What is an
A-Corp?
An Artist Corporation is a proposed new legal form designed specifically for creative people and artistic purposes.
The Problem
Today, when artists want to formalize their creative work — to collaborate, share ownership, protect their intellectual property, or simply get health insurance — they're forced to use legal structures that were designed for conventional businesses.
LLCs, S-Corps, and C-Corps don't account for the unique realities of creative work: shared intellectual property, artistic mission protections, the way creative collaborations actually function, or the need to keep creative control in the hands of the people making the art.
The result? Most artists either operate informally — without protections, without benefits, without building equity — or they spend thousands on lawyers to retrofit business structures that weren't built for them.
The A-Corp
The Artist Corporation is a new legal entity type — like an LLC, but purpose-built for artists. It provides a simple, accessible structure that reflects how creative people actually work.
Much of what the A-Corp offers is technically possible today if you hire the right lawyers and draft the right operating agreements. The A-Corp makes it a preset form — accessible and affordable to anyone.
Artist Majority
Artists must hold at least 51% of voting power. The people making the art always control the company.
Artistic Mission
Every A-Corp has a stated artistic mission. The law protects this — no one can force you to abandon your art for profit.
IP Protection
Your creative work is protected by law. If the company dissolves, your intellectual property comes back to you.
Collective Ownership
Share equity with collaborators, build wealth together, and access group benefits like health insurance.
Separation of Rights
Economic rights and governance rights can be separated — so investors can share in revenue without controlling creative decisions.
Fiduciary Duties
Enhanced duties to protect the artistic mission and the interests of artist-members, beyond what standard business forms provide.
How It Happens
Establishing the A-Corp as a public good means passing laws. We're currently focused on building a coalition for A-Corp legislation, starting in Colorado.
We've drafted legislation with lawyers, completed fiscal and economic analysis, secured a bill sponsor in the Colorado Senate, and built relationships with arts groups, the Governor's office, and other stakeholders. Bills based on the Colorado legislation are also going into motion in other states.
Who's Behind This
The Artist Corporations Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to building economic power for creative people.
It's led by Yancey Strickler (Executive Director) and Lena Imamura (Managing Director), with a board that includes Jennifer Arceneaux and Mikael Moore, CEO of Wondaland and manager of Janelle Monáe.
More than 4,000 artists and creators have signed up to become an A-Corp.
See What's Possible
Input your creative practice and see what an A-Corp could look like for you.