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Independent Artists

Supports independent artists in Saskatchewan

Offered by
Saskatchewan Arts Board
Official source: sk-arts.ca

Source change captured

Funding available
$ 18,000
Deadline
Open continuously
Location
Saskatchewan, Canada
Who can apply
Independent, professional, Saskatchewan-based artists, including critics and curators
See full eligibility

Overview

Independent Artists supports independent, professional Saskatchewan-based artists with grants of up to $18,000, depending on applicant category and grant type, to create and present art. Eligible activities include creation, production and presentation, and professional development or research such as travel, accommodation, and documentation.

At a glance

Funding available

Maximum funding
$18,000
Financing goals
  • Develop a new product or service
  • Conduct research and development activities

Eligible candidates

Location
  • Saskatchewan
Eligible Industries
All industries
Annual revenue
All revenue ranges
Organisation size
All organization sizes
Audience
  • 2SLGBTQI+
Legal structures
Sole proprietorship

Start applying for this program

Take a practical assessment to gain a clear understanding of how well this program aligns with your specific needs and long-term goals.

Availability timeline

2026
Periods: 1

Latest changes

Independent Artists deadlines and guidelines updated

The Independent Artists page no longer shows the deadlines section and now points to a newer guidelines PDF, with minor link and report-instructions updates.

See more

The Independent Artists page no longer shows the deadlines section or the portal-opening note, which previously stated that applications were due March 15 and October 1 and that the portal opened about eight to twelve weeks before each deadline. The Independent Artists Program Guidelines link now points to a newer PDF path, and the final report instructions PDF shows a renumbered heading while the instructions themselves remain the same. The recent recipients link also now uses the www sk-arts.ca address, and the contact block appears to be unchanged aside from formatting noise.

Official source: sk-arts.ca
July 8, 2026

Eligibility

Who is eligible?

  • Independent, professional, Saskatchewan-based artists, including critics and curators
  • Artist collectives
  • Part-time undergraduate students, graduate students, and post-doctoral fellows
  • Professors, full-time faculty members, permanent part-time salaried instructors, and sessional instructors
  • Employees, associate artists, artistic leads, and board members of SK Arts-funded organizations

Who is not eligible

  • Applicants who do not meet the eligibility criteria
  • Applicants who have received the maximum allowable funding from the IA program over a four-year period
  • Applicants with an open IA grant in their name or overdue reports for any previous SK Arts grant
  • Presenters, agents, or other third parties applying on behalf of an artist or collective they present or represent

Eligible expenses

  • Artist and technician fees, materials, promotion, rehearsal space, venue and equipment rental, travel and accommodation, framing or plinths for artworks.
  • Professional editorial, design, production and printing costs for an independently published manuscript, plus promotion of the book.
  • Registration, admission and program fees, travel, accommodation, per diems, documentation, and other costs related to research.
  • Artist fees for all collaborators, including the applicant, in collaborative projects.

Ineligible Costs and Activities

  • Tuition.
  • Formal studies at an academic institution.
  • Conferences or courses as a presenter or on behalf of a SK Arts-funded organization.
  • Subsidized in-kind or discounted expenses from a SK Arts-funded arts organization, including dramaturgical support, artistic and technical services, equipment use, rehearsal or performance space, and promotion.

Activities funded

  • Independent creation of new artistic works and ongoing development of works-in-progress, including adapting existing work for a new audience or setting.
  • Independent production and presentation of performances and shows, self-produced exhibitions, and touring of newly completed or existing artistic works.
  • Independent publication of a manuscript for literary artists.
  • Research or professional development to develop a specific work or an artist’s craft or career.

How to apply

  • Submit your application online through the SK Arts SmartSimple Portal.

Documents Needed

  • A letter from your academic department head confirming that no part of your IA project will be submitted for academic credit or to fulfil thesis requirements.
  • A letter from your academic institution confirming that your grant project is unrelated to your university contract, teaching responsibilities or tenure requirements, and is not supported by SSHRC funds.
  • A letter from your arts organization confirming that your grant project is unrelated to your employment contract, position as an associate artist or artistic lead, or Board of Directors role, and is not being developed for presentation, production or publication by that organization.
  • Confirmation from your department that you will be on unpaid leave throughout your project dates, if you are including living expenses or subsistence in your request.
  • A self-declaration that your proposed project is unrelated to your university contract if you are a sessional instructor.

Selection criteria

  • Peer review panels consider the merit of the group and the individual artists.

Processing and Agreement

  • A review panel may change your Applicant Category based on its assessment.
  • Grant payments issued by SK Arts cannot be broken into multiple cheques.
  • If a collective does not have a bank account in its name, payment may be issued to an individual who must be in good standing with SK Arts and will receive a T4A for any grant over $500.
  • Outstanding Final Reports disqualify applicants until they are submitted and approved.

Additional information

  • SK Arts offers a Preparing Your Application guide and video guides on its website.
  • Program Consultants can answer questions, discuss project ideas, and review certain sections of your application.

Contacts

support@sk-arts.ca
1-800-667-7526

Official sources

sk-arts.ca
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Frequently Asked Questions about the Independent Artists Program

What is the Independent Artists?

Independent Artists supports independent, professional Saskatchewan-based artists with grants of up to $18,000, depending on applicant category and grant type, to create and present art. Eligible activities include creation, production and presentation, and professional development or research such as travel, accommodation, and documentation.

How much funding can be received?

Independent Artists Funds up to $18,000 of admissible expenses.

What is the deadline to apply?

The program is accepting continuous intake

Who is eligible for the Independent Artists program?

To be eligible for the Independent Artists program, you must: Independent, professional artist based in Saskatchewan Canadian citizen or permanent resident Meets residency, practice, and collective requirements

What expenses are eligible under Independent Artists?

Artist and technician fees, materials, promotion, rehearsal space, venue and equipment rental, travel and accommodation, framing or plinths for artworks. Professional editorial, design, production and printing costs for an independently published manuscript, plus promotion of the book. Registration, admission and program fees, travel, accommodation, per diems, documentation, and other costs related to research. Artist fees for all collaborators, including the applicant, in collaborative projects.

Who can I contact for more information about the Independent Artists?

You can contact Saskatchewan Arts Board by email at support@sk-arts.ca or by phone at 1-800-667-7526.

Where is the Independent Artists available?

The Independent Artists program is available the province of Saskatchewan.