Introduction
The City of Nanaimo recognizes the vital contribution of arts and culture activities to the City’s economic and social progress; the value of artistic and cultural expression; and enjoyment of life by its citizens. The work of the Culture & Events team is guided by the City of Nanaimo’s strategic planning document, City Plan - Nanaimo ReImagined. The City Plan outlines a commitment to investing in arts and culture for the purpose of strengthening the City’s economic base, improving the quality of life of residents, and enhancing community identity and pride. Further grounded within this integrated document are the City’s strategic goals to build respectful, collaborative relationships with the communities we serve.
Culture opens our minds to new perspectives. As convener, connector, facilitator, enabler and funder, the City of Nanaimo recognizes the crucial role of Nanaimo’s independent arts and culture organizations to be united by a desire to create impact and value for diverse publics.
Purpose
To assist culture organizations to realize projects that benefit our community and contribute to the cultural, social and economic vitality of Nanaimo.
Strategic Priorities
The City’s strategic funding priorities for the program include:
- projects that encourage the expression and visibility of arts and culture ;
- projects that promote and raise the cultural profile in Nanaimo;
- innovative collaborations and partnerships with other culture and/or heritage groups, community and cross sector organizations; and
- neighborhood-based projects.
Program Objectives
This grant is intended to support arts and culture non-profit organizations based in Nanaimo with demonstrated commitment to contributing to the cultural life of the City who:
- foster public enjoyment, engagement, community pride and a sense of shared identity through broad public access to a variety of quality arts and culture offerings
- support and compensate local and regional professional artists
- contribute a significant impact in the local creative economy
- advance local arts and culture practices by contributing to Nanaimo’s cultural life locally, regionally, nationally and internationally
Assessment Criteria
Applications will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
(40%) MERIT
Quality of proposed project, participating artists or contributorsThe degree to which proposed activities are innovative or distinctiveThe degree to which the proposed project has community support
(40%) RELEVANCE / FEASIBILITY
Activities that reflect the four strategic funding priorities outlined in this grantDemonstrated capacity to plan, administer and deliver the proposed projectRealistic proposed budgets with diverse sources of revenue
(20%) COMMUNITY IMPACT
Public impact in terms of providing rich experiences and learning opportunities that build appreciation for and connection to arts and cultureEconomic impact in the community, contribution towards the health and vitality of the arts and culture sectorPotential to raise the profile of Nanaimo through promotion of its arts and culture offeringsAdjudication Process
Applications must be received by the deadline. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered. Applications will be screened to determine eligibility and evaluated according to the assessment criteria. Recommendations will be made to Council for distribution of funds. Decisions are guided by the program’s mandate, objectives and assessment criteria. Council decisions are final.
Appeal Process
If there was an error in the assessment process (for example, that support material was misplaced), applicants may file a formal complaint, in writing, within 10 calendar days of notification of results. All appeals will be reviewed by an appeals committee.
Terms & Conditions of Funding
You must formally acknowledge that you accept your grant by the date specified in your results letter. The awarding of a grant is at the sole and absolute discretion of the City of Nanaimo. The City of Nanaimo retains the right to rescind or reduce any grant previously awarded. The circumstances for rescinding a grant include but are not limited to:
- failure to meet the terms and conditions of the grant
- failure to comply with legal obligations
- failure to respect the commitment to provide a workplace free from harassment, discrimination and sexual misconduct
- unapproved changes to funded activities
- significant risk of insolvency or bankruptcy
Final Reports
Grant recipients must use the Culture Grant Report Form to complete and submit their final report by the due date specified in the results letter.
Final reports must detail any substantial changes to your original proposal and must include an accounting of spent and unspent funds. Failure to provide a final report will result in the rejection of all new funding applications.
Grant Repayment
If for any reason you cannot use the grant at the expected time, decide not to carry out the plans described in your grant application or refuse the grant conditions, you must notify us immediately. If you are unable to complete your project or event any unspent funds must be returned to the City of Nanaimo. Unused grant funds will not be carried over to the next calendar year.
Payment
The City of Nanaimo will deliver awarded funds by direct deposit. To receive funds via electronic funds transfer (EFT), recipient must fill out and return the EFT form, along with VOID cheque or verified account information printout from banking institution.
Statement of Inclusivity
“Equity recognizes that each person has different circumstances and allocates resources and opportunities to support more positive outcomes for all regardless of age, ability, gender, sexual orientation, faith practice, ancestry, or background. By identifying inequities and targeting investment in prevention and intervention, the wellbeing and inclusion of the diversity of people that make up our entire community can be enhanced, creating a city that puts people first and supports a sense of belonging.”
Funding is provided with the expectation that recipients will:
Create a welcoming, inclusive atmosphere where all people feel safe, comfortable and represented (Policy C4.2.1)
Encourage diversity awareness and build a culture of compassion for people of all cultures, genders, orientations, ages and abilities (Policy C4.2.8).
Changes to Activities
Changes to the scope of your original proposal must be approved by the City of Nanaimo. You must notify the City of Nanaimo if you cannot use part or the entire grant during the period stated in your application. If there are major changes to your proposed activities (for example: changes to the focus of the project, in the activity budget, to key creative personnel or a significant change to the timeline) you must submit a project update form for approval.
City staff must approve any major changes to your funded activities before you carry them out.
Acknowledgement of the City of Nanaimo and Logo Use
Public acknowledgement of support is required for all grant recipients. Please ensure that all materials (including copies of reports, advertising, oral presentations and publicity relating to the project(s) or programming credit the support of the grant. Please ensure proper logo use when crediting the City of Nanaimo’s support. You can request logo files by contacting culturegrants@nanaimo.ca.
Permits, Fees, Applications
The approval of this grant does not indicate approval of associated required permits for public events. Processing special event permits can take several weeks. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that all necessary permits have been obtained prior to commencing project and or event and ensure compliance with all required permits.
Confidentiality
Documents submitted by applicants become property of the City of Nanaimo. The City will make every effort to maintain the confidentiality of each application and the information contained therein except to the extent necessary to communicate information to Staff and the committee for the purpose of evaluation and analysis. The City will not release this information to the public except required under the Province of BC’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act or other legal disclosure process.
Tax Implications
Organizations must be registered non-profit societies, in good standing, and will receive funds in the society name.