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!
SPACG Guidelines and Requirements
SPACG Program Goals and Objectives
- 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?
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 (see map), 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 (see map).
- 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 or business start-up.
- All applicants must hold a current ArtSea Membership (individual or group membership, as appropriate). Learn more about becoming an ArtSea Member.
Map of the Saanich Peninsula Eligible Funding Area
Click to view fill screen map – top right corner of interactive map.
To view the Directory list – top left corner of interactive map. Click each listing for more information.
Eligible Activities
Activities that will be considered for SPACG 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.
- All initiatives (both Group and Individual) 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.
Demonstrated Benefit to the 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 must relate directly to the proposed arts and culture initiative. Examples may include:
- Training or workshop costs, if these relate to learning that will be shared with the community or are required to develop a skill needed to implement the proposed initiative.
- Materials and supplies (please provide a list of materials with the associated cost).
- Staff or contractor fees (this is appropriate for groups applications for which a portion of the program expense includes paid staff or contractors).
- Honoraria (this is appropriate for groups or initiatives that will offer a payment to special guest speakers or lecturer who do not charge a set fee for their services. Applicants cannot include an honorarium for their own time or services.
Please note:
- There is no official limit to grant and bursary amounts that are requested through the
Saanich Peninsula Arts and Culture Program - Amounts awarded typically range between $200 and $5000.
- SPACG grants are not intended to be the sole source of funding.
- Grant funding is not guaranteed.
- 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
Funding will not be provided for initiatives or program components that:
- Receive or are planning to request funding directly from the municipalities of Central Saanich, North Saanich, or the Town of Sidney in the same year. ArtSea administers this funding stream as a service to support the residents of the Peninsula, with funding for SPACG grants and bursaries provided by the taxpayers of Sidney and North Saanich.
- 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).
- Occur or 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).
- SPACG Funding is not able to cover living expenses or for profit business expenses.
Application Dates and Deadlines
NEW FOR 2024: You can now apply for a SPACG Grant or Bursary ANY TIME throughout the year.
- In an effort to increase accessibility of SPACG Grant and Bursary Funding, ArtSea has removed the application intake deadlines. Group and Individual applications will now be accepted and adjudicated as they are submitted.
- Notification will be provided within 6 weeks of submission, as long as the applications include all necessary information.
- All grant recipients will submit a grant report at the conclusion of their program, or within 12 months of receiving SPACG funding.
Please note the Grant Report deadlines remain for funding received in 2023:
| Deadline Applications accepted until: | Notification Applicants will be notified: | Completion Date Projects must be completed: | SPACG Reports Reports must be submitted (latest): |
| February 15th 2023 [COMPLETE] | March 15th 2023 | December 31st 2023 | March 15th 2024 |
| July 31st 2023 [COMPLETE] | September 15th 2023 | December 31st 2023 | September 15th 2024 |
Application Limits
New for 2024: Applications are no longer limited to one submission per year. We will now accept and adjudicate applications for each initiative separately. For instance, organizations that host multiple performances throughout the year can submit separate applications for each program.
Application Process
1. Review information and guidelines
- Prior to submitting a funding application, read through the guidelines, FAQ, and the full application. There are separate applications for individual grants and bursaries and for group/organizations. Please ensure that you fill out the appropriate application.
- 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.
Section 1: Applicant Contact Information.
- Provide Individual or Group/Organization contact information. It is important to ensure that a valid email address is provided so that a member of the ArtSea Team can follow up.
Section 2: Project Information.
- Applicants will provide details about the proposed initiative, including the project plan, timelines, and the potential impact and outcomes.
- Applicants will request a specific grant or bursary amount.
- Individual and Group applicants will indicate how the requested funds will be used, with a detailed list of expenses required for the initiative. For initiatives that will record revenue as part of their program, please also list sources and amounts of expected revenue.
- 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 3: 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 will agree to submit a report (using a provided template) within 12 months of receiving funding, or upon completion of their initiative, if the application is successful.
Application support is available for those that require assistance filling out the application. Please contact grants@artsea.ca
3. Adjudication
All applications will be reviewed by the adjudication committee within 6 weeks of submitting, provided all necessary information is included in the application. Applicants will be contacted should additional information be required. See section, Assessment Criteria and Adjudication Process for more details.
4. Notification
All applicants will be notified by email within 6 weeks of submission, provided all necessary information is included in the application. Successful applicants will receive a cheque in the mail for the approved grant or bursary amount.
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
Applications for the Saanich Peninsula Arts and Culture Grant will be reviewed by an adjudication committee and 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; however, individuals have the opportunity to provide details about their history and involvement with arts and culture on the Peninsula).
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).
Note: this funding stream is not appropriate for cost recovery (initiatives that are already complete, or deficit reduction).
SPACG Questions and Answers (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. Please see the section: Who can apply?
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 current 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: Where does the funding for the SPACG Program come from?
A: ArtSea identified a need to provide a consistent and reliable funding source for arts and cultural initiatives on the Saanich Peninsula. To respond to this need, ArtSea developed the framework of the SPACG program in 2020 and proposed it to the municipalities on the Saanich Peninsula as a partnership program. In 2021, The Town of Sidney, The District of North Saanich, and the District of Central Saanich agreed to provide grant funding for a new community program that would be administered by ArtSea. ArtSea is thrilled to work together with our municipal partners to support arts and culture in our community. Please see section: SPACG Funding Partners.
Q: Can we apply for programs that have already started?
A: Yes, you can apply for funding for programs started (and will be complete) within the same year that the application is submitted, 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 one time?
A: New for 2024: Applications are no longer limited to one submission per year. We will now accept and adjudicate applications for each initiative separately. For instance, organizations that host multiple performances throughout the year can submit separate applications for each program. 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. Please see the section: Eligible Expenses.
A budget template is also available.
Q: Can applications be submitted via email?
A: Our preference is that applications are filled out using the online Individual Application or Group Application available this page. PDF copies of the Individual Application and Group Application forms are available for download and can be submitted 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*). Please see the section: Download PDF Documents
Q: If my grant or bursary funding is approved, am I required to submit a report for my program or initiative?
A: Yes. All SPACG funding recipients are required to submit a report upon completion of their program or initiative, or within one year (12 months) of receipt of the funding. Please see the section: SPACG Report.
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
Ready to Apply?
Program Partners
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 District of North Saanich.
ArtSea is grateful for the financial support received from the following organizations that help the ArtSea team to plan and present a variety of programs throughout the year. Part of this program funding is used to help cover the costs of managing the SPACG Program.
Together we are pleased to support initiatives that will enrich our communities and add to the arts and cultural landscape of our region.
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.
