Vancouver Arts Orgs Awarded $2.6 Million in Advance Grants

The following information has been excerpted from a news release issued by the City of Vancouver.

IMAGE: CITY OF VANCOUVER

98 cultural organizations will benefit from an investment of more than $2.6 million from the City of Vancouver as part of an ongoing strategy to enhance sustainability in the cultural sector and to enrich the lives of residents and visitors.

In the last five years City-wide financial contributions to arts and cultural has increased 53% from $19.6 million in 2012 to $30.1 million in 2017. This year more than $11.5 million in grants will be provided to local arts and culture not-for-profit organizations. The five-year trend indicates the City has been providing a steady 8% of the total revenues to the City's cultural operating grantees.

The financial contribution approved by City Council will be given to a dynamic range of eligible non-for-profit arts and cultural organizations. The annual investment comes at a time when financial need is great and cash flow is tight for not-for-profits, particularly due to grants from other funders not being awarded until much later in the year. Cultural grants are critical in allowing organizations to start planning their programming and help run their activities. This year groups, including Vancouver Intercultural Orchestra, Wen Wei Dance, Full Circle First Nations Performance, Vancouver Out on Screen Film Society, Word Vancouver and more will receive funds.

For more information on advance grants, visit vancouver.ca/people-programs/cultural-grants-program.aspx