Professional Artist Accreditation
Apply to receive a professional artist accreditation under New Brunswick’s Status of the Artist Act
Professional Artist Accreditation
Calling All New Brunswick Artists: Professional Artist Accreditation Is Open!
ArtsLink NB is currently accepting Professional Artist Accreditation applications from practicing New Brunswick artists of all disciplines, communities, regions, and linguistic and cultural backgrounds.
According to the Status of the Artist Act*, professional artists are entitled to national industry fee standards and detailed contracts. Professional Artist Accreditation is a way of protecting these new employment rights. Additionally, accredited professional artists will appear in a public database, creating a visible network of professional artists that can be used by engagers across government, the cultural sector, and the wider community.
Professional Artist Accreditation requires evidence of professional commitment and activity across three criteria:
- Professional Practice and Remuneration
- Training, Knowledge, and Experience
- Peer Recognition
We recognize that artists develop their practices through a variety of pathways. This process is designed to be inclusive, accessible, and reflective of diverse forms of professional engagement.
In order to be eligible, artists must be current residents of the province of New Brunswick. Artists may seek accreditation from ArtsLink NB, l’ Association acadienne des artistes professionnel.le.s du Nouveau-Brunswick Inc., or Mawi’Art: Wabanaki Artist Collective. Applicants do not need to be members of these organizations in order to access the Professional Artist Accreditation service.
We strongly encourage all applicants to download and review the following documents prior to beginning the application process:
- ArtsLink NB Professional Artist Accreditation FAQ (see below)
- ArtsLink NB Professional Artist Accreditation Guidance Note (see below)
- GNB Tourism, Heritage and Culture Status of the Artist Toolkit
Important Dates
Online Information Sessions:
If you are a professional artist living in New Brunswick and you’d like to learn more about the accreditation process and what it means for you, please join us at one of two online information sessions. We will go over the timeline, requirements, and logistics of ArtsLink NB’s Professional Artist Accreditation process, and offer an opportunity for process-related questions to be answered.
Info Session 1️⃣
🗓️ Wednesday, May 20th
🕛 12pm – 1 pm
👨💻 Online
Info Session 2️⃣
🗓️ Wednesday, June 3rd
🕛 6pm – 7 pm
👨💻 Online
Application Deadline:
🗓️ Sunday, June 10th, 11:59pm
Applications should be submitted online, complete with all necessary attachments by the deadline. We recommend starting your application early to ensure plenty of time to collect the relevant information and documents.
If you are unsure whether your documents meet the criteria or if you face barriers accessing standard forms of recognition, please contact ArtsLink NB at amy@artslinknb.com before Thursday June 4th to ensure there is sufficient time.
We’re here to support your application.
* For more information on the Status of the Artist Act, please visit GNB’s Tourism, Heritage and Culture Department.
FAQ
According to the Status of the Artist Act professional artists are entitled to national industry fee standards and detailed contracts. Professional Artist Accreditation is a way of protecting these new employment rights. Additionally, accredited professional artists will appear in a public database, creating a visible network of professional artists that can be used by engagers across government, the cultural sector, and the wider community.
Accreditation is completely voluntary. Artists can continue their practices and work for organizations and entities without being accredited. However, artists who wish to compete for certain government contracts and commissions will need to be accredited to qualify for these opportunities.
A professional artist is a person who is a creator, interpreter, or performer who meets the following three criteria:
(a) is actively practicing in any artistic field in return for remuneration
(b) has specialized or equivalent training or holds traditional knowledge in their discipline or disciplines
(c) is recognized by their peers
Artists may seek accreditation from one of the three multidisciplinary professional artist associations: ArtsLink NB, Association acadienne des artistes professionnel.le.s du Nouveau-Brunswick Inc., and Mawi’Art: Wabanaki Artist Collective. Artists do not have to be members of these organizations in order to be accredited. We have worked collaboratively to develop inclusive and cohesive criteria and processes to verify that an artist meets the definition of a professional artist.
It is important to note that the accreditation process does not focus on the adjudication of artwork. Instead, it is centred on reviewing evidence of professional practice.
Artists will be asked to submit a selection of documents that demonstrate evidence of:
– Professional Practice & Remuneration
– Training, Knowledge, and Experience
– Peer Recognition
We recognize that artists develop their practices through a variety of pathways. This process is designed to be inclusive, accessible, and reflective of diverse forms of professional engagement.
If you are unsure whether your documents meet the criteria or if you face barriers accessing standard forms of recognition, please contact ArtsLink NB at amy@artslinknb.com. We’re here to support your application.
Guidance Note
This guidance note is designed to support applicants to ArtsLink NB’s Professional Artist Accreditation process. It outlines examples of acceptable documentation for the three required criteria:
- Professional Practice and Remuneration
- Training, Knowledge, and Experience
- Peer Recognition
We recognize that artists develop their practices through a variety of pathways. This process is designed to be inclusive, accessible, and reflective of diverse forms of professional engagement.
To meet this criterion, you must provide both A and B:
A: At least one distinct piece of evidence of active public presentation of your work
B: At least one distinct piece of evidence of remuneration from your artistic work
These documents demonstrate that you are actively engaged in a professional artistic practice and that you receive payment for your work.
A. Documentation of Remuneration from Artistic Work
Examples of acceptable documentation include:
- Statement of Business Activities (Pg 1 of Form T2125, redacted as needed)
- A letter from your accountant attesting that you have filed income tax for artistic activities
- Contract with a producer, broadcaster, or arts presenter
- Any other document that attests to remuneration received from artistic work
B. Documentation of Active Public Presentation of Work
Examples of acceptable documentation include:
- Copies of books, recordings, show programs, invitations to exhibitions or events
- Documents related to the public presentation of work (e.g., exhibition notices, festival programs)
A signed declaration in which you certify that you devote a reasonable proportion of your professional activity to:
- creating, promoting, and marketing your work,
- presenting yourself to audiences,
- seeking patrons or agents,
- submitting your work to publishers, magazines, theatres, or equivalent venues (depending on the nature of your artistic discipline)
- Any other document that attests to the active public presentation of your work
You must also include a short description (250 words or fewer) outlining your professional artistic practice.
ArtsLink NB recognizes that professional artists develop their skills through diverse and non-traditional pathways. You do not need to hold a formal degree or diploma.
You are required to submit at least one document demonstrating training or equivalent experience.
Informal / Non-Institutional Learning
- Letters from mentors, teachers, or cultural knowledge holders
- Participation in residencies, workshops, or masterclasses
- Certificates or documentation from online courses
- Apprenticeships or assistant roles in professional creative projects
- Name of knowledge keeper or elder
- Context of learning
Peer and Community Recognition
- Experience teaching or facilitating arts activities
- Invitations to speak at artist talks, panels, or cultural events
- Service as a juror, grant reviewer, or peer assessor
Self-Directed Practice and Achievements
- CV
- Record of exhibitions, performances, or publications
- Proof of grants or funding received for creative projects
Letters and Documentation
- Reference letters from peers, curators, or collaborators
- Press coverage or reviews
- A detailed artist statement outlining your learning journey and artistic development
Cultural Knowledge and Lived Experience
- Endorsement from elders or community leaders for traditional or cultural practices
- Documentation of cultural transmission (e.g., oral tradition, ceremonial knowledge)
- Practice in cultural art forms with significant community engagement
Please include at least one document from the above to meet Criterion 2.
If you’re unsure which materials to submit, contact ArtsLink NB for support.
You must also include a short description (250 words or fewer) to provide context for your training/experience.
To meet this criterion, you must demonstrate recognition by peers in your artistic field. This refers to being acknowledged by other professionals as an artist of merit.
You are required to submit at least one piece of documentation.
Examples of acceptable documentation:
- A signed contract or invitation to exhibit, publish, or perform your work
- Participation in juried exhibitions, festivals, or publications
- Awards, nominations, or formal distinctions from the arts sector
- Membership in recognized professional arts organizations
- Inclusion in curated showcases or institutional programming
- Press coverage, reviews, or feature articles
- Letters of reference or endorsement from established professional artists
You may also include a short explanation (250 words or fewer) to provide context for the document you submit.
If you are unsure whether your documents meet the criteria or if you face barriers accessing standard forms of recognition, please contact ArtsLink NB at amy@artslinknb.com. We’re here to support your application.
