Creative Saskatchewan
Creative Saskatchewan was established as a crown agency of the Government of Saskatchewan in July of 2013. The agency was created in recognition of the integral role that creative industries play in a vibrant Saskatchewan.
Creative Saskatchewan stimulates the commercialization of creative products and helps Saskatchewan’s creative talent find firmer footing in domestic and international markets. The agency accomplishes this through a suite of grants, mentoring opportunities, marketing activities, and strong partnerships with creative industry associations.
Since its establishment, the agency has been operating a variety of grants to support creative industry production, marketing and export. These grants have already made a major impact on Saskatchewan’s creative industries through investment and partnership building with creative industry associations. These partnerships strengthen the creative sector development plan and the agency’s aim to positively affect the gross domestic product (GDP) of the Province of Saskatchewan. Recent data from the Statistics Canada Culture Satellite Account shows that in 2014 Saskatchewan’s cultural GDP grew 3.3%, following a gain of 1.1% in 2013.
Creative Saskatchewan is a provincial crown agency which works with the creative industries of the province. It is responsible for six sectors: music, screen based media, visual arts and fine craft, book publishing, live performing arts, and digital media. Below is a summary of Creative Saskatchewan’s nine funding programs and their intended impact on Saskatchewan’s cultural talent.
- Business Capacity – development of professional capacity and skills;
- Research - industry-based projects and market intelligence;
- Creative Industries Production - production and product refinement;
- Market and Export Development - for individuals/businesses and sector organizations;
- Market Travel - financial support toward awards, showcases, presentations, etc.;
- Sound Recording - production of commercially-viable music products;
- Screen-based Media Content Development - early phase projects;
- Screen-based Media Production - requiring a 30 per cent Saskatchewan spend; and
- Performing Arts Tour Support - must demonstrate commercial viability and have already lined up at least six performance dates.
Creative Saskatchewan is accountable for ensuring that program funds and association supports are dispersed equitably and effectively. To that end, grant applications for most programs are vetted through a peer review jury system. Juries are comprised of respected individuals from industry sectors suggested by the creative industry associations.
For more information, please see: http://www.creativesask.ca/
Creative Saskatchewan is driven to achieve a future where Saskatchewan's creative producers continue to realize diverse commercial opportunities in national, international and emerging markets which collectively grow thriving, sustainable creative industries. Examples of projects funded include:
Craft
Adam Finn received $18,810 through the Creative Industries Production Grant to produce handcrafted leather footwear with the goal of expanding his business, Last Shoes, into larger markets.
Heather Abbey received $13,013 from the Market and Export Development Grant (MEDG) to assist with marketing expenses for the ShopIndig.ca Cart, which features products created by Saskatchewan-based artisans.
Digital/Interactive
OneStory Inc. received $2,833 through the Market Travel Grant and Culture on the Go program to attend the Sustainable Brand Activation Hub Market Place in San Diego.
Saskatchewan Interactive Media Association (SIMA) received $20,000 through the MEDG to develop and implement an innovative website designed to market, showcase and encourage business growth for Saskatchewan’s interactive digital media industry.
Music
Close Talker received $5,000 through the Market Travel and Culture on the Go program to showcase at The Great Escape festival in Brighton, England.
Jess Moskaluke received $80,500 through the MEDG to assist with expenses related to promotion and advertising, working with a publicist, filming a music video, website and social media strategy development/implementation, and a radio tour.
Publishing
Coteau Books received $30,700 through the Creative Industries Production Grant to assist with publishing seven new titles.
University of Regina Press received $30,953 through the Market and Export Development Fund to increase market and export presence, particularly in the U.S.A., through marketing activities, publicity and print advertising.
Screen-Based Media
Two Television series received funding through the Screen-Based Media Production Grant Program: Nordic Lodge (Season 2) received $168,500, and The Prairie Diner (Season 3) received $43,216.
Creative Saskatchewan receives $7.7 million (CAD) in funding annually from the Government of Saskatchewan. Of this amount, $5 million is distributed directly through grant programs and $1.5 million is targeted to support operations for six creative industry associations: SaskBooks, SaskGalleries, SaskMusic, Saskatchewan Craft Council, Saskatchewan Interactive Media Association and the Saskatchewan Media Production Industry Association. The remaining budgeted funds are targeted to marketing, trade missions, market export initiatives, professional development and administration.
The detailed financial statements of Creative Saskatchewan can be found online at the following link: http://www.creativesask.ca/
Stakeholder consultations on the success of Creative Saskatchewan in achieving its mission and client services were conducted in 2015. The consultations led to the implementation by Creative Saskatchewan of several recommendations, including a new communications plan, a new website and an online application system, a review of program policies and procedures, an examination of funding equity, and a review of board governance.
For more information on the consultation report, please see: https://www.saskatchewan.ca/government/public-consultations/creative-saskatchewan-review