On December 9, 2025, members of New Brunswick’s arts sector gathered at Government House to celebrate the proclamation of the Status of the Artist Act—a historic milestone for professional artists in the province. The roaming déambulatoire-style event, led by artistic director and emcee Philip André Collette, guided guests through performances by poet Shayne Michael, musicians Nathalie Renault, Wolf Castle and Stephen Hero, and featured work by ceramic artist Matt Cripps. Even the Minister of Tourism, Heritage and Culture, the Honourable Isabelle Thériault, joined in with an impromptu accordion performance!

What the Act Means for Artists

The Status of the Artist Act formally recognizes professional artists as workers whose creativity shapes New Brunswick’s culture, contributes to our economy, and strengthens our communities. It includes four key sections that support the livelihoods of professional artists: 

• Definition of a professional artist and accreditation
• Thorough contracts that ensure artists and their work are protected and respected
• Fair pay requirements for professional opportunities
• Government recognition of the value of artistic work and commitments to improving the socioeconomic status of professional artists 

Under the act, accredited professional artists are entitled to comprehensive contracts and fair payment in line with industry-standard fee scales when hired by government departments and the school system, or by arts and culture organizations funded by government. The Act also applies to other organizations receiving public funding to hire professional artists. Arts and culture organizations funded by government will transition to fee-scale compliance by April 2027. 

By setting these standards in law, New Brunswick reinforces the principle that artists deserve equitable, respectful, and professional working conditions. 

Toolkit Now Available

Alongside the proclamation, the province launched the Status of the Artist Toolkit, a practical resource for artists and those who hire them. It includes information on the definition of a professional artist and the accreditation process, links to discipline-specific industry-standard fee scales, and contract resources, like a checklist and model clauses for each required contract element.

How We Got Here

New Brunswick’s approach builds on international principles established through UNESCO (1980) and echoed in Canada’s federal Status of the Artist Act (1992). Provincially, the journey began with the 2014 Status of the Artist Forum and continued through the 2021 Premier’s Task Force Report, which identified 24 recommendations to improve artists’ socioeconomic conditions. Since then, progress has been made toward understanding creative work and its value, expanding programs, and addressing the insecurity and barriers artists face.

What Comes Next

Professional artists can expect clearer standards, fairer working conditions, and stronger recognition of their professional realities. A voluntary and free accreditation process will be available through ArtsLink NB, Association acadienne des artistes professionnelles du Nouveau-Brunswick Inc., and Mawi’Art: Wabanaki Artist Collective, giving artists an easy way to confirm their status under the Act and benefit from its full protections.

Artists, arts workers, and organizations are encouraged to explore the Toolkit to learn about how they can apply and benefit from the Act. To request a presentation or ask questions, contact Status of the Artist Project Executive Christiana Myers at christiana.myers@gnb.ca.

Current committee members:

Association acadienne des artistes professionnel.le.s du Nouveau-Brunswick (AAAPNB)
Carmen Gibbs – Directrice générale
Jean-Philippe Raîche – Président du conseil 
Yasmine Hachid – Responsable des communications

ARTSLINK NB
Julie Whitenect – Executive Director
Amy Ash – Associate Director
Maegen Black – Vice-President of the board

ARTSNB
Jean-Pierre Caissie – Executive Director
Ysablle Vautour – Board Member and Status of the Artist representative

MAWI’ART
Ellen Marshall – Executive Director (not in attendance at the event)
Tara Francis – Board Chair