Should Alberta Formally Recognize Artists' Professional Rights?
Official title: Arts Professions Act engagement
Alberta asked artists and the public whether the province should pass a law recognizing artists as professionals. The proposed act would give artists formal recognition, protect their freedom of expression, and strengthen their economic and contractual rights. It was modelled on Saskatchewan's 2009 law.
Why This Matters
Are you an artist in Alberta? This law affects how you're treated in contracts and negotiations. It also signals that the province values creative work as real work. Even if you're not an artist, this shapes the cultural sector in your community.
What Could Change
The consultation led to the Arts Professions Recognition Act. This law formally recognizes artists as professionals, protects their freedom of expression, and establishes their economic and contractual rights in Alberta.
Key Issues
- Should artists receive formal legal recognition as professionals?
- How can legislation address the unique challenges artists face?
- What economic and contractual protections do artists need?
How to Participate
- This consultation is now closed. Albertans provided input through an online survey until October 3, 2019.
- Review the resulting Arts Professions Recognition Act to see how feedback shaped the legislation.
What Happened
Feedback from the consultation was used to inform the writing of the Arts Professions Recognition Act, which has since been published.