About the Resilience Grant
The Resilience Grant responds to the needs of Nanaimo’s arts and culture community with flexible, rapid onetime funding.
The Resilience Grant offers funding in the range of $1,000 to $5,000, in response to emerging community needs, opportunities, pressures and changes resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. The goal is to support local initiatives that contribute to stability of the arts and culture ecosystem, contribute to community resilience, and take advantage of emerging opportunities.
The Resilience Grant 2021 aligns with the goals of the City of Nanaimo’s Strategic Plan and the Cultural Plan for a Creative Nanaimo by creating a vibrant culture of innovation, stewardship and partnership to encourage a diverse and healthy economy now and into the future; supporting arts and culture as an integral part of everyday life; and strengthening the creative sector by investing in organizations and people who animate our cultural spaces.
The deadline for submissions is midnight, Pacific Time, March 1, 2021.
Please read through the Program Guidelines for the Resilience Grant prior to completing the Submission Form located at the bottom of this page. Incomplete or late submissions will not be accepted.
Guidelines
The Resilience Grant can be used to support:
1. One-time programs, events, or initiatives taking place in 2021
or
2. Activities that reflect efforts to adapt or respond to the COVID-19 pandemic by addressing organizational capacity needs and manage transition, including human resources, governance, community engagement and outreach, revenue diversification, mentorships, pursuing goals of equity, diversity, accessibility and inclusion
or
3. Projects by new applicants seeking funds from the City of Nanaimo for the first time
This is a one-time funding program.
Eligibility
Eligible Applicants
- Individual artists, collective and non-profit organizations are all eligible to apply
- Organizations must have an arts or culture mandate, or a mandate to provide services to the arts and culture sector
- Organizations and collectives must be based in Nanaimo, individuals must be a full-time resident of Nanaimo
This fund especially encourages first-time applicants.
Eligible Activities
The Resilience Grant program supports projects that adapt to our current environment of change and can include:
Programming, events, or initiatives taking place any time in 2021
Priorities for funding:
- Projects that help you grow as an artist or an organization (for example: mentorships, skill building initiatives, networking, training)
- Discreet purchases that will offer you a tool to reduce barriers you identify or can help you solve a problem (for example: software, special equipment for new initiatives)
- Applications by groups or individuals seeking support from the City of Nanaimo for the first time
- Expenses that help you to realize an opportunity that has arisen due to the pandemic
- Activities that pursue goals of equity, diversity, accessibility and inclusion
Eligible Expenses
Costs related to proposed initiatives, up to 75% of the total project cost. Expenses can include:
- Artist fees
- Programming expenses
- Administrative expenses related to a one-time project
- Purchase of Minor Capital (equipment under $5K)
Exclusions
Funds are not available to support:
Adjudication Process
Projects should demonstrate a clear scope, timeline, and expected outcome. The activities must be outlined in detail, including information about those who will be responsible for carrying out the activities of the grant.
All applications will be evaluated and funds distributed according to the following criteria:
Artistic Merit - Demonstrate how the proposed project will advance the art form, skills or practice that are central to your work. Consider the following points:
- Clarity, focus and vitality of a proposed project. Is it unique? Does it advance your practice?
- Benefit to the applicant and the broader arts and cultural community. Does it meet a need, or offer something new?
- An artistic program which reflects and fulfills your mandate or stated goals.
- A sound and well-articulated artistic plan and a demonstrated ability to fulfill that plan. Is it focused, clear and achievable?
Community Impact - Provide an understanding and evidence of unmet needs in your organization or practice. Consider the following points:
- Promotion of local arts and culture.
- Contribution to the community which may include outreach, audience development, educational activities for the public, economic impact, and or volunteer participation
Feasibility - Refer to achievable goals in your proposed project. Consider the following points:
- Abilities to realize a project, including timeline and financial planning
- Clearly detailed project goals
- The inclusion of and engagement with appropriate protocols and practices, particularly in regard to Indigenous artists and communities, where applicable
- Demonstrated awareness of the quality of working conditions for those contributing to the project, including a commitment to cultural safety
- Evidence of competent administration at your organization (i.e. evidence of a functional Board and clearly articulated administrative and governance structures), or demonstrated knowledge appropriate to your individual or collective pursuit (i.e. appropriate training or demonstrated ability to undertake the proposed project).
- Evidence of a budgeting ability, including the ability to identify appropriate revenue sources, (such as earned revenue, funding from other levels of government, or support from the private sector through fundraising, donations, sponsorships, or memberships) as well as a detailed projected project expenses
Demonstrated Need - Specify how this funding will be used to meet your needs. Consider the following points:
- Articulate how public funding supports the request made in your applications
- Demonstrate how the project meets your goals and priorities or offers a unique opportunity to the community in the context you will undertake your work
Grant applications will be reviewed by an internal City of Nanaimo Culture and Events Staff review committee based on program criteria and demonstrated need. Recommendations will be forwarded to Council for final approval. Council decisions are final.