Table of contents
Introduction
Getting started
Regulations
Taxation
Financing
Other resources
Introduction
The artisan and craft industries include many disciplines and professions, from sculptors or quilters, to jewellery-makers or a mechanic who custom-designs vehicles. Artisans and craftspeople produce a wide variety of products ranging from unique handmade artistic items to mass-produced collectibles or specialty items. If you're looking to start a business selling your art or crafted products, this guide can provide you with some of the necessary steps.
Note: This guide does not address artisanal food business requirements. You can get information about the food services industry in: How to start a restaurant or catering business in Ontario
Getting started
Regulations
Common regulations that can apply to an arts business include:
Intellectual property
Intellectual property refers to the legal rights to ideas, inventions and creations in the industrial, scientific, literary and artistic fields. It also covers symbols, names, images, designs and models used in a business.
Trademarks and copyright
If you want to protect an artistic, dramatic, musical or literary work, including computer programs and performance or sound recordings, you may wish to apply for a trademark or copyright.
Read online:
Intellectual property and copyright
Product safety and labelling
When you are selling, importing/exporting or manufacturing products, you are responsible for ensuring safety standards are met and your products are labelled properly.
Labelling
You will need to be aware of the regulations for business owners if you are labelling goods produced domestically or imported into Canada.
Contact the Competition Bureau:
1-800-348-5358
Labelling
Hazardous products
If you manufacture, sell or import consumer goods such as (but not limited to) products for children, textiles for clothing or flooring, or paints and modelling materials, you need to be aware of your legal responsibilities.
Read online:
Frequently Asked Questions - Hazardous Products Regulations
Technical standards and safety
You need to be aware of your legal responsibilities if your business deals with items such as (but not limited to), amusement devices, boilers and pressure vessels, elevating devices or fuels. The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) regulates these types of products and also performs inspections of your premises.
Contact the TSSA:
1-877-682-8772
Technical Standards and Safety Authority
Precious metals and stones
Anyone creating products that contain precious metals and/or stones should be aware of the regulations for marking and selling them.
Precious metals marking
Make sure any products you create with precious metals (articles made with gold, silver, platinum or palladium) meet the requirements for marking. Precious metals marking helps consumers make informed purchasing decisions.
Read online:
Precious metals marking
Dealers in precious metals and stones
If you buy and sell precious metals and stones, you may have obligations under the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act. To find out what requirements may apply to you, contact the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada, (FINTRAC).
Contact FINTRAC:
1-866-346-8722
Dealers in precious metals and stones
Travel and accommodation services
If you arrange transportation or sleeping accommodation for your clients, you may need to register with the Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO). Examples of activities that can include regulated travel and accommodation services:
- Tours
- Retreats
- Workshops
- Seminars
- Fieldtrips
To find out more about activities that require registration, contact TICO or visit their website.
Contact TICO:
1-888-451-8426
Resources and guidelines
Importing/exporting products
If you plan to import goods into Canada or export goods to other countries, you need to be aware of the regulations for international trade.
Contact Small Business Services:
1-888-576-4444
Importing guide
Exporting to the United States
Exporting to world markets
Exporting cultural property
If your product is on the Canadian Cultural Property Export Control List, you will need an export permit and may need to follow additional regulations.
Read online:
Canadian cultural property export control list
Cultural property export permits
Taxation
Financing
Grants, subsidies and contributions - Arts and media
Find grant and subsidy programs available to businesses involved in arts and media, including programs offered or supported by the governments of Canada and Ontario.
Read online:
Grants, subsidies and contributions - Arts and media
Other common sources of financing for arts and craft businesses include:
Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming
If you are a member of the creative industries, or an arts and cultural group, you can access funding and operating grants to help your business grow.
Contact the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming:
1-888-997-9015
Arts and culture
Summer Company
If you are a student between the ages of 15-29, you could receive up to $3,000 to start and run your own business.
Contact Summer Company:
1-888-745-8888
Summer Company
Canadian Heritage
If you are a member of the Arts and Cultural industries, you may be eligible for Canadian Heritage's funding opportunities.
Contact Canadian Heritage:
1-866-811-0055
Funding - Culture, history and sport