Vancouver Announces Process to Invest $1 Million in Arts and Culture Sector

On July 27, 2005, the City of Vancouver, through its Office of Cultural
Affairs launched a process to distribute an increase of $1 million to the
2005 cultural grants budget. In addition, a new Theatre Rental (Projects)
Grant has been designed to provide access to new and occasional users of the
Vancouver Civic Theatres. These new funds are in addition to the funds that
will be distributed as part of the regular fall grants processes for
ArtsPOD, Community Public Art and Celebration Grants.

The proposal for distributing the additional $1 million in grant funds were
designed with the support of the City Creative Task Force after community
consultations in May/June 2005. The Task Force concluded that the following
grants streams reflected the input of the majority of the community and
would provide the broadest benefit to the not-for-profit arts and cultural
community:

* Supplemental grants to rebalance funding levels to existing
2005 Operating Grant recipients;

* Supplemental grants to rebalance funding levels to existing
2005 Project Grant recipients;

* An increase to the Diversity Initiatives Grants program;

* An additional (3rd) Project Grant deadline for new projects
planned for the period November 5, 2005 to March 31, 2005; and

* A new Theatre Rental (Projects) Grant to assist new and
diverse organizations seeking to present events in the Civic Theatres (the
Orpheum, Vancouver Playhouse, or Queen Elizabeth Theatre) before March 31,
2006.

Deadlines for the new initiatives:

Supplemental grants to existing Operating and Project
clients
~ Two page submission by September 7, 2005

Increased Diversity Initiative funds
~ Application submissions by September 7, 2005 (revised from
October 3, 2005)

New (3rd) Project Grant round
For projects planned for the period November 5, 2005 to
March 31, 2006
~ Application submissions by September 7, 2005

New Theatre Rental (Projects) Grants
For groups seeking to present an event before March 31, 2006
~ Application submissions by October 28, 2005

For more information and guidelines visit our offices online at: vancouver.ca/culture