Join the NWT Arts Program

The NWT Arts Program is a marketing initiative that represents artists of the Northwest Territories (NWT). Administered by the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment (ITI), Government of the Northwest Territories, NWT Arts helps artists connect with potential customers and share the story of their art.

The NWT Arts Program is available to all resident NWT artists who create all genres of art, such as traditional arts and fine crafts, contemporary arts and fine crafts, performing arts, literary arts, and film and media arts. Arts organizations, retailers and associations are also encouraged to register with the NWT Arts Program.

There are many benefits to joining the NWT Arts Program, such as:

  • Using the NWT Arts logo on your artwork to identify it as authentic art made in the NWT (Read NWT Arts Logo Use Guidelines here).
  • Having an artist profile page on the NWT Arts website where potential customers can read more about you and your artwork, see images of your work and follow links to where they can buy work from social media or your own website.
  • Having professional photos taken and a story written about you and your artwork. You will also receive a copy of these professional images for your own use.
  • Having these professional images used in the general promotion of NWT Arts to local, national and international audiences.
  • Having the opportunity to apply to attend NWT Arts coordinated markets and events, within or outside of the NWT. Artists chosen for these opportunities are eligible for financial and professional development support to attend.
  • Taking part in workshops and other professional development opportunities.

NWT Arts Program - Registration Eligibility

To qualify and register for the NWT Arts Program, registrants must be one of the following: 

Artist

  • As defined under the NWT Arts Strategy,  a person who employs creative abilities to create unique items in the visual, literary and performing media. To qualify for the NWT Arts Program, an Artist must be an NWT Resident. An NWT Resident is an individual who is ordinarily resident in the NWT and has been so resident for the last twelve months.

Retailer

  • A business that is in compliance with the legal requirements to carry on business in the NWT and that commercially sells arts or fine craft products created by NWT Resident Artists.

Organization

  • An organization that is in compliance with the legal requirements to operate in the NWT and that has a mandate and/or mission, in whole or in part, to support NWT art, NWT Artists and/or the NWT arts sector.  

Supplier

  • A business that is in compliance with the legal requirements to carry on business in the NWT and that is a supplier of art or fine craft raw materials and supplies.

From time to time, exceptions for registration, that are in keeping with the NWT Arts Strategy, are made on a case-by-case basis by directing an email request to nwtarts@gov.nt.ca.   Please refer to the NWT Arts Strategy Definitions to determine if you are eligible, should you feel you do not fall under one of the above noted categories. 

Please Note: Artists under the age of 18 years are required to fill out a physical form so they may also have a legal guardian sign on their behalf. Forms can be downloaded here and sent to nwtarts@gov.nt.ca

Registering is Easy!

Artists

Online registration is the easiest way to join the NWT Arts Program.

If you want to fill out a paper copy instead, you can get a form by:

Completed forms can be:

If you need help filling out the form, please contact your local ITI regional office.

If you registered with the NWT Arts Program prior to March 2013, you will need to activate your profile to get a username and password to the website.

If you can't remember if you activated your profile yet, or you have activated but can't remember your Username and/or Password, email nwtarts@gov.nt.ca to have it reset. We are here to help!

Organizations

Online registration is the easiest way to join the NWT Arts Program.

If you want to fill out a paper copy instead, you can get a form by:

Completed forms can be:

If you need help filling out the form, please contact your local ITI regional office.