Colorado’s Potential to Establish the Nation’s First Artist Corporation

Colorado state legislators are considering a bill that could revolutionize how artists formalize their practices, offering a novel framework that emphasizes intellectual property rights and healthcare access. The proposed bipartisan bill aims to create the first-ever Artists Corporation, or A-Corp, a specific type of limited liability corporation tailored solely for artists. This initiative, if successful, could have broader implications, allowing artists globally to incorporate under this model in Colorado.

The push stems from Yancey Strickler, ex-CEO of Kickstarter, who proposed the A-Corp concept during a TED talk. Strickler’s vision is rooted in his experiences with the Dark Forest Collective, where current business models fell short, prompting the A-Corp’s development. The A-Corp’s mission-driven formation contrasts with traditional corporate models focused on shareholder value, and this could also make healthcare plans more affordable for artists.

Strickler’s nonprofit, the Artists Corporation Foundation, surveyed over 1,600 artists to guide this advocacy, revealing that financial instability is rampant and healthcare is often unaffordable. The legislation is slated for potential enactment by July 2027, supported by a bipartisan group of Colorado legislators. This pioneering initiative may soon serve as a template for other states expressing interest in similar legislation, though specific states remain undisclosed.