Cultural Grants

This open-intake program is intended to provide funding for small scale arts and culture activations or projects for equity seeking communities that would otherwise not have access to supports. Recognizing existing inequities and barriers, this program welcomes applications from, and prioritizes support to historically and systemically marginalized communities. In addition, a specialized intake process has been designed to assist applicants in the grant application processes and reporting requirements where challenges such as language, accessibility, time, technology, or professional experience may hinder the group's ability to effectively navigate application complexities. Our goal is to ensure that all potential grantees receive the support they need to submit strong applications and fulfill reporting obligations successfully.

Examples:

• Events or performances celebrating culture;
• Cultural celebrations such as Powwows, Vaisakhi, Lunar New Year, etc.;
• Events related to public awareness campaigns with a cultural or artistic component. For example, Red Dress Day, Transgender Day of Visibility, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Drum Circles;
• Innovative initiatives with a cultural or artistic component such as: Visual art exhibitions, literary works, zine workshops, spoken word, storytelling, reading circles, etc.

Alternate submission methods are accepted for the Advancing Equity Micro Grant.

Accepted submission formats include:

• Interview conducted in person, phone or through video call
• Pre-recorded video submission
• Written in the applicant's language of preference
• In a form proposed by the applicant and accepted by the City of Kelowna that reduces the barriers of the application process for the applicant.

Contact City staff for more information or to arrange an alternate submission method;

Joanne Taylor
Cultural Advisor, City of Kelowna
jomtaylor@kelowna.ca
(250) 317-4264

For more information about the program, view the program guidelines and sample application with final report.

The Project grant program received 13 applications requesting a total of $89,240 in funding, 11 of these applications were successful and $63,320 in funding was awarded. The project grant recipients are listed in alphabetical order below:

Aesthetiks Lab Society - Fashion WEEKend: $10,000
An event celebrating fashion as an art form by showcasing local and provincial fashion designers of all ages.

Creator's Arts Studio – Kelowna Dance Teacher Training Program: $3,120
A structured dance teacher training program that is multi-disciplinary and services the dance sector as a whole.

Global Citizens Events - Sustainable Development Challenge: $4,800
An opportunity for youth of all ages, from elementary to high school, to learn and create an art project showcasing one of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals

Inspired Word Cafe: $2,000
An event focused on the concept of ‘turning a new leaf’ in the arts by showcasing local talent, comedy and music. 

Kelowna Japanese Language Society - Japanese Language & Calligraphy: $5,000
Hosting weekly Japanese language and calligraphy classes.

Kelowna Taiwanese Cultural Society - Film Festival and Cultural Festival: $8,500
A festival to showcase and celebrate Taiwanese culture while fostering an appreciation of diversity within the community.

Niteo Africa – Stories around the world: $7,800 
A series of events celebrating multiculturalism through sharing cultural folktales and storytelling

Federation of Canadian Artists - Okanagan Branch Art Exhibition: $3,100
A Juried art exhibit featuring local artists with the addition of art exhibitions focused on youth artists and artists with diverse abilities.

Orchard Valley Quilters Guild - Kelowna Quilts workshop series: $4,000
A series of quilting workshops exploring various techniques offered to members of our community.

Upstage Kelowna Show Choir Society – Show Choir Concert: $5,000
A choir production enhanced with a variety of performance styles, visual effects and musical genres.