Cultural Grants Program

Eligible applicants

You can apply for this grant if your organization is a Vancouver-based:

• Nonprofit society
• Community service co-op legally registered with BC Registry and Services
• Registered charity with the Canadian Revenue Agency (CRA)
• Local First Nation Band Council

To receive funding, your organization must:

• Be incorporated for at least six months
• Have an active presence and have programs and services delivered within Vancouver, or if led by either the xʷməθkʷəy̓ əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) or səl̓ilwətaɁɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, held in their unceded traditional homelands upon which Vancouver sits
• Provide equitable access to programs and services to a broad diverse public
• Have an active Board of Directors composed of volunteers representative of the mission and people served
• Have skilled leadership, and be working with artists and creative collaborators with the relevant lived experience, permission, knowledge, skills and expertise to lead and contribute to the work
• Compensate professional artists at minimum creative sector standard rates
• Have diverse revenue sources (earned, private, and public) for the project
• Compensate professional artists; preferably at minimum standard industry rates
• Provide financial statements with signatures of two Board members for the most recently completed fiscal year, including a Balance Sheet and Income/Expense Statement. Financial statements are preferably independently prepared as a Review Engagement or Notice to Reader
• Have completed all previous projects funded through Cultural Services and can report on the most recent City-funded project in the current application, or have written approval from a Cultural Planner to submit an application if the previous project is not complete by the time of the application deadline
• Have not submitted other applications for Project, Operating or Community Arts grants for the same calendar year

We don't fund:

• Organizations that do not have arts and cultural mandates
• Projects that do not meet the program goals and eligibility criteria
• Projects where the central focus or theme is not artistic or cultural
• Activity taking place outside Vancouver city limits, unless led by either xʷməθkʷəy̓ əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səl̓ilwətaɁɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nation members and held in their unceded traditional homelands upon which Vancouver sits
• Other City departments and branches including community centres
• Publicly-funded or private educational institutions
• Social service, religious, sports organizations or clubs

Eligible projects

• A single production, show, or a series of related curated or produced arts and cultural events, performances or programs
• Project development (building partnerships, research)
• Collaborative creative initiatives that involve professional artists and community members that address local interests or concerns
• Projects related to cultural heritage initiated through museums, archives or other professional heritage organizations
• Projects that develop distinctive approaches or collaborations to deliver programs or share services and resources
• Conferences or symposia that offer significant learning and networking opportunities for artists, organizations, and public
• Artistic Residencies that facilitate learning, artistic development and cultural exchange between professional artists and host organizations
• Artistic or Administrative Mentorships that facilitate learning opportunities for professional artists and administrators wishing to gain training with professionals in host organizations.
• Outdoor projects that have received civic approval from the appropriate departments (evidence of permits or approvals may be required) 

The funding cannot pay for:

• Core artistic training and in-class activity
• Ongoing operations, deficit reduction or capital projects
• Activity taking place before the application deadline
• Fundraising or commercially-oriented activity
• Bursaries of scholarships
• Contests or competitions

How to apply

1. Read the Project Grant Program Information Guide PDF file (179 KB)

   The guide explains:

   • Grant objectives
   • Eligibility
   • Assessment criteria and process
   • Conditions of assistance
   • Confidentiality
   • Additional resources
2. Contact a cultural planner to:
   • Discuss your eligibility
   • Access the online application form
   • Receive valuable advice

   Aliyah Amarshi, Cultural Planner
   604-829-9876
   aliyah.amarshi@vancouver.ca

Eligible applicants

All requests will be considered on a case by case basis according to the existing funding relationship with the City and organizational readiness.

Read the characteristics of an Annual Assistance organization and Eligibility sections of the Program Guide before contacting the lead staff for more information.

1. Read the information guide PDF file (352 KB)

   The guide explains:

   • New directions and goals in Culture | Shift Culture Plan 2019 - 2029
   • Grants and awards guiding principles
   • Annual assistance grant program goals
   • Expectations of an annual assistance organization
   • Eligibility
   • Grant amounts
   • Equitable funding
   • Assessment process
   • Considerations for working with Indigenous artists
   • Recommendation process
   • Terms and conditions of assistance
   • Glossary and additional City resources
2. Contact Cultural Services for referral to a cultural planner to:
   • Discuss your organization eligibility
   • Receive valuable advice

   Marnie Rice
   604-871-6634
   marnie.rice@vancouver.ca

   Douglas Durand
   604-871-6007
   douglas.durand@vancouver.ca

Eligible applicants

All requests will be considered on a case by case basis according to the existing funding relationship with the City and organizational readiness.

Read the characteristics of an Operating Assistance organization and Eligibility sections of the Program Guide before contacting the lead staff for more information.

1. Read the information guide PDF file (360 KB)

   The guide explains:

   • New directions and goals in Culture | Shift Culture Plan 2019 - 2029
   • Grants and awards guiding principles
   • Operating grant program goals
   • Expectations of an operating organization
   • Eligibility
   • Grant amounts
   • Equitable funding
   • Assessment process
   • Considerations for working with Indigenous artists
   • Recommendation process
   • Terms and conditions of assistance
   • Glossary and additional City resources
2. Contact Cultural Services for referral to a cultural planner by to:
   • Discuss your organization eligibility
   • Receive valuable advice

   Cherryl Masters
   604-871-6498
   cherryl.masters@vancouver.ca