We have five grant programs. The Equity Grant and Incubator Grant programs allow a maximum grant request of $5000. The IDEA Grant allows for a maximum request of $3000.

The amounts for Projects, Series and Extended Programming Grants and Operating Grants are determined by evidence of demonstrated need in the application, the needs of other applications received at the same deadline, and limits to available resources.

• Past grant recipients with funding amounts

CRD Arts & Culture Support Service is a sub-regional service supported by nine-participating jurisdictions: Saanich, Victoria, Oak Bay, Esquimalt, View Royal, Highlands, Metchosin, Sooke and Southern Gulf Islands. Although not a participant, the municipality of North Saanich has provided a donation in support of regional arts since 2013.

The budget for this service is established through an annual CRD Financial Planning process and is approved by the Arts Commission and the CRD Board of Directors.

No- with one exception. An organization eligible for a Projects, Series and Extended Programming Grant can apply for this grant, while also acting as a Sponsor Society for an Equity Grant applicant.

Projects, Series and Extended Programming Grants generally support production. Incubator Grants support organizational capacity-building. While both programs are for arts-mandated organizations, Incubator Grants are generally for newer organizations needing help getting started. 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.

Once you have confirmed your eligibility and received an application form, by contacting us, you'll want to make sure your application is as strong as possible.

The Greater Victoria Community Funders’ Network Grant Writing Handbook (PDF) contains useful information on preparing grant applications, responds to common questions and provides basic examples of application questions, answers, and budgets.

Each application is adjudicated on its own merit, as well as in relation to other applications received at a given deadline. The adjudication committee considers the following:

• demonstrated ability to carry out the project;
• the capacity of participants to achieve the artistic goals of the project;
• the appropriateness of the project budget. In general, applicants are encouraged to develop diverse sources of revenue such as ticket sales, donations, support from foundations, other levels of government, etc.
• the impact on the development of the arts in the Capital Regional District; and
• the contribution to the artistic development of artists, the art form and to the organization itself.

Self-identified community (Equity Grants): This is part of the equity grant application that allows you to describe your eligibility for the program.

Not-for-profit Society: A not-for-profit society is an organization created and operated on a non-commercial basis to fulfill a specific need and purpose in a community. For purposes of applications to the Arts Service a not-for-profit society must be incorporated and registered in good standing with the Province of BC Registry of Societies.

Participant in the Arts Service: A participant in the Arts Service is a municipality or an electoral area that provides funding to support the development of the arts in the capital region through the CRD. The participating members of the Arts Service are Saanich, Victoria, Oak Bay, Esquimalt, View Royal, Highlands, Metchosin, Sooke and Southern Gulf Islands Electoral Area. One elected representative from each of the participating jurisdictions comprise the Arts Commission, the political oversight body for the Arts Service.

Projected Year: The financial or year of programming that has not yet begun. Depending on the grant program, organizations may be asked to describe planned programming and provide estimated revenues and expenses for a projected year.

Please contact us to request a term be added to our list of definitions.

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

The CRD Arts and Culture Support Service works with a group of appointed citizens – the Arts Advisory Council (AAC) – to adjudicate applications. The AAC recommends award amounts subject to final approval by the Arts Commission, a body of elected representatives from each of the jurisdictions supporting the service.

If you receive a grant from CRD Arts & Culture Support Service, we'd like you to acknowledge this support through your organization's communications, including at events, through printed and online promotional material, as well as on your website and social media.

• How to acknowledge funding

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

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

• Location and Office Hours