Image depicting people paddling in a canoe
Holy Crow Arts, Keepers of the Salish Sea. Photo: Georgie Lawson

Council approves more than $1 million in cultural grants to advance cultural vitality, equity and Reconciliation

December 10 2025 –

Today, Vancouver City Council approved $1.18 million in grants to support 44 cultural organizations that advance equity, Indigenous leadership in the arts, cultural infrastructure and public art programming.

This marks the fourth installment of Vancouver’s 2025 annual arts and culture grant awards, bringing total City arts and culture grant funding for 2025 to more than $16 million.

"Arts and culture are essential to Vancouver’s identity and quality of life, especially as we work to build a more fun, exciting and vibrant city,” said Mayor Ken Sim. “These grants reflect our ongoing commitment to sustaining cultural programs and spaces so that creativity and community can thrive."

The grant awards were the result of a rigorous staff and peer-driven assessment processes. They include: 

  • 24 Cultural Equity and Accessibility Funding (CEAF) grants totalling $505,500. Introduced in 2020 as part of Culture|Shift, Vancouver’s 10-year arts and culture plan, CEAF grants provide core funding to organizations led by, and for, equity-deserving and accessibility-focused communities. 

    Recipients include: Black Arts Society, Dragon Boat Festival, Hogan’s Alley Society, Love Intersections Society, Vancouver Asian Film Festival and others. 
     
  • 12 Cultural Indigenous Funding (CIF) grants totalling $324,500 and Indigenous Language Revitalization grants totalling $75,000. Launched in 2019 to advance Reconciliation goals, CIF grants support Indigenous arts, culture and language initiatives by providing core funding for organizations led by Indigenous communities. These grants also support self-determined language and culture projects led by xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam Indian Band), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation).

    Recipients include: Aeriosa Dance Society, Indigenous Fashion Week, Holy Crow Arts Society, Native Hip Hop Society, Canoe Cultures Society and others. 
  • $160,000 in continued annual funding for public art programming at 1100 West Georgia. Since 2009, the City has partnered on the “Offsite” program to showcase temporary public art exhibitions at 1100 West Georgia.  Building on this legacy, the City’s Public Art program will launch “Art Atlas” to continue commissioning large-scale, rotating artworks by local and international artist at this site.
     
  • $175,000 to the Vancouver Concert Hall and Theatre Society for Phase II of a Cultural Precinct Feasibility Study. Building on Phase I findings that Vancouver needs more performing arts spaces, the study will explore technical and financial feasibility, potential sites and venue options for a future cultural precinct.
     
  • $70,000 in grants to support cultural redress commitments. Strategic one-time grants to Chinatown Society Heritage Buildings Association, Japanese Canadian Interpretive Centre Society and Khalsa Diwan Society to support capacity building for the preservation, restoration and stewardship of significant cultural assets. 

To learn more, read the full council report here: https://council.vancouver.ca/20251210/documents/cfsc4.pdf (329 KB)

What our community partners are saying

“We are deeply grateful to the City of Vancouver for their generous support. This grant will allow our organization, Black Block Association, to expand our annual programming and create more spaces for community engagement. We will continue fostering spaces that celebrate Black culture alongside the City’s unwavering support. Together, we are building a stronger, more inclusive Vancouver and we look forward to seeing you at the annual Black Block Party.” Chidinma Agu, Black Block Association

"We are deeply grateful for the City’s support which strengthens All Bodies Dance Project’s ability to offer barrier-free, community-rooted dance opportunities. This funding empowers us to create innovative, inclusive work that celebrates diversities in all its forms -  body, mind, age, gender, background and experience – enriching Vancouver’s cultural landscape and ensuring more residents feel seen, welcomed and connected through the arts." Naomi Brand, All Bodies Dance Project

“Cultural Indigenous Funding is a big step for Holy Crow to embark on a voyage to reach its full potential. We aim to weave intriguing storylines, interdisciplinary forms and Coast Salish art practices in collaboration with our relations, creating beguiling tales that seek to honour our ancestors. CIF enables us to share opportunities with local Indigenous folks to be key players in developing and producing culturally rich artistic work.” Justin Neal, Holy Crow Arts

The City’s arts and culture grants support Council’s strategic priority to build a vibrant, diverse and culturally rich city. The arts and culture grants program aligns with the City’s 10-year culture plan, and cultural infrastructure plan, and advances the City’s Reconciliation, Equity, Healthy City and Accessibility goals.

The distribution and impact of cultural grant streams and other grants are reported through the City of Vancouver’s annual Grant Impact Report.