Local Festivals — Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage

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.

• 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.

• Step 1: Familiarization with the guidelinesCarefully read the guidelines on submitting applications for the Local Festivals component.
• Step 2: Preparation of the application packageGather all the required documents, such as brochures, programs, financial statements, promotional material, final report from the previous edition (if applicable), and a signed copy of the confirmation form of support from the municipal administration or equivalent authority.
• Prepare additional documents according to your organization's status (incorporation documents, bylaws, additional financial statements, charters, etc., depending on specific requirements).
• Step 3: Access the Canadian Heritage portalCreate or access your file on the Canadian Heritage online funding portal.
• Step 4: Filling out the application formComplete the online application form with all required information about the project and the organization.
• Step 5: Submission of the application and supporting documentsAttach all mandatory supporting documents to the completed application form.
• Submit the electronic application via the funding portal, before 11:59 PM (ET) on the appropriate deadline according to the festival start dates.
• Step 6: Follow-up and confirmationReceive an acknowledgment of receipt within two weeks after submission of the application. If no confirmation is received, contact the support team at info@pch.gc.ca or at 1-866-811-0055.

• 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.