Canadian visual artists need an Artist’s Resale Right now more than ever
Many people profit when an artwork is sold in the secondary market – but not Canadian artists. Canada’s visual arts auction market is valued at $586 million USD, but half of all visual artists earn only $20,100/year. The Artist’s Resale Right (ARR) would allow visual artists in Canada to receive a 5% royalty when their work is resold through a gallery or auction house for at least $1,000.
The ARR allows visual artists to be rewarded as their career progresses, their reputation grows, and their work remains commercially successful. It is particularly beneficial for Indigenous and senior artists, and it is a critical step forward in improving the economic conditions of Canadian artists.
On December 16, 2024, the Government of Canada announced in its Fall Economic Statement its intention to amend the Copyright Act to establish the artist’s resale right, allowing visual artists to benefit from the future sales of their works. CARFAC and RAAV recommended that the federal government implement an Artist’s Resale Right in Canada for eligible secondary sales of artwork without delay. Doing so ensures visual artists get their fair share without ongoing cost to the government.
Making the case for arts funding
The arts, culture, and heritage sectors in Canada are fundamental components of our country’s economic and social life. Canadians believe that arts and culture enhance Canada’s economy and quality of life, and play a crucial role in educating children and fostering cultural awareness.
- Arts & Culture contributes $60 billion to Canada’s GDP.
- 850,000 Canadians are employed in cultural jobs – more than agriculture, forestry, fishing, mining, or oil and gas combined.
- For every $1 invested by the federal government in the arts, the sector generates $5.92 in earned and private revenue and $16.32 in economic activity.
The Canadian Arts Coalition requests that the Government of Canada allocate at least 1% of its overall spending towards arts, culture, and heritage, increasing its current investment of 0.94% by 0.06%. This is an additional annual investment of $270 million, including $140 million to the Canada Council for the Arts and $130 million to the Department of Canadian Heritage.
This investment would bring Canada closer to global best practices of 1.1% of GDP. An increase of 0.06% would turn into a projected economic impact of $4.4 billion in 2025, and may create 69,500 new jobs spread across every riding in Canada. You can read the Coalition’s full recommendation here.
Ensuring Canadian Cultural Sovereignty
Amid major economic, technological, and geopolitical upheavals, Canada’s cultural sector is at a critical turning point. The vitality, diversity, and long-term sustainability of Canada’s cultural ecosystem depend on bold, forward-looking public policies.
The Coalition for the Diversity of Cultural Expressions is putting forward nine concrete proposals aimed at tackling the most pressing challenges facing the sector: the economic fallout of trade tensions with the United States, the protection of cultural industries in trade agreements, the future of broadcasting, copyright reform, and the rise of generative artificial intelligence. These proposals call for strong political leadership to protect and promote Canada’s cultural sovereignty.