Frequently Asked Questions for Canadian Art Collectors
What is CARFAC, and why does it matter?
CARFAC stands for Canadian Artists’ Representation / le Front des artistes canadiens. It is the national organization that sets minimum recommended fees for artists when their work is exhibited, installed, or reproduced.
These fees are not arbitrary. They recognize that:
artists are professionals
exhibitions involve labour, expertise, and time
public presentation of artwork has value, even when nothing is sold
When a gallery follows CARFAC standards, it signals professionalism and respect for artists — which benefits collectors through stronger work and clearer documentation.
Are CARFAC fees legally required in Canada?
CARFAC fees are not laws, but they are widely recognized professional standards — especially in publicly funded galleries, artist-run centres, and institutions receiving municipal, provincial, or federal arts funding.
Many public galleries commit to paying CARFAC fees as part of their funding agreements and governance policies.
For collectors, this is similar to knowing whether a business follows industry standards: it’s a marker of credibility.
What does public funding mean for Canadian galleries?
Many Canadian galleries receive public funding from:
municipal governments
provincial arts councils
the Canada Council for the Arts
Public funding supports exhibitions, education, accessibility, and artist compensation. In return, galleries are expected to operate transparently and ethically.
This system helps ensure that:
artists are paid
exhibitions are curated rather than rented
galleries are accountable to the public
Collectors benefit from higher professional standards and greater trust.
What is an artist-run centre?
An artist-run centre (ARC) is a non-profit gallery or organization governed by artists. These spaces are common across Canada and play a critical role in supporting experimentation, emerging practices, and regional voices.
Artist-run centres typically:
pay CARFAC exhibition fees
do not sell work directly (though some do special sales)
focus on research, development, and public engagement
For collectors, ARCs are often where artists develop the ideas and bodies of work that later appear in commercial galleries.
If artist-run centres don’t sell art, why should collectors care?
Artist-run centres help artists:
build exhibition histories
refine concepts
develop professional practices
This strengthens the work you encounter later in commercial settings. Even if you don’t buy directly from an ARC, you are benefiting from the ecosystem it supports.
Think of them as research and development spaces for Canadian art.
How are commercial galleries different in Canada?
Commercial galleries focus on sales and typically take a commission on artwork sold. Ethical commercial galleries in Canada:
do not charge artists to exhibit
are transparent about commissions
handle sales professionally
respect artist rights and agreements
While commercial galleries may not always pay CARFAC exhibition fees, the strongest ones still operate with clarity, fairness, and professional care.
What is a “vanity gallery” in the Canadian context?
In Canada, the term vanity gallery usually refers to spaces that:
charge artists to exhibit
prioritize payment over curatorial selection
offer limited promotion or professional support
These galleries are generally excluded from public funding systems and professional arts networks.
For collectors, this doesn’t automatically mean the work is poor — but it does mean the selection process was financial, not curatorial.
Does ethical gallery practice affect artwork value?
Yes — indirectly but meaningfully.
Ethical practices support:
better artwork care
clearer provenance
consistent exhibition histories
longer artist careers
All of these contribute to long-term trust and confidence in the work you collect.
How can collectors support ethical galleries in Canada?
Collectors can:
ask where artists have exhibited before
learn about CARFAC and public gallery standards
attend exhibitions at public and artist-run spaces
buy from galleries that are transparent and professional
Even quiet choices make a difference.
Final Note for Collectors
Canada’s art ecosystem is built on a balance of public support, professional standards, and private collecting. When galleries respect artists, everyone benefits — including collectors.
Ethical practice isn’t about ideology.
It’s about quality, care, and longevity.
