ACTRA Toronto is excited to announce the Permit Access Fund
The Permit Access Fund aims to help reduce barriers and create a pathway for performers from historically underrepresented communities (Black, Indigenous, Persons of Colour, 2SLGBTQIA+ and Persons with Disabilities/People who experience disability) to work toward gaining access to full membership in the union. Producers and Performers can apply to the Fund to cover 50% of a Principal Performer or Actor’s work permit fee for qualifying Productions under ACTRA Toronto’s Low Budget Guideline.
How It Works
- The bursary will cover 50% of a Principal Performer or Actor’s work permit fee for low-budget Productions under ACTRA Toronto’s Low Budget Guideline* (LBG).
- Eligible Productions engaging a qualifying non-union performer as a Principal Performer or Actor under the LBG, may apply to the Permit Access Fund by connecting with their ACTRA Toronto Business Representative. ACTRA Apprentices and ACTRA Additional Background Performers (AABP) engaged in qualifying productions can apply to the Permit Access Fund directly by contacting the Production’s ACTRA Toronto Business Representative.
- Available to Performers who self-identify with one or more of the following communities: Black, Indigenous, Persons of Colour, 2SLGBTQIA+ and/or Persons with Disabilities/People who experience disability.
*The LBG is available to first-time and emerging Producers working with emerging and diverse Performers to create Productions for theatrical or festival use.
Eligibility Criteria
- The Production must fall under ACTRA Toronto’s jurisdiction.
- The Performer must reside in ACTRA Toronto’s jurisdiction.
- The Production must complete the signatory ACTRA Toronto paperwork to qualify for the Permit Access Fund.
- Performer must be a Canadian citizen or a Permanent Resident.
- Performer must be an ACTRA Apprentice, ACTRA Additional Background Performer (AABP)+, or non-union Performer.
- Performer must be eligible to become an ACTRA Apprentice or is already an Apprentice+.
- The role being cast must fall under a Principal Performer or Actor category+.
- Performer must self-identify with one or more of the following communities: Black, Indigenous, Persons of Colour, 2SLGBTQIA+ and/or Persons with Disabilities/People who experience disability. If the Performer has not already voluntarily self-identified themselves to the Production, we ask that Producers please respect the Performer’s privacy by not asking specifics about how the Performer identifies within these communities.
+For more information on these terms, please see our Glossary.
Application Process
Permits for ACTRA Apprentices and AABP
- After being cast in a qualifying Production, Performers can apply to the Permit Access Fund through the ACTRA Toronto Business Representative assigned to the production.
- Once ACTRA Toronto confirms the signatory paperwork has been submitted, the Performer will be provided with the Permit Access Fund Performer Form where they can self-identify confidentially.
- After the Permit Access Fund Performer Form has been reviewed, the ACTRA Toronto Business Representative assigned to the Production will notify the Performer once a decision is made.
Permits for non-union Performers
- After completing the signatory ACTRA Toronto paperwork, eligible Productions may then apply to the Permit Access Fund through their ACTRA Toronto Business Representative.
- Once eligibility is confirmed, ACTRA Toronto will provide Producers with a link to a form to share with Performers where they can self-identify confidentially.
- After the Permit Access Fund Performer Form has been reviewed, the ACTRA Business Representative assigned to the Production will notify you once a decision is made.
Frequently Asked Questions
ACTRA Toronto Performers
How do I apply to the Permit Access Fund?
ACTRA Apprentices and AABP: You can apply directly to the Fund by completing the Permit Access Fund Performer Form, which you can access through the ACTRA Business Representative assigned to the Production.
Non-union Performers: Please refer to this heading under the Producer section of the FAQ.
How soon will I be notified about the decision on my application?
ACTRA Apprentices and AABP: After ACTRA Toronto confirms receipt of the required signatory paperwork from the Production and the completed Permit Access Fund Performer Form, the Performer will be notified once a decision is made.
Non-union Performers: After ACTRA Toronto receives the required signatory paperwork and the completed Permit Access Fund Performer Form, the Producer will be notified once a decision has been made.
Can I apply to the Permit Access Fund more than once?
Performers can apply to the Permit Access Fund for all three (3) of their qualifying Apprentice credits.
Can I apply to the Permit Access Fund for a past permit?
No. Performers can only apply to the Permit Access Fund for permits on Productions that have not yet filmed.
Why do I need to self-identify in the Performer application form?
This initiative is intended to support Performers who identify as belonging to the Black, Indigenous, Persons of Colour, 2SLGBTQIA+ and/or Persons with Disabilities/People who experience disability communities.
ACTRA Toronto relies on the Performer to self-identify and indicate the communities to which they belong. The Permit Access Fund Performer Form allows the Performer to self-identify within these communities in a confidential manner.
ACTRA Toronto is committed to maintaining your confidentiality, and the details of how you self-identify will not be shared publicly or with the Producer/Production.
Why should I join ACTRA?
ACTRA is a national union of professional Performers standing together to negotiate fair pay, decent working conditions and respectful treatment in the workplace. We welcome new members and look forward to working with you as you develop your career as a Performer. Learn more about the process and many benefits of joining ACTRA.
What happens after my first qualifying work permit?
After your first work permit, you now qualify to join ACTRA as an Apprentice! ACTRA’s Apprentice Program allows Performers who are new to ACTRA to work on ACTRA sets and earn credits toward Full membership.
What happens after my third qualifying work permit?
After your third qualifying work permit is processed, ACTRA Toronto’s Membership Department will provide you with the information needed to become a Full member. If you are an Apprentice, you can deduct the expenses of any qualifying credits earned as an Apprentice, as well as your initial Apprentice membership fee, from the total cost of your Full membership fee.
When a third qualifying work permit is issued through the Permit Access Fund, Performers are granted additional time to join the union and qualify for installments on their Full membership fee. This option is available to all Performers in need, not just those affiliated with the Permit Access Fund. For more information about this option, regardless of your involvement with the Permit Access Fund, please contact ACTRA Toronto’s Membership Department.
Producers
How do I apply to the Permit Access Fund?
Non-union Performers: The application process starts with the Producer, who is responsible for paying permit fees for non-union Performers under the Low Budget Guideline. After completing the signatory ACTRA Toronto paperwork, Producers should contact their ACTRA Business Representative to discuss access to the Permit Access Fund. Once eligibility is confirmed, Producers will receive a link to the Permit Access Fund Performer Form, which they can share with the Performer for confidential self-identification. Applications for the Permit Access Fund are not considered complete until all signatory paperwork and the Permit Access Fund Performer Form are submitted. The Production will be notified once a decision has been made.
ACTRA Apprentices and AABP: Please refer to this heading under the Performer section of the FAQ.
Under which ACTRA agreements can I apply to access the Permit Access Fund?
Work permits for Productions filmed under the ACTRA Toronto Low Budget Guideline are eligible to apply to the Permit Access Fund.
Can I apply to the Permit Access Fund more than once?
Producers may submit up to two (2) permit requests for non-union Performers per Production, and up to eight (8) permit requests in total across four (4) different Productions within a 12-month period, or until the Fund has been fully disbursed. Please note that one application must be submitted per permit request.
Can I apply to the Permit Access Fund for a past permit?
No. Producers can only apply to the Permit Access Fund for permits on productions that have not yet filmed.
How soon will I be notified about the decision on my application?
After ACTRA Toronto receives the required signatory paperwork and the completed Permit Access Fund Performer Form(s), the Producer will be notified once a decision has been made.
Is there a deadline to submit an application to the Permit Access Fund?
Applications to the Fund will be reviewed and processed on a first come, first served basis.
