Criteria for grant selection included demonstrating high artistic quality, innovation and creativity, while reflecting, celebrating and preserving the heritage and diversity of Vancouver

VANCOUVER – The Vancouver Culture, Arts and Heritage Commission has awarded $92,100 to 15 projects from 12 organizations to support the city’s vibrant and growing arts and culture sector. Criteria for grant selection included demonstrating high artistic quality, innovation and creativity, while reflecting, celebrating and preserving the heritage and diversity of Vancouver. 

“All of us on the Culture, Arts and Heritage Commission are excited by the quality of the work and commitment to community these artists are showing,” said Commissioner Beth Harrington.  “Being able to bolster these projects and organizations through the cultural grant program is supremely gratifying. As an independent filmmaker, I know the role grants can play in sustaining and growing one’s career in the arts. I know it can make all the difference.”

The 2023 culture grant recipients are:

• Vancouver Ballet Folklórico
  • $10,000 for the annual Day of the Dead celebration
  • $3,000 for rehearsal space rental
• Vancouver Master Chorale
  • $5,000 for a Christmas concert
• Columbia Dance
  • $2,100 for a dance enrichment program at Orchards Elementary School
• Historic Music Project
  • $10,000 to compensate musicians providing low-cost concerts and audience education events 
  • $2,000 for period-appropriate musical instrument purchase
• Autism Empowerment
  • $10,000 for a short film
• Northwest Performing Arts Alliance
  • $5,000 for a new production that highlights a variety of dance disciplines
• Vancouver Housing Authority
  • $10,000 for the Nám’u qas mural project
• Bravo! Vancouver
  • $5,000 for a concert series bringing musicians and music educators to Vancouver Public Schools elementary schools
• Journey Theater Arts Group
  • $2,000 for a summer theater camp for underserved youth
• Vancouver’s Downtown Association
  • $10,000 for a youth-focused mural on the E. Evergreen overpass based on the Fort Vancouver garden
• Ke Kukui Foundation
  • $10,000 for the Great River Arts Festival
• Bike Clark County
  • $5,000 for walk, bike and roll tours highlighting public art in downtown Vancouver and the Fourth Plain corridor

Total cultural grant funding requests received in 2023 was $158,965. The Cultural, Arts and Heritage Commission thoroughly reviewed all applications and provided awarding recommendations to the City Council totaling $92,100, which was approved on Aug. 21. The Commission also recommended $25,000 be committed to the Vancouver Arts and Music Festival to support local artists, dancers and musicians performing at the festival. 

The first funding cycle for the cultural grants program was in 2019, after the adoption of the Culture, Arts and Heritage Plan by City Council in 2018. Funding for the cultural grant program was redirected in 2020 due to financial impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic. The cultural grant program was restored during the city’s 2023-2024 biennial budget process. 

More information about the cultural grant program is available at www.cityofvancouver.us/culturegrants. 

Information provided by city of Vancouver.