SODEC — Support for cultural events
QC, Canada
The Cultural Events Assistance Program by SODEC supports Quebec-based non-profit organizations in promoting, commercializing, and networking cultural events.
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|maxCount
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|timelineUnspecified
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
grant_single|grantors
- Société de développement des entreprises culturelles (SODEC)
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|open
grant_single_labels|preview
The SODEC's Cultural Events Assistance Program is designed to promote, showcase, and commercialize Quebec's cultural industry by supporting a diverse range of events, including festivals, markets, and professional gatherings. Eligible activities include professional-quality programming, promotion, production, and administration costs related to cultural events that primarily take place in Quebec. The program aims to foster cultural and economic impact, audience development, and the professional growth of Quebec artists and artisans.
grant_single_labels|projects
Yes, there are eligible projects and activities for this grant. The grant supports diverse cultural events with the intention of promoting and showcasing Quebecois culture professionally.
- Salary and social benefits
- Professional fees
- Administration costs (e.g., rent, insurance, permits, accounting, banking, administrative or financial fees, office equipment and supplies, telecommunications)
- Programming costs (e.g., design of activities, representation, travel and accommodation, artist fees)
- Production costs (e.g., presentation of programmed activities, site management)
- Promotion, marketing, and communication expenses
- Other relevant and necessary expenses for event realization
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$400,000
Quebec City
Hosting a Music and Arts Festival to showcase local talent
$400,000
Gatineau
Supporting a Literary Fair to promote local authors and publishers
$400,000
Laval
Launching a Virtual Art Exhibition to reach a global audience
$400,000
Sherbrooke
Organizing a local crafts fair to celebrate handmade products
$400,000
Montreal
Organizing a Quebecois Film Festival to promote local filmmakers
grant_single_labels|admissibility
This grant is aimed at Quebec-based nonprofit organizations primarily involved in cultural sectors, ensuring a diversity of cultural events across the territory and on digital platforms. The events must be professional cultural manifestations, satisfy several criteria related to their scale, duration, and the experience they offer, and meet specific thresholds in terms of activities and participation.
- Must be Quebec-based nonprofit organizations (OBNL) legally constituted.
- Must have their main establishment and headquarters in Quebec.
- Demonstrate effective control of the organization by Canadian citizens or permanent residents who have their tax residence in Quebec.
- Must be involved in cultural sectors as defined by SODEC.
- Must have organized at least two consecutive editions of the event in the last five years.
- Events must take place primarily in Quebec or target a Quebecois audience.
- The event must last a minimum of 3 consecutive days and not exceed 30 calendar days.
- For festivals and competitions, the event must have had at least 15 cultural activities in its last edition.
- For markets, the event must ensure a majority of Quebecois exhibitors or artists and hold at least 15 exhibitors or 10 artists.
- For professional events, there must have been a minimum of 8 professional activities and attendance of at least 20 professionals in the last edition, excluding those from the applicant organization.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
Eligible types of companies for this grant include Quebec-based non-profit organizations (NPOs) that primarily operate within SODEC's activity domains and meet specific criteria.
- Must have their headquarters and main establishment in Quebec.
- Control of the company must be mostly held by Canadian citizens or permanent residents with fiscal residence in Quebec.
- Have conducted two consecutive editions of the event within the last five years.
- Present the event mainly in Quebec or to a Quebec audience.
- Propose an event lasting a minimum of 3 consecutive days and no more than 30 days from the first date of presentation.
- Meet specific thresholds in terms of activities, exhibitors, or professionals based on the type of event.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
There are specific types of companies that are not eligible for this grant:
- Companies or organizations whose support falls under the Ministry of Culture and Communications (MCC) or the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec (CALQ).
- Companies whose primary mission is not the dissemination or commercialization of cultural works.
- Companies whose main activities are related to the export of cultural works or products.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
Yes, there are eligible expenses for this grant.
Eligible expenses include various costs necessary for the realization of the event. These expenses aim to cover administrative, production, and promotional needs among others.
- Salaries and benefits
- Professional fees
- Administrative costs (e.g., rent, insurance, permits, accounting, bank fees, office supplies, telecommunications)
- Programming expenses (e.g., representation, travel and accommodation, artist fees)
- Production costs (e.g., event site management and installations)
- Promotion, marketing, and communication costs
- Other relevant and necessary expenses for the event
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
The eligible geographic zones for this grant include events that take place mainly within Quebec or have a significant impact on a regional, national, or local level in Quebec.
- Abitibi-Témiscamingue
- Bas-Saint-Laurent
- Côte-Nord
- Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine
- Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean
- Nord-du-Québec
grant_single_labels|criteria
Yes, there are evaluation and selection criteria for the grant. Applicants are evaluated based on various factors, including the quality of the event, economic and cultural impact, financial health, governance, and eco-responsibility.
- The quality and professionalism of the event
- The economic and cultural impacts of the event
- The quality and relevance of business relationships and the volume of commercial exchanges
- The feasibility of the submitted project and the realism of budget forecasts
- The financial health of the company
- The practices of governance and management
- The index of eco-responsibility for the event
- The quality and relevance of the provided documentation
grant_single_labels|register
- Step 1: Verify Eligibility
- Ensure your organization is a legally constituted non-profit organization based in Quebec.
- Confirm majority control by Canadian citizens or permanent residents with Quebec fiscal residence.
- Step 2: Prepare Documentation
- Gather documentation demonstrating two consecutive editions of the event within the last five years.
- Prepare a detailed budget including past expenses and forecasted costs.
- Step 3: Identify Objectives
- Select up to three specific objectives from the program that align with your mission and strategic planning.
- Step 4: Evaluate Financial Health
- Ensure financial statements reflect a healthy financial situation.
- Step 5: Submit Application
- Log in to the SOD@ccès portal for secure submission.
- Complete the application form and upload necessary documentation.
- Ensure to submit the application within the designated submission period prior to your event date.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
The grant supports the execution and development of cultural events in Quebec through various types of financial aid. It includes specific eligibility criteria and evaluation processes to ensure that events contribute positively to the cultural and economic landscape.
- The aid is provided as a subsidy to support the event's execution and development.
- The aid can reach a maximum amount of $400,000 per year.
- Applicants must present financial health and provide relevant documentation for the event proposal.
- The decision includes evaluation criteria such as the quality of the event, economic and cultural impact, and environmental responsibility.
- Applicants must specify up to three key objectives that align with the program’s goals.
- Applications are submitted via the SOD@ccès electronic portal.
- Events receiving other forms of support from the Ministry of Culture and Communications or the Quebec Arts Council are not eligible.
- Long-term projects, continuous programming, or capital expenses are not admissible.
- Multiple types of events are covered including festivals, professional events, and markets.
Apply to this program
Overview of the SODEC Cultural Events Assistance Program
The SODEC's Cultural Events Assistance Program aims to support the diverse range of cultural events across Quebec, enhancing their professional quality, economic impact, and public engagement. This initiative is designed to promote Quebec's artistic talents and cultural products through festivals, contests, markets, and professional events, offering financial support up to $400,000 per year.
Detailed Explanation of the SODEC Cultural Events Assistance Program
The SODEC (Société de développement des entreprises culturelles) Cultural Events Assistance Program is an essential resource designed to bolster the cultural landscape of Quebec. This comprehensive program offers financial support to non-profit organizations that organize cultural events within the province. The primary goal is to enhance the dissemination, commercialization, and recognition of Quebec’s rich cultural heritage. Here’s a breakdown of what you need to know about the program:
Program Presentation
This program emphasizes the importance of cultural events as vital platforms for the promotion and commercialization of Quebec’s cultural products. By supporting a wide variety of events, the SODEC aims to foster a vibrant cultural ecosystem that allows both emerging and established artists to showcase their work. The emphasis is on creating events that not only reach wide audiences but also enhance the economic viability of the cultural sector.
General Objectives
The program has several overarching objectives: - Ensure the dissemination of diverse Quebecois artistic works, content, and cultural products across the province and digital platforms. - Increase the sales revenues of cultural products at Quebecois cultural events. - Enhance the economic and cultural impact of these events.
General Eligibility Conditions
To be eligible for this program, organizations must: - Be a legally constituted non-profit organization (OBNL) with its primary operations and headquarters in Quebec. - Demonstrate that the organization is predominantly controlled by Canadian citizens or permanent residents with their tax residences in Quebec. Eligible organizations must primarily operate within the cultural sector, particularly within the SODEC’s areas of activity, which include the performing arts, visual arts, film, literature, and more.
Definitional Clarifications
- **Cultural Event**: A professional, periodic cultural manifestation (annual or biennial) presented physically or digitally with the primary aim of showcasing artistic content. - **Festival**: An event with the main mission of presenting artistic works to the public. - **Contests and Industry Galas**: Events recognizing industry talents or emerging artists through professional and public recognition. - **Market**: Cultural events focusing on the promotion and sale of cultural products. - **Professional Event**: Events dedicated to knowledge and expertise sharing among industry professionals. - **Major Event**: An event with significant economic and cultural impact due to high expenditure, extensive programming, and a substantial presence of industry stakeholders. - **Regional/National Event**: Events that significantly contribute to the development of local or regional cultural sectors.
Specific Objectives
The program aims to: - Encourage the implementation of professionally curated programs. - Foster audience development and loyalty for Quebecois cultural products. - Support career development for Quebec artists and creators. - Promote business partnerships and commercial exchanges involving Quebecois cultural products. - Encourage the adoption of eco-responsible practices.
Specific Eligibility Conditions
Eligible organizations must: - Align their events with the definitions provided above. - Have conducted at least two consecutive editions of the event in the past five years. - Primarily present their event within Quebec. - Offer events that last a minimum of three consecutive days but do not extend more than 30 calendar days. - Meet specific activity thresholds which vary by event type (e.g., festivals must have hosted at least 15 activities during their last edition). Exceptions are made for events in remote regions or those from First Nations and Inuit communities, where minimum activity thresholds do not apply.
Non-eligible Entities
The program does not support: - Organizations primarily supported by the Ministry of Culture and Communications (MCC) or the Council of Arts and Letters of Quebec (CALQ). - Entities whose main mission is not the dissemination or commercialization of cultural works. - Organizations focused on the export of cultural products.
Financial Participation
The financial support is provided as a grant aimed at backing the event and its development. The amount is determined based on: - Eligible expenses from the last edition and current budget forecasts. - Event performance evaluation based on established criteria. - Available program funds, determined by SODEC’s intervention areas and event size. Grants can reach up to $400,000 annually.
Eligible Expenses
The program covers expenses directly linked to: - Salaries and benefits. - Professional fees. - Administration costs (e.g., rent, insurance, office supplies). - Event programming and production. - Promotion, marketing, and communications. - Other relevant expenses necessary for the event's realization. Certain expenses are not covered, including those subsidized through other SODEC programs, year-round programming unrelated to the event, capital projects, and debt servicing.
Financial Disbursement
Support is typically provided over a three-year cycle, though first-time applicants or those with significant risk may receive one-year support. Terms for fund disbursement are outlined in an agreement with the organization.
Application Evaluation
Applications are reviewed by SODEC professionals and, if necessary, external advisors. The evaluation considers the event's specificities, such as mission, strategic objectives, size, development stage, and region. Events are categorized as either major or regional/national, with different evaluation focuses for each. Applicants must identify up to three key program objectives relevant to their mission and strategy. Major events are evaluated more heavily on their ability to engage and grow audiences and foster commercial exchanges. Applicants are assessed on criteria such as: - Event quality and professionalism. - Cultural and economic impact. - Business relations quality and commercial exchange volume. - Project feasibility and budget realism. - Organizational financial health. - Governance and management practices. - Eco-responsibility. - Documentation quality and relevance. Applicants must demonstrate satisfactory financial health to receive funding.
Submitting Applications
Applications are submitted through the secure digital portal, SOD@ccès, using program number 30-55-00. Ensure your application meets the deadlines specified for your event date listed on the SODEC website. In summary, the SODEC Cultural Events Assistance Program provides significant financial support and resources to Quebec non-profit organizations, encouraging the flourishing of diverse cultural events that enrich the province’s artistic landscape. By adhering to the program's guidelines and effectively demonstrating their impact, organizations can benefit from this vital funding opportunity.
