There is hope for the recognition of the status of the artist in NB.

The Acadian Association of Professional Artists of New Brunswick (AAAPNB) has been campaigning for years for the status of the artist to be legally recognized in the province. The recent election of Susan Holt gives new hope to this industry.

Due to the precariousness experienced by many artists, the issue of recognition of this status is a priority for theAAAPNB.

In New Brunswick, the average salary for artists is $25,000.

However, you need a minimum salary of $33,000 per year to have a number HST allowing you to register as a self-employed worker.

That’s about $6,000 above the poverty line.calculates Jean-Philippe Raiche, president of theAAAPNB. This is not how we manage to earn a lot of points for retirement or unemployment.

Unlike Quebec and other countries, it is possible to hire an artist without an employment contract in New Brunswick and there is no minimum fee scale to do so.

This does not help the annual salary they earn.

Multidisciplinary artist Anne-Marie Sirois, based in Moncton, knows something about this. She has always worked in this sector which fascinates her. Making a living from my art is a big word. There are times when we live better than others with not muchshe said.

We are very poorly recognized, the status of artist. The artist is almost a volunteer for many people. It’s not easy.

A law would make it possible to legislate on thisbelieves for his part Jean-Philippe Raîche. But, then, also to have a basis to be able to negotiate with the federal government on elements which fall under its jurisdiction, that is to say pensions and access to unemployment […].

Invisible work

Also comes into play the problem of invisible work. When an artist records a more financially successful year — following a tour or a record release, for example — the money earned will only be taxed on that year.

Now, what about the lean years which were used, for example, to prepare said record before it materialized and allowed a tour?

All that time is an investment, it’s time, but we’re just going to be taxed on the year we make that money.explains Jean-Philippe Raîche.

The example taken here for a musician also applies to a poet, a dancer, an actor, etc.

When you go to eat in a restaurant, the cook doesn’t just get paid for the hour you eat his soup, he gets paid for a whole day’s worksays Jean-Philippe Raîche.

According to him, the less favorable conditions in New Brunswick are one of the factors that encourage artists to leave the province when they experience success elsewhere.

If we want to keep our artists here, we must give them the same rights and the same protections as all other workers, including self-employed workers who make more money.he said.

The actress Diane Losier is one of those who has already, in the past, considered moving to Quebec, where the status of the artist is more defined.

As time passed, I said to myself, no, I’m at home, this is where I live in New Brunswick, I feel like talking to my people. That’s why I stayed heresays the one who has been doing her job in the province since the 1980s.

L’AAAPNB has been campaigning for the adoption of a law on the status of the artist for years. If it takes so long to have the status of the artist recognized and regulated in the province, Jean-Philippe Raîche believes that it is because there has long been a cognitive bias.

There is a false argument to say: ‘Well, artists will do their job the same.” No. Artists, they need to fill the fridge then need to fill out the tank gas like anyone elsehe decides.

Upcoming discussions with the province

Thus, theAAAPNB once again campaigned with the parties, before the elections, to demand the adoption of a law on the status of the artist.

The Liberal platform notably promised to better leverage opportunities to invest in our artists, cultural and creative industries and institutions to ensure well-paid jobs and a robust creative economy.

Now that the Holt government is in power, it appears that the stars are aligned for this file to progress, says Jean-Philippe Raîche. At least, theAAAPNB seems to have found an attentive ear in the Minister of Culture, Isabelle Thériault.

This week, Jean-Philippe Raîche met him in Fredericton.

[Elle] assured me that this is one of her priorities and I did not see Prime Minister Holt very long later who reiterated by saying that her government supports this priorityhe said.

L’AAAPNB also wants to talk about investment in culture with the province since the cultural industry has great potential which remains underexploited, says Jean-Philippe Raîche.

In terms of economic value, it has nothing to envy of the forestry, agricultural or fishing industries.

I believe that today, society is ready to say that yes, artists have a fundamental function in our society, we must recognize this and then we must give them the means to be artistssays Jean-Philippe Raîche. The next generation must want it. It must be something other than a constant sacrifice, in front of a fridge vide.

Discussions between the province andAAAPNB are planned for early 2025.

In a statement sent by email, the Ministry of Tourism, Heritage and Culture recalled that supporting the work of the transition committee on the Status of the Artist was among the priorities identified in the mandate letter of the Minister Isabelle Thériault.

The Department of Tourism, Heritage and Culture will continue its collaborative work with the arts sector to improve the socio-economic status of professional artists in New Brunswickwe can read in the email.

With information from the show L’heure de pointe Acadie and Myriam Breau