Applications open for Foreign Artists Tours Grant (Canada)

Deadline: 04-Nov-2026

The Foreign Artists Tours program supports Canadian not-for-profit arts organizations in presenting exhibitions, performances, and other artistic work by international artists to audiences across Canada. Eligible organizations can receive up to $50,000 per application, with projects required to reach audiences in at least two different Canadian locations and funding available for eligible travel, accessibility, safety, and related touring expenses. Foreign Artists Tours is part of the Arts Across Canada and Abroad program. The program supports meaningful cultural relationships and exchanges between international artists and Canadian audiences by helping Canadian organizations circulate exhibitions and tour artistic work from abroad. The funding is intended to increase access to international artistic experiences in communities across Canada. The programme supports projects involving the circulation or touring of work by international artists, groups, or organizations. A funded project must include at least: Eligible locations can include different cities, towns, communities, or reserves. Eligible applicants are Canadian not-for-profit arts organizations.

This can include:

Applicants should demonstrate the organizational capacity to plan, present, and manage the proposed international touring or exhibition project. The programme provides funding of up to $50,000 per application.

Additional funding conditions include:

Applicants should ensure that the requested amount is directly connected to eligible project expenses. Funding can support a range of costs associated with bringing international artistic work to Canadian audiences.

Eligible expenses may include:

The eligible expenses should be directly related to the touring or circulation project. The programme primarily supports the circulation of international artists’ work within Canada. In exceptional circumstances, international travel expenses may be considered when artists from abroad have limited or no access to funding in their home country. Applicants requesting consideration for international travel costs should clearly explain the circumstances and demonstrate why the expense is necessary for the project. Projects must involve artistic presentations in at least two different Canadian locations. The project must include a minimum of two consecutive performances, presentations, or exhibitions. This requirement ensures that the funding supports the circulation of international artistic work rather than a single-location presentation. Accessibility is an eligible area of expenditure under the programme. Applicants can include measures designed to help audiences participate fully in the artistic experience, such as: Organizations should consider accessibility requirements during project planning and include relevant costs in their budget. Applications are assessed not only on artistic quality and project feasibility but also on adherence to respectful and ethical cultural and artistic practices. This is particularly important for projects involving Indigenous cultural material, artists, communities, or protocols. Applicants should demonstrate that the project respects applicable cultural protocols and follows appropriate ethical practices throughout planning and delivery. Applications are reviewed by a peer committee. The assessment considers several factors, including: Applicants should therefore provide a clear artistic rationale, realistic implementation plan, and explanation of the project’s expected impact on Canadian audiences. Applicants must provide supporting documentation as part of the application.

Required materials include:

These documents should demonstrate that the proposed artistic collaboration and partnerships are sufficiently established. Incomplete applications will be deemed ineligible. Applicants should check all required documents before submitting their application. A strong application should clearly explain the artistic and public value of bringing the international work to Canadian audiences.

Applicants should describe:

Applicants should also ensure that contracts, letters of intent, and other required supporting materials are complete and consistent with the proposed project. International artistic exchanges can introduce Canadian audiences to new artistic perspectives, practices, and cultural experiences. By supporting the circulation of international work across multiple Canadian locations, the programme can help organizations expand cultural programming beyond a single community and create opportunities for artists and audiences to engage across borders. The inclusion of accessibility and ethical cultural practices also supports more inclusive and responsible artistic exchanges. Foreign Artists Tours is a funding programme supporting Canadian not-for-profit arts organizations that circulate exhibitions or tour artistic work by international artists to audiences across Canada. Organizations can receive up to $50,000 per application, with a maximum of $50,000 per year. Eligible organizations can submit up to two applications per calendar year. No. Foreign Artists Tours does not offer a multi-year funding cycle. The project must reach audiences in at least two different Canadian cities, towns, communities, or reserves. Eligible costs include Canadian transportation, accommodation, per diem, shipping, baggage, safety expenses, and public accessibility measures such as sign language interpretation and accessibility audits. In exceptional circumstances, international travel expenses may be considered when the international artist or artists have limited or no access to funding in their home country. Applicants must provide a contract or letter of intent with the artist or artists and letters of intent with project partners. Incomplete applications are considered ineligible. The Foreign Artists Tours program provides up to $50,000 to help Canadian not-for-profit arts organizations bring i