Intellectual Property, AI and Drag: Protecting the Art Behind the Art

Artificial intelligence has become one of the most significant conversations happening across the creative community, including within drag. Across social media, many drag artists have spoken out against the use of AI-generated artwork, promotional materials, music and videos. Their concerns often centre around intellectual property: the belief that artists should have control over how their work is used and should be compensated when others benefit from their creativity.

These concerns are important. Artists spend years developing their skills, building their creative identities and creating work that reflects their experiences, perspectives and talents. When technology uses or replicates artistic work without consent, many creators feel that their labour and ownership are being disregarded.

However, the conversation about AI also raises a larger question for the arts community: how consistently do we recognize and respect the intellectual property rights of all creators?

Drag is an art form built on transformation. It brings together performance, fashion, makeup, storytelling, comedy, music and visual art to create powerful experiences for audiences. Drag artists are storytellers who interpret culture and create something new through their performances.

Music is one of the foundations of drag performance. For decades, drag artists have used songs created by other artists as the soundtrack for performances that entertain, inspire and connect with audiences.

This relationship between drag and music is a celebration of creativity—but it is also a relationship built on copyright.

The songs performed by drag artists are created by songwriters, composers, recording artists and music publishers who own rights to their work. When copyrighted music is used publicly, those creators deserve recognition and compensation for the value their work brings to the performance.

This is not about limiting artistic expression. It is about respecting the creative ecosystem that allows art to thrive.

The same principle applies across every aspect of a drag production. A photographer owns the rights to their images. A designer owns the rights to their artwork. A costume designer owns the work they create. A musician owns the rights to their songs. An illustrator owns the artwork used to promote an event.

Creative communities are strongest when every contributor is respected.

In Canada, the Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN) helps ensure that songwriters, composers and music publishers are compensated when their music is publicly performed. Venues, festivals, clubs and event organizers are responsible for ensuring that appropriate music licences are in place when copyrighted music is used for public entertainment.

A common misunderstanding is that playing music through a streaming service such as Spotify or YouTube automatically provides permission for public performance. It does not. Personal streaming subscriptions are intended for personal use and do not replace the licensing required for public events.

This is one of the reasons Drag Academy charges admission for many of our events.

As a nonprofit charity dedicated to supporting drag artists and advancing drag as an art form, Drag Academy believes that creating sustainable opportunities for performers requires respecting the entire creative ecosystem. Producing professional events involves many costs, including artist compensation, venue expenses, production costs and music licensing.

When audiences purchase a ticket to a Drag Academy event, they are not simply paying for entertainment. They are supporting a model that values artists and creators.

Music licensing fees, including SOCAN fees, are part of our commitment to ethical event production. They help ensure that the musicians, songwriters and publishers whose work helps bring drag performances to life are recognized and compensated.

Supporting drag artists means supporting the entire community of creators who make drag possible.

The conversation around artificial intelligence gives the creative community an opportunity to reflect on what we value. If we believe visual artists deserve control over their work when it is used by AI systems, then we must also recognize the rights of musicians, photographers, designers and other creators whose work we incorporate into our own artistic practices.

This is not an argument against AI. It is an argument for respecting creators.

Innovation and creativity have always been central to the arts, but creativity must exist alongside responsibility. Artists, producers, venues and organizations all have a role to play in protecting intellectual property and ensuring that creators receive the recognition and compensation they deserve.

As producers and performers, we can support intellectual property by:

• Ensuring appropriate licensing is in place when using copyrighted music publicly.

• Compensating artists fairly for their contributions.

• Crediting photographers, designers, musicians and other creators.

• Understanding copyright considerations when using AI-generated content.

• Building a culture where respecting intellectual property is part of artistic excellence.

Drag has always been about creativity, resistance and community. It challenges audiences to see art differently and celebrates the power of self-expression.

Protecting intellectual property is an extension of that mission.

At Drag Academy, we believe every artist deserves respect, not only the performer on stage, but also the songwriter whose music fills the room, the designer who creates the visual identity, the photographer who captures the moment and every creator whose work helps make the art possible.

Supporting artists means supporting all artists.