The Creative Industries in Saskatchewan - thriving, valued, connected

Investing in Creativity: in People, Businesses and Organizations

NEW PROGRAMS

Flexible Loan Program

The Creative Industries Flexible Loan Program is a $1.15 million initiative of the Arts Board and the Ministry of Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport. This new financial resource will increase the entrepreneurial and economic capacity of artists, businesses and non-profits in the craft, music and sound recording, publishing, and visual arts sectors.

The loan program offers short-term, low-interest, demand loans of up to $25,000 for eligible commercial sector activity. Loans are approved based on a viable business plan/proposal, and the application form and loan agreements are available as required by contacting the Creative Industries Consultant. One-on-one consultations are offered. Contact information and further details are below.

Downloads:

	Flexible Loan Program Guidelines (PDF) (February 2010)
	How to Apply for Financing (PDF) (February 2010)
	Micro-loan Checklist (PDF) (February 2010)
	Small Business Loan Checklist (PDF) (February 2010)

Business Resources:

Business Plan Guide:
http://www.enterprisesaskatchewan.ca/planguide

Starting and Managing a Small Business:
http://www.enterprisesaskatchewan.ca/Business-Resources

Loan Program Information Sessions:

The Creative Industries Consultant is holding one-on-one sessions for applicants to learn more about the program and discuss their business ideas. These sessions will be held in Regina on March 19 and 30 and in Saskatoon on March 23, 24, 25. Additional information sessions will follow.

To book an appointment, contact:
Karen Henders
Creative Industries Consultant
Phone: (306) 787-9634
Toll-Free (Sask.): (800) 667-7526
Email: kphenders@artsboard.sk.ca.

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Entrepreneurial Training Program

NOTE: The deadline for applications to this pilot program has now passed.

The Entrepreneurial Training Program, a new pilot program based on the Cultural Human Resources Council curriculum, The Art of Managing Your Career.

The program provides self-employed artists with skills, tools, self-awareness and networking resources to help them turn their art practices into sustainable, revenue-generating businesses.

This project is funded by the Saskatchewan Ministry of Advanced Education, Employment and Labour.

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Creative Industries

VISION

A thriving, valued and connected creative economy in Saskatchewan

MISSION

To support and stimulate the development and growth of the creative industries to enhance their contributions to the economy and vitality of the province of Saskatchewan

GOALS

• To create broad public awareness and recognition of Saskatchewan 's creative industries and their positive impacts.
• To develop and support creative enterprise and innovation.
• To enable conditions in which Saskatchewan 's creative industries reach their full potential.

The Arts Board achieves its goals through leadership, partnership building, research and education; and acting as a catalyst and investor in the creativity of our people, businesses and organizations.

The following critical factors focus our efforts:

• Leadership and participation
• Quality Saskatchewan creative product and services
• Trained professional workforce
• Entrepreneurialism and business acumen
• Infrastructure
• Markets and opportunities
• Policy and investment

"It's not just about grants - it's about sitting down with the various sector organizations and providing assistance to artists and art businesses in understanding the marketplace, creating business plans and marketing their products. Not only are we focusing on increasing resources, but we're also increasing attention and focus given to the needs of these industries so they can be healthy and competitive; so that artists have a better chance at making a living and supporting themselves through their art." - Jeremy Morgan , Executive Director

Success Stories

Saskatchewan Craft to be promoted in Seattle (August 2009)

The work of six Saskatchewan craft artists received exposure in the United States at Seattle's Pacific Market Centre and the Seattle Summer Gift and Home Accessories Show.

The Saskatchewan Craft Council assisted in organizing the participation of the artists. The show attracts commercial buyers from the northwest United States and western Canada.

To read more and view the craft pieces, click here.

Partnerships and Background

In June of 2008, the Arts Board entered into an agreement with Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport for the development and delivery of the Creative Industries Growth and Sustainability Program with an annual contribution of $1.5 million.

Click here to learn more about the program and to read the official government news release.

"The purpose of the program is to facilitate the commercial development of the creative industries to ensure they are ready for growth. Moving the five Creative Industry Sector Organizations out of the Saskatchewan Lotteries Trust Fund to the Arts Board is the first step toward enabling these organizations to better balance commercial and artistic goals in a more focused way."

This agreement also set forth the basic parameters of the Flexible Loan Program. This one-time allocation of $1.15 million made in October 2007 will support individual artists, arts businesses and arts organizations to developing new business opportunities or to expand existing opportunities to ensure the creation, production, promotion and dissemination of high-quality and authentic cultural products.

Definition and Scope

"The enterprises and people involved in the production and distribution of goods and services in which the aesthetic, intellectual, and emotional engagement of the consumer gives the product value in the marketplace." (Berkshire Creative Economy)

"Those industries which have their origin in individual creativity, skill and talent and which have a potential for wealth and job creation through the generation and exploitation of intellectual property." (UK Government DCMS)

Definition is important as it relates to the need to identify and support the key industry stakeholders in Saskatchewan necessary to drive growth and as it relates to the demand on exiting programs and services.

Programs and Services

At this time, we recognize and support the five Creative Industry Sector Organizations identified in our agreement with Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport.

Creative Industries Sector Organizations

In consultation with the Creative Industries Advisory Committee (CIAC) and working within available resources to achieve identified goals, support to other stakeholders of the creative industries will be identified and implemented.

For further information about the Creative Industries, please contact:

Karen Henders
Creative Industries Consultant
Phone: (306) 787-9634
Toll-Free (Sask.): (800) 667-7526
Email: kphenders@artsboard.sk.ca.