The Saanich Peninsula Arts and Culture Grant (SPACG) Program is a partnership between ArtSea and the municipalities on the Saanich Peninsula. We are pleased to offer grants and bursaries to support local arts and culture initiatives.
If you are an individual that resides on the Peninsula, or a group/collective that provides programs to the residents of the Peninsula, we invite you to learn more about this funding stream!

Next Application Deadline: February 15, 2024
SPACG Guidelines and Requirements
Please read through the guidelines and eligibility requirements before starting a grant application.
SPACG Program Goals and Objectives (click for more information)
- To encourage and support the creative capacity and cultural development of individuals, groups, and organizations located on the Saanich Peninsula.
- To support skills development, information sharing, presentations, exhibitions of work, etc.
- To strengthen and support the presence of arts and culture on the Saanich Peninsula, and to provide additional opportunities to engage in related activities.
Who can Apply? (click for more information)
Applications for this funding stream will be accepted from:
- Individual artists, curators, writers, and all arts and cultural practitioners that reside on the Saanich Peninsula, including those that reside or provide services for the WSANEC First Nations communities.
- Arts and cultural groups, collectives, or organizations that are located on the Saanich Peninsula, have the majority of their membership on the Saanich Peninsula, or primarily serve the communities on the Saanich Peninsula.*
- Great news – you do not need to be a registered charitable organization or non-profit organization to apply for funds through the SPACG program!
- Grant funds are not available for businesses.
- All applicants must hold a current ArtSea Membership (individual or group membership, as appropriate). Learn more about becoming an ArtSea Member.
Eligible Activities and Expenses (click for more information)
Eligible Activities
Activities that will be considered for funding include (but are not limited to):
- Community-based initiatives to engage citizens through artistic or cultural practices, including creation, production, performance, design, writing, programming, publication, artistic training, residencies, and collaborations.
- Arts and cultural exhibitions, public events or presentations involving cultural or artistic practices, concerts, festivals and showcase events (with health and safety protocols, and a contingency plan in place).
- Outreach activities or networking events that involve artistic or cultural practices.
- Preservation and/or sharing of traditional knowledge or skills through artistic or cultural practice.
Demonstrated Benefit to the Community
All initiatives must include a component that extends to the residents of the Saanich Peninsula; applicants must demonstrate how the project or programs will benefit the greater community.
Initiatives must include a component that extends to the residents of the Saanich Peninsula; applicants must demonstrate how the project or programs will benefit the greater community.
Example: An individual applicant would like funding for an instructional course; the applicant will include a plan to share the information learned or the skill gained with the citizens or communities of the Saanich Peninsula through:
- a performance, demonstration, exhibition, course;
- an online class, tutorial, or informative video or social media post to share ideas, processes, or information;
- an article or report that outlines information or lessons learned, which is published or made available to citizens of the Saanich Peninsula.
Eligible Expenses
Expenses directly related to the planning and/or delivery of an arts and culture initiative, including:
- training or workshop costs (see above section “Demonstrated Benefit to the Community”)
- materials and supplies
- staff or contractor fees
- honoraria (example: payment for a guest speaker or lecturer that does not charge a set fee). Please note: honoraria cannot be paid to ones self (individual applicants cannot include an honoraria for their own services).
Grants awarded through the Peninsula Arts and Culture Program are based on
funding availability and community benefit.

Please note: Grant funding is not guaranteed and amounts awarded are subject to availability of funds, and the extent to which the initiative aligns with the program goals and requirements.
Ineligible Activities and Expenses (click for more information)
Funding will not be provided for initiatives or program components that:
- already receive or are planning to request funding directly from the municipalities of North Saanich or the Town of Sidney. (SPACG funds are provided by these municipalities – activities, initiatives, or organizations cannot request funds twice from the same source).
- do not benefit the citizens or communities on the Saanich Peninsula (funding may be available to support a portion of a larger project that benefits the residents of the Saanich Peninsula, but funding will not be extended for activities that do not serve this community).
- do not have a core foundation in arts and culture.
- involve third party content or performances that are not cleared for the proposed uses (e.g. music not created and owned by the applicant).
- do not include a plan to follow public health orders (PHO); if the grant application requests funds to support activities such as large public gatherings or travel, the proposal should include a contingency plan in case such activities are suspended at the time of program delivery.
- extend beyond the specified “Project Dates” for the intake (see Dates and Deadlines section).
- are already complete (funding is not available for cost recovery or deficit reduction).
- are submitted for application outside of the intake dates. (see Dates and Deadlines section)
- SPACG Funding is not able to cover living expenses or for profit business expenses.
SPACG Application Dates and Deadlines (click for more information)
The SPACG program will have two intake periods each year:
Deadline Applications accepted until: | Notification Applicants will be notified: | Completion Date Projects must be completed: |
August 31st 2021 [COMPLETE] | September 30th 2021 | August 31st 2022* |
February 15th 2022 [COMPLETE] | March 15th 2022 | December 31st 2022 |
July 31st 2022 [COMPLETE] | September 15th 2022 | December 31st 2022 |
February 15th 2023 [COMPLETE] | March 15th 2023 | December 31st 2023 |
July 31st 2023 [NOW CLOSED] | September 15th 2023 | December 31st 2023 |
February 15th 2024 | March 15th 2024 | December 31st 2024 |
July 31st 2024 | September 15th 2024 | December 31st 2024 |
Application Limits (click for more information)
There are two application intakes each year. Funding is available for up to 12 months of activities. Applications may be submitted every 12 months (one application per year); grants cannot overlap.
Application Process (click for more information)
1. Review information and guidelines
- Prior to submitting a funding application, read through the guidelines, FAQ, and the full application; please note, there are separate applications for individual applicants and for group/organization applicants.
- If you have questions prior to filling out the application, please send an email to grants@artsea.ca. ArtSea will respond as soon as possible; please allow for 2 to 5 business days.
2. Online application
There are separate applications for individual applicants and for group/organization applicants, but both applications include the following sections:
Section 1: Applicant Contact Information. (Individual or Group/Organization)
Section 2: Project Information. Applicants will provide details about the proposed initiative, including the project plan, timelines, and the potential impact and outcomes.
Section 3: Program Budget. Applicants will provide information about the expected revenues and expenses for the initiative, including the specific amount of grant funds requested from the SPACG program.
Note: Groups/Organizations that have an annual budget beyond the proposed program will attach an electronic copy of the organizational budget for the current year, within the online application.
Section 4: Declaration. Applicants will agree to the terms and conditions of the SPACG program and confirm that all of the information provided is true and accurate. Applicants agree to submit a report (using a provided template) within six months of receiving funding, if the application is successful.
Application support is available for those that have difficulty accessing the online application, or require assistance filling out the application. Please contact grants@artsea.ca
3. Adjudication
All applications will be reviewed by the adjudication committee, according to the schedule provided in the Dates and Deadlines section of the Program Guidelines. See section, Assessment Criteria and Adjudication Process for more details.
4. Notification
All applicants will be notified by email according to the schedule provided in the Dates and Deadlines section of the Program Guidelines.
5. Reporting
If the funding application is successful, applicants will submit a report (using a provided template) within six months of receiving funding, or at the completion of their initiative.
Assessment Criteria and Adjudication Process (click for more information)
Applications for the Saanich Peninsula Arts and Culture Grant will be reviewed by an adjudication committee consisting of representatives from the ArtSea Board of Directors, and Council representatives from the Town of Sidney, the District of North Saanich, and the District of Central Saanich. Each application will be assessed according to the following standardized scoring assessment criteria to ensure that results are fair and equitable:
Relevance – Arts and Culture (30%)
- The project plan and goals of the initiative have clearly identified artistic and/or cultural focus and/or components.
- The organizational mandate and vision have a foundation in arts and culture (not applicable to individual applicants).
Impact – Saanich Peninsula Community (30%)
- The initiative advances artistic/cultural practices or enriches the cultural life of the greater Saanich Peninsula community.
- The initiative provides opportunities for citizens to engage: audience and number of citizens that will benefit from performances, exhibitions, screenings, readings, publications, networking events, articles, reports, etc.
- The project plan demonstrates an ability to gain support or interest from the wider community (public participation; and where appropriate, partnerships, volunteers, sponsorships or in-kind donations, and alternative/additional funding sources).
- The application includes effective outreach activities and/or marketing plans, and demonstrates the applicant’s knowledge of their target audience/participants; does the initiative include indigenous content, or is it accessible to vulnerable populations?
Feasibility – Administrative and Financial Viability (40%)
- The applicant’s capacity and experience to undertake the initiative, and the thoroughness of the project plan.
- The degree to which the initiative aligns with the SPACG program guidelines and expectations.
- A reasonable budget, efficient use of resources, and (if applicable) appropriate fees paid to project participants and other revenue sources.
- The plan will demonstrate appropriate allocation of human and financial resources to fulfil the organization’s annual and long-term plans (not applicable to individual applicants).
- This funding stream is not appropriate for cost recovery (initiatives that are already complete, or deficit reduction).
Question and Answer (click for more information)
Saanich Peninsula Arts and Culture Grant Program, Q&A:
Q: Where do I find the application for the Peninsula Arts and Culture Grant Program?
A: The application can be filled out online – the “Individual application” and “Group Application” links can be found below. This webpage also includes information about the Peninsula Arts and Culture Grant, as well as application guidelines and requirements.
Q: Do I need to be a registered non-profit or charity to be eligible for this funding?
A: No! It is not necessary for applicants to be a registered society, but Charitable organizations and non-profits are welcome to apply. This funding stream is available for existing programs, as well as new and innovative initiatives that benefit the residents of the Saanich Peninsula.
Q: Can businesses and for-profit organizations apply?
A: No. This funding stream is for individuals, groups, and organizations that are not a part of a registered business. Please see the section: Who can apply?
Q: I am not a member of ArtSea. Can I still apply?
A: While you can apply, your application will not be considered until you become a member of ArtSea. If you are not a member by the submission intake deadline, your application will not be considered during the intake period. To learn more about becoming an ArtSea Member.
Q: Does ArtSea still offer Member Grants, or does this funding stream replace the ArtSea Member Grant program?
A: ArtSea has identified a need to provide a consistent and reliable funding source for arts and cultural initiatives on the Saanich Peninsula; however, due to budget reductions resulting from the pandemic, the ArtSea Member Grant program is no longer viable. ArtSea is grateful that the municipalities on the Saanich Peninsula have agreed to provide funds to support this new funding stream; we are thrilled to work together with our municipal partners to support arts and culture in our community.
Q: Can we apply for programs that have already started?
A: Yes, you can apply for funding for programs that are under way at the time of the application, but you cannot apply for programs that are already complete (funds are not available for cost-recovery or debt reduction). Please see section: Dates and Deadlines.
Q: Can we apply more than once?
A: There are two scheduled application intakes each year; individuals or groups/organizations can apply once every 12 months. Please see the section: Dates and Deadlines.
Q: Can I apply for a portion of a larger project?
A: Yes. Be sure to provide a budget for the portion that you would like funded, as well as project details for the larger initiative.
Q: Can applications be submitted via email?
A: Our preference is that applications are filled out using the online submission form; however, if this presents a difficulty you can download the appropriate (individual or group/organization) PDF application and submit via email to: grants@artsea.ca, along with supporting documentation. Please ensure that you have read all sections of the guidelines and requirements, and that all required sections are complete (required sections are indicated by asterisks*).
Q: If this is the first time applying for funding, can I get assistance?
A: Yes. Should you require assistance with completing the application, please email: grants@artsea.ca
Q: Will I/we be at a disadvantage if I am applying, or if my group is applying for the first time?
A: No. We encourage individuals and new groups to apply. Part of our mission is to be a springboard for new arts and cultural initiatives in the community.
Do you have questions for which you did not find the answer?
Email your question to grants@artsea.ca
Download SPACG Program Guidelines (PDF) (click for more information)
The information presented on this page is also available in a PDF document that you may download and print.
Ready to Apply?
Please read through the entire application prior to starting the application process to ensure that you have all required information. You will be asked to attach information about the cost of your initiative or program budget as part of the application.
– GROUPS, Associations, Collectives, or Guilds –
Additional Resources: Download a Simple Budget Template or Submit a Report
All recipients of the Saanich Peninsula Arts and Culture Grant (SPACG) must submit a report within 12 months of receiving funds.
This program is administered by ArtSea Community Arts Council, adjudicated by a team of ArtSea volunteers, and funded by the Town of Sidney, and the Districts of North Saanich.

Together we look forward to supporting existing arts and cultural initiatives, as well as providing opportunities for new and innovative programs that will enrich our communities.
SPACG Grants Awarded
ArtSea and the municipalities on the Saanich Peninsula would like to congratulate the following grant recipients, and thank them for their contribution to arts and culture in our community!
ArtSea is fortunate to operate within the unceded territory of the Coast Salish People – within the traditional territory of the W̱SÁNEĆ Nation – Pauquachin, Tsartlip, Tsawout and Tseycum peoples.

