Call for Proposals: CAM on Tour Touring Program (Canada)

Deadline: 30-Sep-26

The CAM en tournée Touring Program provides financial support to Montreal-based artists, collectives, and professional non-profit arts organizations to present previously performed or exhibited artistic works at multiple venues across the Island of Montreal. The program supports tours of three to eight presentations, helping artists reach new audiences while strengthening cultural programming and connections between artists and local communities.

What Is the CAM en tournée Touring Program?

The CAM en tournée Touring Program is an initiative designed to increase the visibility and circulation of artistic works created by Montreal artists and arts organizations.

The program supports the presentation of works that have already been publicly presented in a professional context. Selected works can be presented at different participating venues across the Island of Montreal, including:

• Indoor cultural venues.
• Outdoor locations.
• Parks.
• Public spaces.
• Other eligible presentation sites.

The program is intended to make professional artistic work accessible to broader audiences while encouraging collaboration between artists, cultural organizations, presenting partners, and communities.

What Does the Program Support?

The grant supports the circulation and presentation of an existing artistic work through a short touring series.

A qualifying tour must include:

• A minimum of 3 presentations.
• A maximum of 8 presentations.
• Presentations at eligible venues on the Island of Montreal.
• A work that has already been presented publicly in a professional context.
• A work that is technically suitable for at least three partner venues.

The program can support different artistic disciplines, provided the proposed work meets the program’s professional and eligibility requirements.

Why the CAM en tournée Program Matters

The program helps remove barriers that can prevent artistic works from reaching audiences beyond their original presentation.

Its objectives include:

• Increasing the visibility of Montreal artists.
• Expanding access to professional artistic works.
• Enriching cultural programming across Montreal.
• Encouraging artists to connect with different communities.
• Supporting the circulation of existing artistic productions.
• Strengthening relationships between artists and presenting organizations.
• Bringing artistic performances and exhibitions into diverse indoor and outdoor settings.

By supporting multiple presentations rather than a single event, the program helps artists extend the public life of their work.

Who Is Eligible?

The program is intended primarily for professional artists and arts organizations based on the Island of Montreal.

Eligible applicants may include:

• Unincorporated professional artist collectives.
• Non-profit professional arts organizations.
• Individual artists sponsored by an eligible service organization.
• Individual visual arts artists.
• Professional visual arts curators.

Applicants must satisfy the applicable professional and residency requirements established by the Conseil des arts et des lettres de Montréal (CAM).

Montreal Residency Requirement

Applicants must be based on the Island of Montreal and meet the program’s specific residency requirements.

Because eligibility conditions can vary depending on the applicant category, applicants should confirm their status before preparing the final application.

What Type of Work Is Eligible?

The proposed artistic work must already have been presented publicly in a professional context before the application deadline.

The program is therefore intended for the circulation of an existing work rather than the creation of an entirely new work.

The work must also be technically compatible with at least three partner venues.

Applicants should consider:

• Technical requirements.
• Venue capacity.
• Installation or performance requirements.
• Transportation and distribution needs.
• Equipment requirements.
• Staffing requirements.
• Scheduling and coordination requirements.

Funding and Eligible Costs

The CAM en tournée grant supports both the fixed costs associated with preparing the tour and a substantial portion of the costs associated with presenting and circulating the work.

The grant can cover fixed costs such as:

• Preparation.
• Rehearsals.
• Tour coordination.
• Administration.

The program also covers 80% of eligible presentation and circulation costs.

Presenting partners are responsible for:

• The remaining 20% of dissemination and circulation costs.
• Applicable taxes.

Applicants should therefore prepare a realistic budget showing the total project costs, the CAM contribution, and the contribution expected from presenting partners.

How the Funding Structure Works

The funding model can be understood in two main parts.

Fixed Tour Costs

Eligible fixed costs related to preparing and coordinating the tour may be supported through the program.

These can include preparation, rehearsal, coordination, and administration.

Presentation and Circulation Costs

For eligible costs related to presenting and distributing the work, CAM provides 80% of the costs.

The presenting partners contribute the remaining 20%, plus applicable taxes.

This structure encourages collaboration between artists and venues while sharing the financial responsibility for touring.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted through the ORORA platform and must generally be completed in French.

Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility

Check that:

• You are based on the Island of Montreal.
• You belong to an eligible applicant category.
• You meet the applicable professional requirements.
• Your artistic work has already been publicly presented professionally.
• Your work can be presented at at least three eligible partner venues.

Step 2: Identify Suitable Venues

The proposed work must be technically compatible with at least three partner venues.

Consider the requirements of each venue, including:

• Space.
• Equipment.
• Technical infrastructure.
• Audience capacity.
• Installation requirements.
• Accessibility.
• Indoor or outdoor presentation conditions.

Step 3: Develop the Tour Plan

Prepare a clear plan for the three-to-eight presentations.

The plan should explain:

• Where the work will be presented.
• How the venues relate to the artistic project.
• The expected audiences.
• How the tour will be coordinated.
• How the work will be transported or installed.
• The expected schedule.

Step 4: Prepare the Budget

Develop a detailed project budget covering the costs associated with the tour.

Clearly distinguish between:

• Fixed preparation and coordination costs.
• Presentation costs.
• Circulation and distribution costs.
• Partner contributions.
• CAM funding.
• Other confirmed or anticipated sources of support.

Step 5: Prepare Supporting Materials

Applicants should gather the materials required to demonstrate the quality, history, and feasibility of the proposed work.

Required documentation includes:

• Completed application form.
• Project budget.
• Technical data sheet.
• Supporting materials relevant to the artistic work.

Additional documents may be required depending on the applicant category and project.

Step 6: Submit Through ORORA

Complete and submit the application through the ORORA platform.

Applications must be submitted in French, subject to specific exceptions for Indigenous applicants and recently arrived applicants outlined by CAM.

Applicants should submit before the applicable deadline and ensure that all required documents are included.

Important Application Considerations

A strong application should demonstrate that the work is ready for circulation rather than still being in development.

Applicants should clearly establish:

• The work’s previous professional presentation.
• Its artistic quality and relevance.
• Its technical readiness.
• The feasibility of presenting it at multiple venues.
• The proposed audience and community reach.
• The role of presenting partners.
• The financial feasibility of the tour.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid the following problems:

• Proposing a work that has never been professionally presented.
• Planning fewer than three presentations.
• Failing to demonstrate compatibility with at least three venues.
• Submitting an incomplete technical data sheet.
• Providing an unclear or unrealistic budget.
• Forgetting the presenting partners’ 20% contribution.
• Ignoring applicable taxes.
• Applying without meeting Montreal residency or professional requirements.
• Submitting the application without required supporting materials.
• Submitting in a language other than French without qualifying for an applicable exception.

Key Program Details

• Program: CAM en tournée Touring Program
• Funder: Conseil des arts et des lettres de Montréal (CAM)
• Geographic scope: Island of Montreal
• Purpose: Circulation and presentation of previously presented artistic works
• Number of presentations: 3 to 8
• Eligible venues: Indoor and outdoor venues, including parks and public spaces
• Presentation requirement: Work must have previously been presented publicly in a professional context
• Venue requirement: Work must be technically compatible with at least 3 partner venues
• Presentation and circulation contribution: CAM covers 80% of eligible costs
• Partner contribution: 20% of eligible dissemination and circulation costs plus applicable taxes
• Application platform: ORORA
• Application language: French, subject to specified exceptions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the CAM en tournée Touring Program?

The CAM en tournée Touring Program supports Montreal-based artists, collectives, and professional non-profit arts organizations in presenting existing artistic works at multiple venues across the Island of Montreal.

How many presentations must a tour include?

A supported tour must consist of at least three and no more than eight presentations.

Can a new artistic work be submitted?

The proposed work must already have been publicly presented in a professional context before the application deadline. The program is therefore focused on circulating existing works rather than funding an entirely new creation.

Who can apply for the CAM en tournée grant?

Eligible applicants can include professional unincorporated artist collectives, non-profit professional arts organizations, individual artists sponsored by a service organization, individual visual arts artists, and professional visual arts curators, provided they meet the applicable Montreal residency and professional requirements.

How much of the presentation and circulation costs does CAM cover?

CAM covers 80% of eligible presentation and circulation costs. Presenting partners contribute the remaining 20% plus applicable taxes.

Where can the artistic works be presented?

Works can be presented at participating venues across the Island of Montreal, including indoor venues, outdoor locations, parks, and public spaces, provided the work is suitable for the proposed locations.

How are applications submitted?

Applications are submitted through the ORORA platform and must generally be completed in French. Applicants must provide the application form, budget, technical data sheet, and relevant supporting materials, with specific exceptions available for certain Indigenous and recently arrived applicants.

Conclusion

The CAM en tournée Touring Program provides Montreal’s professional artists and arts organizations with an opportunity to extend the life and reach of existing artistic works through presentations at multiple venues across the Island of Montreal. By supporting tours of three to eight presentations and covering 80% of eligible presentation and circulation costs, the program encourages collaboration between artists and presenting partners while expanding public access to Montreal’s cultural production.

Applicants should ensure that their work has already been professionally presented, is technically suitable for at least three venues, meets the applicable residency and professional requirements, and has a realistic touring budget before submitting an application through ORORA.

For more information, visit Montreal Arts Council.