Arts and Culture Fund

How to apply

The BACF is currently closed. Please subscribe to this page and watch our news and notices for updates on when we will accept applications for 2023 and how to apply.

Eligibility

To apply for BACF funding, you must be in the City of Burlington and be one of the following:

• An individual artist or arts and cultural collective (defined as three or more individuals) that exhibit high achievement in arts and culture programming
• An incorporated not-for-profit arts and culture organization, or a charitable arts and culture organization
• A multicultural group that fulfills a significant role in the Burlington community through the arts and culture

Exclusions from eligibility

• Academic units or educational institutions
• Schools, conservatories and other organizations where the primary mission is training or education. You are not excluded if the presence of education or training is a secondary part of your organization's mandate
• Churches and other religious institutions
• Applicants that have received any form of City funding in the same calendar year

Exclusions from eligible costs

BACF project funding may not be used for capital expenses or purposes, including:

• Equipment and fixtures
• Furthering a for-profit venture or creating an advantage for a for-profit partner
• Land
• Operating costs
• Physical facilities

The program will not support:

• Any cost or reimbursement associated with ongoing or annual operating or administration costs
• Any expenses or financial commitments made prior to receiving official written grant approval
• Alcohol-, tobacco- or cannabis-related products or gambling expenses
• Contingency or unexplained miscellaneous costs
• Infrastructure, construction, renovation, major purchases and equipment such as capital, property, etc.
• Retroactive funding for projects or events that have already occurred
• Any other expenditure that does not directly relate to the project

Overview of grants

The BACF is meant to support the creation and presentation of arts and cultural projects that reflect BACF objectives.

• We award project grants for a term of one year.
• Each applicant may apply for support for one project per year.
• Applicants are responsible for all aspects of their project, including securing the appropriate venue and insurance.

Adherence to guidelines and standards

BACF projects must adhere to all municipal, regional and provincial COVID-19 health and safety guidelines at the time of the application and implementation of the project. Projects must also adhere to municipal, provincial and federal regulatory compliance standards such as building codes, City bylaws, fire regulations, etc.

Re-applying for a following year

If you receive BACF funding in any year and re-apply to the grant program the following year, you must provide a final project report as part of your subsequent application form. You must also submit an application each year for projects that recur annually. These projects are decided on based on our normal assessment criteria and:

• Availability of funds in the context of funding priorities
• Innovation within the project
• Success of the project in the previous year

Funding

The maximum amount awarded for each project grant is $7,000. The City has discretion regarding the amount awarded and all decisions are final.

Awarded applicants must sign an agreement, recognizing their obligations. Once the agreement is signed, we will issue a cheque for 80 per cent of the grant. The remaining 20 per cent will be issued upon receipt of the final report, as well as remaining invoices and other documents outlined in the agreement. Applicants will not be eligible to receive BACF funding until all required reports have been submitted and accepted by the City.

If you are in default of your grant agreement, you may be required to return funds to the City and you may be ineligible for future grants.

Adjudication and assessment criteria

There are four key areas of evaluation, including:

• Artistic merit (30 per cent of scoring)
• Program merit and strategic initiative (30 per cent of scoring)
• City-wide and community impact (20 per cent of scoring)
• Economic impact (20 per cent of scoring)

The applicant's recent activities, as well as proposed ones, are also considered during assessment.

Applications are reviewed, in part, by a peer assessment jury. Jury members evaluate the artistic merit criteria of BACF applications. They are selected and approved by the Arts and Culture Council of Burlington. Members are made up of representatives from the arts and culture sector, including:

• Arts and cultural professionals
• Practitioners and/or individuals who are knowledgeable in the arts and culture, and maintain high standing in the arts and cultural community

Artistic merit

Artistic merit scoring is determined by:

• A comprehensive work plan that is ready for implementation
• Contributions to the development of arts and culture in Burlington
• Distinctiveness of the applicant's activities in relation to comparable activities in Burlington. Does the project provide unique and innovative opportunities for artists, other arts and cultural organizations, and the public?
• Evidence of planning in place to support the proposal and/or ongoing organizational capacity (such as realistic schedules, timelines, planning practices, etc.)
• Qualified, professional leadership
• Quality or value of the project and the implementation team/program

Program merit and strategic initiative

Program merit and strategic initiative scoring is determined by clearly articulated outcomes expected for the project. Outcomes should align with the City's Strategic Plan community building through arts and culture.

Does the project:

1. Encourage better collaboration and coordination among existing and new cultural partners
2. Encourage multiculturalism and inclusion
3. Encourage targeted cultural programming that engages newcomers and a more diverse audience with the goal of promoting cultural diversity
4. Reach out to new and diverse communities to expand Burlington's cultural fabric
5. Support new and existing cultural celebrations and initiatives

City-wide and community impact

City-wide and community impact scoring is determined by:

• Demonstrated support from the community as determined by partnerships, collaborations, sponsorship support, in-kind support, volunteers, etc.
• Level of engagement with other arts and cultural organizations, artists and community groups in Burlington. Evidence of promotional and/or outreach strategies in place to encourage wide public participation, awareness and engagement
• Level of public access to the work, activities or services, and evidence of growing interest and attendance
• The applicant conducts their activities primarily in Burlington and for the benefit of Burlington residents. The applicant encourages the participation of all citizens in Burlington
• The applicant measures the success of the activities and programs of their organization on an ongoing basis and shares the results of these measures with the City and other interested stakeholders

Economic impact

Economic impact scoring is determined by:

• Direct and indirect spending in Burlington and attraction of tourists to Burlington
• Employment and training opportunities for Burlington artists, cultural workers and contractors
• Evidence of financial stability and accountability as demonstrated through prior financial performance, achievable and balanced budgets and fiscal management
• Strong and successful relationships and partnerships with the local business and not-for-profit community
• The ability to demonstrate how grant funding will directly support the project
• The applicant demonstrates initiative and success in generating revenue outside of the BACF

Approved projects

View and subscribe to our news and notices for updates and details on BACF approved projects.

Glossary of terms

View our BACF glossary of terms.

Arts and Culture Collective

Three or more artists or cultural professionals whose project is focused primarily on artistic or cultural creation and presentation.

Charitable Arts and Culture Organization

A charitable organization whose mandate or mission is focused primarily on artistic or cultural creation and presentation.

Charitable Organization

To be considered charitable, an organization's purpose must be exclusively and legally charitable and it must be established for the benefit of the public or a sufficient segment of the public. It must also be registered with the Canada Revenue Agency as having charitable status under the Income Tax Act. Organizations so registered can issue tax receipts for charitable donations.

Community Arts and Culture Project

Broadly defined, a community arts and culture project involves a collaborative, creative process between a professional practicing artist and the community. It is a collective method of artmaking, engaging professional artists and self-defined communities through collaborative, artistic expression. It is as much about process as it is about the artistic product or outcome. A community arts and culture project provides a unique way for communities to express themselves and enable artists, through financial and other support, to engage in creative activity with communities.

Not-for-Profit Arts and Culture Organization

A not-for-profit organization whose mandate or mission is focused primarily on artistic or cultural creation and presentation.

Not-for-Profit Organization

An organization not conducted or maintained for the purpose of making a profit. Instead, it operates to serve a public good. Not-for-profit organizations are specifically incorporated as such. Any surplus generated by a not-for-profit organization is used by the organization for the purposes for which it is established.

Peer Assessment Jury

BACF jury members are arts and culture professionals, practitioners and/or individuals who are knowledgeable in the arts and culture with high standing in the arts and culture community. Jurors evaluate applications based on the artistic merit component of the application and provide feedback to city staff. Peer assessment ensures that the arts and culture community has a voice in how funds are distributed and that applications are evaluated by artists and other cultural experts with knowledge and experience of the specific art forms, art practices and communities involved. BACF peer assessment jury members are selected and approved by the Arts and Culture Council of Burlington.

Professional Artist

Someone who has developed skills through training and/or practice, is recognized as such by artists working in the same artistic tradition, has a history of public presentation or publication, seeks payment for their work and actively practices their art. Short breaks in artistic history are allowed. The source of this definition is the Ontario Arts Council.