Open
Local Festivals — Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage
Funding for community festivals showcasing local arts and heritage
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Funding available
$ 200,000
Timeline
- Closing date : October 15, 2026
Location
Canada
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.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Conduct research and development activities
- Reduce environmental footprint
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 200,000 $
- Up to 100% of project cost
Timeline
- Closing date : October 15, 2026
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- 2SLGBTQI+
- Canadians
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Culture and Arts
- Economic, Social and Community Development
- Diversity and Inclusion
Target groups
- General public
- Indigenous peoples
- LGBTQ+ community
- Rural / Remote communities
- Artists / creatives
- Nonprofits / charities
- Community leaders
- Minority groups
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- Local
Next steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
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.
Eligibility
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.
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
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.
What is the Local Festivals — Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage?
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.
How much funding can be received?
Local Festivals — Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage Funds up to 100% of admissible expenses, capped at $200,000 per project.
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.
What expenses are eligible under Local Festivals — Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage?
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.
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.
Where is the Local Festivals — Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage available?
The Local Festivals — Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage program is available across Canada.
Is the Local Festivals — Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Local Festivals — Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage is a Grant and Funding
More programs like this
Creative Export Canada (CEC) — Export-Ready StreamMax $2,500,00075%
Explore and Create — Concept to RealizationMax $100,000- International outreach — TravelMax $30,000
Creative Export Canada (CEC) — Export Development Stream (EDS)$15,000-$90,00075%
