Cultural Grants Program

CASC grants support a wide range of short-term, one-time, or limited series arts, cultural, and creative projects delivered by registered non-profit organizations, societies, charities, registered co-ops, and local First Nation Band Councils that advance the goals of our culture plan, Culture|Shift. Non-incorporated collectives and individual artists from equity-denied communities may apply via a sponsor registered organization.

Information icon There are 2 application deadlines for 2025 projects. Grants range from $2,500 to $15,000.

Key dates for 2025 (subject to change)

Eligible projects and activities

CASC grants support projects:

• With an arts or culture focus
• In any artistic discipline (examples: Indigenous arts and culture, community-engaged arts, dance, literary, media, music, theatre, visual arts, multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary, cultural heritage)
• In any phase of a project, from research and development through to presentation
• In all forms (examples: exhibitions, performances, publications, presentations, video, film, media, radio, audio recordings, virtual, online-based creative initiatives, or community-engaged art or cultural projects led by professional artists, cultural workers, Elders, knowledge-keepers)
• Based in Vancouver or led by the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), or səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples and held on their traditional lands
• That engage artists and creative collaborators with the relevant skills, permission, knowledge, experience, and expertise to lead and contribute to the work
• That aim to compensate artists and cultural practitioners and minimum create sector standard rates

Examples of eligible project types and activities

• Community-engaged art and culture projects
  • Led by or involving artists, cultural workers, Elders, knowledge-keepers, that engage or collaborate with communities through:
    • Collaborative creative initiatives that address local interest or concerns
    • Neighbourhood-based projects that offer opportunities to participate in cultural life or produce creative work
• Festivals, celebrations, and parades
  • Free public cultural festivals and celebrations
  • Ticketed or free arts festivals in any creative discipline
  • Large-scale parades with a strong arts or cultural focus that can demonstrate the ability to attract a city-wide audience of over 10,000
• Artistic creation or production
  • Research, development, or staging of a single production or series of related curated or produced arts and cultural events, exhibitions, performances, residencies, publications, or programs

How to apply

1. Review the CASC information guide PDF file (424 KB)
2. New applicants: Contact a cultural planner to discuss the eligibility of your project and obtain access to the application form.

Application form preview

• 2025 CASC application form preview PDF file (706 KB)
• 2025 CASC application form preview Word file (443 KB)

Contact

Organizations with names starting with A to M:

• Marnie Rice, cultural planner
  Email: marnie.rice@vancouver.ca

Organizations with names starting with N to Z:

• Joyce Rosario, cultural planner
  Email: joyce.rosario@vancouver.ca

The COFA grant program provides core funding to Vancouver-based, professional non-profit arts, and cultural organizations to develop, create, produce, present, and disseminate artistic work, or provide professional services or space in any artistic discipline (examples: Indigenous arts and culture, community arts, dance, literary, media, multidisciplinary, museums/heritage, music, theatre, visual arts). 

Key dates

Eligible applicants

In an effort to achieve more equity in operating grants funding, groups with explicit commitments to equity in their mission, programs, practices, and people, will be prioritized for invitation to this program. To be considered for this program, organizations will:

• Have an existing funding relationship with City of Vancouver and have received strong community endorsement through prior peer assessments
• Have a clear mission and history of consistent annual delivery of arts and cultural programs, or services in support of the mission for at least three years
• Be physically located, have an active presence, and deliver programs and services within Vancouver, or if led by Musqueam, Squamish, or Tsleil-Waututh Nation members, held in their unceded traditional homelands
• Have paid professional and experienced leadership (either full-time or part-time staff members) in artistic or administrative roles
• Provide a healthy workplace for staff and volunteers through policies and practices meeting minimum industry standards (examples: WorkSafe BC, BC Human Rights Code)
• Make sure that in interactions or communications with and about City officials and staff, their staff and volunteers do not make statements or engage in conduct that could be characterized as threatening, intimidating, harassing, or discriminatory
• Provide equitable access to a diverse public in practice and policy with accessibility plans
• Have growing and diverse financial resources and practices and independently-prepared financial statements (ideally a review engagement)
• Compensate professional artists at minimum standard industry rates

To be considered for this program, contact staff between April and August before the deadline.

Requests are considered on a case-by-case basis, and groups are asked to provide more information on:

• Alignment with and advancing goals of our Culture Plan: Culture|Shift.
• Commitments to equity in mission, programs, practice, and people.
• Contribution to the diversity of creative stories of Vancouver through ongoing body of work or services and public demand
• Operational structure, financial management, and need for core support.

How to apply

1. Review the COFA Information Guide PDF file (464 KB).
2. Previous COFA applicants may apply online and will be emailed the access code.
3. New applicants are required to contact staff to indicate interest and will be assessed for eligibility and alignment. Important note We are no longer considering requests from new applicants for the 2025 intake. Contact us between April and August 2025 to be considered for the 2026 intake next fall.

Contacts

Miko Hoffman, cultural planner
Email: miko.hoffman@vancouver.ca
Phone: 604-673-8411

Brenda Grunau, cultural planner
Email: brenda.grunau@vancouver.ca
Phone: 604-871-6498

Download the application form Word file (68 KB)