On behalf of the membership of ArtsLink NB, we were very pleased to see that the new budget for 2026-27, “Foundations for the Future,” committed to an investment of $2.8 million “to help stabilize the sector … in an effort to boost the creative economy through new jobs, fostering innovation and delivering more access to the arts.” This support demonstrates a commitment to the arts and culture sector, and is a very good start toward counteracting the critical underfunding experienced over the last decade.
This government was able to pass the Status of the Artist Act in June of 2025, and this was a great step forward in making sure artists and their work are protected and respected through contracts, that fair pay requirements are in place for professional opportunities, that government recognizes the value of artistic work, and that improving the socioeconomic status of professional artists is a serious commitment. The 2026-27 budget is a continuation of this work.
Whether engaging social media, online selling, or in-person sales (via fairs, performances, or retailing), creating a cohesive aesthetic is the “branding” of the arts. Accurate and crisp documentation is the foundation for circulating work online.
These one-on-one sessions will give participants specialized feedback on their online brand, including social media, website, and other sections.
Alex Weaver Crawford will offer suggestions to participants on how to improve their brand and its cohesiveness, and offer suggestions on tools they can use as well.
Alex Weaver Crawford is a multi-disciplinary designer and strategic consultant based in Atlantic Canada. With a background in marketing and architecture, she works at the intersection of creativity and practicality. Most of her work revolves around creating marketing and design strategies that cohesively work toward their goals. In addition to her creative work, Alex is the owner of Bubbles Haircare for Kids, works with TechImpact, and is the past chair of the Saint John Planning Advisory Committee.
Groundwork is a pilot professional development and peer mentoring retreat for New Brunswick artists that will take place from July 3-10, 2026. We’re gearing up the planning and are currently looking for five peer mentors to participate in the programming!
The week-long retreat will have three elements: during the day, participants will take part in a number of professional development workshops in subjects such as marketing and branding, grant-writing, budgeting, and business development, run by industry professionals who have experience working with artists.
Spread amongst the professional development workshops will be a number of artist-run workshops: peer instructors will teach specific artistic, creative, or entrepreneurial skills in a collaborative group setting, followed by one on one peer mentoring opportunities.
The third element of the retreat is the informal networking opportunity. The retreat will be at Camp Pascobac, a true summer camp experience. Participants will all stay in bunkhouses on-site. This sustained proximity will lead to organic networking opportunities after the day’s sessions, when the participants eat dinner together, or sit around a campfire, talking about their lives and creative practices.
Call details:
Dates: July 3-10, 2026. We are looking for artists who can attend the full retreat, and take part in the other sessions as participants.
Location: Camp Pascobac, located on the Beautiful Belleisle Bay at 85 Pascobac Lane, Kars, NB
What we’re looking for: artists to offer peer-mentorship and artist-run workshops in professional development skills. We’d love to hear your ideas of what you can teach and mentor in! Possible ideas include: photographing your work, writing about your work, finding professional opportunities, marketing yourself, etc.
Remuneration: Each artist will receive $1520 for a half-day workshop (one hour-long workshop and 2-3 hours of one on one mentoring) and access to the full week of professional development and networking opportunities.
What’s not included: we’ll have a few communal meals, but otherwise you’re responsible for your own food for the week. Pascobac has a fully outfitted kitchen that can be used to cook!
To pitch us a peer mentorship workshop idea, click the button below
Please join us in welcoming two new interns from Mount Allison University to our team for the Winter semester. They come to us through the Experience MtA program.
For artists at all career stages! For emerging artists and those who have never been members of a peer assessment jury: identify the elements to highlight in a strong application and gain confidence in your ability to write an excellent grant application!
ArtsLink NB has a Lending Library full of books, ebooks, and equipment that can help you make or document your art, and it’s free to use for our members!
Our annual Lending Library survey helps us learn what kinds of equipment and resources our members need and would like to have available in the future.
Join us in saying congratulations to the new cohort as they begin their studies!