General Information

The Outreach Program was established in 1985 to provide assistance to the membership and to new groups of Scottish country dancers. Its objectives are:

• To provide information and material assistance in the form of publications,
  recorded music and limited financial support to newly formed groups and to small
  existing groups, particularly those in remote areas.

• To help sponsor workshops for teachers, dancers and musicians.

• To assist small or fledgling groups obtain qualified teachers.

There are two types of support offered by the T.A.C. – start-up kits and outreach grants. Details are given below.  Completed application forms should be sent to the This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

1. Start -up Kits

Start-up information kits can be provided, free of charge, to applicants who are starting new groups in an area where there is currently no existing Scottish country dance group. Kits will be made up according to the needs of applicants and will usually consist of published dance descriptions, dancing instructions and recorded music on compact discs. The total value of the items in any kit will not exceed CAD 200.00. Note that the Teachers' Association (Canada) requires recipients of start-up kits to report on the progress of their dance groups in order to ascertain whether or not the material provided is proving beneficial.

2. Outreach Grants

Grants can be made to groups in accordance with the objectives of the Outreach Program. The amount of a grant may vary according to the needs of the applicants and the availability of funds but only up to a maximum of CAD 600.00. Note that the Teachers' Association (Canada) requires any group receiving a grant to report on the supported activity afterwards, including a full financial, income and expense statement.

a. Workshops or Special Events

Grants may be given to assist in offsetting the expense of teachers and/or musicians for workshops or special events. Such grants are aimed at helping groups with new activities that expand dancing opportunities in their areas, particularly those involving young dancers, or to help dancers experience teaching or music that would otherwise be prohibitively expensive owing to travel costs. Grants will not normally be given more than once to support a recurring event except in the case of Youth Activities.

b. Support for Teacher Candidates

Grants may be made to assist teacher candidates with travel expenses in years when there is a TAC sponsored examinations tour. Grants may be made also to assist small groups with travel expenses incurred in bringing tutors to prepare candidates in areas where there is no local tutor available. Grants will not be given to assist candidates attending classes at TAC Summer School as these are available from other sources.

c. Other Activities

Any application for a grant to support other activities, which may not be mentioned above, but which are consistent with the objectives of the Outreach Program will be considered by the Outreach Review Committee.