Canadian Artists’ Representation / Le Front des artistes canadiens (CARFAC) is incorporated federally as a non-profit corporation that is the national voice of Canada’s professional visual artists.

CARFAC sets minimum fee standards for artists in Canada, which can provide important baseline protections. However, it can be argued that these minimums are often not enough for Black, Indigenous, and disabled artists who face significant barriers, economic precarity, and a lower risk tolerance for navigating the gig economy. There is potential to adapt these fee structures to better meet the needs of these communities. While CARFAC’s policies and guides offer useful frameworks, they may need to be tailored more carefully to organizational priorities and local contexts. Doing so could better support Black, Indigenous, and disability communities, especially by addressing their specific economic challenges.

A commonly used tool in Canada is the CARFAC-RAAV Minimum Recommended Fee Schedule, which functions like a minimum wage for visual artists. It outlines baseline rates for the use of artwork and for services artists provide. These rates are widely accepted as a national standard, and many arts councils require public galleries to follow them in order to receive funding.