Request for Proposals: Touring and Circulation Projects (Canada)

Deadline: 22-Oct-2026

The Touring and Circulation Projects program provides funding to support touring performances, exhibitions, screenings, readings, and related artistic activities by Ontario artists, arts groups, and arts organizations across Ontario, Canada, and internationally. Grants of up to CAD 60,000 are available to help expand audiences, strengthen artist-presenter networks, promote environmentally sustainable touring, and increase the visibility of Ontario artists.

Touring and Circulation Projects

The Touring and Circulation Projects program supports the presentation and circulation of professional artistic work beyond an applicant’s home community. The program helps artists and arts organizations reach new audiences, develop national and international markets, strengthen partnerships with presenters, and encourage environmentally responsible touring practices.

The program supports both small- and large-scale tours, including in-person, hybrid, and community-engaged artistic activities.

Focus Areas

The program supports projects related to:

• Touring performances
• Art exhibitions
• Touring presentations
• Audience development
• Artist-presenter partnerships
• Market development
• National touring
• International touring
• Community-engaged arts
• School tours in Ontario
• Artistic residencies
• Hybrid presentations
• Artist talks
• Workshops
• Public readings
• Film screenings
• Cultural exchange
• Environmentally sustainable touring
• Accessibility in the arts
• Professional arts development

Funding Categories

The program offers two funding categories:

• Category 1: Grants of up to CAD 30,000 for individuals, ad hoc groups, collectives, and eligible organizations.
• Category 2: Grants ranging from CAD 30,001 to CAD 60,000 for eligible organizations undertaking large-scale touring projects.

Purpose of the Program

The program aims to:

• Increase access to professional artistic work.
• Expand audiences across Ontario, Canada, and internationally.
• Strengthen relationships between artists and presenters.
• Promote environmentally sustainable touring practices.
• Support market development for Ontario artists.
• Increase national and international recognition of Ontario’s arts sector.
• Improve access to artistic experiences for priority communities.

Eligible Activities

Funding may support:

• Live performances
• Visual art exhibitions
• Film screenings
• Literary readings
• Ontario school tours
• Workshops
• Artist talks
• Networking events
• Market development activities
• Artistic residencies
• Community-engaged arts projects
• Hybrid tours combining virtual and in-person presentations
• Public presentations associated with residencies

Projects may include:

• Confirmed touring itineraries
• Partially confirmed tours
• Single-destination tours combined with networking or audience development activities
• Self-presented events with a strong audience or market development rationale

Eligible Expenses

Funding may be used for:

• Travel costs
• Accommodation
• Local transportation
• Freight and shipping
• Visa expenses
• Insurance
• Per diems
• Tour marketing and promotion
• Professional artist fees
• Technician support for hybrid presentations
• Accessibility accommodations
• COVID-19 health and safety measures
• Environmentally sustainable touring expenses

Project Requirements

Eligible projects must:

• Take place outside the applicant’s home city, town, or First Nation (except Ontario school tours).
• Include at least one confirmed presenter-invited public presentation or exhibition.
• Demonstrate plans for at least three engagements with different presenters or hosts.
• Present a well-developed touring itinerary or audience development strategy.

Who is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include:

• Professional Ontario artists
• Professional curators
• Ontario-based ad hoc groups
• Arts collectives
• Ontario-based not-for-profit arts organizations
• Eligible Ontario-based for-profit book publishers
• Eligible Ontario-based magazine publishers

Category 2 is available only to eligible organizations and publishers undertaking large-scale tours.

Who is Not Eligible?

The program does not accept applications from:

• Municipal governments
• Colleges
• Universities
• Amateur artists
• Student artists
• Pre-professional artists
• Community orchestras
• Youth orchestras
• Community choirs
• Youth and training choirs

Ineligible Activities

Funding cannot be used for:

• School tours outside Ontario
• Pre-tour creation or production
• Standalone virtual productions
• Fundraising activities
• Most competitions
• Award ceremonies
• Activities funded under specified Ontario Arts Council programs
• Major capital purchases
• Pre-tour administrative expenses
• Pre-tour personnel costs
• Agent fees
• Presenter fees

Why This Program Matters

Touring provides artists with opportunities to reach new audiences, build professional networks, and expand artistic careers.

The program helps:

• Increase public access to professional arts.
• Strengthen Ontario’s cultural sector.
• Promote collaboration between artists and presenters.
• Support sustainable touring practices.
• Build national and international markets.
• Encourage community engagement.
• Improve accessibility to arts experiences.

How to Apply

Follow these steps before submitting an application:

1. Confirm your eligibility and determine the appropriate funding category.
2. Develop a detailed touring plan.
3. Secure at least one confirmed presenter invitation.
4. Plan a minimum of three presenter or host engagements.
5. Prepare a realistic project budget.
6. Document audience development and market expansion strategies.
7. Include accessibility and environmental sustainability measures where applicable.
8. Gather all required supporting documents.
9. Submit the completed application before the program deadline.

Tips for a Strong Application

• Secure multiple confirmed presenters whenever possible.
• Demonstrate strong audience development strategies.
• Show national or international growth opportunities.
• Include realistic travel and marketing budgets.
• Explain community engagement activities.
• Highlight environmental sustainability practices.
• Demonstrate professional artistic excellence.
• Clearly describe expected project outcomes.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Applying for projects within your home community without meeting program exceptions.
• Failing to secure a confirmed presenter.
• Including fewer than three planned engagements.
• Requesting funding for ineligible expenses.
• Submitting incomplete itineraries or budgets.
• Proposing standalone virtual productions.
• Including pre-tour creation costs.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who can apply?

Professional Ontario artists, curators, collectives, ad hoc groups, not-for-profit arts organizations, and eligible Ontario-based publishers.

How much funding is available?

Category 1 provides grants of up to CAD 30,000, while Category 2 offers CAD 30,001 to CAD 60,000 for large-scale tours.

Can international tours be funded?

Yes. The program supports touring projects across Ontario, Canada, and internationally.

Are hybrid tours eligible?

Yes. Hybrid projects combining virtual and in-person presentations are eligible.

Can self-presented events receive funding?

Yes. Self-presented activities are eligible when supported by a strong audience development or market expansion rationale.

What expenses are covered?

Eligible expenses include travel, accommodation, freight, visas, artist fees, marketing, accessibility measures, technician support, and environmentally sustainable touring costs.

Are virtual-only projects eligible?

No. Standalone virtual productions are not eligible for funding.

Conclusion

The Touring and Circulation Projects program helps Ontario artists and arts organizations expand the reach of their work through professional touring across Ontario, Canada, and international markets. By providing grants of up to CAD 60,000, the program strengthens audience engagement, supports artistic collaboration, encourages environmentally sustainable touring, and increases opportunities for Ontario artists to build lasting professional and cultural impact.

For more information, visit Ontario Arts Council.