Thank you to everyone who came out on to see I Have No Idea on tour this past fall. It was a tremendous success. We played to over 1,000 people in 11 communities across Saskatchewan. The shows received standing ovations, and the talk-backs were heartfelt, informative, and full of information-sharing and community-building.
We are grateful to Listen To Dis’ Community Arts Organization for producing and presenting the tour, and for the support of the many funders and organizations that made the tour possible. Without granting institutions, community partners, and sponsorships, we would not have been able to do any of this work.
As federal grants in our neighbour to the south are in jeopardy, it’s important to remember that grants provide income for thousands of Saskatchewanians, and Canadians in general, each year. The cost of writing, workshopping, editing, rehearsing, and producing live theatre is high, and it’s not feasible to pass on the entire cost to ticket-buyers. From designers to directors to playwrights, actors, crew, administration, equipment and venue rentals, and a myriad of other hidden (to the audience) expenses, we rely on our public funders. And we work damn hard to get that funding, and to create work that matters. I Have No Idea, over the course of its creation, development, and first two productions, received over $70,000 in combined grant funding from SK Arts, the Canada Council for the Arts, and Creative Saskatchewan. These productions, with On Cue Performance Hub and Live Five, nonetheless required ticket sales to break even and ensure equitable pay.
The arts are not the only set of industries that rely on grants for assistance. Seems obvious, but sometimes we forget. So if you were impacted by a performance of I Have No Idea, and you want to continue supporting the work of In The Headlights and other organizations, cast your vote for the parties that pledge to maintain (or, dare we hope, increase!) funding for non-profits. And if you’re inclined to support us directly, you can make a donation here.
“Remember our proud history of social justice, universal health care, public pensions and making sure no one is left behind. Let’s continue to move forward.”
- Jack Layton
In The Headlights 