Communities and Artists Shifting Culture (CASC) - Cultural Project Grants Program

Who is eligible?

• Registered non-profit organizations
• Registered societies
• Charities
• Registered co-operatives
• Local First Nation Band Councils

Who is not eligible

• Organizations currently receiving City of Vancouver Cultural Operating funding (such as COFA, COFI, COFM, Cultural Equity, and Cultural Indigenous Grants) or Social Policy Operating Funding, unless acting as a sponsor for an eligible individual or collective.
• Projects primarily focused on non-artistic or non-cultural themes.
• Companies or entities without legal registration as a non-profit, charity, co-op, or First Nations Band Council.
• Social service organizations without an arts and culture mandate may be considered lower priority.
• Organizations seeking funding for ongoing operations, capital projects, or commercially oriented activities.

Eligible expenses

• Honoraria for local First Nation welcomes, land acknowledgements, and consultation with Elders and knowledge-keepers.
• Accessibility fees and related costs to facilitate access and inclusion for artists, project contributors, participants, and audiences.
• Artist fees.
• Technician fees.
• Programming and production expenses, including venue and equipment rental, materials, supplies, ceremony requirements, childcare, hospitality costs (excluding alcohol), and permits.
• Technical equipment and space rental.
• Communications, outreach, and promotion costs and fees.
• Cultural worker, administrative, and professional fees.
• For sponsor organizations: a $500 administration fee on top of the artists’ project budget, when supporting an individual artist, collective, or other non-registered group.

Eligible geographic areas

• Organizations based in Vancouver, British Columbia.
• Projects led by or held on the traditional homelands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), or səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples.

• Creative Vision (25%): Clear focus on arts and culture with meaningful opportunities for artists and cultural workers. The project should demonstrate a compelling, timely artistic exploration aligned with the organization’s mandate.
• Community Participation & Impact (20%): Evidence of thoughtful community engagement practices, understanding of the audience, relevant outreach and promotion, and effective evaluation methods for measuring impact.
• Equity, Accessibility & Inclusion (35%): Leadership and project team demonstrate relevant skills, lived experience, and actions supporting inclusion of underrepresented artists and audiences. Thoughtful accommodation and accessibility plans are required, along with respect for local First Nations and cultural protocols.
• Project Plan & Budget (20%): Well-structured and feasible project plan and a balanced, realistic budget that includes other funding sources, clear need for City support, and detailed compensation for contributors and accessibility measures.

• Step 1: Review the Information Guide
  • Carefully read the CASC information guide to understand the program objectives, eligibility, criteria, and application requirements.
• Step 2: Contact a Cultural Planner (for New Applicants)
  • New applicants must contact a designated cultural planner to discuss project eligibility.
  • Request access to the application form from the relevant staff member based on your organization's name (A–M: Vanessa Richards; N–Z: Joyce Rosario).
• Step 3: Register or Update Organizational Profile in VanApply
  • Log in or create an organizational profile at the VanApply online grant management system (https://vanapply.vancouver.ca).
  • Avoid creating duplicate profiles; contact arts.culture@vancouver.ca for assistance if needed.
• Step 4: Access the CASC Application Form
  • Log in to VanApply and select your organization's profile.
  • Navigate to 'Manage Organization' and enter the CASC grant access code provided by staff.
  • Click on ‘Programs’ and select CASC in the program list.
• Step 5: Prepare and Complete the Application
  • Complete the online application form, responding fully to all sections regarding your project, team, accessibility planning, and budget.
  • Refer to the application form preview (available in PDF/Word format) to organize responses before online entry.
  • Gather and upload required supporting documents, including financial statements and project plans.
• Step 6: Seek Application Support (If Applicable)
  • If you are Deaf/deaf, Hard of Hearing, or living with a disability, contact program staff to access up to $500 in assistance funds for service provider costs related to the application.
• Step 7: Submit the Application
  • Double-check all information for completeness and accuracy.
  • Submit the application through VanApply before the deadline for your chosen intake (October 22, 2025 for the first intake; March 4, 2026 for the second intake).
• Step 8: Receive Confirmation and Await Results
  • After submission, await notification regarding the status and outcome following staff and committee review.
  • Successful applicants will follow instructions for payments, reporting, and agreement signature provided by staff.

• There are two application intakes per year; each intake has specific application and project start dates.
• Grant recipients are required to submit final reports within one month of project completion, or interim reports if applying for a new project before finishing the previous one.
• The assessment process includes peer committee review, and applicants may request feedback or reconsideration if eligibility or financial status was misunderstood.
• Organizations seeking application support can access guides, videos, and one-on-one staff assistance prior to the application deadline.