Role of the City of Burlington in arts and culture funding
The City of Burlington operates the Burlington Arts and Culture Grant (BACG) as part of its broader community funding portfolio. This municipal program provides project-based financial support to individual artists, arts and cultural collectives, multicultural groups and not-for-profit arts and cultural organizations based in Burlington, Ontario. Through direct investment, the City aims to nurture the capacity of the local arts and culture sector, foster creativity, encourage social cohesion and contribute to cultural and economic development.
Main features of the Burlington Arts and Culture Grant
The BACG program offers one-year project grants, with a stated maximum of $7,000 per project. Funding is intended to support specific activities or events taking place between April and March, rather than ongoing operating costs or major capital expenses. Grants must be used to further not-for-profit activities, and projects are expected to provide original, high-quality arts and cultural experiences for Burlington residents and participants.
Eligible applicants include Burlington-based individual artists, arts and cultural collectives, incorporated not-for-profit or charitable arts and culture organizations, and multicultural groups that play a significant role in the community through arts and culture. The program explicitly excludes organizations that have already received City funding in the same calendar year, for-profit ventures, churches and religious institutions, schools and training institutions, and public art projects funded through other municipal mechanisms.
Assessment approach and selection criteria
Applications are assessed using a structured framework with three main scoring areas: project and artistic merit, inclusion and community impact, and project delivery. A peer assessment jury drawn from local arts and culture professionals contributes to the evaluation of artistic merit, while City staff ensure alignment with municipal policies and compliance requirements.
- Project and artistic merit focuses on originality, quality of the experience, distinctiveness within Burlington’s cultural landscape, evidence of community interest or demand, and the fit between the project’s scope and the team’s expertise.
- Inclusion and community impact emphasizes accessibility, representation of diverse communities, community engagement and collaboration, alignment with Burlington’s Strategic Plan, and opportunities for employment, mentorship and professional development of local artists and cultural workers.
- Project delivery looks at the clarity and completeness of the budget, promotion and outreach strategies, financial sustainability beyond BACG support, the capacity of the project team, and the feasibility of the work plan.
Funding administration and accountability
Successful applicants sign a grant agreement outlining obligations, reporting requirements and eligible use of funds. Typically, 80% of the approved grant is released upon signing, with the remaining 20% paid after submission and acceptance of a final report and supporting documentation. Recipients must provide a final project report if they wish to reapply in subsequent years, and failure to meet reporting or agreement conditions may affect eligibility for future funding or trigger repayment.
Through this program and other community funding and grants initiatives, the City of Burlington positions itself as an active supporter of local festivals, events and cultural projects, reinforcing its long-term strategic vision for an engaging, culturally vibrant city.
