ArtsLink NB, Association acadienne des artistes professionnel.le.s du Nouveau-Brunswick Inc., and Mawi’Art: Wabanaki Artist Collective are offering Professional Artist Accreditation to support New Brunswick’s Status of the Artist Act. We have worked together to determine consistent criteria and review processes.
(Please note that Mawi’Art: Wabanaki Artist Collective will launch a new website with all the relevant accreditation information in January 2026)
Accreditation application dates and details will be released in early 2026. In the meantime, please see the overview below.
Why get accredited as a Professional Artist?
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.
Is accreditation mandatory?
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.
What is the definition of a professional artist?
A professional artist is a person who is a creator, interpreter, or performer who meets the following three criteria:
- is actively practicing in any artistic field in return for remuneration
- has specialized or equivalent training or holds traditional knowledge in their discipline or disciplines
- who is recognized by their peers
What is the accreditation process?
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. ArtsLink will assemble multidisciplinary artist juries to review accreditation applications beginning in 2026. When a date is set, ArtsLink will issue a call for applications and artists will be asked to submit their accreditation applications digitally. There will also be open virtual information sessions for anyone interested in learning more. Stay tuned for dates and times.
How will artists be asked to prove they are professional?
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 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 this aim, ArtsLink will host information sessions in the new year, and issue additional guidance on this process every step of the way.
If you would like to receive information on these events and updates, please sign up via this link: