Public Art Grants

Who is eligible?

• Vancouver-based not-for-profit arts and culture organizations
• Local First Nations Band Councils
• Community service co-operatives legally registered and in good standing in BC
• Registered charities with the Canada Revenue Agency (for at least six months)

Who is not eligible

• Publicly funded or private educational institutions (e.g., public schools, universities, colleges, training organizations).
• Organizations whose proposed project does not meet the grant's intent and vision.
• Projects that are annual or recurring (such as festivals), unless they uniquely commission an artist for a public art work.
• Organizations proposing projects outside Vancouver city limits, except for those led by Musqueam, Squamish, or Tsleil-Waututh Nations in their unceded traditional homelands.
• Organizations engaged in fundraising, commercially-oriented activities, third-party advertising, demonstrations, rallies, or core artistic training/in-class activities.

Eligible expenses

• Artist fees and compensation
• Design and artistic supplies
• Fabrication and production costs
• Permits and insurance required for the project
• Installation and site preparation
• Project management (up to 20% of the total project budget)
• Engineering and technical services
• Community notification expenses
• Documentation of process and artwork
• Maintenance provisions for the artwork during its display
• Anti-graffiti treatments
• Site restoration after project completion
• Contingency costs (generally 10-15% of the overall budget)

Eligible geographic areas

• Organizations based in Vancouver, British Columbia.
• First Nations Band Councils located in Vancouver or on their unceded traditional homelands that include Vancouver.

• Artist-centred approach: Projects must provide meaningful commissioning opportunities for professional artists and demonstrate a strong commitment to advancing artists’ creative and critical investigation.
• Strength of the proposed project: Preference is given to unique, stand-alone artworks with project coherence, clear ideas, relevance to place and time, and engagement with critical dialogues in contemporary art.
• Organizational capacity: Applicants must show a realistic and achievable plan, experienced contributors, proper maintenance planning, effective communication and engagement strategies, and methods for evaluating project success.
• Realistic and achievable budget: Project expenses must be directly related to producing the artwork, with a guideline of a maximum of 20% of the total project budget allocated for project management costs.

• Step 1: Review the Application Information Guide
  • Carefully read the application information guide provided by the City of Vancouver Public Art Program for important details on requirements, criteria, and the application process.
• Step 2: Contact Cultural Services
  • Contact the designated cultural planner (e.g., Faith Moosang) to confirm your organization's eligibility.
  • Discuss your proposed project and obtain access to the application form.
• Step 3: Prepare Application Materials
  • Complete all six sections of the application form: Project Overview, Artist Centred, Strength of Proposed Project, Organizational Capacity, Budget, and Grant Agreement – Conditions of Assistance.
  • Compile all required supporting documents, such as financial statements and proof of not-for-profit or registered status (for first-time applicants).
  • Ensure the proposed project details are clear, including project description, location, budget, artist qualifications, and maintenance plans.
• Step 4: Submit the Application
  • Send the completed application and all required documents to the City of Vancouver Cultural Services at least two weeks before the deadline to confirm eligibility and finalize your submission.
  • Submit your final, completed application by the specified deadline (e.g., March 18 at 12:00 noon).
• Step 5: Application Review and Notification
  • Applications are assessed by an external panel of artists and arts professionals.
  • You will be notified of the result following panel review and council approval.

• The program is offered every two or three years, depending on budget availability.
• Grant recipients must ensure confidentiality; application documents become the property of the City of Vancouver.
• Panel members assessing applications include artists and arts professionals, with representation from xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, Sḵwxwú7mesh ̱ and səlilwətaɬ Nations.
• Information session notes and Q&A are posted online for applicant reference.