NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Notice is given that the Annual General Meeting of VISCOPY Limited will be held on Tuesday 24th November 2009 at 10.00am at the Viscopy premises at 1 Blackfriars St Chippendale NSW.

For more information including the Agenda and Members Proxy Voting Form please follow the link below.

2009 AGM Notice Agenda and Proxy Form

ARTS MINISTER VIRGINIA JUDGE MP OPENS VISCOPY’S EXHIBITION SPACE

AND ANNOUNCES NEW ANNUAL PRIZE FOR ARTISTS

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.

Cache is open on weekdays from 9am – 5.30pm by appointment. The exhibition closes on 22 December 2009.

The John Fries Memorial Prize will be open to all artists in Australia and New Zealand who have been practicing professionally for at least two years but have not yet secured recognition through a commercial gallery. Artists of all ages and disciplines, whether members of Viscopy or not, will be entitled to enter.

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