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Cultural Spaces Grant Program - Small Grants for Cultural Spaces
Supports cultural spaces in Vancouver
Last Update: June 22, 2026
Funding available
$ 25,000
Timeline
- Closing date : September 30, 2026
Location
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Overview
The Cultural Spaces Grant Program supports Vancouver-based cultural organizations with capital and operating funding for cultural spaces. It helps fund space planning, research, building improvements, accessibility upgrades, urgent life-safety works, and facility operating costs.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase social or community impact
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Develop workforce skills
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 25,000 $
Timeline
- Closing date : September 30, 2026
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Information and cultural industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
Location
- Vancouver
- British Columbia
Legal structures
- Financial cooperative
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
- Non-financial cooperative
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Canadians
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Culture and Arts
Target groups
- Indigenous peoples
- Artists / creatives
- Nonprofits / charities
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- Municipal
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Space planning and research projects
- Building improvement and accessibility upgrade projects
- Urgent building life-safety upgrade projects
- Critical time-sensitive support for cultural spaces
- Facility operating support for affordable spaces
Documents Needed
- British Columbia Certificate of Incorporation
- Project budget
- Project timeline and/or scope of work
- Last completed fiscal year financial statements signed by the Board
- Lease agreement and landlord approval letter, if renovating or improving a space
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Provincially registered Vancouver-based non-profit societies or co-operatives in good standing
- Federally registered charitable organizations with a publicly stated culture-first vision, mission, or mandate
- xʷmə kʷəy̓əm (Musqueam Indian Band), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation), and urban Indigenous non-profit organizations
Who is not eligible
- Organizations not based in Vancouver
- Organizations whose primary purpose or program activity is childcare, education, employment, health care, recreation, religion, social services, or sports
- Organizations with three or more open Capital grants for incomplete projects
Eligible expenses
- Space planning and research
- Building improvements and accessibility upgrades
- Mentorships related to planning, knowledge sharing, and capacity building
- Urgent building life-safety upgrades
- Facility operating costs for affordable spaces grants
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Projects or items normally covered by the landlord under current lease terms
- Work already underway or completed before the application deadline
- Equipment purchase, repair, or replacement
- Strategic planning, capital campaigns, fundraising, or marketing activities
- Programming, including artistic research and/or creation
Eligible geographic areas
- Vancouver city limits
- Traditional lands within Vancouver for xʷmə kʷəy̓əm, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw, and səlilwətaɬ applicants
Selection criteria
- Vision, need, and public benefit
- Reconciliation and equity
- Organizational and financial readiness
- Priority is given to organizations representing equity-deserving artists and communities
- Environmental sustainability for CIG projects
How to apply
- Read the information guide and contact the planner to confirm eligibility and access the Statement of Intent to Apply form.
- Submit the Statement of Intent to Apply form by February 11, 2026.
- If eligible, submit the online application by March 4, 2026.
Processing and Agreement
- Eligible applications are reviewed by a committee.
- Most committee grant recommendations require City Council approval.
- Applicants will be notified after Council’s decision.
- Grant awards are paid by electronic funds transfer.
- Final payments are issued after the project is completed and the final report is approved.
Additional information
- Applicants requiring accessibility supports to complete their application can access up to $500 toward assistance from service providers.
- Interested applicants must contact the Cultural Planner at least three weeks before the application deadline.
- For capital improvements and upgrades, the space must be secured for a minimum of 18 months from the time of application.
- For spaces used for multiple functions, 50% or more of the space must be dedicated to arts and culture purposes.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Cultural Spaces Grant Program - Small Grants for Cultural Spaces Program
What is the Cultural Spaces Grant Program - Small Grants for Cultural Spaces?
The Cultural Spaces Grant Program supports Vancouver-based cultural organizations with capital and operating funding for cultural spaces. It helps fund space planning, research, building improvements, accessibility upgrades, urgent life-safety works, and facility operating costs.
How much funding can be received?
Cultural Spaces Grant Program - Small Grants for Cultural Spaces Funds up to $25,000 of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the Cultural Spaces Grant Program - Small Grants for Cultural Spaces program?
To be eligible for the Cultural Spaces Grant Program - Small Grants for Cultural Spaces program, you must:
The applicant must be a Vancouver-based cultural organization.
The organization must be a non-profit society, co-operative, charity, local Nation, or urban Indigenous non-profit society.
The organization must have a clear arts and culture focus.
What expenses are eligible under Cultural Spaces Grant Program - Small Grants for Cultural Spaces?
Space planning and research projects
Building improvement and accessibility upgrade projects
Urgent building life-safety upgrade projects
Critical time-sensitive support for cultural spaces
Facility operating support for affordable spaces
Where is the Cultural Spaces Grant Program - Small Grants for Cultural Spaces available?
The Cultural Spaces Grant Program - Small Grants for Cultural Spaces program is available the province of British Columbia.
Is the Cultural Spaces Grant Program - Small Grants for Cultural Spaces a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Cultural Spaces Grant Program - Small Grants for Cultural Spaces is a Grant and Funding
Who are the financial supporters of the Cultural Spaces Grant Program - Small Grants for Cultural Spaces?
Cultural Spaces Grant Program - Small Grants for Cultural Spaces is funded by City of Vancouver