Carrie Sweeney

Funding Still Available for the Craft & Visual Arts sector

October 2, 2025 by Carrie Sweeney

Creative Saskatchewan is offering a SECOND INTAKE for grants in the Craft and Visual Arts Sector.

The following grants have a NEW deadline of February 11, 2026 at 4 PM SK time.

Craft & Visual Arts Production Grant

Business Improvement Grant

Marketing Grant – Major Stream

Looking for assistance? Our Program Advisors are here to help you!

We welcome one-on-one consultations over the phone, via email, in-person, or over a video call – we’re here to help you navigate the grant process from start to finish and understand our eligibility criteria.

Save Your Seats for ‘The Trailer Drop’

September 15, 2025 by Carrie Sweeney

The Trailer Drop is Creative Saskatchewan’s signature screening event, celebrating the incredible talent and storytelling power of our province’s film and television creators.

Held at iconic venues like the IMAX in Regina and select theatres in Saskatoon, this high-energy showcase features trailers from productions supported by our Feature Film & TV Production Grant. From gripping documentaries to animated adventures and cinematic dramas, every trailer is a glimpse into the diverse and dynamic work being created right here in Saskatchewan.

This is more than just a screening—it’s a celebration. Attendees enjoy a movie-themed atmosphere, free concession, and a brief program highlighting the economic and cultural impact of the film industry across the province. We recognize every production company in attendance, and the cheers are loud and proud.

Whether you’re a producer, industry partner, aspiring filmmaker, or simply a fan of seeing Saskatchewan on the big screen, The Trailer Drop is your chance to connect, be inspired, and see just how far our stories can go.

Want to attend The Trailer Drop?
Seating is first come first served – register today to secure your spot!

Regina
Date: Friday, October 10, 2025
Time: 1:00 PM
Location: Kramer IMAX Theatre
Register for the Regina event Here

Saskatoon
Date: Friday, October 17, 2025
Time: 2:00 PM
Location: The Broadway Theatre
Register for the Saskatoon event Here

Collaborate on your Grant Application with Secure Access for Grant Writers & Managers

August 28, 2025 by Carrie Sweeney

We’re excited to announce an update to our Grant Management System (GMS) that makes collaboration easier, safer, and more transparent for everyone involved.

Streamlined Collaboration

Applicants can now invite grant writers or artist managers directly to specific applications. This ensures secure, role-based access and keeps everyone aligned throughout the process.

Easy Onboarding for Third-Party Admins

Invited collaborators can quickly create their own accounts and start working—no need to coordinate MFA codes or juggle shared logins.

Empowering Applicants

Applicants stay in control of who can access their information and when. This update puts privacy and transparency first.

Enhanced Security & Compliance

We’ve strengthened our system to better protect applicant data and meet multi-factor authentication (MFA) standards. Third-party administrators no longer need to share login credentials—each user now has secure, individual access.

See below for detailed instructions:

How to Add a Collaborator

How to Accept an Invitation and Navigate the Portal

Ready to explore the new features?

Saskatchewan Sound at Memphis Blues Challenge

August 12, 2025 by Carrie Sweeney

Early this year, Ross Nielsen attended the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee with the support of our Showcase or Sell Travel Grant. After winning the “Road to Memphis Showcase Challenge” presented by the Saskatoon Blues Society, he needed some extra support to cover travel costs, and reached out to Creative Saskatchewan for some help. Thanks to the grant, he was able to represent Saskatchewan at the largest gathering of blues and roots artists, booking agents and buyers in North America! Awesome!

“Hey, guys. I attended the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee in January. It is the largest gathering of blues and roots artists and booking agents and buyers. Probably in North America, at least one of the biggest. And it was amazing. I got that opportunity because I won the road to Memphis Showcase Challenge in Saskatoon presented by the Saskatoon Blues Society and that allowed me to go and represent Saskatchewan in Memphis. And it was fantastic. The Showcase or Sell Travel grant, allowed me to actually go to Memphis and take part in the International Blues Challenge. Yeah, it covered mileage, per diems, literally put food on my belly and gas in my gas tank to get down there and do my thing. And then of course make it home and, I’m eternally grateful. Definitely would have been a challenge to go without that grant.

You know, what I love best about my community is the support. You know, when I got my Showcase or Sell Travel grant, and during the trip and leading up to it, I emailed Erin at the Creative Sask office probably a bazillion times. Sometimes related to the projects, probably sometimes related to things that weren’t part of the project, and everyone was always too enthusiastic to reply. And even by email it seems sincere and that they’re there to help. And, I’m just really grateful for that kind of support. It kind of reinforces the idea of, you know, what you’re doing is worthwhile. And, you know, creating art is important. And then for the government to fund groups like Creative Sask, who in turn fund artists, again, that just kind of leads me to believe that art is important and they want us to make art. And without these grants, for me in particular, it would be very difficult to make a living, or even be able to afford to create the kind of art that I do. Records are expensive and just really thankful to have the opportunity to, you know, get funding, to go to showcases, to create albums, to do tours. It’s incredibly valuable. And that kind of support is exactly what artists need and what the arts community needs to survive and thrive.”

Congratulations to Ross on the successful showcase, it sounds like an incredible time! You can check out his music here: https://linktr.ee/rossneilsen

Are you ready to take your creative business to the next level?

Sign up for our newsletter to stay in the know about our programs: https://www.creativesask.ca/spotlight/

Learn more about the Showcase or Sell Travel Grant here: https://www.creativesask.ca/marketing-promotion/showcase-or-sell-travel/

Tournier’s Creations: Where Métis Beadwork Meets Fashion

August 6, 2025 by Carrie Sweeney

Christine Tournier of SS River Designs (South Saskatchewan River) gave us a fun behind-the-scenes look at how she brings her women’s wear collections to life! With support from our Craft and Visual Arts Production and Marketing grants, she’s taken her work to amazing new levels.

“My name is Christine Tournier. I’m an artisan from Saint Louis, Saskatchewan, and I wanted to tell you a little bit about the next collection that I am working on. I do French Michif beadwork inspired by the land and by the South Saskatchewan River. And this collection is inspired by the bison, as you can see. The bison were return to the Métis homelands specifically to Batoche in 2023, and that really had cultural significance for many people, and it really inspired this collection. I live in Saint Louis, which is near Batoche and seeing the bison being returned to the land inspired this collection and the effect that it has on, community of Métis people.

I usually bead several beadwork pieces in one collection. This is going to be the largest piece of this collection of the bison itself. I’ve incorporated the traditional, usually five petal or four petal flower is common in Métis beadwork. So this would have been like the large five petal flower. But just poking out here at the top of the bison. And then I’ve got a few smaller flowers in here and other florals. Often the Métis beadwork had “mouse tracks” as well, which are the little stems with the little pieces coming out. So I’ve got a bit of that incorporated into this piece as well. And it’s really just a stylized version of, a floral inspired by traditional, Michif beadwork. But, I know mine is sort of a more stylized approach, I guess. I still try to keep the pieces balanced. Often, Métis beadwork was like a mirror reflection from one side to the other. So I use that concept. Not that it’s, exactly mirrored, but that everything balances from side to side. So to sort of have that nice balanced effect.

I use a lot of pink in my collections. For some reason, pink always reminds me of land. It feels like earth or land to me. So in this piece, I used brown for the bison and then, as you can see, a lot of pink. So in addition to this, like I mentioned, this will be the largest piece. And then I also have several five petal pieces that are also featured for the collection. So there are smaller pieces. So typically what I do is, do the pieces and then take photographs of the beadwork in various stages as I’m beading it. And then I use a software to create a pattern that I can then have them printed on to fabric, and then I use those fabrics and incorporate them into my women’s wear collections that I do.

I often use fabric that’s either deadstock or vintage or in limited quantities. And then each piece tends to be really unique itself, or it’s more like a one of a kind, or in very limited quantities so that every piece, sort of feels unique and sort of stands on its own.”

Are you ready to take your creative business to the next level?

Sign up for our newsletter to stay in the know about our programs: https://www.creativesask.ca/spotlight/

SATP’s Invaluable Support for Theatre Professionals

July 24, 2025 by Carrie Sweeney

Creative Saskatchewan funds seven industry associations, helping them achieve their mandates to support Saskatchewan’s creative small businesses and creative producers, and helping build extraordinary businesses. As their primary funding agency, we have provided operational and program funding for the Saskatchewan Association of Theatre Professionals (SATP) since 2016.

Founded in 2014, SATP came together to represent the needs of Saskatchewan’s professional theatre artists and organizations. Their mission is to empower Saskatchewan’s theatre makers and professionals with relevant training, programming, and promotional opportunities, while being responsive to current cultural needs. SATP cultivates arts creation and development at all levels of the province through public and industry advocacy. They are committed to building strong community, professional relationships, and networks within the Saskatchewan theatre sector.

“Telling stories is at the heart of any strong community. The Saskatchewan theatre industry fosters strong community by creating vibrant shows and presenting stories that audiences can connect to, learn from, and be inspired by,” said Executive Director, Judith Schulz. “SATP stands behind these artists and practitioners as they continue to create challenging new work with programming, skill development, and advocacy. We’re grateful for the support Creative Saskatchewan continues to provide us to be able to do this important work.”

They offer various programs and resources such as a mentorship program, theatre directory, contract templates, respect and equity resources, and training and development initiatives. Membership is open on a Pay-What-You-Can basis to practicing roles in the theatre industry, including but not limited to, actors, directors, designers, playwrights, stage managers, arts administrators, theatre educators, technicians, producers, theatre companies, etc.

Becoming a member of the SATP offers numerous benefits for those passionate about the health, vibrancy, and success of theatre and performing arts in Saskatchewan. Members can gain access to a robust digital community; SATP has a virtual ‘Green Room’ where folks can connect with peers, mentors, and the larger performing arts community. Membership provides early access to new programs, updates, and opportunities in the performing arts industry. Additionally, members have a voice in how SATP operates and in larger provincial and national organizations that impact their career. By joining, members not only receive support from other artists but also contribute to a thriving vocational performing arts community.

Creative Saskatchewan proudly funds a few of SATP’s ongoing programs and events, including TheatreCon, a conference that takes place roughly every 18 months, designed to bring Saskatchewan theatre-makers and theatre-supporters together to grow, learn, and strengthen each other as a community. TheatreCon provides opportunities for participants to connect and network, enjoy performances, gather resources, discuss the future of theatre, and attend workshops aimed at helping them grow in their craft and career.

When it comes to funding live performing artists and companies’ commercial activities, that’s where Creative Saskatchewan comes in!

Our role is to help clients navigate the grant application process from start to finish, review applications for eligibility, ensure applications are vetted by industry professionals, and invest in projects with economic potential. Creative Saskatchewan offers a few grants related to the Live Performing Arts sector:

The Live Performing Arts Production & Performance Grant assists eligible Saskatchewan individuals and companies in the production of a series of performances intended for paying audiences locally and abroad.

Individuals and companies are also eligible to apply for our Business Improvement grant, Marketing grant and Showcase or Sell Travel grant.

For over 10 years, SATP has built an incredible community around the live performing arts. We are thrilled to support them as they strive toward their vision of continuing the evolution of an adaptive, sustainable, and connected theatre industry contributing to healthy, inclusive communities and the Saskatchewan arts culture.