The Second World War presented yet another opportunity for the actions of those serving Canada to be officially recorded in art. The Canadian War Records Program was officially started in 1942. H.O.McCurry, Director of the National Gallery of Canada, chaired the Canadian War Artists' Committee in Ottawa. Vincent Massey, Canada's High Commissioner to London, headed the War Artists Overseas Control Committee in Britain. However, at the end of the War, Canada once again had no official war art program.
During the period from 1968 to 1995, the Canadian Armed Forces Civilian Artists Program (CAFCAP) built on the legacy of the previous two programs. R.F. Wodehouse, Curator of War Art at the National Gallery of Canada initiated CAFCAP to ensure that Canada's military history was captured in art following the Second World War. Though keeping the same aim as previous war art projects, this new program allowed civilian artists to become involved, working alongside Canadian soldiers on both domestic and foreign operations. Unfortunately, this unique CF program was cancelled in 1995, due to a lack of funds.
However, the need for Canada to record the actions of its military members was not forgotten and, on June 6, 2001, Chief of Defence Staff, General Maurice Baril, officially announced the creation of the Canadian Forces Artists Program (CFAP). This new artistic endevour would allow Canadian artists the opportunity to record Canada's soldiers in Canada and around the world. These artists, all volunteers, will help usher in a new era of Canadian military art.
Advisory and Selection Committees
Applications are evaluated by a peer assessment committee, composed of experienced professionals recognized as such by their peers and selected on the basis of their specialized knowledge in the media to be assessed. Committee members are also selected as much as possible to ensure fair representation of artistic specialization, gender, the two official languages, Aboriginal peoples, and the various regions and cultures of Canada.
Before they meet, Selection Committee members receive photocopies of all eligible applications for examination. At their meeting, they study the applications and support material, discuss their relative merit and make their choices. The principal assessment criterion of the assessment committee is the artistic merit of an applicant's work, taking into consideration the specific context, national context and the potential impact on her or his pursuit. Following the competition, the names of assessment committee members and successful candidates are available upon request.
The Selection Committee, composed of 5 members and chaired by Prof. François-Marc Gagnon, Concordia University, reports to the Advisory Committee.
The Advisory Committee continues to play an essential role in guiding the program. As of June 2008, it includes:
- Mr. Serge Bernier, Director - History and Heritage, Department of National Defence - Chairman;
- Mr. Jim Burant, Library and Archives of Canada;
- Mr. Mark O'Neil, Director and CEO of the Canadian War Museum;
- Ms. Laura Brandon, Curator, Canadian War Museum;
- Mr. Greg Hill, Curator, National Gallery of Canada;
- Mr. Michel Gaboury, Canada Council for the Arts;
- Mr. William MacDonnell, artist; and
- Senator Joe Day, Senate of Canada
