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Improvements made to Creative Saskatchewan granting system

The Saskatchewan government announced an additional $7.5 million in funding for the Creative Saskatchewan Feature Film and Television Production Grant Program. File / Global News

SASKATOON – A couple of regulation changes will help the arts in the province. Creative Saskatchewan announced Tuesday that the threshold for approval for its grants has increased from $250,000 to $600,000.

This change enables the agency to award an additional $350,000 per applicant annually.

Additionally, funds received from third-party organizations no longer count towards an applicant’s funding threshold. This change in regulation includes third-party funds administered by Creative Saskatchewan.

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“[These changes] provide us with increased flexibility when funding our industry associations and larger program applicants,” said Creative Saskatchewan CEO JP Ellson.
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Regulation changes are the result of consultations with the creative industries.

The Saskatchewan Media Production Industry Association (SMPIA) says it is pleased with the provincial government’s improvements to the granting system.

“[It’s] a positive step towards rebuilding our screen-based media production industry and will now allow projects that are spending around $2 million locally each year to be made in the province without delay,” said SMPIA’s executive director Vanessa Bonk.

SMPIA says it’s looking forward to further refinement of the system.

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“Our goal is to be on an equal playing field with our neighbouring provinces and ensure that our home-grown success stories can be made here,” said SMPIA President Nova Alberts.

“Productions that are the size of Corner Gas: The Movie and WolfCop II will still face challenges filming here, and so our work is not yet done.”

Measures are in place to impartially distribute funds to five artistic industries, according to Creative Saskatchewan.

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