General information

Section objectives 
Through travel grants, the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec (CALQ) wishes to enable artists, writers, storytellers, spoken word artists in the literary field and artists' groups to accept invitations from inside and outside Québec to participate in activities related to their artistic disciplines or career development.


Target clienteles
The Travel section of the Grant program for professional artists covers all of the disciplines that the CALQ supports and is intended for artists, writers, storytellers, spoken word artists in the literary field, professional craftspeople and architectural professionals who satisfy the eligibility criteria governing the Mid-career* or Development categories.

* Mid-career grants are intended solely for writers, storytellers and spoken word artists in the literary field.


Professional artist
For the purposes of this program, the term “artist” refers to all of the applicants concerned.

Artists are defined as follows:

• they declare themselves to be professional artists;
• they practise an art on their own account or offer their services for remuneration, as creators or performers, especially in the fields under the responsibility of the CALQ;
• they have gained the recognition of their peers;
• they disseminate or publicly interpret their works in places and/or contexts recognized by their peers.

Artists' group
A group designates a group of artists, regardless of their number. Each member of the group must be a professional artist as defined above and satisfy the program's eligibility criteria. One member must represent the group as coordinator. Moreover, the group must not have received collectively grants in respect of the same project under other programs offered by the CALQ.

The same coordinator must always represent permanent groups unless exceptional circumstances arise.

A group legally constituted as a not-for-profit or profit-making company or general partnership is ineligible for this program.

Applicants may apply as individuals or members of an artists' group.

Each member of the artists' group must satisfy the eligibility criteria governing the mid-career or development grant categories, depending on the discipline.

In the interest of stylistic simplicity, the term “applicant” is sometimes used.


General eligibility criteria
To apply for a grant, an artist must be a Canadian citizen or a landed immigrant as contemplated in section 2(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and in both instances must normally reside in Québec and have resided there over the past 12 months.

An artist who has lived outside Québec for two or more years is not eligible for the program unless he maintains his status as a Québec resident. In this instance, it is incumbent upon the artist to demonstrate his eligibility by confirming that he participates in the Québec health insurance plan (Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec).

If an applicant submits a project in a discipline other than the one in which he normally pursues his career, he must satisfy the eligibility criteria of the new discipline in which he is requesting a grant.


Specific eligibility criteria

All disciplines (except literature)

Development grant category:
Artists must have over two years of artistic practice in Québec or abroad.


Literature

Mid-career grant category:
The writer must have published at least two books in a context recognized by his peers or a minimum of five different texts in a context recognized by his peers and published in a literary genre eligible for a grant from the CALQ, i.e. a work of fiction or an essay devoted to the arts or literature. Publications in electronic format that have been subject to a selection process, publication and dissemination recognized by peers are eligible.

The storyteller and the spoken word artist in the literary field must have realized at least one solo creation in a context recognized by their peers.

A writer, a storyteller or a spoken word artist in the literary field whose literary and artistic achievements warrant his doing so may apply in a different category.

In the case of a project submitted by a writers' or a storytellers' group, it is the artistic profile of the coordinator that determines the category of grant requested. The coordinator must produce an activity report.


Development grant category:
The writer must have published at least six books in a context recognized by his peers in a literary genre eligible for a grant offered by the CALQ, i.e. a work of fiction or an essay devoted to the arts or literature. Publications in electronic format that have been subject to a selection process, publication and dissemination recognized by peers are eligible.

The storyteller and the spoken word artist in the literary field must have realized at least six solo creations in a context recognized by their peers.

A writer, a storyteller or a spoken word artist in the literary field whose literary and artistic achievements warrant his doing so may apply in a different category.

In the case of a project submitted by a group of writers, storytellers or spoken word artists in the literary field, it is the coordinator's artistic profile that determines the category of grant requested. The coordinator must produce an activity report.


Specific rules applying to travel grants
An applicant who has obtained a grant under this section may only submit a new application in the travel section if he has submitted his final report. The CALQ must have approved this report.

An applicant who has already received financial support pursuant to one of the CALQ's grant programs must submit a Report on the use of the grant within three months of the completion of his project or prior to submitting any new application. However, he may, under exceptional circumstances, submit an application for a travel grant if he complies with the following conditions:

• the project previously supported does not pertain to travel;
• the project supported has not been completed; or
• the project was completed less than three months ago.

An applicant may submit more than one application for a travel grant in a given fiscal year. However, he may not have more than one application for a travel grant simultaneously under assessment and may not obtain more than three travel grants in a fiscal year (from April 1 to March 31) or a maximum of $5 000.

The CALQ may not award a travel grant in respect of projects eligible under another of its programs nor award a travel grant pertaining to expenses already supported by a program of another organization, e.g. the Ministère de la Culture, des Communications et de la Condition féminine, the Ministère des Relations internationales, the Société de développement des entreprises culturelles, the Office franco-québécois pour la jeunesse, the Canada Council for the Arts. 

A new application may not be submitted in respect of a travel project that has been refused.



Submitting applications
Applicants must fill out the appropriate application form and be sure to submit all of the required documents. The application form is available on the CALQ's Web site.

A Grant application presentation guide is available on request from the CALQ and on its Web site.

Only the original copy of the form, signed by the artist or by each member of the artists' group, will be deemed valid. Applications may not be sent by fax or by email.

The form can be downloaded from the Application form section on the upper left-hand side of this page.


Contents of the file
A single copy of the registration file must be submitted (21.6 cm x 27.9 cm or 8½” x 11”). To facilitate photocopying, do not staple, bind or print the documents on both sides of the page.

The file must include:

• a description of the project;
• the curriculum vitae of the artist or the artists in the case of a group. In the case of digital arts, cinema and video, include all mentions of public and professional dissemination (maximum of three pages per artist);
• the travel timetable and itinerary;
• the detailed budget for the project;
• a proof of registration or an invitation in the case of a project that calls for participation in a workshop, show, concert, conference, colloquium, biennial event, festival, symposium or any other event of this kind;
• in the case of travel linked to an exploratory mission abroad: submit written confirmation of meetings from the organizations with which the applicant is to meet or invitations from at least two recognized promoters (artists' centres, museums, contemporary arts centres, events, galleries, and so on).
  
  N.B.: Proposed exploratory missions abroad apply solely to the following disciplines: architectural research, arts and crafts, the digital arts, cinema and video and the visual arts.

• information on the host organization and its financial participation or that of other partners in the project; and in the case of music and popular song, photocopies of contracts or agreements, as the case may be;
• if need be, letters of undertaking from the collaborators and a description of their contribution to the project;
• if need be, a clipping file of not more than five pages containing photocopies of newspaper articles published during the previous five years.
• visual or sound documents comprising a maximum of two CDs, a DVD or 15 digital images of works produced over the past five years. A book or a copy of a manuscript or a collection of selected texts. In the case of a manuscript: one copy on 21.6 cm x 27.9 cm (8½" x 11") paper, printed on one side only.

See the Grant application presentation guide for technical information concerning supporting items and documents.

Only visual material, sound recordings and publications are returned to applicants within 90 days of the announcement of the results.

The CALQ is not responsible for the loss of submitted items or damage sustained by such items during shipping. Applicants are urged to avoid sending the originals of items or supporting material required for a grant application.

Subject to the provisions in the Act respecting Access to documents held by public bodies and the Protection of personal information, the CALQ respects the confidentiality of the documents and information in its possession and of those sent to it.

Applicants must promptly notify the CALQ of a change of address.


Processing of applications
Within four weeks of the reception of the application, the CALQ sends an e-mail acknowledgement to applicants who have an e-mail address. Applicants who submit their applications to the CALQ's offices receive a dated acknowledgement of receipt.

A program manager ascertains whether the applicant and the project satisfy the eligibility criteria.


Evaluation of applications
Travel grant applications are assessed on their merit, in light of the objectives and evaluation criteria specific to this section. The selection takes into account both the comparative value of the projects and the funds available.

If need be, the CALQ enlists the aid of assessors who give an opinion at the request of the management, which makes the final decision.

Assessors must be on the list of resource persons approved by the CALQ's board of directors.

Decisions are final and without appeal.


Ethics
Board members, members of juries, employees of the CALQ and assessors are subject to codes of ethics. All must act in good faith in performing their duties and refrain from taking part in any discussion concerning a grant application that risks creating a conflict of interest. Confidential or privileged information transmitted to them may not be used for personal reasons.


Awarding of grants
The CALQ establishes the amount in light of the funds available, budgets submitted and eligible expenses. The maximum amounts offered under this section may not be increased, even in the case of a group project.

The entire amount of the grant will be paid within one month of the announcement.

In accordance with tax legislation, an artist is bound to declare the amount of the grant he receives. The CALQ issues a tax slip to each grant recipient and to each member of an artists' group and submits the list of grant recipients to the ministère du Revenu.

By cashing a grant cheque, the artist undertakes to carry out the project planned and to comply with the conditions governing the payment of the grant.

When an artist is unable to carry out part or all of the activity covered by the application, or a major change is made to the project or work schedule, he must promptly contact the CALQ to make the appropriate arrangements. Should the artist fail to comply with this condition, the CALQ may demand repayment of the grant.

The grant recipient or the coordinator in the case of an artists' group undertakes to submit a detailed report on the use of the grant or the results of the research and a summary of expenses incurred, using the Report on the use of the grant form provided by the CALQ. This report must be submitted not more than three months after the project's completion and must be approved by the CALQ.

When the project results in public activities such as performances or exhibitions, or in publications, the CALQ's logo or mention of its contribution must appear in information, promotional or advertising documents in order to inform the public of the use of cultural funding. Artists obtaining a grant must comply with standards governing the use of the CALQ's logo, as described in a document available from the CALQ or on its Web site.

Failure to comply with any of the foregoing conditions may jeopardize an artist's eligibility to submit a subsequent application.

Travel projects

Types of eligible projects (depending on the discipline)


Circus arts

• Participate as a resource person in a conference, a seminar, a symposium or a colloquium in conjunction with an artistic event;
• give a performance in a single event;
• engage in a research and creation residency;
• audition or participate in a competition.

Danse, Music, Popular song

• Participate as a resource person in a conference, a seminar, a symposium or a colloquium in conjunction with an artistic event;
• give a performance, concert or recital;
• attend a public presentation of his works;
• engage in a research and creation residency;
• audition or participate in a competition.

Digital arts, cinema and video

• Participate as a resource person in a conference, a seminar, a symposium or a colloquium in conjunction with an artistic event;
• participate in a proposed exploratory mission abroad that may lead to the presentation of an exhibition, a program, a dissemination project, or the selection of artistic works;
• engage in a research and creation residency;
• attend a specialized events when his works are presented.

Literature and storytelling

• Participate as a resource person in a conference, a seminar, a symposium or a colloquium in conjunction with an artistic or literary event;
• attend the launching of the author's book (the CALQ will give priority to launchings that include other activities implying the writer's participation as a resource person);
• give a show focusing on literature or stories;
• engage in a research and creation residency;
• give a creative writing workshop;
• participate in an exploratory activity that can lead to an artistic creation or translation project.

Multidisciplinary arts

• Participate as a resource person in a conference, a seminar, a symposium or a colloquium in conjunction with an artistic event;
• engage in a research and creation residency;
• give a performance or attend a public presentation of his works.

Theatre

• Participate as a resource person in a conference, a seminar, a symposium or a colloquium in conjunction with an artistic event;
• attend an event or a public presentation of his work in his capacity as an author or translator;
• attend the launching of a book or play of which the applicant is the author or translator;
• engage in a research and creation residency;
• perform at a given venue.

Visual arts, arts and crafts, architectural research

• Participate as a resource person in a conference, a seminar, a symposium or a colloquium in conjunction with an artistic event;
• attend the opening of significant exhibitions of his works or participate as an exhibitor at specialized shows; (in the case of arts and crafts, the CALQ will favour participation in exhibitions accompanied by other artistic activities involving the artist's contribution as a resource person);
• engage in a research and creation residency;
• participate in a proposed exploratory mission abroad that may lead to the presentation of an exhibition, a program, a dissemination project, or the selection of artistic works.

Types of ineligible projects (all disciplines)

• Travel already effected at the time of submission of the application;
• transportation or works only;
• give workshops.

Type of ineligible project (dance, music and popular song only)

• Participate in academic auditions.

Eligible expenses

• Land, sea and air transportation expenses;
• travel-related expenses such as vaccinations, visas, insurance, and so on;
• expenses related to the translation of literary works (literature only);
• staying expenses (accommodation and meals) up to a maximum of $125 per day in Canada and $200 per day outside Canada are granted to an artist or to each member of an artists' group.

Maximum amounts eligible
The applicant determines the amount requested according to the destination.

An applicant may not obtain more than three travel grants per fiscal year (April 1 to March 31) or a maximum of $5 000.

In the case of travel in Canada, the destination must be more than 400 km from the artist's place of residence.

Travel must commence at the place of residence of an artist in Québec.

Applications may encompass more than one destination on the same trip. The maximum amount of the grant is set according to the farthest destination.

The maximum amounts are determined by the destination:

• Québec (except Îles-de-la-Madeleine), Ontario and the Maritimes (except Newfoundland): $750;
• Nord du Québec (except Nunavik), Îles-de-la-Madeleine, other provinces of Canada (including Newfoundland) and New England (Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine): $1 000;
• Nunavik, United States (except New England), Europe and Mexico: $2 000;
• Africa, Asia, Oceania, Central America and South America: $2 500.

However, the CALQ takes into account the travel costs assumed by an artist living in an outlying area who must travel more than 400 km to an international airport in Québec. An applicant who satisfies this criterion will receive a maximum additional amount of $750 allocated for a trip in Québec, in addition to the maximum allowed in respect of his final destination outside Québec.

These expenses are applicable to each member of a group provided that they do not exceed the maximum eligible amount.

In addition to the maximum amounts eligible by destination, the CALQ may also cover collection charges, customs clearance expenses and the cost of transporting art works and equipment, up to a maximum of $2 000.


Evaluation criteria

• Interest and relevance of the project;
• quality of the artistic work;
• feasibility of the project.

Registration
At any time

The applicant must be sure to provide the documents indicated in the Contents of the file section in the general information before submitting his application.

Incomplete applications are ineligible.

The applicant must complete the travel grant application form.

Mailing address
The mailing address where the applications must be sent varies according to each discipline and is indicated on the application form.

The CALQ deems the postmark to be the date of reception of the application.


Decision
The CALQ will inform the applicant of its decision in writing eight weeks after he has submitted the application.

When an application is approved, the applicant will receive along with the approval letter, a document outlining all the terms and conditions governing the use of the grant.