New Brunswick is taking steps to recognize professional artists and improve their working conditions.
The province has introduced the Status of the Artist Act, a bill that would formally define artists as professionals and set fair pay standards.
If passed, it would require written contracts, establish fee scales, and recognize accredited artist associations.
Regulations would be reviewed periodically, according to a government release.
Tourism, Heritage and Culture Minister Isabelle Thériault says artists have been pushing for recognition since the 1990s.
“Improving conditions for professional artists is essential to the health of our cultural industry,” she said.
Many artists in the province struggle financially, according to the latest census data.
More than 70 per cent of artists in New Brunswick earn under $40,000 a year.
In 2020, their median income was $27,400—39 per cent lower than the provincial average.
The bill is based on recommendations from the Premier’s Task Force on the Status of the Artist, which was established in 2014 to identify ways to strengthen the industry.
If adopted, new pay rules for artists hired by the provincial government would take effect this fall, while arts organizations receiving government funding would need to comply by April 2027, according to a government release.
New Brunswick’s arts sector supports the economy, employing 2,700 artists and another 9,000 people in cultural industries.
Thériault says strengthening the profession would help support additional jobs.
“Their efforts are fundamental to the growth of a broad range of creative trades and related work in New Brunswick communities,” she said.
Six provinces—including Ontario, Quebec, and Nova Scotia—already have similar legislation in place.
If passed, New Brunswick’s law would follow the same model, with regulations being posted for public comment for 28 days before final implementation.
