Cultural Spaces Grant Program - Critical Capital Assistance Capital Grants
Last Update: September 2, 2025
Vancouver, BC
Supports urgent life-safety repairs for Vancouver cultural facilities
At a glance
Eligible Funding
- Max. $25,000
Timeline
- Unspecified
Financing Type
Grant and Funding
Eligible Industries
- Information and cultural industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
Funds Providers
Program status
Open
Overview
The Cultural Spaces Grant Program – Critical Capital Assistance Capital Grants offers up to $25,000 to support urgent building life-safety upgrades and other critical, time-sensitive needs in Vancouver-based arts and cultural spaces. Eligible activities include unforeseen infrastructure repairs or replacements, building code consultations, permit fee assistance, and emergency remediation such as fire or flood damage repairs.
Financing terms and conditions
- Grants of up to $25,000 available for urgent building life-safety upgrades and other critical time-sensitive support for cultural spaces.
Activities funded
- Urgent repairs or replacement of critical building systems to address unforeseen life-safety concerns.
- Upgrades to meet immediate life-safety building code requirements.
- Remediation and recovery efforts following fire, flood, or similar emergencies.
- Emergency repairs to compromised security perimeters or infrastructure.
- Post-disaster emergency cleaning for cultural spaces.
Examples of admissible projects:
$ 20,500
Mold remediation and cleaning after sewage backup in art studio
$ 17,000
Building code upgrade for emergency exit doors in theatre
$ 24,000
Emergency replacement of HVAC system after mechanical failure
$ 24,000
Fire alarm system urgently replaced after equipment failure
$ 23,000
Flood-damaged gallery wall and floor rebuilt after water breach
$ 22,500
Emergency perimeter fencing repairs after attempted break-in
Eligibility
- The applicant must be a Vancouver-based non-profit society or cooperative, or a federally registered charitable organization with a culture-focused vision and mission, and an independent volunteer governing body.
- Applications are encouraged from xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam Indian Band), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish Nation), səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation), and urban Indigenous non-profit organizations.
- The project must relate to urgent building life-safety upgrades or critical, time-sensitive support for cultural spaces.
- The space must be within Vancouver city limits and must have landlord approval if leased.
Who is eligible?
- Vancouver-based non-profit cultural societies
- Vancouver-based cooperatives operating in arts and culture
- Federally-registered charitable organizations with a cultural mandate
- Urban Indigenous non-profit organizations in Vancouver
- Organizations operated by xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam Indian Band), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish Nation), or səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation)
Who is not eligible
- Organizations not based within the city limits of Vancouver.
- Organizations whose primary purpose is child care, education, employment, health care, recreation, religion, social services, or sports.
- Organizations without an arts and cultural mandate.
- Residential housing providers or home-based businesses.
- Organizations with three or more open, incomplete capital grants.
Eligible expenses
- Urgent building life-safety upgrades, such as fire or flood damage remediation, and post-disaster emergency cleaning.
- Unforeseen and urgent replacement or repairs of critical building systems or infrastructure.
- Assistance with permit fee costs for renovation, construction, or change of use permits (excluding those already supported in other approved projects).
- Building code consultation for time-sensitive projects.
- Upgrades to compromised security perimeters.
Eligible geographic areas
- Organizations based within the city limits of Vancouver.
How to apply
1
Review eligibility and guidelines
- Review the 2025 capital grants information guide for required details
- Gather information on eligible projects and criteria
- Read Appendix C of Council report 17703 for further guidelines
2
Prepare application materials
- Prepare supporting documents such as financial statements and project details
- Compile details on urgent building life-safety needs and related costs
- Obtain landlord approval for leased spaces if applicable
- Gather information needed for potential permit applications
3
Complete and submit application
- Access the online application portal (VanApply)
- Complete the application form for the Critical Assistance Capital Grant Program
- Upload all required documents and supporting materials
4
Await results
- Wait for application review and notification of results from the grant administrator
- Respond to any follow-up requests for additional information if required
Additional information
- The application period remains open throughout 2025 until the available funds are fully allocated.
- Support is available for time-sensitive situations such as fire or flood damage, compromised security, and emergency cleaning following a disaster.
- Applicants are encouraged to consult the 2025 Capital Grants Information Guide and relevant appendices for detailed requirements and definitions.
- Previous grant recipient lists are published, detailing the projects funded and amounts awarded in past years.
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Frequently Asked Questions about the Cultural Spaces Grant Program - Critical Capital Assistance Capital Grants Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Cultural Spaces Grant Program - Critical Capital Assistance Capital Grants. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.
What is the Cultural Spaces Grant Program - Critical Capital Assistance Capital Grants?
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What expenses are eligible under Cultural Spaces Grant Program - Critical Capital Assistance Capital Grants?
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Is the Cultural Spaces Grant Program - Critical Capital Assistance Capital Grants a grant, loan, or tax credit?
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