There are five grant programs with different maximum request amounts:

• Equity Grant - maximum of $5,000
• Incubator Grant - maximum of $5,000
• IDEA Grant - maximum of $3,000
• Projects, Series and Extended Programming Grants - no specified maximum*
• Operating Grants - no specified maximum*

*The amounts awarded for Projects, Series and Extended Programming Grants and Operating Grants are decided by:

• evidence of need in the application;
• the needs of other applications received at the same time, and;
• the available resources.

Past grant recipients with funding amounts

CRD Arts & Culture Support Service is a sub-regional service supported by the following jurisdictions:

• Saanich
• Victoria
• Oak Bay
• Esquimalt
• View Royal
• Highlands
• Metchosin
• Sooke
• Southern Gulf Islands

Its budget is decided through an annual Financial Planning process. It is then approved by the Arts Commission and the CRD Board of Directors.

No—with an exception. If an organization is eligible, it can apply for an Operating Grant or a Projects, Series and Extended Programming Grant while acting as a Sponsor Society for an Equity Grant applicant at the same time.

Both grant types are for arts-mandated organizations, but each one has a different purpose.

• Projects, Series and Extended Programming Grants:
  • usually support the creation and presentation of arts programming.
• Incubator Grants:
  • usually for newer organizations that need help getting started;
  • supports an organization with building capacity.

Some organizations may be at a stage where they could use both kinds of support, but you may only apply to one program at a time. Which you choose will depend on your organization’s current priorities.

First, contact CRD Arts to confirm your eligibility. We will then send you an application form.

You will want to make sure your application is as strong as possible. If this is your first time applying for a grant, you may want to seek out advice and attend one of our information sessions.

You can also read the Greater Victoria Community Funders' Network Grant Writing Handbook (PDF). This handbook has information on preparing grant applications, as well as examples of application questions, answers, and budgets.

Each grant application is judged on its own merit. It is also judged in relation to other applications received for the same deadline.

The adjudication committee considers the following:

• The demonstrated ability of the applicant to carry out the project.
• If the applicant has the capacity to achieve the artistic goals of the project.
• How appropriate the project budget is.
• The impact of the project on the development of arts in participating jurisdictions. These jurisdictions are Esquimalt, Highlands, Metchosin, Oak Bay, Saanich, Sooke, Southern Gulf Islands, Victoria, and View Royal.
• The benefit of the project to the community, including benefits to equity-seeking groups.
• The contribution of the project to the development of artists, the art form, and to the applicant organization.

All applicants are notified of the results of their applications after approval by the Arts Commission. The adjudication process can take up to 10 weeks following the grant deadline.

CRD staff work with the Arts Advisory Council (AAC), a group of appointed volunteers, to judge applications. The AAC recommends award amounts. These recommendations must then be approved by the Arts Commission, a group of elected officials from each of the jurisdictions supporting the service.

If you receive a grant from CRD Arts & Culture, we'd like you to acknowledge this support through your communications. This may include at events, through printed and online promotional material, on your website, and social media.

• How to acknowledge funding

We would love to support your project! Tag @crdartsculture on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and use hashtags #crdarts and #yyjarts, so we can share your messages. You can also send us promotional information about arts initiatives funded by CRD to us by email. If possible, provide high-quality photos that you have consent to use, along with credit and caption information.

CRD also maintains a public bulletin board in the lobby of its Fisgard office. Mail or deliver print posters promoting initiatives funded by CRD to be considered for the board.

• Location and Office Hours

Developing accessibility means addressing barriers and power imbalances that prevent Deaf people and people with disabilities from equal access. Accessibility considers artists, staff and audiences.

Accessibility considerations include:

• Information and communication: includes access to ASL interpreters, audio description, subtitles and picture-in-picture interpretation boxes in video, and Braille.
• Physical: removing barriers to ensure people can enter and use facilities equally.
• Technology: includes accessible website design.
• Organizations, attitudes and systems: includes education and training to guide design and service.

(Sources: City of Victoria Accessibility Framework and Deaf and Disability Arts Practices in Canada by V. Leduc, M. Boukala, J. Rouleau, M. Bernier, A. Louw, A. McAskill, C. Théroux, L. Grenier, L. Parent, S. Bouscatier, S. Heussaff, D. Saunders, T. Tembeck, C. Grimard, E. Marcelli, and O. Angrignon-Girouard)

A culturally safe environment is physically, socially, emotionally and spiritually safe. There is recognition and respect for the cultural identities of others. There is no challenge or denial of a person's identity, who they are, or what they need.

Culturally unsafe environments diminish, demean or disempower an individual's cultural identity and well-being.

(Source: Engage BC)

Many people with hearing loss, or who are hard of hearing, oral-deaf, deaf-blind or late-deafened, identify as culturally Deaf. These groups share distinct sign languages, traditions, histories and values.

Deaf with a capital "D" represents a range of experiences, from being culturally Deaf to having hearing loss. Sign languages are specific to region and culture. The languages have unique syntax and grammar, and are distinct from written and spoken languages.

Individuals may identify as having a disability rather than being culturally Deaf.

(Based on Canada Council for the Arts definition of Deaf)

Disability is an experience of exclusion or disadvantage. People with disabilities have actual or perceived impairments and experience discrimination and disadvantage as a result of that impairment or due to social, policy or environmental barriers. The impairments can be physical, mental or learning conditions that can have long-term, temporary or fluctuating effects.

(Source: Canada Council for the Arts definition of disability)

Diversity is about differences in the experiences and perspectives of people. This might include race, ethnicity, life history, family background, political or religious beliefs, ability, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, and class.

One person cannot be more diverse than another; diversity is created when people who are different from one another come together.

(Source: University of British Columbia Equity and Inclusion Office)

Equity promotes fair conditions for all people to fully take part in society. It recognizes that all people have the right to be treated equally, but also acknowledges not everyone has equal access to resources, opportunities or benefits.

Equality does not necessarily mean treating individuals or groups in the same way. It may need the use of specific measures to ensure fairness.

(Source: Canada Council for the Arts definition of equity)

Equity-seeking groups are communities that face significant collective barriers to participating in society. This may be based on age, ethnicity, disability, gender, gender identity, nationality, race, sexual orientation, and so on. They face barriers to equal access, opportunities and resources due to disadvantage and discrimination.

(Based on Canada Council for the Arts' definition of 'equity-seeking groups')

Inclusion is an active, intentional, and continuous process to address inequities in power and privilege. It builds a respectful and diverse community and makes sure that everyone has access to welcoming spaces and opportunities to flourish.

Inclusion is not a substitute for Indigenization or Decolonization.

(Based on the University of British Columbia Equity and Inclusion Office definition of inclusion)

This is an organization created and operated on a non-commercial basis. The organization fulfills a specific need and purpose in a community. To apply for a grant, a not-for-profit society must be incorporated and in good standing with the Province of BC Registry of Societies.

A jurisdiction that gives funding to support the development of the arts through the CRD Arts & Culture Support Service.

The current participants are:

• Saanich
• Victoria
• Oak Bay
• Esquimalt
• View Royal
• Highlands
• Metchosin
• Sooke
• Southern Gulf Islands Electoral Area

Respectful environments are free from discrimination, violence, harassment and sexual misconduct. All individuals are treated with respect and dignity.

Policies and procedures are in place that protect and promote healthy environments. Employers in British Columbia have legal obligations to prevent and respond to allegations and incidents of workplace harassment. Find resources and workshops at Respectful Arts Workplaces.