No. The Artist Laureate can live anywhere in Canada, but must be available to take part in parliamentary events when needed, and may occasionally be asked to travel within Canada to promote visual arts. Travel costs are covered by the Library of Parliament.

The Artist Laureate, in this role, must be able to communicate in one of the official languages. However, other languages may also be integrated into their work if desired. The Library of Parliament will provide assistance with translation services as required.

The Artist Laureate receives an annual stipend of $25,000, in addition to a budget for travel, programming and administrative expenses.

The Library of Parliament is the steward of the Parliamentary Visual Artist Laureate Program and supports the Artist Laureate throughout their term. Although the Artist Laureate is an officer of the Library of Parliament, they are not an employee; rather, they hold their office as an independent contractor of the Library.

The Speaker of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Commons jointly select the Artist Laureate from a shortlist of three candidates. The shortlist is prepared confidentially by a selection committee made up of the Parliamentary Librarian (who chairs the committee), the Director of the National Gallery of Canada, the Commissioner of Official Languages, the Chairperson of the Canada Council for the Arts and the President of the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts.

Although the Artist Laureate has broad discretion to determine, in consultation with the Library, which activities they will take part in while fulfilling their term, they must carry out their duties in a non-partisan manner to preserve the Library’s reputation for impartiality and to remain respectful of the institutions of Parliament.

The work they undertake during their term cannot conflict with the Library’s core values of impartiality (that is, providing services without regard to political or institutional affiliation, opinions or beliefs), and diversity, equity and inclusion (that is, valuing diverse perspectives and fostering a non-discriminatory and inclusive environment).

Throughout their term, the Artist Laureate will receive guidance from the Library in planning and delivering their proposed activities to ensure all applicable policies and laws are followed.

The Artist Laureate may engage in other activities or occupations during their term, as long as these do not conflict with or impair their ability to carry out their role as Artist Laureate. They must ensure that they perform their duties and responsibilities in a way that does not further their own interests. They must conduct their personal business in ways that prevent actual, potential or reasonably perceived conflict with their duties.