FINANCES

Budgeting

Once you’ve decided to go on tour, it’s crucial that you prepare a tour budget. This should include a conservative estimate of your revenues, along with all of your potential expenses. This will help protect you from running out of funds mid-way through your trip.

As an artist you may generate revenue on the road through artist fees for performances and workshops, merchandise sales, sponsorships, donations, and government grants. If you are unsure of how much to charge for your presentations, check out CARFAC's minimum fee schedule, or find out what other comparable artists charge. The Canada Council for the Arts and the Conseil des arts et des letters offer many financial awards for touring artists. To find out more about artist grants, check out the English Language Arts Network's Arts Service's Kit. 

Your expenses will include not only basic travel expenses, but also rehearsal expenses, sales costs, salaries, and post-touring expenses. Don’t forget to save your receipts when you are travelling, as many of your costs may be tax deductible. In order to maximize your revenues relative to your costs, consider asking presenters about the possibility of organizing value-adding activities for while you are in community.

For more information about tour finances, check out the Canada Council's Touring Handbook.