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Arts Abroad — Circulation and Touring - Canada

Arts Abroad — Circulation and Touring

Last Update: May 27, 2025
Canada
Funding for international arts touring and exhibition

Arts Abroad — Circulation and Touring at a glance

Eligible Funding
  • Max. $200,000
  • Up to 50% of project cost
Timeline
  • Continuous Intakes
Financing Type
Grant and Funding
Eligible Industries
  • Arts, entertainment and recreation
Grant Providers
  • Canada Council for the Arts (CCA)
Status
Opening Soon

Overview of the Arts Abroad — Circulation and Touring program

Get a grant of up to $200,000 to cover up to 50% of eligible costs related to touring and exhibition activities of Canadian artists, artistic groups and arts organizations which build international exposure and increase the visibility of Canadian artists

Financing terms and conditions

  • Funding covers up to 50% of eligible project costs, capped at a maximum of $200,000.
  • Eligible expenses include artists’ fees, transportation, accommodation, per diem, and additional shipping or baggage costs linked to the activity.
  • Allowable costs also cover touring production, exhibition expenses, promotion, and project management.
  • Pre-tour costs for remounting existing works are fundable only for performing arts and must be justified within the budget.
  • Applicants can apply up to four times per calendar year, with a cumulative cap of $200,000 in grants annually.
  • Final report submission is mandatory three months after project completion.

Eligible projects & activities

  • Circulation or tour of artists to at least one international destination.
  • Canadian-American tour taking place mainly in the United States.
  • Tour of exhibitions or artistic works to international destinations.
Examples of admissible projects:

$ 175,000

International poetry reading tour featuring Canadian poets in Europe

$ 200,000

Touring an indigenous Canadian theatre production in Australia and New Zealand

$ 200,000

Touring a contemporary dance performance by Canadian artists in Europe

$ 125,000

International film screenings of Canadian short films in Latin America

$ 200,000

Exhibition of Canadian visual art in Tokyo and Seoul

$ 150,000

Cross-border music tour by a Canadian indie band in the US

Eligibility criteria of the Arts Abroad — Circulation and Touring program

  • The applicant must be eligible under the portal's validated profile.
  • Eligible applicants include artists, curators, artistic groups and collectives, artistic organizations, First Nations, Inuit and Métis professional artists, groups, collectives and not-for-profit organizations, media arts distribution centres, and festivals.
  • Projects must involve the circulation or touring of artists, exhibitions, or artistic works to one or more international locations.
  • Cross-border Canada/United States tours are eligible if the majority of events occur in the US.
  • International presenters, partners, or host organizations must provide financial contribution to the tour.
  • Projects that are self-presented or self-promoted are not eligible.
  • Activities receiving funding from another Canada Council program or listed as ineligible activities are not eligible for this grant.
  • Applications must include at least one invitation, letter of intent, or firm commitment from a presenter, partner, or host organization.

Who is eligible?

  • Artists and curators
  • Artistic groups and collectives
  • Artistic organizations
  • First Nations, Inuit and Métis professional artists, groups, collectives and not-for-profit organizations
  • Media arts distribution centres and festivals
  • Canadian and international visual arts festivals

Eligible expenses

  • Artists’ fees
  • Transportation
  • Accommodation and per diem
  • Additional shipping or baggage costs directly related to the activity
  • Touring production and exhibition expenses
  • Promotion and project management
  • Pre-tour artists’ fees and production expenses for remounting existing works (for performing arts only)

Eligibility criteria of the Arts Abroad — Circulation and Touring program

  • Impact 50% (minimum score of 35 out of 50):
  • The potential of the project to develop and enhance the international profile of Canadian artists or arts practice.
  • The potential of the project to generate future opportunities for the applicant or the artists involved.
  • Artistic Merit 30% (minimum score of 15 out of 30):
  • The artistic quality of the work.
  • The suitability of the work for destination markets.
  • Feasibility 20% (minimum score of 10 out of 20):
  • The capacity and experience of the applicant to undertake the project.
  • The experience, quality, and contribution of the partners or host organizations.
  • A reasonable budget, including other revenue sources and efficient use of resources.

How to apply to the Arts Abroad — Circulation and Touring program

1
Create an Account
  • Access the Arts Abroad portal and register an account.
  • Submit one or more profiles for validation at least 30 days prior to your planned application date.
2
Check Eligibility
  • Ensure you meet the eligibility criteria by reviewing the guidelines carefully.
  • Use the portal to confirm if your profile is validated and eligible.
3
Prepare Application Details
  • Develop a project summary that includes activity, location, and dates.
  • Compile detailed information about your project’s potential impact, itinerary, and budget.
  • Gather invitations, letters of intent, or firm commitments from partners.
  • Collect samples of work relevant to your application.
4
Complete the Application Form
  • Access the application form within the portal and enter all required information.
  • Consent to sharing information with Global Affairs Canada and Canadian Heritage if applicable.
5
Attach Required Documents
  • Upload the budget and appendices, ensuring the requested funding amount aligns with your calculations.
  • Attach invitations or letters from partners and samples of work.
6
Submit Application
  • Review all details for accuracy before submission.
  • Submit the completed application through the portal before the deadline.
7
Confirmation and Contact
  • Receive a confirmation message or email indicating successful submission.
  • Note your application number for future reference.

Additional information

  • Applicants are encouraged to contact a Canada Council program officer at least two weeks before submitting an application for the first time.
  • A final report is required within three months after the completion of the project.
  • It is essential to consider public health and travel measures and outline plans to comply with these in your application if they may affect your project.
  • Ensure to register in the portal to create a validated profile at least 30 days before applying for the grant.
  • Applicants have four opportunities per year to apply for this grant component and can receive up to a maximum of $200,000 in combined grants annually.

Documents and links

Arts Abroad — Circulation and Touring

Apply to this program

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