SAA’s Rural Artist Learning and Access Support pilot project
SAA’s Rural Artist Learning and Access Support pilot project provides funding for rural artists, artist groups, collectives, and arts organizations to access meaningful learning and professional development opportunities.
This pilot recognizes that rural artists often face barriers to professional development, including travel costs, geographic distance, limited access to training opportunities, and fewer opportunities to gather with peers. The program helps reduce those barriers, strengthen rural arts connections, and support more equitable access to artistic learning across Saskatchewan.
Please find application form for the November 15th deadline, here.
Learning opportunities may be formal or informal. Eligible activities may include mentorship, peer exchange, cultural learning, skills development, community-based knowledge sharing, workshops, training sessions, or participation in gatherings that support artistic growth and collaboration.
Funding is available for:
- Individual applicants: up to $500
- Groups, collectives, or organizations: up to $1,000
Eligible expenses may include:
- Travel or mileage
- Accommodation
- Registration fees
- Honoraria for mentors, facilitators, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, or guest artists
- Venue or gathering costs
- Materials directly related to the learning activity
- Accessibility costs, including childcare, support workers, interpretation, translation, ASL, or other access needs where appropriate
This support is not intended primarily for public event production, presentation fees, or exhibition costs, unless the activity includes a clear learning, mentorship, or professional development component for rural artists.
Deadlines: November 15, 2026 and April 15, 2027
Applications will be accepted through four intake periods each year: September, January, March, and May. Submission dates and deadlines will be announced throughout the year.
The application process will be short and straightforward. SAA wants this support to be easy to access, especially for rural artists, small organizations, artist groups, collectives, and communities with limited administrative capacity.
Priority will be given to applicants who clearly demonstrate:
- A rural or regional focus
- A meaningful learning or professional development opportunity
- Benefit to the applicant’s artistic practice, group, organization, or community
- Potential to strengthen connections among rural artists or arts communities
- Feasibility and clarity of the proposed activity and budget
Successful applicants will be asked to complete a short reflection after their activity. This may include what they learned, how the support helped reduce barriers, and what SAA should understand about rural arts learning needs.
This pilot aims to increase access to learning opportunities in rural communities, support artistic growth, and help strengthen rural arts participation across Saskatchewan.
