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The creative saskatchewan investment fund
Description of the policy/measure
Creative saskatchewan was established as a crown agency of the government of saskatchewan 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 by administering the creative saskatchewan investment fund via a suite of grants, mentoring opportunities, and investments in creative industry associations. since its establishment, the agency has been operating a variety of grants to support creative industries including: -production grants -marketing grants -export grants -business capacity, research and development grants several creative industry development associations receive significant operational and programs support via the creative saskatchewan investment fund including: -saskatchewan media production industry association: smpia represents members of the media and screen-based production industry of saskatchewan through communication, training and advocacy. -saskbooks: saskatchewan's provincial creative industry association for book publishers. they are a not-for-profit association whose members are book publishers operating in saskatchewan. -saskmusic: a non-profit, member-based association that represents, promotes and develops the artists and music industry of saskatchewan. saskmusic offers one-on-one guidance, workshops, marketing and export assistance, career development opportunities, peer sessions, artist and business listings, and more. -saskgalleries: the saskatchewan professional art galleries association is a not-for-profit, member-based organization that represents saskatchewan commercial art galleries who sell the art of local, national, and international artists, including more than 600 saskatchewan artists. the association promotes, develops and encourages the growth of saskatchewan professional commercial art galleries who exhibit and sell original works of art. -saskinteractive: represents members involved in the development of content-based interactive digital media, as well as consumers and stakeholders. our mission is to serve and support an entrepreneurial network of interactive producers, developers and designers. -saskatchewan craft council: the scc fosters an environment where excellence in craft is nurtured, recognized and valued. the scc supports saskatchewan craftspeople to flourish creatively and economically, and actively engages with saskatchewan's indigenous communities. -saskatchewan association of theatre professionals: satp drives economic growth in the live performing arts industry and facilitates creative development while working for increased public awareness and support for the theatre professionals and professional theatre. these investments strengthen creative sector economic impact while fulfilling creative saskatchewan's mandate to positively affect the gross domestic product (gdp) of the province of saskatchewan.
2005 Convention Monitoring Framework Goal(s)
Area(s) of Monitoring
Cultural Domain(s)
Transversal Priority(ies)
Results achieved
The screen-based media / feature film / television production grants provide a production incentive based on the amount of eligible spending in saskatchewan. to date, the grant has invested $7.2 million (usd), triggering at least $20 million (usd) in production spending in saskatchewan. the market travel grant covers up to 50% of a creative entrepreneur's travel costs to participate in creative industry marketing events around the world. since inception, saskatchewan's creative entrepreneurs have accessed the market travel grant to participate in more than 500 national and international marketing events. the market and export development grant covers up to half the expenses of a wide spectrum of marketing activities, materials and strategies. the grant has helped creative entrepreneurs launch marketing campaings for movies, books, albums, fine craft and more. other projects propelled by funding from this grant have included sales catalogues, improved websites, music videos, retail incubators, and more. the tour support grant has invested in more than 230 music tours, helping saskatchewan musicians take stages and win new audiences across north america, europe, asia and australia. grant recipients have reported that our grant programs a) had a significant impact on their businesses and b) helped them advance their business goals, scoring, on average, each category 4.51 and 4.56 out of 5 respectively.
Financial resources allocated to the policy
$23 million (usd) since 2013
Evaluation of the policy/measure
The most recent comprehensive review of creative saskatchewan took place 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. indicators used to assess successes of the crown agency included: alignment with saskatchewan's cultural policy and with sister agencies that support arts (saskatchewan arts board) and culture (saskculture); alignment with government direction; compliance with agency legislation; progress toward agency goals; and achievements in sector development, communications and client services. for more information on the consultation report, please see: https://www.saskatchewan.ca/government/public-consultations/creative-sas...