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.

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

Burlington Arts and Culture Fund Approved Projects for 2022/2023

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

Project: The Artist’s Mark 2022

Applicant: Burlington Fine Arts Association

The Burlington Fine Arts Association (BFAA) is a high achieving artist collective of approximately 170 local artists and is the largest of the seven guilds under the umbrella of Arts Burlington. The Artist’s Mark will provide a ten-day juried art exhibit at the Hub in the Burlington Centre. The exhibition brings original art out of the gallery and into a more accessible community venue and consumer space. Throughout the exhibition participating BFAA artists will interact with visitors by giving live demonstrations and talking about their work and artistic process. Along with the informal talks, the Artist’s Mark will feature more focused artist presentations and discussions. The project provides the means for a continued celebration of creativity and supports local artists from the Burlington community.

Project: The Collaborative Experience

Applicant: Arts and Culture Council of Burlington (ACCOB)

The Arts and Culture Council of Burlington is a not-for-profit arts and cultural organization dedicated to creating a vibrant and diverse artistic and cultural community. The Collaborative Experience features a series of three recorded workshops. Roots and Ivory will explore the compositional relationship between spontaneous Indigenous visual art and improvised music. La Danse Nouveau will explore the spontaneous compositional relationship between improvised dance and improvised music. Duelling Poets will feature two poets that will collaborate and create a poem that utilizes two different characters, a protagonist and antagonist. The project highlights a range of art forms, encapsulates the creative process, and demonstrates the importance of artistic collaboration to round out the performance. The workshops are recorded and released via YouTube individually, one per month, to increase awareness of the artists in the Burlington community. 

Project: Delayed the Musical

Applicant: Joanne Payne

Delayed A New Musical workshop, rehearsal and performance is a 3-week project that will take place in August and September 2022. Delayed is the story of two men who meet on a train station platform. Their train is delayed until the morning, so they pass the hours sharing stories of their lives. In those moments, as we get to know their many tales, we realize that there are connections between them and perhaps a grander plan for their meeting. The project brings the opportunity for Burlington performing artists of all ages and experience in the arts to be involved in the second phase of the development process of this brand-new musical. As part of the process, every participant between the ages of 12 and 18 will have the opportunity to complete the mentorship program where they will learn key skills that include how to prepare for a rehearsal, how to write a resume, and how to communicate with creative professionals.

Project: Elizabeth Gardens Art Walk

Applicant: Elizabeth Gardens Creative Collective

The Elizabeth Gardens Art Walk is a free one-day art walk where local Burlington artists can display their art and host an art experience station for community members. A digital map will be provided to registered community visitors, encouraging them to walk/bike to the various art stations within the Elizabeth Gardens community. A goal of the project is to help the community learn about the many talented artists and craftspeople that live in Burlington, and ways that we can come together to further support them. Through art experience stations attendees immerse themselves into new artistic practices in a safe and supportive environment. Visitors will have the chance to experience a variety of art forms including: pottery, paint pouring, alcohol ink, contributing to a community mural, and hydro dipping. The project allows artists to develop relationships with the community and to network with other artisans to spark future collaborations.

Project: Emerging Artist Showcase Series

Applicant: Rotary Club of Burlington Lakeshore

The Emerging Artist Showcase (EAS) is designed to foster the continued development of Burlington’s music scene and aims to further add to the impressive list of Canadian bands from Burlington that have become international stars. The EAS aims to grant six rising artists with an opportunity to launch their careers on a professional-level platform. The series offers exposure to new and diverse audiences, networking and connection opportunities, artist relations, hospitality, stage management experience, and knowledge to support the career development of the city’s emerging artists. Through the Emerging Artists Showcase, Rotary’s aspirations are to add six more artists to the ranks of Burlington-based artists like Finger Eleven, Walk off the Earth and Silverstein. The artists will take to the west stage at the Labour Day weekend festival in Spencer Smith Park.

Project: The Existt Sessions

Applicant: Existt Soul Centre

The Existt Sessions are a series of community-led mindfulness workshops involving guided meditation, live music, movement and sound-healing. The sessions will focus on a different intention as we collectively grow in our practice. The project blends community engagement, music, performance and intuitive healing to provide a safe space for our community to gather and learn new tools for self-care. The project is curated to foster a community of creative individuals linked by the collective intention of wanting to adopt a mindful approach to their creative practice. The event is designed to raise individual consciousness levels so we may then see a greater change in how we experience life as a society. One of the primary intentions of this project is to reach racialized groups within our community and be able to expand Burlington’s cultural fabric by connecting like-minded individuals and providing a safe space dedicated to communal growth and consciousness expansion through art. 

Project: Free Live Stream Concerts for Burlington Schools

Applicant: Chris McKhool, Sultans of String

Three-time JUNO Award nominees and Billboard charting band Sultans of String will present a series of live stream concerts for Burlington schools throughout the city’s six wards. The concerts will be based on the group’s Refuge project which will allow for collaboration with diverse artists as they amplify their message of hope and peace. This includes Ojibway Elder Dr. Duke Redbird, Sudanese musician Waleed Abdulhamid, Somali refugee poet Ifrah Mansour, Pakistani-Canadian sitar player Anwar Khurshid, Indian tabla player Ravi Naimpally, Iraq refugee singer Ahmed Moneka, Cuban refugee percussionist Rosendo Leon, Iranian refugee dulcimer player Amir Amiri and percussionist Naghmeh Farahmand. Participants will be joined by the core rhythm section of Chris McKhool, Kevin Laliberté and Drew Birston in a unique concert experience for elementary and high school students. We believe that every young person in Burlington should have access to performing arts experiences that inspire, empower and spark imaginations.

Project: Halton Freedom Celebration Festival

Applicant: Halton Black History Awareness Society

The Halton Black History Awareness Society (HBHAS) is dedicated to implementing cultural education into the public and institutional mindset towards appreciating the values of inclusivity, equality, and self-development. HBHAS develops programs to erode racism, prejudice and stereotyping towards marginalized communities while increasing knowledge of Canadian history and its cultural landscape. The free one-day Halton Freedom Celebration Festival in Spencer Smith Park brings together musical acts, children’s and youth activities, cultural art, food, crafts, heritage, historical, and genealogical vendors and promotes inclusivity and community integration. The multi-cultural ambience will be infused with cultural crafts, art in the park, cultural designer fashions and accessories, food, and exceptional ambience complimenting the best in R&B, Reggae, Soul, Funk, African, Cuban, Jazz Fusion, Ska, Soca and Pop. 

Project: IA - From Past to Present

Applicant: Arts4People Movement

Arts4People movement is a community organization that aims to provide cultural awareness using community arts, arts education and community engagement. Every year around the world on June 24 we celebrate the Universal Day of the Romanian Blouse. Our project is built on this day of special significance for both Romanians and all those who appreciate the beauty and meaning of the traditional folk costume. Every summer, Romanians gather all over the world to celebrate “IA”, one of our national identity symbols. During past years, we have organized and celebrated this day in Burlington, but our 2022 project aims to reach a broader community over a longer period of time through workshops at local community centres and libraries. A main goal of the project is to create cultural awareness. In terms of learning opportunities the event strives to educate the community about the cultural benefits each newcomer brings to the city’s canvas, engages the community to take action and promote cultural diversity, and encourages the participants to interact with others in an attempt to build bridges, trust, respect, and understanding across cultures.

Project: If the Earth Could Sing

Applicant: Myriad Ensemble

The Myriad Ensemble is a young women's choir that includes a diverse array of ethnicities, lived experiences and abilities. Myriad's mandate is to raise the voices of women through the collaboration, exploration and performance of treble choral repertoire. For this project the ensemble will partner with Conservation Halton to present a multimedia choral concert honouring Canada's diverse landscapes that are currently threatened by the climate crisis. The purpose of this concert is to use the human voice to paint a picture of our natural environment and cinematography to contrast that beauty of song with the rawness and urgency of the crisis. Conservation Halton will provide the outdoor venue needed to present this concert which will be will be filmed so that the works performed can be used to further invite audiences to experience the impact that music can have as an advocacy tool. The project aims to shed light on the vital importance of immediate environmental action and conservation in our own community. 

Project: The Inspire Project - Fueled by Fun

Applicant: Briar Emond

The Inspire Project - Fueled by Fun is a two-week art show by local artist Briar Emond and an afternoon event that will include local artists of different disciplines and backgrounds. Briar will lead an interactive painting demonstration and will provide supplies, materials and space needed for participants to create their own work of art. The project is designed to inspire residents to be creative and aims to remove barriers to creating, through example, experiment and encouragement. The Garden City Orchestra, a Burlington symphony of amateur musicians of all ages, local dancers and authors will be invited to perform throughout the event to inspire the participants and present an atmosphere for creative thinking. The project will promote and strengthen cultural connections between Burlington residents, artists and cultural organizations. Combining visual art with other forms of creative expression such as music, dance and written word will form an environment that stimulates and encourages community creativity. 

Project: Lowville Festival - Rockin’ at Mount Nemo - Opera Gone Wild

Applicant: Lowville Festival

The Lowville Festival is launching an exciting new attraction as the cornerstone of its 2022 festival programming on September 3, 2022. Opera Gone Wild, as the name suggests, will take the time-honoured art form of opera and stand it on its ear. Major Canadian operatic singers who have a facility with both opera and various non-operatic genres will join forces with non-operatic singers, performers with a background in musical theatre, jazz and pop music, in an evening that will combine all of these genres in a crazy quilt of operatic, musical theatre hit songs, pop, jazz, country, folk and world selections. They will be accompanied by no fewer than three local choirs. To make things even wilder, we will be presenting this concert in an awesome abandoned quarry in the Mount Nemo Conservation Authority, which is overgrown with beautiful cedars, birches and poplars. Representing the world of opera will be Verdi/Puccini tenor Richard Margison, and lyric soprano Lauren Margison. 

Project: Lunar New Year Celebration Gala

Applicant: Redleaf Cultural Integration

The Lunar New Year Celebration Gala is an event to celebrate the starting of the new Lunar Year, which is one of the most important festivals in Asian countries. The purpose of this event is to connect people, share diverse cultures and celebrate the Lunar New Year. The event will consist of two parts. One is a half-day free culture exhibition that includes multicultural displays of Chinese watercolour painting, calligraphy demonstrations, traditional Chinese sugar painting, a tea ceremony, Indian Henna painting, a Korean culture display, and a cultural fashion show. The main event will include professional and amateur performances, a Lion and Dragon dance, a variety of singing and dance from various cultures and a comedy show. Redleaf Cultural Integration (RCI) is a non-profit cultural organization that works together with people of diverse cultures, backgrounds and ages to enhance the quality of life in Burlington. RCI creates opportunities to develop meaningful relationships and promotes healthy lifestyles with a focus on newcomers to Canada and Burlington specifically.

Project: One Burlington Festival - Celebrating Diversity

Applicant: One Burlington

The One Burlington Festival is an annual celebration of Burlington’s local faith and cultural communities. It is a free and open event that encourages dialogue and the building of bridges through the sharing of cultural foods, activities for children, stage presentations and performances, and information booths where traditions can be explained by local Muslim, Sikh, Bahai, Hindu, Jewish, Christian and other various community leaders in a relaxed, casual, environment that stimulates understanding, respect and appreciation of the unity in the diversity of our neighbours. The celebration is unique to Burlington and the sharing of cultural and ethnic foods is a popular component of the interfaith and multicultural celebration. The process of sharing cultural foods, art, music and dance performances, facilitates a dialogue and builds relationships between individuals and communities within our inclusive city. The festival features culture-based performances by local and regional, professional and community artists.

Project: Prodigiem

Applicant: Burlington New Millennium Orchestra

The Burlington New Millennium Orchestra (BNMO) is a world-class concert orchestra and recorded music ensemble comprised of highly respected professional musicians. The BNMO repertoire covers a broad spectrum of styles and tastes, all under the artistic direction of the internationally renowned Conductor, Maestro Charles Cozens. An exciting concept in concert programming, the Prodigiem project presents a platform for young prodigious Canadian performers ages 5 to 18 to perform in concert with the orchestra. This program will feature several young, gifted performers on many different instruments including piano, violin, cello, trumpet, flute and voice. Musical genres for this concert will include Classical, Jazz, Pop, Folk, Rock and World Music. This is an outstanding program featuring the finest in up-and-coming young musical artists. The project brings together musically talented youth and professional musicians from Burlington and the surrounding area. 

Project: Summer Shakespeare Project

Applicant: Tottering Biped Theatre Inc.

The Tottering Biped Theatre (TBT) was founded in 2009 as a social justice inspired theatre company. The Summer Shakespeare Project presents A Midsummer Night’s Dream. This return to a classic comedy is full of wonder and magic, ideal for a garden setting. Summer Shakespeare began with the simple idea that audiences and local artists do not need to quench their creative thirsts in Toronto or elsewhere as beautiful and captivating work can be done right here in our own backyard. Our productions feature local actors, designers, and directors. We interpret Shakespeare through the lens of social justice issues and ensure diversity in casting and process. This work enables our talented artists to stay local and to give their creativity back to our own communities. Our critically acclaimed productions have connected audiences all over the region with dynamic interpretations of Shakespearean Theatre at an outdoor, historical venue. The project will provide a picture of what outdoor and immersive theatre can look like in a non-traditional setting. 

Project: Telling Tales Festival

Applicant: Telling Tales

The 14th Annual Telling Tales Festival returns to its new home at Royal Botanical Gardens’ Hendrie Park. The event is free and visitors can participate in numerous educational activities led by a diverse range of authors, illustrators, musicians and storytellers. The program is strong on Indigenous themes, culturally diverse and committed to showcasing fresh, local talent alongside internationally renowned luminaries. Guests can hear the stories behind a book’s creation, learn writing tips and meet the authors at the autographing tent. Attendees can also explore a story walk, express their creativity in the craft tent with story-based art, and be intrigued by the sculpture collection and art tours. Telling Tales fosters the family literacy skills that will support mental health and a sense of well-being, by promoting a love of reading and an appreciation of the natural world. The festival connects artists to family audiences with the goal of promoting reading as a lifelong, family activity.

Project: Young Artists Competition and Youth Mentorship

Applicant: Burlington Symphony Orchestra

The Burlington Symphony Orchestra (BSO) produces interesting, exciting orchestral and small ensemble performances that engage and inspire large, diverse audiences. This project supports the BSO’s youth outreach initiatives. The Young Artists Competition (YAC) features young artists from the region as soloists in main-stage performances with the orchestra as part of its regular concert series. The goal is to support and encourage promising young artists from Burlington and the Halton region by offering them the chance to rehearse and perform with a symphony orchestra. The BSO Young Artists Competition broadens and increases enriching opportunities for young musicians in the area through quality leadership and strives to give talented musicians more exposure on a bigger stage. YAC soloists receive a bursary to encourage them to pursue their studies in performance. The BSO youth mentorship program contributes to our community to advance the future of culture by developing and nurturing a passion for music in young musicians through the study and performance of classical and contemporary music. 

Burlington Arts and Culture Fund Approved Projects for 2020/2021

Project: The Artist’s Mark

Applicant: Burlington Fine Arts Association

The Burlington Fine Arts Association (BFAA) is a high achieving artist collective of approximately 170 local artists and is the largest of the seven guilds under the umbrella of Arts Burlington. The Artist’s Mark project will mark the third annual juried show at the Burlington Centre, a continued effort in building a relationship between the BFAA and the Burlington Centre. The exhibition brings original art out of the gallery and into a more accessible community venue and consumer space. Throughout the exhibition, participating BFAA and student artists interact with visitors by being on site, giving live demonstrations, and talking about their work and artistic process. The project provides the means for a continued celebration of the creativity of local artists from the BFAA and supports young artists from high schools within the Burlington community.

Project: Authors in Your Neighbourhood

Applicant: Sylvia McNicoll

Authors in Your Neighbourhood want students to have a positive interaction with local writers and illustrators to foster the love of reading and writing. This year the team is expanding to include three more Burlington authors, one also an illustrator, and five writing workshops at three branches of the Burlington Public Library. A school in each ward will be provided with a free presentation and following a discussion on the origins, characters and setting of the stories, the students will be inspired to read the work and it will be available for them to read. Approximately 600 students will learn more about the writing process, as well as cover design, editing and other publishing processes that will increase the depth of their reading enjoyment. Students will also be encouraged to enter the Burlington Public Library’s WriteOn writing contest and to attend the five writing and illustrating workshops at the Burlington Public Library.

Project: Burlington Symphony Orchestra Youth and Senior Outreach

Applicant: Burlington Symphony Orchestra

The Burlington Symphony Orchestra (BSO) produces interesting, exciting orchestral and small ensemble performances that engage and inspire large, diverse audiences. Through concerts, community educational programs, and other community activities, BSO delivers music programs for youth and seniors promoting the health benefits of music. This project supports the BSO’s youth and senior outreach initiatives. Youth outreach remains an important priority of the BSO and the Young Artists’ Competition (YAC) features young artists from the region as soloists in main-stage performances with the orchestra as part of its regular concert series. BSO Senior and Community Outreach involves small ensembles from the orchestra visiting senior residences in the community, interacting with the residents and performing chamber works. Performance locations include the Burlington Seniors Centre, seniors’ residences and wellness centres, the Art Gallery of Burlington, and the Burlington Public Library.

Project: Dreams of Peace

Applicant: Burlington Civic Chorale

The Burlington Civic Chorale is led by artistic director Dr. Gary Fisher and consists of approximately forty amateur singers. The Dreams of Peace Project will commemorate the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War and highlight Burlington’s role in WWII. The event will include the performance of Canadian works, one commissioned and initially performed in 2018 for the commemoration of the armistice of World War I, and another choral piece featuring dancers, a community choir, and displays depicting Burlington’s role in the World Wars. Dreams of Peace will bring together amateur singers from Burlington and surrounding communities to celebrate the peace commemoration with contemporary and historic peace selections. The project will combine diverse elements including amateur singers, young semi-professional dancers, a professional choreographer, professional instrumentalists, and historians.

Project: Emerging Artist Showcase Series

Applicant: Rotary Club of Burlington Lakeshore

The Emerging Artist Showcase (EAS) is designed to foster the continued development of Burlington’s music scene and aims to further add to the impressive list of Canadian bands from Burlington that have become international stars. The EAS aims to grant three rising artists with an opportunity to launch their careers on a professional-level platform. The series offers exposure to new and diverse audiences, networking and connection opportunities, artist relations, hospitality, stage management experience, and knowledge to support the career development of the city’s emerging artists. Through the Emerging Artists Showcase, Rotary’s aspirations are to add three more artists to the ranks of Burlington-based artists like Finger Eleven, Walk off the Earth and Silverstein. The artists will take to the West stage at the Labour Day weekend festival in Spencer Smith Park.

Project: Engaging the Community with Song

Applicant: Burlington Welsh Ladies Chorus

The Burlington Welsh Ladies Chorus (BWLC) aims to foster creativity, stimulate culture and encourage social cohesion by involving the community in learning songs and singing in different languages without songbooks (as in the Welsh tradition) to entertain the public. To succeed in their vision of creating an atmosphere of collaboration, BWLC looks forward to connecting with other musical groups to promote cultural diversity. The chorus is unique to the area in terms of its composition and delivery and aims to encourage women in Burlington to join the troupe in learning the aesthetics of singing and how to sing in a different language. The main goal of the chorus is to provide entertainment in the community, for the community. Retirement and nursing homes present a wonderful opportunity to entertain Burlington residents demonstrating the power of music therapy. The BWLC will provide free concerts in various retirement and nursing homes throughout Burlington during their 2020/2021 performing season.

Project: From Levant - Arabian Night Festival

Applicant: Mosaic Foundation for Women and Children

Diversity is our strength. At Mosaic, our objective is to approach and connect diverse communities and cultures with the intention of cultivating awareness to help immigrants and Burlington residents fuse with their surroundings while preserving their own identity, culture, and language. The From Levant festival will consist of diverse cultural exhibitors from different community organizations, feature cultural booths and stage productions, provide hands-on art workshops, and dance performances produced by local cultural organizations. The festival will provide opportunities for positive interaction among the participating communities by providing an inter-cultural experience for learning about various cultural communities. The objectives of this project are to develop a cultural and artistic exhibition and to preserve the Middle Eastern heritage handicrafts and arts in Canada including mother of pearl marquetry, mosaic, Arabic calligraphy, fabric and textiles, engraving, sculpture and painting.

Project: The Gratitude Project

Applicant: Effusion Collective

The Gratitude Project aims to unite diverse elements of our community through the simple act of giving thanks for what we have around us: nature, family, friendship, health and life itself. The project will curate poems by recognized poets, in English or translated into English; the poetry will draw from various cultures including: Indigenous, Persian, Chinese, European, as well as Canadian, American and British. The poems will focus on appreciation for specific aspects of life and will be read by professional Burlington actors. Effusion will perform various musical compositions to allow the listeners to reflect upon the meaning of the poems. Musical selections will stem from various cultures around the world. Through music and poetry, the project aims to help the community see the unity in our complicated life and to find value in the arts as a source of mental health and well-being. The performance will be held at Port Nelson United Church with a total of five musicians, one tenor and four instrumentalists playing piano, clarinet, violin and guitar, and two professional actors.

Project: Halton Freedom Celebration Festival

Applicant: Halton Black History Awareness Society

The free one-day Halton Freedom Celebration Festival at Spencer Smith Park brings together musical acts, children’s and youth activities, cultural art, food, crafts, heritage, historical, and genealogical vendors promoting inclusivity and community integration. Family venues include basketball competitions, youth art and drum workshops. The multi-cultural ambience will be infused with cultural crafts, art in the park, cultural designer fashions and accessories, food, and exceptional ambience complimenting the best in R&B, Reggae, Soul, Funk, African, Cuban, Jazz Fusion, Ska, Soca and Pop. The festival brings an increased awareness of Canada's diversity, community interactions and service establishments and increases self-knowledge and confidence in appreciating collective diversities, heritage and culture. The Halton Black History Awareness Society (HBHAS) is a passionate group of multiculturals, dedicated to implementing cultural education into the public and institutional mindset towards appreciating the values of inclusivity, equality, and self-development. HBHAS develops programs to erode racism, prejudice and stereotyping towards marginalized communities while increasing knowledge of Canadian history and its cultural landscape.

Project: IA - Between Ethnicity and Fashion

Applicant: Arts4People Movement

Arts4People movement is a community organization that aims to provide cultural awareness using community arts, arts education and community engagement. Every year, around the world on June 24, we celebrate the Universal Day of the Romanian Blouse. Our project is built on this day of special significance for both Romanians and all those who appreciate the beauty and meaning of the traditional folk costume. Every summer, Romanians gather all over the world to celebrate “IA”, one of our national identity symbols. During past years, we have organized and celebrated this day in Burlington, but our 2020 project aims to reach a broader community over a longer period of time. A main goal of the project is to create cultural awareness. In terms of learning opportunities the event strives to educate the community about the cultural benefits each newcomer brings to the city’s canvas, engage the community to take action and promote cultural diversity, and encourages the participants to interact with others in an attempt to build bridges, trust, respect, and understanding across cultures.

Project: Lunar New Year Celebration Gala

Applicant: Redleaf Cultural Integration

The Lunar New Year Celebration Gala is an event to celebrate the starting of the new Lunar Year, which is one of the most important festivals in Asian countries. The purpose of this event is to connect people, share diverse cultures and celebrate the Lunar New Year. The event will consist of two parts. One is a half-day free culture exhibition, which includes multicultural displays of Chinese watercolour painting, calligraphy demonstrations, traditional Chinese edible art - sugar painting, a tea ceremony, Indian Henna painting, a Korean culture display, and a cultural fashion show. The main event will include professional and amateur performances, a Lion and Dragon dance, a variety of singing and dance from various cultures, a professional magic show, and a comedy show. Redleaf Cultural Integration (RCI) is a non-profit cultural organization that works together with people of diverse cultures, backgrounds and ages to enhance the quality of life in Burlington. RCI creates opportunities to develop meaningful relationships, provides community social events, and promotes healthy lifestyles with a focus on newcomers to Canada and Burlington specifically.

Project: Nature Tales

Applicant: Telling Tales

The annual Telling Tales Festival will conclude in Burlington at the Royal Botanical Gardens with the newest addition of Nature Tales, presented at the Dan Lawrie International Sculpture Gardens. The event is free, and participants can explore the grounds and participate in numerous educational activities. The entire program is strong on Indigenous themes, culturally diverse and committed to showcasing fresh, local talent alongside internationally renowned luminaries. Guests can hear the stories behind a book’s creation, learn writing tips and meet the authors at the autographing tent. Attendees can also explore a story walk, express their creativity in the craft tent with story-based art, explore the sculpture collection and take part in art tours, or find a quiet moment in the gardens. The festival has been recognized as a Top 100 Festival Ontario since 2012.

Project: One Burlington Festival - Building Bridges

Applicant: One Burlington

The One Burlington Festival is an annual celebration of Burlington’s local faith and cultural communities. It is a free and open event that encourages dialogue and the building of bridges through the sharing of cultural foods, activities for children, stage presentations and performances, and information booths where traditions can be explained by local Muslim, Sikh, Bahai, Hindu, Jewish, Christian and other various community leaders in a relaxed, casual, family-oriented environment that stimulates understanding, respect and appreciation of the unity in the diversity of our neighbours. The celebration is unique to Burlington and the sharing of cultural and ethnic foods is a popular component of the interfaith and multicultural celebration. The process of sharing cultural foods, art, music and dance performances, facilitates a dialogue and builds relationships between individuals and communities within our inclusive city. The festival features culture-based performances by local and regional, professional and community artists.

Project: PROSPECTS - An Evening of Dance and Discussion

Applicant: Aeris Kőrper Contemporary Dance

PROSPECTS: An Evening of Dance and Discussion is a Burlington event hosted and produced by Aeris Kőrper Contemporary Dance. It is the only opportunity of its kind for professional dance in Burlington. PROSPECTS is a local community initiative designed to develop the diversity of professional dance performances for Burlington artists and dancers. The event brings original choreography created by local choreographers to the Burlington arts community, giving the artists a chance to share new and in-progress works, and also gives audiences the opportunity to enter into a dialogue to better understand and connect to the art of dance. The design of this event is a cultural celebration and exchange of dance as it includes diverse multicultural dance works paired with audience discussion. The conversation between choreographer and audience immerses the audience into the creative process and act of crafting choreography. Audiences are visibly engaged, vocal and reflective. Each choreographer also receives written feedback from the audience and video footage to use for future grant or performance applications.

Project: Sleigh Ride

Applicant: Burlington New Millennium Orchestra

The mission of the Burlington New Millennium Orchestra (BNMO) is to present unique high caliber concerts to the residents of Burlington featuring gifted performing artists from the local, national and international arts communities. Sleigh Ride is the title for the BNMO’s vibrant annual Christmas Holiday Concert. The program is symphonic and features two guest vocalists and a full choir. The repertoire ranges from traditional to contemporary and there is something for everyone in this concert including a sing-a-long, a poetry reading with magical music underscore, and a visit from “you know who”. A concert for the entire family and programming includes over thirty professional musicians from the Burlington area. Christmas is a major celebration in the Christian calendar and by including secular and religious music and a visit from Santa Claus, the concert is a fun, family event for all ages and enjoyable for people from all backgrounds.

Project: Southern Ontario Lyric Opera - Carmen

Applicant: Southern Ontario Lyric Opera

Southern Ontario Lyric Opera (SOLO) is a young vibrant opera company founded in 2015 by Artistic Director and Conductor, Sabatino Vacca. SOLO’s dual vision is to provide high-caliber, affordable and accessible operas, while maintaining a strong commitment to the community through outreach efforts. SOLO reciprocates through many avenues of community outreach including gratis concerts and presentations at seniors’ residences, informative talks and presentations at local libraries and to interested groups, and participation in a variety of community events. SOLO will stage a production of Bizet’s opera Carmen featuring an all Canadian cast of established as well as emerging artists, members of the SOLO chorus, children's chorus, and orchestra. Carmen will be a fully staged production with sets and costumes. The orchestra will be drawn from professional musicians in the greater Burlington area and provides them with the unique opportunity to perform opera with a professional opera company.

Project: The Still Living Project

Applicant: Meraki Arts Collective

The main idea behind the Still Living Project is to open a creative space to diverse members of the Burlington community who have contended with different challenges in their lives. Participants will reflect on their life through the creation of a traditional Korean type of painting called Chaekgeori or Chaekkado taught by local artist and art educator, Sungmi Kong. Kong will set up a communal canvas where each participant will add one symbol that relates to their hopes for the community at large. Set in a group environment, the creation by participants will be captured on video and will describe what has driven each participant to create their specific painting and the meaning behind it. The video itself will be its own artwork and provide a window of reflection for participants and the public. The Still Living Project will host participants whose diverse experiences and perspectives come to life with their paintings. These diverse voices will come from within our community and the space will be open to anyone willing to share their hardships. The paintings will focus on the wisdom, courage, and strength of each person and how they can share that story with others.

Project: Sultans of String - Refugee - Concert and Cultural Fair

Applicant: Sultans of String

Three-time JUNO Award nominees and BILLBOARD charting band Sultans of String will present a performance of Refuge, their seventh album, free to the public with a full quintet band, up to eight guest performers, and a seven-piece string section. The concert will take place on the United Nations World Day of Social Justice on Feb. 20 and feature a multicultural fair with booths representing various cultures and faiths throughout Burlington. Sultans of String feels that it is important to highlight the extraordinary contributions of those who have arrived in Canada from around the world, as well as the global talents that have been ambassadors for peace. Each one of us has a remarkable story to tell, and this project will highlight the beauty of these collaborations with the Burlington community, featuring special guests from First Nations, Turkey, Somalia, Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, Greece, Syria, Mexico, Portugal, Cuba, and Sudan. The  project is centered around the positive contributions of refugees and new immigrants to Canada. By telling our stories, we help shape our own understanding of what it means to be Canadian.

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.