Arts & Culture Grant Program

Is support available during the application process?
Yes. Applicants can receive assistance at any stage of the process by contacting the Culture Services team at culture@abbotsford.ca. Information sessions will also be held during the intake period to help applicants understand the program and ask questions.

How much funding is available?
The total available funding for 2027 is $25,000. Creators can apply for grants ranging from $500 to $2,500, while Organizations can apply for amounts between $1,500 and $5,000.

What are the basic eligibility requirements for all applicants?
To be eligible, projects must take place in Abbotsford and be open to the public. Applicants must have been active in their field for at least one year and may only apply to one category per year—either as a Creator or an Organization. All funded projects must be completed by December 31 of the grant year, and applicants must submit an Impact Report to remain eligible for future funding.

Is it possible to receive partial funding?
Yes. Applicants will be asked whether their project could still proceed with partial funding. This information may influence the jury's decision during the assessment process to help meet the grant disbursement goals.

How are applications evaluated?
Applications are reviewed by a jury of cultural professionals who assess each project based on its alignment with the program's desired outcomes. Key evaluation criteria includes opportunities for community engagement, promotion of diversity and intercultural dialogue, and accessibility. Demonstrated need and applicant capabilities and experience are also considered. 

Can for-profit businesses apply for the grant or be involved in funded projects?
Organizations and businesses that are not non-profit will be asked to share how their work has non-profit goals or governance structure. Alternatively, they may participate in funded projects as collaborators provided the application is submitted by an eligible creator or organization. The program encourages partnerships and collaboration.

Can previous grant recipients apply again?
Yes, however priority will be given to applicants who did not receive funding in the previous year to encourage a diversity of new projects.

Define “New” and “Newly Enhanced”
New projects are those that have not previously been offered in Abbotsford by the applicant, while newly enhanced projects introduce significant improvements or additions that meaningfully expand their impact, reach, accessibility, or participant experience. Funding requests to maintain existing projects or programs at current service levels will not be prioritized.

Does my application guarantee funding?
No. This is a competitive process involving panel assessment of applications. Application does not guarantee that your project will be awarded. Applicants are strongly encouraged to wait for awarding results before proceeding with their projects if relying solely on City funding.

The City of Abbotsford’s Arts and Culture Grant Program (Grant) supports projects that help achieve the following goals identified in the Culture Connect Strategy:

1. Contribute to the City of Abbotsford’s Strategic Plan mandate for Abbotsford to be the cultural and economic hub of the Fraser Valley
2. Contribute to building a shared sense of community
3. Support the advancement of the Culture Connect Strategy through projects that reflect Abbotsford’s rich diversity, provide opportunities for intercultural connections and create space for cultural dialogue and engagement Increase opportunities for community members to connect with new or newly enhanced arts, culture and heritage experiences 
4. Increase opportunities for community members to connect with new or newly enhanced arts, culture and heritage experiences
5. Support the growth and development of local artists, cultural practitioners, producers and content creators that contribute to Abbotsford’s economic vitality and cultural vibrancy

The total funding available for the program is $25,000. Applicants will be asked in their application if their project can still proceed with partial funding. This will be considered during the Grant assessment process. Grant funding supports projects under the following categories: 

Arts and Culture Creators 
(Grant amounts available for request: $500 - $2,500)
Creators are the individual artists, artist teams, curators, producers, and cultural practitioners who add vibrancy to the community. Creators work in media including, but not limited to: drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, printmaking, fashion, craft, installation, performance, sound, music, new media, dance, theatre, literary arts, and cultural traditions. Projects that feature collaboration with organizations or with multiple artists are strongly encouraged.

Arts and Culture Organizations 
(Grant amounts available for request: $1,500 - $5,000)
The registered and unregistered nonprofit groups that deepen community connections and provide exposure to arts, culture and heritage. Arts and Culture Organizations collaborating on a project can apply together. Organizations that receive fee for service support from the City are ineligible. Projects that are already receiving City funding and support through existing City programs (Culture City Program Series, Culture Days, etc.) are ineligible.

Grants are available for projects from Abbotsford-based Creators and Organizations. Fraser Valley based applicants are eligible to apply if their projects take place in Abbotsford, however, priority will be given to Abbotsford-based applicants. All projects and initiatives funded through the Grant must take place in Abbotsford, be open for community participation and clearly illustrate a positive community benefit in alignment with the Program Goals. 

To encourage a diversity of new projects, submissions from applicants who did not receive funding in the previous year will be prioritized during the assessment process. Previous year Grant recipients are welcome to apply with the understanding that they are not guaranteed funding based on the success of their prior applications. 

Eligibility for all Applicants

• Applicants must be based in Abbotsford or the Fraser Falley
• Projects must take place in Abbotsford
• Projects must be open to the public and clearly demonstrate a benefit to Abbotsford residents
• Applicants can only apply to one category per year (Creators or Organizations)
• Applicants must have been practicing or in operation for at least one year
• Funded projects must be completed by December 31 in the year the grant was awarded
• Future applications for Grants are ineligible if an Impact Report has not been received by the City 
• Projects that are already receiving City funding and support through existing City programs (Culture City Program Series, Culture Days, etc.) are ineligible. Likewise, projects that are awarded will not be considered for further support through existing City programs

Additional Eligibility Requirements for Arts and Culture Organizations

• Organizations must be in good standing with the City of Abbotsford
• Unregistered nonprofit organizations will be required to provide a written summary clearly stating how they have nonprofit goals and/or governance structure
   

The Grant is facilitated through a juried assessment process with a panel composed of cultural partners and subject matter experts. Peer assessment ensures that knowledgeable arts and culture professionals assess applications, advise on priorities and make recommendations on awarding funds with transparency and fairness. 

Projects are assessed based on their ability to address the Program Goals listed above, as well as:

• Demonstrated need
• Demonstration that the project is new or enhanced
• Capabilities and experience to deliver the project as proposed
• Feasibility to deliver the project as propposed