Local Festivals — Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage

Q: What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is not specified.

Q: Who is eligible for the Local Festivals — Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage program?

To be eligible for the Local Festivals — Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage program, you must: • The applicant must be a local non-profit organization or a local indigenous council/government. • For-profit businesses are not eligible. • The festival must have been successfully organized in the last two years.

Q: Who can I contact for more information about the Local Festivals — Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage?

You can contact Government of Canada by email at info@pch.gc.ca or by phone at 1-866-811-0055.

Q: Are Indigenous Peoples eligible for the Local Festivals — Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage program?

Yes, Indigenous Peoples are eligible to apply for the Local Festivals — Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage program.

Last Update: July 22, 2025

Canada

Funding for community festivals showcasing local arts and heritage

At a glance

Eligible Funding

Max. $200,000
Up to 100% of project cost

Timeline

Unspecified

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Arts, entertainment and recreation

Funds Providers

Unspecified

Program status

Open

Overview

The Local Festivals — Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage program offers up to $200,000 in funding to support recurring local festivals that showcase the work of local artists, artisans, heritage performers, and Indigenous cultural carriers. Eligible activities include events and programming that celebrate and promote local arts, heritage, and community engagement.

Financing terms and conditions

Eligible for up to 100% funding of eligible expenses.
Maximum amount per project: $200,000.
For grants: maximum $100,000 per project; for contributions: maximum $200,000 per project.
Total government assistance (all levels combined) cannot exceed 100% of total project-related costs.
Expenses incurred before the application deadline are not eligible for funding.

Activities funded

Organization of local festivals featuring arts and heritage as the majority of programming.
Presentation of events that showcase work by local artists, artisans, heritage performers, and local First Nations, Inuit, and Métis cultural carriers.
Delivery of live, in-person arts and heritage activities accessible to the local community.
Festivals that integrate volunteers and local supporters in the planning and delivery of programming.
Celebration of Indigenous cultural events, including activities such as Pow wows, that involve and highlight local heritage.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 50,000

Heritage fair showcasing Métis crafts and local history workshops

$ 198,500

Multicultural street festival celebrating new immigrant arts and cuisine

$ 200,000

Outdoor Pow wow and Indigenous arts celebration with youth workshops

$ 198,000

Annual music and heritage festival featuring Indigenous and local artists

$ 100,000

Artisan market festival highlighting local crafts and woodwork displays

$ 197,500

Community arts festival with focus on francophone heritage performers

Eligibility

The applicant must be a local non-profit organization or group (incorporated or unincorporated), or a local band council, tribal council, or other local Indigenous government or organization (First Nations, Inuit, or Métis).
The applicant must have successfully organized and completed a prior edition of the festival within the last two years that met all eligibility requirements.
The festival must have dedicated arts and heritage activities as the majority of its programming, featuring local artists, artisans, heritage performers or specialists, cultural carriers, or local Indigenous Elders as a primary component.
The project must integrate volunteers in planning and delivery, be accessible and promoted to the local community, and receive support from local community supporters and the municipality or equivalent authority.

Who is eligible?

Local non-profit organizations or groups
Local band councils, tribal councils, or other local Indigenous governments or organizations (First Nations, Inuit, or Métis)

Who is not eligible

For-profit businesses.
Municipal, provincial, federal or territorial governments and their agencies, councils or commissions.
Educational institutions such as universities, colleges, school boards, public libraries, and hospitals.
Organizations with a religious mandate as their primary focus.
Groups or organizations operating with exclusively provincial/territorial, national or international mandates.
Groups with more than 50% of board members residing outside the locality, region, or province.
Unions.

Eligible expenses

Fees and expenses of local artists, local artisans, local heritage performers, local cultural carriers, and local Indigenous Elders.
Copyright and operating licenses.
Advertising intended for the local population.
Translation fees.
Logistical expenses (e.g., security barriers, portable toilets, garbage bins).
Rental and temporary installation costs for items such as lighting, sound equipment, and tents.
Costs related to using temporary event contractors.
Costs related to volunteers, including training, coordination, and recognition (such as food, non-alcoholic beverages, and distinctive clothing).
Insurance for eligible activities.
Financial audits when required by the program.

Eligible geographic areas

Organizations located within Canada.

Selection criteria

Clarity of objectives and measurable outcomes of the festival.
Degree of volunteer involvement in the planning and execution of the festival (number and commitment of volunteers).
Proportion of the program dedicated to local artists, artisans, and cultural intermediaries as well as artistic and heritage content.
Level of demonstrated community support (local contributions in cash or kind, involvement of associations, businesses, etc.).
Accessibility of the festival for the local community and effectiveness of promotional actions towards residents.

How to apply

Review program guidelines

Review the Application Guidelines for Local Festivals
Familiarize yourself with all eligibility requirements and program objectives

Prepare necessary documentation

Gather all required supporting documents, such as brochures, plans, financial statements, and promotional material from the previous edition
Prepare final report from previous festival, if applicable
Obtain Confirmation of Support from municipal administration or local Indigenous government
Prepare incorporation or association documents as needed

Complete and submit online application

Create or access your Canadian Heritage Funding Portal account
Complete the online application form
Upload all mandatory forms and supporting documents

Wait for application evaluation

Receive acknowledgment of receipt within two weeks after application submission
Wait for evaluation of your application by the program administrators
Follow up with the program if no acknowledgment is received

If accepted, review and comply

If approved, review the grant or contribution agreement
Comply with any conditions outlined in the funding agreement
Prepare to implement the project as per the program requirements

Additional information

The program requires public acknowledgment of the financial support of the Government of Canada in both French and English in all communications and promotions related to the project.
Funded activities must take into account the needs of all people in Canada, including Indigenous peoples and groups from diverse religions, cultures, abilities, sexual orientations, and gender identities.
All records and documents related to the project must be kept for five years in anticipation of a possible audit or program evaluation.
Measures in favor of diversity, inclusion, and respect for official languages must be applied within the framework of the project.

Contacts

info@pch.gc.ca

1-866-811-0055

Apply to this program

Frequently Asked Questions about the Local Festivals — Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the Local Festivals — Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage. 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.