Touring and Circulation Projects
This program supports touring and circulation by Ontario artists, arts groups and arts organizations for audiences across Ontario, Canada and internationally. Grants fund touring presentations and exhibitions in all artistic practices funded by OAC.
Offered by Ontario Arts Council (OAC)
Amount
Category 1 – Tour – Individuals, ad hoc groups, collectives and organizations: maximum $30,000; Category 2 – Large-scale tour – Organizations: minimum $30,001, maximum $60,000
Quick eligibility check
Who can apply
Presenters and arts service organizations working with Ontario touring artists, arts groups and organizations are now eligible to apply on behalf of artists.
Category 1 – Tour – Individuals, ad hoc groups, collectives and organizations:
- professional artists, including curators, who reside in Ontario and work in an artistic practice supported at OAC
- ad hoc groups and collectives working in an artistic practice supported at OAC, the majority of whose members reside in Ontario
- Ontario-based not-for-profit arts organizations working in an artistic practice supported by OAC (including nationally designated youth orchestras – see definition)
- Ontario-based for-profit book and magazine publishers eligible for funding through OAC’s Ontario Arts Operating Fund
Category 2 – Large-Scale Tour – Organizations:
- Ontario-based not-for-profit arts organizations working in an artistic practice supported at OAC (including nationally designated youth orchestras – see definition)
- Ontario-based for-profit book and magazine publishers eligible for funding through OAC’s Ontario Arts Operating Fund
Read the Guide to OAC Project Programs for more eligibility information.
Eligible tours must:
- include only engagements that take place outside the applicant’s home city, town or First Nation (school touring in Ontario excepted)
- include at least three engagements
- Important: At least one engagement must be for a confirmed presentation or exhibition at the invitation of a presenter (that is, not self-presented).
- Other engagements can be in the planning stages (unconfirmed) if there are well-developed plans for at least three engagements with distinct presenters and hosts.
- Engagements may be part of a continuous tour or may be scheduled with gaps in between, keeping in mind efficient use of funds and environmental impact.
- Projects with multiple presentation/exhibition engagements may include different artistic works at each engagement.
- for presenter engagements, include presenter support through presentation fees, shared box office or significant in-kind contributions such as venue, technical support and/or publicity and marketing
- for self-presentation, include a strong audience or market development rationale
- include artists’ fees paid in accordance with collective agreements or recommended industry standards
- include works presented to a public audience (or to a school audience for Ontario school tours)
Not eligible:
Ineligible applicants
municipalities, colleges and universities
amateur, student and pre-professional artists, arts groups and organizations
community and youth/training orchestras (see definition
community and youth/training choirs/choral organizations (see definition
About the funding
- Category 1 – Tour – Individuals, ad hoc groups, collectives and organizations: maximum $30,000
- Category 2 – Large-scale tour – Organizations: minimum $30,001, maximum $60,000
If you are awarded a grant, it may be conditional on confirmation of engagements that were unconfirmed at the time of application. See What this program funds for more on eligible tours.
For Category 2 – Large-Scale Tour, “large-scale” may refer to the number of engagements, the number of people travelling or works being transported, the scale of production, or other logistics that would require a grant over $30,000.
Show all funding details
Due to the number of applications to the program and the limited funds available, grants awarded may be less than requested.
- touring and circulation in all artistic practices supported by OAC, including music, theatre and dance performances, visual arts and craft exhibitions, film and video screenings, and readings
- school tours within Ontario only (see Program-specific definitions)
- tours that include self-presentation (see Program-specific definitions), if there is a strong audience or market development rationale
Eligible engagements include:
- performances and exhibitions at arts venues, festivals and other events
- audience-building activities such as artist talks, roundtables, workshops, and creative process or work-in-progress showings
- artist-presenter networking activities such as conferences and pitch sessions
- market development activities such as showcases, fairs, and other marketplace events
- artistic residencies with a public presentation or exhibition
- community-engaged arts activities (see Program-specific definitions)
- virtual presentation and exhibition, in conjunction with in-person presentation and exhibition
Eligible expenses include:
- travel, ground transportation, visas, transportation of freight and equipment, insurance and related costs
- per diems (daily meal allowance) and accommodations of artists and technical personnel while on tour
- promotional and marketing costs specific to the tour, including the hiring of an outreach coordinator, publicist or marketing specialist
- artists’ fees if not covered by presenter fees
- virtual presentation and exhibition costs, including technician support on tour, when in conjunction with in-person presentation and exhibition
- costs associated with COVID safety for artists and audiences
- costs associated with making your tour more accessible to audiences
- costs associated with softening the environmental impact of your tour
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