SCCIP Development Programs

To be eligible for the Arts Development Program, you must be either a(n):

• established or emerging arts organization;
• artist ad hoc group/collective*;
• arts organization that works on a project-to-project basis; or,
• new arts festival.

You must also meet these eligibility requirements:

• be active in St. Catharines;
• provide programming or services that are open to the public and publicized city-wide;
• have a diversified revenue base, which can include memberships, significant earned revenue, funding from other levels of government, and support from the private sector through fundraising activities, donations and sponsorships;
• pay principal artistic contributors for their services that follow industry standards; and,
• be in existence for a minimum of one year with evidence of public activity.

*An artist ad-hoc group/collective is made up of two or more individuals or groups/organizations that come together for a one-time project (ad hoc group) or have ongoing activity (collective).

If you're a repeat applicant, you must demonstrate one or more of the following:

• Organizational evolution
• Program innovation
• Creative partnerships
• Growth in community engagement

• Arts organizations and artist ad hoc groups/collectives that operate on a not-for-profit basis, but are not registered, may be eligible for the Arts Development Program
• Subject to prequalification, first-time applicants that have been in existence for less than a year at the time of the application deadline may be permitted to submit an Arts Development or Culture Builds Community grant application outside of normal program deadlines. Prequalification will require that the applicant demonstrate that they are on a two-year trajectory to be eligible for sustaining programs. Consultation with City staff will be required and the applicant may also be required to present to the Arts and Culture Advisory Committee. All other program eligibility requirements apply. Prequalification must be granted prior to submitting an application and does not guarantee that the application will be successful.

40 per cent of total score

• The current proposal is well planned and achievable and includes a realistic plan and articulated goals.
• The project leadership has demonstrated standards of artistic/cultural achievement in past activities.
• The project provides unique opportunities for artists, other cultural organizations and/or the public.
• Artwork created by local artists is a priority.
• The vision of the project is innovative, creative and inclusive, and aims to cultivate the growth and development of a dynamic and robust creative sector.
• The proposed project is distinct and innovative in the context of comparable activities in St. Catharines.

30 per cent of total score

• There is an overall quality and impact in the applicant’s recent activities.
• There is a clear mandate, competent administration and a functional board, or clear roles and responsibilities within the project leadership.
• Where there are multiple partners, there are clear roles and levels of responsibility between and among the partners.
• There is financial accountability, and a researched budget based on realistic revenue targets.
• Appropriate publicity, marketing and outreach plans are provided.
• There is a demonstrated need for financial assistance from the City.
• The organization incorporates contingency plans, including strategies to alter program delivery (if necessary).

30 per cent of total score

• The project is designed to have an impact in the local arts and culture sector.
• Project leaders have the ability to connect to an audience and/or to develop a new audience.
• Engagement, collaboration and/or partnerships with local artists, community groups and distinct communities are integral to the project.
• The project aims to foster a range of cultural experiences for all of St. Catharines residents, including educational, participatory and audience-based programs.
• The project is designed to celebrate and encourage cultural, social and/or artistic diversity.

Final report forms must be accompanied by final actual figures in the financial form, a completed statistical information form, and your organization’s Financial Statements for the year in which funding was provided and utilized. Grant recipients are required to provide copies of all receipts for expenditures covered with SCCIP funds.

Final Report documents can be downloaded below:

• Final report form
• Financial information form
• Statistical information form

If you require assistance downloading these forms, please contact Cultural Services staff.

Any recipient that fails to submit reports will not be eligible for future funding until required reports are submitted and reviewed by Cultural Services staff. If the City is not in receipt of a final report within one year of the project’s completion, the recipient may, at the City’s sole discretion, forfeit the 10 per cent of funds withheld at time of approval. Please see the application form’s terms and conditions for further information on this subject.

To be eligible for the Culture Builds Community Program, you must be either a(n):

• Artist;
• Cultural organization; or
• Not-for-profit organization that has the ability to engage residents at a local community level.

Projects:

• Must culminate in a work of art or a public event
• That engage under-served local communities will be given priority

You must also meet these eligibility requirements:

• Be active in St. Catharines
• Provide programming or services that are open to the public and publicized city-wide
• Have a diversified revenue base, which can include memberships, significant earned revenue, funding from other levels of government, and support from the private sector through fund-raising activities, donations and sponsorships
• Engage people from a local community in St. Catharines
• Pay lead artists for their services in accordance with generally accepted professional arts management standards
• Organizational applicants must have been in existence for a minimum of twelve months, with evidence of public activity

• Non-cultural organizations that are registered not-for-profits and meet all other program requirements
• Individual artists leading a community art project that engages the broader community and meets all other program requirements
• Arts organizations and artist ad hoc groups/collectives* that operate on a not-for-profit basis but are not registered. First-time applicants that are not registered are eligible for a maximum of $3,000 in funding. Non-registered groups must sign a waiver of declaration as part of their application.
• Subject to prequalification, first-time applicants that have been in existence for less than a year at the time of the application deadline may be permitted to submit an Arts Development or Culture Builds Community grant application outside of normal program deadlines. Prequalification will require that the applicant demonstrate that they are on a two-year trajectory to be eligible for sustaining programs. Consultation with City staff will be required and the applicant may also be required to present to the Arts and Culture Advisory Committee. All other program eligibility requirements apply. Prequalification must be granted prior to submitting an application and does not guarantee that the application will be successful.

*An artist ad-hoc group/collective is made up of two or more individuals or groups/organizations that come together for a one-time project (ad hoc group) or have ongoing activity (collective).

35 per cent of total score

• The current proposal is well planned and achievable.
• The applicant has demonstrated an ability to connect with members of a local community and encourage participation.
• An appropriate publicity, marketing and/or outreach plan exists for the project.
• The project is designed to have positive impact on the local community and will increase diverse civic engagement.
• Community Art Projects: The artistic vision of the project is innovative, creative and inclusive.

35 per cent of total score

• The project utilizes creative strategies to encourage participation from residents who may not otherwise engage in local cultural activities.
• The project features or celebrates issues and/or experiences that are relevant to the identified local community.
• The project is distinct from comparable activities in St. Catharines.
• The project prioritizes public access, with particular focus on St. Catharines' diverse or under-served communities.

30 per cent of total score

• There is a clear mandate, competent administration and a functional board, or a clear project vision and goals.
• Where there are multiple partners or collective participants, there are clear roles and levels of responsibility between and among the partners/participants.
• There is financial accountability, and a researched budget based on realistic revenue targets.
• There is a demonstrated need for financial assistance from the City.
• The organization incorporates contingency plans, including strategies to alter program delivery (if necessary).

Final report forms must be accompanied by final actual figures in the financial form, a completed statistical information form, and your organization’s Financial Statements for the year in which funding was provided and utilized. Grant recipients are required to provide copies of all receipts for expenditures covered with SCCIP funds.

Final Report documents can be downloaded below:

• Final report form
• Financial information form
• Statistical information form

If you require assistance downloading these forms, please contact Cultural Services staff.

Any recipient that fails to submit reports will not be eligible for future funding until required reports are submitted and reviewed by Cultural Services staff. If the City is not in receipt of a final report within one year of the project’s completion, the recipient may, at the City’s sole discretion, forfeit the 10 per cent of funds withheld at time of approval. Please see the application form’s terms and conditions for further information on this subject.

• Successful applicants will be awarded $1,000 in funding.
• No partial grants will be awarded.

Funding is for the creation of new artistic work.

Activities may be, but are not limited to:

• Research and development
• Production or fabrication
• Recording or publication
• Exhibition or presentation
• Community-engaged artistic projects
• Cross-disciplinary or interdisciplinary work

Applicants from all artistic disciplines are welcome, including:

• Craft
• Dance
• Film
• Literary Arts
• Media Arts
• Multidisciplinary Arts
• Music
• Theatre
• Visual Arts

50 per cent of total score

• The applicant clearly describes the project and their artistic vision.
• The applicant explains why the project matters to their art practice, community, or creative growth.
• The project plan is realistic and can be completed with the time and resources available.
• The applicant identifies any partnerships, collaborators, venues, mentors, or other supports that will help the project.
• The application shows clear artistic direction and preparation.

20 per cent of total score

• The applicant explains how the finished work will be shared with the public or intended audience.
• The format fits the project, art form, and stage of development.
• If there is no public event, the applicant explains another meaningful way to share the work.

30 per cent of total score

• The project is designed to expand and/or contribute to the artist’s own artistic development.
• The artist’s work will contribute to and/or have a positive impact on the local community.
• The applicant lists clear and achievable project milestones.
• The applicant explains their process and shows they are ready and able to complete the work.

Contact Staff

Before applying, all applicants are required to get in touch with our Cultural Services staff to review the program details and eligibility requirements. You can reach us via email or by calling 905.323.7638.

You can also view and/or download a pdf document of the questions we ask as part of the Individual Artist Micro Grant program application. (Please note this document is for information purposes only.)

Prepare documents

Gather and prepare the supporting documents required as part of the online application:

• Artist resume (maximum 5 pages)
• Artistic support material - choose whichever best represents your practice. Maximum:
  • 10 images, OR
  • 10 minutes of audio/video, OR
  • 15 pages of writing, OR
  • a combination of the above

There are no discipline-specific rules.

You may also upload additional optional supporting documents, including:

• Two letters of support for the artist and/or the project
• Additional artistic support materials (examples may include project sketches, storyboards, scores, scripts, design drawings, etc.)

Apply online

We are using new application software, so all applicants must register and create a profile to apply. 

We recommend interested applicants register well in advance of the deadline to familiarize themselves with the new platform.

Click here to register.

Once registered, you can use the online application portal to review the terms of funding, answer all application questions, upload the supporting documents listed above, and submit your application.

Recipients of funding must submit a final report in the format provided by the City no more than three months after the completion of their project.

Final report documents will be linked below in the coming weeks.

Any recipient that fails to submit reports will not be eligible for future funding until required reports are submitted and reviewed by Cultural Services staff. If the City is not in receipt of a final report within one year of the project's completion, the recipient may, at the City's sole discretion, forfeit the 10 percent of fund withheld at the time of approval. Please see the application form's terms and conditions for further information on this subject.