How much funding can be received?

Get funding for up to 50% of the costs of construction or renovation of physical spaces used for arts and heritage related creation, presentation, preservation and exhibition.

Financing terms and conditions

Program support is limited to a maximum of 50% of total eligible project expenses.
In exceptional circumstances, financial aid may cover up to 90% of eligible expenses.
The combined total of government financial assistance (federal, provincial, territorial, municipal) cannot exceed 100% of total project-related costs.
For renovation and construction projects exceeding $5 million, 80% of total funding must be confirmed at the time of application.

Eligible projects & activities

Construction or renovation of arts or heritage facilities, including creative hubs.
Acquisition of specialized equipment for arts or heritage use.
Development of feasibility studies for the construction or renovation of arts or heritage facilities, including creative hubs.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 400,000

Renovation and expansion of a local history museum to add new exhibition halls

$ 250,000

Renovation of the historic museum to improve accessibility and exhibition spaces

$ 60,000

Feasibility study for the renovation of a historic theatre

$ 325,000

Modernization of a performing arts center with new staging and lighting equipment

$ 375,000

Construction of a new art gallery focusing on indigenous artworks

$ 150,000

Acquisition of specialized equipment for a community cultural center

Eligibility criteria of the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund program

The applicant must be a not-for-profit arts or heritage organization, incorporated under the Canada Not-for-Profit Corporations Act or equivalent provincial/territorial legislation, with at least two years of professional activity and programming accessible to Canadians.
The applicant may also be a not-for-profit organization proposing to develop and manage a creative hub; a provincial/territorial government, municipal administration, or their agencies; or an Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, or Métis) governing body or agency that supports professional artistic or heritage activities.
The organization’s mission and governance documents must clearly support professional artistic, creative, or heritage practices.
Projects must involve the construction/renovation of arts or heritage facilities or creative hubs; the acquisition of specialized equipment; or the development of feasibility studies for such purposes.
For construction or renovation projects, the applicant must own the property or have a long-term lease (minimum five years).

Who is eligible?

Not-for-profit arts organizations operating in a professional manner
Not-for-profit heritage organizations operating in a professional manner
Organizations developing and managing creative hubs (not-for-profit)
Provincial or territorial governments, municipal administrations, and their agencies
Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, or Métis) governing bodies and their agencies supporting professional artistic or heritage activities

Who is not eligible

For-profit organizations (except as tenants within creative hubs managed by eligible not-for-profits).
Companies or organizations primarily engaged in religious worship or congregational activities.
Organizations seeking funding for projects related to regular or routine building maintenance.
Entities seeking support for projects primarily involving cemeteries or tourism signage.
Businesses applying for renovations or construction on buildings they do not own or hold a qualifying long-term lease (minimum of 5 years).

Eligible expenses

Administrative costs directly related to the project, including salaries and project audit.
Professional fees such as architectural, engineering, technical services, project management, and environmental assessment.
Construction and/or renovation costs—including property acquisition and transfers, project’s interest on short-term financing, demolition, excavation, materials, and labour.
Fire, safety and security systems installation.
Systems and measures to improve accessibility and mobility.
Environmental practices and sustainable construction.
Specialized equipment purchases and installation (e.g. sound and lighting, staging and rigging, multimedia, environmental control systems, storage, exhibition cases/panels, hanging systems, hygrothermograph).
Fixed or removable seating and stage curtains.
Initial training related to operation of specialized equipment.
Purchase and installation of integrated data collecting and ticketing systems.
CCSF acknowledgement signage (for contributions over $100,000).
Professional fees for feasibility studies, including design and market analysis.

Eligible geographic areas

All provinces and territories in Canada

Eligibility criteria of the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund program

Impact on the availability and quality of cultural spaces, including improvements to physical conditions and technological or safety features.
Enhancement of public access to professional arts and heritage experiences, particularly for underserved communities and groups.
Viability of the project and its long-term financial impact on the organization, including management capacity and confirmation of other sources of revenues.

How to apply to the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund program

Read Guidelines

Ensure to read the application guidelines thoroughly before proceeding.
Contact a CCSF advisor for clarification if needed.

Prepare Application Package

Complete the application form, ensuring all eligibility criteria are met.
Gather all required supporting documents as per the application form checklists.

Submit Application

Choose one method of submission: email, mail, courier, or potentially fax after contacting the CCSF.
Electronic submissions should be sent to the nearest Department of Canadian Heritage office.
Mailed submissions must be sent to the nearest office of the Department of Canadian Heritage.

Additional information

Applications are accepted on a continual basis, with no fixed submission deadline.
Organizations must maintain all records and documentation for five years in case of audits or program evaluations.
Applicants are encouraged to contact a CCSF advisor at a regional office for guidance before applying.
If successful, recipients must acknowledge Government of Canada support in all public communications, in both English and French.