This program is for Vancouver-based, professional non-profit arts and cultural organizations that have a mission to develop, create, produce, present, and disseminate artistic work for the benefit of the arts sector, in any artistic discipline (i.e. Indigenous arts, community arts, dance, interdisciplinary, literary, media, multidisciplinary, music, theatre, visual arts).
There are three categories of cultural non-profit organizations eligible for the program.
1. Seasonal (large-scale) renters using the Civic Theatres as their primary venue.
2. Regular (generally mid-sized and small-scale) seasonal and festival renters using the Civic Theatres for annual/consistent uses as their primary or secondary venue.
3. Occasional renters using a Civic Theatres facility for their presentation or production two times per year or less.
To apply to this program, the organization must:
- Be a non-profit society, a community service co-op legally registered and in good standing with BC Registries and Services, a First Nations Band Council on whose unceded traditional homelands Vancouver sits, or a registered charity with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), Or
Groups that are not incorporated as registered non-profits, co-ops, or charities may contact staff to determine if an application in partnership with a registered non-profit society, co-op, charity or First Nations Band council is eligible
- First-time applicants must provide documentation of non-profit, registered or charitable status, e.g., Certificate of Incorporation
- Have an active presence in and deliver programs and services within Vancouver, or if led by either the xʷməθkʷəy̓ əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples held in their traditional homelands
- Provide equitable access to programs and services
- Provide respectful and safe working conditions for artists, staff, volunteers and contractors
- Have an active Board of Directors comprised of volunteers that are representative of the mission and people served
- Comply with all applicable laws, governing acts, regulations, bylaws and guidelines, including obtaining any necessary licenses, permits or approvals required for the project
- 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
- Aim to compensate artists, cultural practitioners, and project contributors at standard industry rates
- Have a mix of revenue sources (earned, private and public) for the project
- Provide financial statements signed by the Board for the most recently completed fiscal year, including a Balance Sheet and Income/Expense Statement
