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Tour Support Grant

Around the province, across the country or overseas, this grant supports commercially viable touring opportunities for eligible Saskatchewan musicians and bands touring in Canada and abroad

Offered by Creative Saskatchewan

Amount

A maximum of $15,000 or 50% of the total eligible expenses (whichever is the lesser); maximum of two Tour Support grants per fiscal year

Quick eligibility check

Years in business
No minimum stated
Employees
No limit stated
Revenue
No limit stated
Legal structure
No requirement stated
Location
Saskatchewan

Who can apply

Applicants from the music sector supported by Creative Saskatchewan are eligible to apply for this grant.

Please note that if ineligible expenses (outlined in the Guidelines above) exceed 50% of the project budget, the application will be deemed ineligible.

Activities that receive funding from SK Arts or SaskCulture are not eligible for support through Creative Saskatchewan investment programs.

Applicants must meet the eligibility criteria defined in the General Guidelines.

  1. Tours must be in support of either:
  • A current release (released no longer than 24 months prior to the first scheduled performance date); or
  • An upcoming release (due to be released within six months of the latest performance date). For an upcoming release to be eligible, the applicant must be able to provide evidence of masters, manufacturing orders, or public announcements of release date.
  1. Which is either:
  • A full-length release containing at least six unique newly-made studio recordings at least 30 minutes of total running time; or
  • A bundle or series of at least three unique newly-made studio recordings at least 9 minutes of total running time.
  1. And be:
  • Commercially released.
  • Widely available on digital music platforms in the territory of the tour.
  1. A minimum of six live public performances must be secured at the time of application. Applicants can provide any of the following to demonstrate confirmed performance dates:
  • Promotional material from the venue indicating the upcoming performance;
  • An email from the venue confirming the performance date;
  • Itineraries provided by a booking agent; or
  • Fully executed performance agreements.
  1. Shows at the same festival or event count as one tour date/public performance.
  2. Performances must be at least 30 minutes in length.
  3. Applicants may include one performance in the applicant’s home city, town, or First Nation in the application. For bands/music groups with members from multiple locations, this would be the home city, town, community, or First Nation where the majority of the shareholders (band/music group members) reside.
  4. Festivals where the artist is playing multiple times may only count towards one performance of the six performance minimum, though travel expenses and performance fees may be claimed for all performance dates of the festival.
  5. The general public must have the opportunity to purchase performance tickets.
  6. No more than five consecutive days off between performances. Efficiently routed tours are encouraged, however consideration may be provided for tours with extensive travel, showcases that meet the eligibility requirements of the Showcase or Sell Travel Grant, or applicants with caregiving and/or accessibility needs between performances.
  7. Performances must be for contracted performance fees (guaranteed fee or a percentage of the gross revenue from ticket sales).
  8. Self-produced shows may be eligible. Rationale for self-produced show dates, market demand for location, promotion plan, execution plan, and budget backup for self-produced show expenses will need to be provided in the application. Self-produced shows may not count if they are in the same location as another confirmed date.
  9. Tour dates must take place in more than one city/town, and in different venues.
  • Repeat performances in the same city in different venues may be considered as part of a multi-city tour but may not exceed 20% of the shows.
  • Repeat performances in the same venue may take place if the first performance has sold out and demand warrants additional performances.
  1. Unconfirmed shows can be included in the application, however they cannot count towards the six-performance minimum, or be used to break up the minimum of five consecutive days off between performances. Expenses for unconfirmed performance days cannot be included in the budget, unless they are also travel days, in which case travel expenses can be included.
  2. We encourage applicants to consider ensuring that their music meets MAPL guidelines, however, it is not a requirement of Creative Saskatchewan’s music grant programs.

About the funding

80% of your grant is paid when the application is approved. The remaining 20% of your grant is paid after the project is complete and your final report has been approved.

  1. Funding will be in the form of a grant.
  2. Applicants may apply for a maximum of $15,000 or 50% of the total eligible expenses (whichever is the lesser).
  3. Applicants are eligible to receive a maximum of two Tour Support grants per fiscal year.
Show all funding details
  1. Tour dates and venues must be announced prior to the first grant payment.
  2. Booking fees and management commissions (either in-house or third party). The applicant must provide justification of the fee amount in the application.
  3. Marketing expenses directly related to the touring activities being applied for, no more than 25% of the total project budget.
  • Please note that Creative Saskatchewan has a dedicated Marketing Grant for more robust marketing campaigns.
  1. Per diems, accommodations, and travel expenses are eligible for Saskatchewan residents for travel, performance, and promotional dates.
  2. Projects must be in support of a new activity or release.
  3. Performance fees for musicians (both in-house and hired) and crew fees capped at $250 per performance date.
  4. Phone expenses are capped at a maximum of $100 for pre-tour expenses and $200 for expenses incurred during the supported tour. (Pre-tour phone expenses are only eligible when booking fees/commissions are not claimed).
  5. Project expenses directly related to touring and incurred during the project term.
  6. Tour manager fees (both in-house and third party). The applicant must provide justification of the fee amount in the application.
  7. Self-produced shows may be eligible. A rationale for self-produced show dates, market demand for location, promotion plan, execution plan, and budget backup for self-produced show expenses will need to be provided in the application.
  8. Activities must be in support of project(s) that would meet the criteria for Creative Saskatchewan production grants. See Appendix A for a list of production grants and criteria.

Similar programs

ProgramTypeAmountStatus
Artists In Communities – ResidenciesGrantMaximum funding for Residencies: $45,000Open
Access Support FundGrantNo fixed amountOpen
Circulation and Touring of Arts AbroadGrantUp to $200,000 per application (a maximum of 50% of total eligible costs)Open