Artist Development

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The Business of the Arts (BOA) program gives local artists an opportunity to build their capacity to compete and thrive. With the right resources, they can flourish as entrepreneurs as well as artists, and create a sustainable living from their artistic practice.

Please email us at programs@artscouncilwb.ca with any ideas for workshops you would like to see.

Creative Connections (C²) focuses on artistic practice, creative work and networking — by artists, for artists.

C² exists to help artists develop skills relevant to their discipline, feel more confident in their artistic practice and creative work, and connect with each other and leaders in their disciplines. ACWB will develop meaningful partnerships with local and visiting artists and arts organizations to present the program.

Calling all artists and art groups! Do you have an idea for a workshop, master class or event? ACWB wants to help you make it happen! We could provide a variety of resources to assist you in bringing your concept to life. Learn more about how ACWB can help with your arts initiative through our Creative Connections Process.

After completing the Post Wildfire Recovery in the Arts Strategic Plan (conducted by the Arts Recovery Working Group), ACWB gained funding from the Canadian Red Cross to manage a two-year arts recovery project. The goal of the project is to create opportunities for artists to collaborate and heal through their art, ultimately supporting recovery and resiliency in our community.

Learn more about the Art Recovery Project and Arts Recovery Working Group.

The ACWB Artist in Residency program follows the traditional residency model, in which non-local or local professional artists spend time creating work inspired by the environment, culture and people of Wood Buffalo. These Residency artists will engage with the community in a variety of ways, showcase their work through a final event and, most importantly, spend time mentoring a selected group of emerging, established and professional artists from this area. The program will be open to artists in any discipline.

There are so many benefits with this type of program, including bringing new perspectives, techniques and networking opportunities to our arts community, and giving non-local artists a new lens on the Wood Buffalo region.

In past years, the Municipally operated Residency program focused on master classes and mentorship. This type of artistic development is available through Arts Council Wood Buffalo’s Creative Connections program stream.

If you have questions or would like more information about our Artist in Residency program, please contact us at programs@artscouncilwb.ca.

Market Your Artwork as a Tax Benefit

Are you looking for ways to market your artwork? Have you thought of selling or renting your work to local businesses?

Businesses can enhance their office space and support artrepreneurs by shopping local, but there’s an added bonus: the Canadian Revenue Agency (CRA) has created a tax deduction for the cost of buying or renting Canadian art.

Businesses are often looking for ways to stand out with their customers. As an artist, you can stand out with the local business community by framing your artwork as a tax benefit and a smart investment. After all, buying or renting local art is becoming one of the most popular types of investment.

Not every work of art qualifies, but here are a few tips. To qualify, artwork must:

Be a print, etching, drawing, painting, sculpture, or other similar work of art that is greater than $200 in value.
Be created by someone who was Canadian at the time (whether a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident).
Be created less than 100 years ago.

The CRA has also confirmed that a taxpayer can deduct the cost of renting art as long as the expense was made for business purposes.

Before marketing your artwork as tax-deductible, be sure to review this article from Kefi Art Gallery and check with a Chartered Professional Accountant, because not all works of art qualify for this tax deduction.

You can make it easier for businesses to find you by marketing your artwork online. List your work on Arts Council’s online Marketplace, which features dozens of pieces by local artists. Join this online art community to sell your art and make it THE destination for buying local art online.

All you need is an active membership with Arts Council Wood Buffalo, and you’ll get access to Marketplace as one of your member benefits. It’s a great place to start or expand your online empire and market your work to the local business community.

Contact the Fort McMurray Chamber of Commerce to learn more about the local business community. To get your art listed on Arts Council’s online Marketplace, contact us at info@artscouncilwb.ca.

Highlights from past events

What our Artists have to say

Take classes and workshops, as many as you can – learning from others in either the craft of your art or the business side of it keeps you from operating in the dark. Grab every chance to learn that you can.

Julie Rowe Literary Artist & Author