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Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage - Community Historical Anniversaries Programming
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Canada
Supports community events celebrating local arts and historical heritage
Grant and Funding
Overview
The Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage – Community Historical Anniversaries Programming provides up to $200,000 in funding to support communities across Canada in commemorating significant local historical events or personalities. Eligible activities include non-recurring events or programming that actively involve the community and showcase local artists, artisans, and historical heritage.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increasing community impact
- Supporting volunteer engagement
- Raise awareness and mobilize the public
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 200,000 $
- Up to 100% of project cost
Timeline
- Closing date : January 14, 2008
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Canadians
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Culture and Arts
- Economic, Social and Community Development
Target groups
- General public
- Indigenous peoples
- Rural / Remote communities
- Artists / creatives
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- Local
- Municipal
Activities funded
- Commemorative events marking the 100th or greater anniversary (multiples of 25 years) of significant local historical events or notable local figures.
- Community celebrations that showcase and promote local historical heritage.
- Non-recurring tributes or programs featuring the involvement and presentations of local artists or artisans.
- Public heritage exhibitions or displays linked to a major historical anniversary within the community.
Examples of admissible projects:
$ 118,600
125th birthday celebration for artist Lucy Maud Healy
$ 173,000
Exhibition marking the centennial of the Wahbung Treaty’s signing
$ 192,500
Series of cultural tributes for 175th anniversary of Jean Roy
$ 196,500
Festival celebrating the 125th anniversary of the Red Spruce Mill
$ 86,000
Community pageant for the 100th anniversary of Starlight Theatre
$ 157,500
Public display for 150th year since first Sikh settlers arrived
Eligibility
- The applicant must be a local, incorporated non-profit organization, unincorporated group, or an Aboriginal government or equivalent authority (such as Band Councils or Tribal Councils).
- The applicant must engage Canadians in their community through activities expressing, celebrating, or preserving local arts and/or historical heritage.
- The project must be a non-recurring event or series of activities commemorating the 100th or greater anniversary (in multiples of 25 years) of a locally significant historical event or personality.
- The project must be open to the general public and actively involve local community members.
- The application must include written confirmation of support (financial or in-kind) from the municipal government or equivalent authority.
Who is eligible?
- Local, incorporated, non-profit organizations
- Unincorporated groups
- Band Councils, Tribal Councils, and other Aboriginal (First Nation, Inuit and Métis) governments and equivalent authorities
Who is not eligible
- For-profit organizations of any kind.
- Individuals not associated with a group or organization.
- Governments and public authorities, except Band Councils and other Aboriginal organizations.
- Public institutions such as schools, universities, school boards, and public libraries.
Eligible expenses
- Recruitment, training, and support costs for local volunteers, including child care, food, and non-alcoholic beverages for volunteers.
- Performance fees and expenses for local artists, artisans, and performers for heritage activities.
- Exhibition fees and expenses for local artists and artisans, as well as expenses related to local exhibitions.
- Travel, accommodation, and meal expenses connected to the participation of historically significant local persons or their descendants, within reasonable limits and government guidelines.
- Publicity and translation costs aimed at attracting the local population.
- Production expenses, including equipment rental.
- Hall rental and venue preparation costs.
- Cost of a financial audit if the funding provided is $50,000 or more.
Eligible geographic areas
- All regions across Canada
Selection criteria
- Local significance of the historical event or person being commemorated.
- Potential to increase community exposure to local historical heritage.
- Degree of involvement of volunteers and community members in project planning, implementation, and evaluation.
- Level of support (financial or in-kind) from municipal government or equivalent authority.
- Reasonableness and justification of the project budget.
How to apply
1
Verify eligibility
- Confirm your organization or group meets eligibility requirements
- Ensure your project commemorates a significant local historical anniversary (100 years or more, in multiples of 25 years)
- Verify your project is a non-recurring, one-time event
2
Gather required documents
- Gather required documents: General Application Form, completed questionnaire, project budget, and Confirmation of Support from municipal government or equivalent authority
- For incorporated applicants, include letters patent and bylaws or articles of association
- For unincorporated groups, provide signed Acceptance of Liability and articles of association if applicable
3
Prepare project details
- Prepare a detailed project description outlining objectives, proposed activities, and community involvement
- Ensure the project is open to the public and involves local volunteers
- List all confirmed and potential sources of funding
4
Complete the application package
- Complete all sections of the application package, ensuring accuracy and completeness
- Attach all supporting documents as specified
- Double-check application for missing information or signatures
5
Submit your application
- Submit your full application before the posted deadline
- Keep a copy for your records
- Ensure the postmark or timestamp proves the submission date
6
Await results
- Wait for acknowledgment of receipt from Canadian Heritage
- Allow up to four months for application processing
Additional information
- Funding recipients must submit a final activity report upon project completion, with a template provided by Canadian Heritage.
- For contributions of $50,000 or more, an audited financial statement of the project is required at the end.
- Incomplete applications will be deemed ineligible for consideration.
- All applicants must disclose confirmed and potential sources of funding for the proposed project.
Contacts
pch-qc@pch.gc.ca
1-877-222-2397
