COVID-19 (Coronavirus) update
April 3, 2020
Operating or Annual Assistance Grants: no risk to funding if events or activities are cancelled or postponed
Council approved 2020 Cultural Grants (Operating, Annual Assistance, Projects, Cultural Learning and Sharing) PDF file (448 KB).
This means core funding will not be impacted and can allow for additional uses to cover eligible costs incurred, and reasonable costs of cancellations, as a result of COVID-related impacts. Given the rapidly-changing nature of the pandemic, we understand that you may be unable to contact the office prior to making programming or operational changes, but please keep us informed when you can.
2020 Project Grant recipients: options for scheduled events or activities
If you have events or activities scheduled between now and June 30, 2020 (and even after that), you have a few options:
- Cancel the event and decline the grant if no costs have been incurred and there is no possibility to postpone the event to another time or modify the event. If you make this hard decision, please be assured that these funds will contribute to addressing critical needs arising from the pandemic. You have the option to make another application for 2021 funding.
- Postpone the event or activities to a date later in the year, into the fall 2020 season or 2021.
- Change the event or apply the funds to another project that still fulfills the intent of the initial project and mission of the organization.
We'll try to be as flexible as possible with the use of the grant that has just been allocated. Please call your program staff lead to discuss the option that makes sense for you.
Under normal circumstances, all previously funded projects must be complete prior to the next deadline for Project Grant funding.
If you need to postpone your project or event until after your next scheduled grant application deadline, we'll consider the following options:
- If the previously funded event is confirmed, we can consider an application for a different project for 2021 funding.
- If the event is unconfirmed, we may still consider an application for a separate project. If funding for a separate project for 2021 is approved, it may be made conditional upon confirmation of the event going forward in 2021 before funding can be released.
What to do if you receive funding but your plans change
We'll aim to help you find creative and flexible approaches to uphold the original intention of your funded project, even if that means adapting timeline or scope, or doing work in the community by virtual means. Please contact your program staff lead to discuss significant changes, such as cancellations, adjustments in scope, or date changes beyond the original project end date.
For minor changes to your plans, you don't need to contact us. Just mention the changes in your final report.
A vibrant arts and cultural scene is important to any truly livable city.
The City's Cultural Grants Program supports a wide range of arts and cultural activity in Vancouver.
Is your non-profit arts or cultural organization:
- Producing or presenting ongoing arts and cultural activities in Vancouver?
- Planning a cultural project or event?
You may be eligible for funding through the following Cultural Grant streams:
- Project Grants
- Annual Assistance Grants
- Operating Grants
Learn about funding, eligibility, terms and conditions, evaluation criteria, and process for each grant stream, below.
Applicants who are deaf or live with a disability and need support to complete their grant applications may access support to cover the costs of assistance from service providers. Please contact our program staff lead for more information.
What's happening
On September 11, 2019, Vancouver City Council unanimously approved Culture|Shift: Blanketing the City in Arts and Culture Vancouver Culture Plan 2020-2029.
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Project Grants
Is your non-profit arts or cultural organization researching, developing, creating, sharing or presenting a one-time creative project or a time-limited series or season of artistic events?
Project grants support projects and events in any artistic discipline - Indigenous arts and culture, dance, interdisciplinary arts, literary arts, media arts, multidisciplinary arts, music, theatre, visual arts, and heritage.
Projects supported through this program:
- Share stories of the distinct place and diverse cultures and peoples of Vancouver and these unceded lands
- Support heritage or services to the arts and culture sector
- Align with key directions of Culture|Shift, the City’s new Culture plan
Applications closed -
Annual Assistance Grants
Is your professional organization in a growth phase of development with a mission to:
- Create, produce, present, and share artistic work in any discipline?
- Provide professional services or space that benefits the arts sector?
Artistic disciplines can include Indigenous arts, community arts, dance, interdisciplinary arts, literary arts, media arts, multidisciplinary arts, music, theatre, and visual arts.
Annual Assistance Grants can offer consistent and reliable support to your organization to:
- Deliver artistic programs or services
- Strengthen organizational infrastructure to support the healthy growth of your organization
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Operating Grants
Is your professional organization in a mature phase of development with a mission to:
- Create, produce, present, and share artistic work in any discipline?
- Provide professional services or space that benefits the arts sector?
Artistic disciplines can include Indigenous arts, community arts, dance, interdisciplinary arts, literary arts, media arts, multidisciplinary arts, music, theatre, and visual arts.
Operating Grants can offer consistent, reliable support to your organization to create and run programs and services that sustain a dynamic arts community.
Grant recipients
2020 grant recipients:
2019 grant recipients:
2018 grant recipients:
Contact Cultural Services
Location address
Cultural Services
Woodward's Heritage Building
501 - 111 West Hastings St
Vancouver, BC V6B 1H4
Mailing address
Cultural Services
453 West 12th Ave
Vancouver, BC V5Y 1V4