Short Description

SummerWorks is a leader, collaborator and community builder at the forefront of contemporary performance – supporting bold artistic exploration, reflecting on critical questions, and presenting creative expressions from diverse artists that reflect the complexity of our society.

Anchored by our annual SummerWorks Performance Festival in August, SummerWorks offers a year-round program of creation, presentation, and learning opportunities for artists and audiences.

Eligibility

  • Both national and international applicants are welcome. However, if you’re coming from outside Toronto / Ontario / Canada, you must cover your own travel, accommodation, per diem, freight costs, etc. The festival does not provide those.
  • Works across all performance disciplines are considered — theatre, dance, music, live art, interdisciplinary / multidisciplinary / immersive works.
  • They also accept works in non-traditional contexts: gallery, site-specific, alternative venues, public space, outdoor, digital/online.

How to Apply

Online Application

Program Benefits & Awards

Projects curated from this Call for Submissions will be provided a guaranteed fee of $1,000 CAD to $5,000
CAD (depending on the overall scale of the project and number of performances).

The guaranteed fee is a Presentation Fee provided for the performance(s) in the Festival. The
guaranteed fees are based on industry recommendations from various organizations, including CARFAC,
CAEA, and CADA East.
The Festival provides a robust framework, which includes a venue, select technical staff, an overall
Festival lighting designer, Festival publicity and marketing, technical and performance scheduling, and box
office, front-of-house, and volunteer coordination and management. SummerWorks does not provide a stage manager for any Festival projects, and it is expected that all artists include this role/position as part
of their own creative team.

Selected projects are typically offered 1-3 performances/showings in a Festival venue or location.
Short-form projects (40 minutes or less) are considered for presentation within shared double or triple
bills, or as multiple shorter performances, providing the opportunity for audience cross-over and greater

access and attendance. The number of performances/showings for outdoor, online, site-specific or site-
responsive projects, immersive environments, as well as projects designed for a small audience capacity,

will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

Entry Fee

None

Location

Toronto, Canada

Timeline

  • Application Deadline: 5 November 2025

Website Link: https://summerworks.ca/