FACTOR Live Performance
Offered by FACTOR
Who can apply
Canadian artists with a rated artist profile and an approved applicant profile. You need a current release, out no more than 24 months before you submit, or one due within six months of the last tour or showcase date. Showcase is open to all rated artists; Tour Support is for Artist 2 and 3, with General artists eligible for domestic (Canada only) tour support. The deadline structure differs by rating and this is the part people get wrong: Artist 2 and 3 submissions are ROLLING and can be made several times a year up to the funding maximum, at least one day before the trip starts, while General Artist domestic tour projects may only be submitted at the fixed deadlines of 1 June, 1 September and 1 December 2026.
About this opportunity
FACTOR's Live Performance program covers the cost of getting Canadian artists on stage, at home and abroad, through two streams: Tour Support for a run of contracted, paid dates, and Showcase for playing an industry event where the audience is bookers, agents, managers and labels rather than the public. You need a rated FACTOR artist profile, an approved applicant profile, and either a current release (out within the last two years) or one due within six months of the tour or showcase. Showcase is open to any rated artist; Tour Support is for Artist 2 and 3, and General-rated artists can only claim domestic touring within Canada. The artist applies and pays the costs directly — a manager or label can fill in the form but can't bill the artist back. Annual maximums run from CA$7,500 for General artists (CA$5,000 of that for domestic touring) up to CA$37,500 for Artist 3, with awards calculated by formula and capped at 75% of eligible costs, usually half paid on acceptance and the rest on completion. Artist 2 and 3 can apply on a rolling basis, at least a day before travel; General Artist domestic tours only go in at fixed deadlines, the next being 1 December 2026. Tour applications need booking confirmations and a budget; Showcase applications need a showcase invitation and an invited-industry list.
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Frequently asked questions
- When is the deadline for FACTOR Live Performance?
- The current deadline is December 1, 2026.
- Who offers FACTOR Live Performance?
- FACTOR runs it, from Canada.
- What funding or support does FACTOR Live Performance offer?
- Annual maximums by FACTOR artist rating: General artists up to CA$7,500 in showcase support (max CA$5,000 of it domestic) plus up to CA$5,000 in Canadian tour support; Artist 2 up to CA$32,500 combined; Artist 3 up to CA$37,500 combined. Within the tour component the domestic cap is CA$15,000 at both levels. Awards are formula-based and capped at 75 percent of eligible costs, usually paid 50 percent on acceptance and the rest on completion.
- Who can apply for FACTOR Live Performance?
- From the funder's description, it's aimed at artists. Canadian artists with a rated artist profile and an approved applicant profile. You need a current release, out no more than 24 months before you submit, or one due within six months of the last tour or showcase date. Showcase is open to all rated artists; Tour Support is for Artist 2 and 3, with General artists eligible for domestic (Canada only) tour support. The deadline structure differs by rating and this is the part people get wrong: Artist 2 and 3 submissions are ROLLING and can be made several times a year up to the funding maximum, at least one day before the trip starts, while General Artist domestic tour projects may only be submitted at the fixed deadlines of 1 June, 1 September and 1 December 2026.
- How do I apply for FACTOR Live Performance?
- You apply on the funder's own site. The link is on this page: with a free GrantGigs account for deadlines in the next 30 days, or with Pro for later ones. If applications are new to you, our guide on how to apply for music grants walks through the whole process. Read the guide →
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FACTOR Live Performance