On-going

Way Forward Commitment:

Artists in Newfoundland and Labrador bring high levels of technical proficiency to their disciplines and collaborate with a community of global artists at the top levels of their fields. In 2017, our government introduced the Status of the Artist Act, which recognizes the contributions that artists make to our province’s economic and social well-being, as well as our collective health, culture and quality of life. The Status of the Artist Act will recognize and support professional artists and ensure fair compensation. The Act encourages everyone, with government departments and agencies leading by example, to pay artists fairly and equitably based on existing industry pay scales for their genre (i.e., visual artists, writers, musicians).

It is important to support professional artists and to maximize the benefits from this economic activity that employs nearly 5,000 Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. Through a collaborative effort with interested professional artists, in 2018-19 our government will pilot an Arts Accelerator Program to assist emerging and established professional artists in evaluating their market presence and to introduce new tools in managing, promoting and developing their artistic practice. In doing so, the hope is that artists can expand their audience, engage in future planning, and ultimately allow for sustainable creative processes.

What We’ve Accomplished:

• The Status of the Artist Act is intended to enhance the recognition and support of professional artists and to ensure fair compensation.
• The Act encourages everyone, with government departments and agencies leading by example, to pay artists fairly and equitably based on existing industry pay scales for their genre (i.e., visual artists, writers, musicians).
• The Status of the Artist Act was assented to December 7, 2017.

News Releases:

Provincial Government to Implement Status of the Artist Legislation

Provincial Government Engages Arts Community on Status of the Artist Legislation