REGINA, Sask. — A proposed federal tax credit could help Saskatchewan artists keep more of their earnings and make it easier to build a career in the arts, according to Saskatchewan Arts Alliance executive director Em Ironstar.
“The potential that the Canada Creative Credit has for keeping money in the pockets of artists is really exciting, and it could be a really big development for people making a living from the arts,” said Ironstar.
Speaking to University of Regina students Friday, Ironstar highlighted the financial challenges facing artists, including the often-overlooked tax implications of receiving grants.
“With the announcement of the Canada Creative Credit yesterday in the federal budget, I think it's important for artists – especially young artists who might not know that that income that they have [from grants] is taxed, and often they're actually given tax slips that show that they received that and it goes directly to CRA,” she said.
The federal budget announced plans to consult on the Canada Creative Credit, a proposed non-refundable personal income tax credit intended to provide tax relief on qualifying artistic income. Details are expected in the spring 2027 economic update.
Ironstar grew up in Weyburn and studied visual arts at the University of Regina. She said she recognizes she was fortunate to have family support while pursuing her education and artistic interests.
Now, as executive director of the Saskatchewan Arts Alliance (SAA), a non-profit organization established in 1984, she advocates for greater support and representation for Saskatchewan's arts community.
With just three full-time employees, Ironstar said the organization has to be selective about the issues it takes on.
The alliance recently completed a new strategic plan centred on three priorities: advocacy, membership and improving its internal ways of working.
Ironstar pointed to the Globe Theatre in Regina as an example of what advocacy can accomplish. Work involving business leaders, city councillors and the City of Regina helped secure $1.4 million in municipal support for the theatre's revitalization project.
She also described the Globe's inclusion in the federal budget as a significant achievement. The theatre is working to close a $14.6-million gap in its capital campaign, which includes repaying construction debt and completing remaining work on its historic building.
The SAA is also pushing for more stable provincial funding. Ironstar said the $6.9 million distributed annually through SK Arts to individual professional artists and non-profit arts organizations and collectives has remained unchanged for more than a decade, despite inflation and growing demands across the sector.
"There's many people employed in the arts, and those folks need cost of living increases just like other economic areas of our province," said Ironstar.
At the federal level, approximately 2,600 people wrote 11,000 letters to MPs following the latest budget, advocating for increased arts funding. The Canadian Arts Coalition had called for a $140-million increase, while the budget provided $20 million over three years.
Ironstar acknowledged the federal commitment was less than advocates had hoped for, but said it was still a contribution.
She said her message to students extends beyond pursuing careers as professional artists.
“Not everyone ends up being a professional artist – it's really hard, but I also wanted to show folks that there's a lot of different avenues that can contribute to the arts in our province,” said Ironstar.
