Saskatchewan Arts Board

Earlier in 2011, the Arts Board commissioned a program review. The final report indicated that, unlike many of our other programs, our Project Grant programs [ArtVenture, ArtConnect and ArtInquire] did not strongly align to the objectives and directions of our new Strategic Plan, and also had higher costs of delivery.  We are, therefore, redirecting the funds from the Project Grant programs to other programs that will generate stronger results for the people of Saskatchewan and the arts community.

Many of the kinds of projects that were eligible under the old programs may be supported through other programs, including: Independent Artists, Culture on the Go, ArtsSmarts/TreatySmarts, Creative Partnerships and SaskFestivals. It is best to contact any Arts Board program consultant for details on which program may be best able to support your project.

For example, applications for artist-driven production projects formerly funded through ArtVenture grants will be accepted through the Independent Artist Program.  In other cases, our plan is to amend existing programs so that meritorious projects can be supported in ways that best suit their needs.

This decision is not the result of funding cuts. In fact, the 2011/12 provincial budget provided for an increase of 1.5 per cent to the Arts Board's base funding. The decision reflects the findings of the program review commissioned by the Arts Board earlier this year, in response to the release of our new Strategic Plan.

The Arts Board undertook extensive consultation with the arts community, partners and stakeholders over a two-year period in the development of its new strategic plan.  Subsequently, the Arts Board contracted with an independent consultant to conduct a program review in order to measure how well existing programs aligned with the new strategic plan.  During that process, the Arts Board contracted the Saskatchewan Arts Alliance to recruit and convene two focus groups consisting of representatives of the arts community. These focus group discussions were a key source of input to the findings of the independent consultant.

The decision was announced more than six weeks before the grant deadline.  Given the many factors that contributed to the decision, this was the absolute earliest we were able to make the announcement.

The Arts Board’s total grants budget exceeds $10,000,000, whereas this decision implicates $162,500 for the balance of the fiscal year ending March 31, 2012. That funding is being divided among a range of other programs, including the Independent Artist program, the Professional Arts Organization [Annual] program, the SaskFestivals program, Culture on the Go Showcasing and the Portail culturel fransaskois.

The Arts Board will continue to support artists in the music industry through Culture on the Go (touring and market access), Travel (showcasing) and Independent Artists (songwriting and mentorship) grant programs, as well as the Flexible Loan Program (production and business development).

The Arts Board will continue to fund a wide range of projects through specialized grant programs such as ArtsSmarts, Artist in Residence, Festivals, and support to independent artists.  The Arts Board is committed to ensuring valuable project activity continues to be supported while managing the cost of program delivery.