Colorado's legislators are set to explore an innovative legal structure designed specifically for artists, potentially revolutionizing how cultural workers manage their intellectual property and access healthcare.
A groundbreaking bipartisan bill recently introduced in the state legislature aims to establish the United States' first Artists Corporation, or A-Corp. This unique limited liability corporation (LLC) would be exclusively available to artists.
Given that Colorado allows businesses from all over the country to register as corporations within its borders, the implementation of this bill could significantly benefit both individual artists and collectives based outside the state.
The initiative is championed by Yancey Strickler, an entrepreneur and former CEO of Kickstarter. He initially proposed the concept of A-Corps during a TED talk last year, where attendees highlighted Colorado as an ideal location for such an artistic endeavor.
"For years, artists have been navigating their unique paths independently," Strickler stated in an interview. "Now, we're advocating for a system that standardizes the process, providing access to advanced strategies for protecting and valuing artistic work."
Strickler shared his personal experience of generating substantial revenue through his involvement with the Dark Forest Collective, a group of 16 writers focused on internet culture. He found existing business structures like C-corporations and S-corporations unsuitable for artistic missions, describing the process as "alienating and confusing."
While artists can currently create customized LLCs, the associated costs can be prohibitive. A-Corps aim to streamline this process, making it more accessible.
"We envision a collaborative framework where artists share resources," Strickler explained. "Instead of each artist paying $10,000 for individual legal structures, we can harness collective power."
If the bill passes, Strickler plans to advocate for Colorado health insurers to offer A-Corps access to group plans, which would be more economical than individual options.
The proposed legislation outlines that A-Corps will be formed based on an artist's mission statement, diverging from traditional corporate models that prioritize profit. This new framework would enable artists to attract investors without relinquishing ownership of their creative outputs.
Strickler noted that lawmakers in at least six other states have shown interest in similar legislation, although he refrained from naming them.
His nonprofit, the Artists Corporation Foundation, conducted a survey of 1,609 artists from April 2025 to February 2026, revealing that many artists, particularly visual artists, face challenges in affording health insurance. Approximately 40% reported annual earnings below $20,000, highlighting the economic challenges the A-Corp aims to alleviate.
The bill is anticipated to be enacted by July 2027, with bipartisan support from state senators and members of the Colorado General Assembly.
