Table of contents
Introduction
Programs and services for artists
Financing
Regulations
Taxation
Other resources
Introduction
If you are an artist or are starting an arts-related business in Ontario, you may be looking for information on programs and services that can help you achieve your goals. Whether you are a dancer or visual artist, a publisher or game developer, there are resources that may be useful to you.
An arts business may be defined in many ways, including:
- Illustration, painting and drawing
- Printmaking and imaging
- Photography
- Sculpture
- Dance
- Theatre and film
- Games design
This guide provides information about support for artists and arts businesses. For information on the steps involved in starting a business, the following guides may be helpful:
Programs and services for artists
Depending on your needs and your type of arts business, you may be eligible for awards, training, funding or other forms of support. The following organizations provide a variety of services for arts businesses.
Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries
You may be able to access a variety of resources to promote and market your arts or arts-related business through the Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries. You may also be eligible for funding and awards to help finance your business.
Contact the Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries:
1-855-216-3090
Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries
Also see:
Resources for artists
Ontario Arts Council
As an Ontario-based artist, you may be eligible for grants and awards programs through the Ontario Arts Council.
Contact the Ontario Arts Council:
1-800-387-0058
Ontario Arts Council - Grants
Canada Council for the Arts
You may be able to access a variety of resources for individual artists, as well as for arts organizations. Visit the Canada Council for the Arts website to find out if you are eligible for grants or funding to cover creative production, professional development, residency costs or travel expenses.
Contact Canada Council for the Arts:
1-800-263-5588
Canada Council for the Arts - Grants
Ontario Creates
If you are one of Ontario’s cultural entrepreneurs from the book and magazine publishing, film and television production, sound recording or interactive digital media content production industries, Ontario Creates has funding programs that may help you grow your business. Your arts business may also qualify for tax credits or other incentives.
Contact Ontario Creates:
1-416-314-6858
Ontario Creates
Cultural Human Resources Council (CHRC)
Take advantage of resources from CHRC for career development and internship programs for arts disciplines. There are also resources for arts businesses and entrepreneurs, including supports if you plan to hire an apprentice or intern.
Contact CHRC:
1-866-562-1535
Cultural Human Resources Council
Ontario Municipalities
You can also contact your local municipal office for information on arts financing and support that may be available. You can find links to your municipality’s website at the Association of Municipalities of Ontario.
Read online:
Association of Municipalities of Ontario
Financing
Grants, subsidies and contributions - Arts and media
Learn about the grants and subsidies available to businesses involved in arts and media.
Read online:
Grants, subsidies and contributions - Arts and media
Regulations
Intellectual property
Understanding intellectual property rights is essential for any arts-based business. Artists and arts-based businesses may want copyright protection for artistic, dramatic, musical or literary works. Copyright can also provide protection for computer programs and performance or sound recordings. You can learn more about copyright and other forms of intellectual property rights from the Canadian Intellectual Property office (CIPO).
Contact CIPO:
1-866-997-1936
Canadian Intellectual Property Office
Certification
You may need certification to work with certain types of materials or in certain artistic trades. You can often become certified in your trade, even if certification is not mandatory. A complete listing of regulated trades and more information about mandatory and voluntary trade certification is available from Skilled Trades Ontario.
Contact Skilled Trades Ontario:
1-855-299-0028
Skilled Trades Ontario
Other common regulations that can apply to an arts business include:
Consumer product safety
If you manufacture, import, distribute or sell products in Canada, you are responsible for ensuring that they are safe. Health Canada provides information on the regulations for clothing, accessories, hazardous materials, household products and children’s products.
Read online:
For Industry: Canada Consumer Product Safety Act
Health Canada - Industry Guide to Second-hand Products
Labelling
If you sell packaged goods that have been imported or produced domestically, you need to be aware of any labelling requirements that will apply to your products before selling them in Canada. The Competition Bureau provides information on the labelling requirements for non-food products.
Contact the Competition Bureau:
1-800-348-5358
Labelling
Precious metals marking
Before you sell precious metals like gold, silver and platinum, you must ensure that they are stamped properly to reflect their quality. You can get more information on properly marking precious metals from the Competition Bureau.
Contact the Competition Bureau:
1-800-348-5358
Guide to the Precious Metals Marking Act and Regulations
Dealers in precious metals and stones
If you buy or sell precious metals, stones or jewellery, you are legally required to report and record transactions of $10,000 or more. You can get more information on the reporting requirements from the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC).
Contact FINTRAC:
1-866-346-8722
Dealers in precious metals and stones
Ontario environmental permissions
You will need approval from the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks if your business:
- Releases contaminants (pollutants) into the air, onto land or into water
- Provides drinkable water supplies
- Stores, transports or disposes waste
- Installs certain types of renewable solar, wind or bio-energy equipment
Read online:
Environmental permissions
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
If you are an Ontario-based artist, such as an actor, musician, visual artist, dancer, writer or filmmaker, you may be able to receive free legal advice in Toronto from Artists' Legal Advice Services (ALAS). They typically assist with issues relating to contracts, defamation, copyright, trademarks and royalties or other payments. The service is free, but you are encouraged to make a contribution of $20.00 per appointment.
Contact ALAS:
416-367-2527
Artists' Legal Advice Services (ALAS)
Taxation
Other resources
Industry-specific information
- Library and Archives Canada
Use research aids and search databases to explore Library and Archives Canada’s collection. - The healthy artist guide to a less toxic studio
Learn about toxic hazards in your studio and work. - Copyright Visual Arts
Get help understanding and processing copyright for your work. - Arts, Entertainment and Recreation (NAICS 71): Ontario
- Information and Cultural Industries (NAICS 51): Ontario