Cultural Grants
Building connections through celebrating diversity
If you are hosting a cultural event or activity in Surrey, you can apply for a Cultural Grant. By celebrating our diversity, we build trust and connection in our city.
Cultural activities can mean different things to different people. This grant covers a wide variety of gatherings. It includes artistic practices like music, dance, and theatre, and visual arts. It also includes cultural celebrations and events that reflect our city's diverse heritage.
This program is open to groups that do not make financial profit. You do not need to register as a non-profit to apply. Funding is specific to supporting arts and culture programing within Surrey. Read below to learn about the three different types of funding you can apply for.
Not sure if you can apply? Email the Cultural Grants team culturalgrants@surrey.ca. We want to hear your ideas for bringing culture to our community.
Next Deadline
The Cultural Grant Applications for 2023 are now closed. We are currently reviewing and awarding the applications we received. Don't worry, the next round of applications will be open this fall.
If you have questions about applying, please contact us by email or phone. We're excited to hear your ideas and help you get started.
Project Grants
Under this category, grants will be provided to encourage partnerships and collaborations that result in cultural programs and initiatives. The grant award may contribute:
- Up to fifty percent (50%) of the project budget on a matching basis.
- Matching funds can be a combination of cash and in-kind contributions, with in-kind volunteer hours limited to thirty percent (30%) of the overall project budget.
- Organizations can apply for up to $10,000 annually for upcoming projects. Grant funding from multiple years cannot be combined to produce a single project.
Download Project Grant Application (.pdf)
Download Cultural Grants Budget (excel)
Cultural Celebration Grants
Cultural celebrations are an important part of life in Surrey. These celebrations support diverse Surrey resident artists, and collectively provide cultural and artistic experiences in Surrey to a broad audience.
- Registered not-for-profit organizations are eligible to apply for up to $3,000 not to exceed 50% of eligible costs.
- Non-registered not-for-profit organizations are eligible to apply for up to $2,500 not to exceed 50% of eligible costs.
Download Cultural Celebration Grant Application (.pdf)
Download Cultural Grants Budget (excel)
Operating Grants
Operating grants aim to support and sustain the work of mature, registered not-for-profit arts and cultural organizations that deliver consistent, meaningful, and original local programming, demonstrate sustainable administrative practices and organizational structures, and play a leadership role in enriching and enlivening Surrey’s cultural landscape.
Under this category, Surrey resident organizations can be eligible for up to a maximum of $25,000.
Organizations must show that they employ and compensate professional staff (i.e. Executive Director and/or Artistic Director) whose role is to enable the organization to plan, develop, and ensure its ongoing resilience, and who pay artists fees meeting national standards (e.g. CARFAC) and meet other qualifying criteria to be eligible for this full amount.
Download Operating Grant Application (pdf)
Download Cultural Grants Budget (excel)
Surrey Civic Theatres (SCT) Rental Subsidy
The SCT Rental Subsidy offers up to $2,000 assistance to non-profit, professional arts and cultural organizations renting the Surrey Civic Theatres (Main Stage at Surrey Arts Centre, Studio Theatre at Surrey Arts Centre, or Centre Stage at City Hall). Based on availability, this subsidy will support performing arts groups by providing access to well-equipped professional venues and to continue to support artists in their creative endeavours.
This funding opportunity will prioritize those cultural organizations:
- Who received a City of Surrey Cultural Grant for the year in which they are applying for the SCT Rental Subsidy.
- Who have not rented the Surrey Civic Theatres stages (Main Stage at Surrey Arts Centre, Studio Theatre at Surrey Arts Centre, or Centre Stage at City Hall) for their events ever, or in the past three years.
- Whose organization or artists would benefit from the experience of renting a professional theatre, to develop their art practice, build their audience, and qualify for support to continue their artistic work (i.e., qualify to submit grant applications to other funders, and to be competitive in a peer jury environment).
- Whose event is primarily presenting artists.
Applicants can indicate interest in accessing the subsidy on the application form when applying for either a Project Grant or Cultural Celebrations Grant. The subsidy will be awarded based on availability.
Contact
For questions or more information, contact culturalgrants@surrey.ca.