The following definition of ‘professional artist’ is based on the definitions used by the BC Arts Council, the Canada Council for the Arts, and UNESCO. It is used by ArtStarts to determine the status of artists for funding programs (Artists in Education 1 & 2), the Artists Directory and any artist-in-the-classroom initiatives.

A Professional Artist:

• has completed specialized training in a specific artistic field; such training can be completed at either an academic institution or via other accepted training programs (eg: apprenticeships);
• is recognized as a professional artist by his or her peers (i.e. artists who work in the same artistic tradition);
• has a history of public presentation or publication; and,
• is devoted to practicing his or her artistic activity at every opportunity.

NB: artists from diverse cultural backgrounds who are engaged in the transference of traditional cultural practice qualify as professional artists.

Further, in assessing funding eligibility, ArtStarts requires that:

• All artists are paid for their work in the school

Any artist who does not meet all of these criteria will not qualify for our Artists Directory, Artists in Education funding or other ArtStarts programs. Artists in Education funding is limited to Canadian artists.