Local Festivals — Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage

The Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage — Local Festivals component provides funding to local groups for recurring festivals that present the work of local artists, local artisans, local heritage performers or specialists, and local First Nations, Inuit and Métis cultural carriers. This includes the celebration of 2SLGBTQI+ communities and Indigenous cultural celebrations.

Who can apply

Eligible applicants must represent 1 of the following community-based groups:

• a local non-profit organization or group
• a local band council, local tribal council or other local Indigenous government or organization (First Nations, Inuit or Métis)

In addition, applicants must meet all of the following requirements:

• encourage local community engagement through activities that promote, celebrate and preserve local performing and visual arts or local heritage
• have successfully organized a prior edition of the festival, within the last 2 years, that met all eligibility requirements of this component

Eligible projects and events

Applicants may request up to 100% of eligible expenses up to a maximum of $200,000 for festivals that meet all of the following requirements:

• present the work of local artists, local artisans, local heritage performers, and local First Nations, Inuit and Métis cultural carriers
• actively involve members of the local community
• are intended for and accessible to the general public

Requests for funding consistently exceed our available resources. Submitting an application does not guarantee that your project will be funded nor that the amount requested will be the amount awarded.

Application deadlines

• January 31 — for festivals starting between September 1 and December 31 of the same calendar year
• April 30 — for festivals starting between January 1 and June 30 of the next calendar year
• October 15 — for festivals starting between July 1 and August 31 of the next calendar year

When an application deadline falls on a weekend or statutory holiday, it is extended to the following working day.

Important

Applications must be submitted by 11:59 pm (ET).

How to apply

• Review the Application guidelines before completing your application
• Create or access your Canadian Heritage account and apply online
• Access the mandatory forms, available under the section Guides and help, and submit them with your funding application

Apply

If you are unable to access the online system or apply online, please contact our support team.

Contact our support team

Email

info@pch.gc.ca

Telephone

1-866-811-0055 (toll-free)

TTY

1-888-997-3123 (toll-free)

Agents are available to answer your questions, Monday to Friday, 7:30 am to 6:30 pm (ET).