Open Call for Foreign Artist Tours (Canada)

Funding Information

• Grant amount: Up to $75000.

Eligible Activities

• Support for projects involving:
  • the circulation or touring of work by international artists, groups or organizations with at least 2 consecutive performances, presentations or exhibitions to 2 different cities, towns, rural communities or reserves in Canada.

Ineligible Activities

• the following activities are not eligible for grants from the Canada Council:
  • activities proposed by someone under 18 years old
  • activities that are illegal according to the Criminal Code of Canada
  • artistic activities that are led by non-professionals (this does not apply to new and early career artists)
  • activities that are carried out to satisfy the course requirements of an educational institution
  • activities that directly support the delivery of an educational program or course
  • activities that are funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) (unless applying to a component of Creating, Knowing and Sharing: The Arts and Cultures of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples)
  • self-publishing or author-subsidized publishing of literary works (unless applying to a component of Creating, Knowing and Sharing: The Arts and Cultures of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples)
  • activities carried out by organizations that have not paid, or do not pay, fees or royalties to artists according the standards of the arts practice or sector
  • fundraising activities
  • capital expenditures, unless explicitly eligible
  • contests and competitions (including prizes and awards), except practices in:
    • powwow
    • hip-hop and urban arts – such as street dance battles, poetry slams, etc.
  • any expenses incurred due to COVID-19-related measures, including quarantine expenses
  • contributions to endowment funds

Eligible Expenses

• Travel costs within Canada, including:
  • transportation
  • accommodation and per diem
  • additional shipping or baggage costs directly related to your activity

Eligibility Criteria

• Types of potential applicants to this component include:
  • artistic organizations
  • festivals, presenters and touring networks

Evaluation Criteria

• Your application to the Foreign Artist Tours component of Arts Across Canada will be assessed by a peer assessment committee representing a discipline or group of disciplines on the following weighted criteria, and must receive a minimum score in each category to be considered for a grant:
  • Artistic Merit 50% (minimum score of 35 out of 50):
    • The artistic quality of the selected work
    • The artistic rationale for the project in relation to your organization’s mission and intended public
  • Impact 30% (minimum score of 15 out of 30):
    • The potential of the project to enhance the Canadian public’s appreciation of the arts
  • Feasibility 20% (minimum score of 10 out of 20):
    • The capacity and experience you and your partners have to undertake the project
    • A reasonable budget

Application Requirements

• Once registered in the portal, you will need to provide information about:
  • your project and its potential impact
  • the works selected for presentation and the foreign artists
  • your marketing and outreach strategies
  • the partners, if any
  • your itinerary
  • your budget
  • You will also need to include:
    • samples of the selected work
    • contracts or letters of intent with the selected artists
    • letters of intent with partners, if applicable
    • a list of the creative team and touring personnel
  • You may also include your circulation and touring history.

For more information, visit Canada Council for the Arts.