SCCIP Facility Access Funding

• Minimum $1,000, maximum $5,000.
• Applicants to this program will either be awarded their full request, or not awarded funding.

Costs subsidized in this category may include any of the following:

• Base rental fees for the following spaces at the PAC: Recital Hall and Robertson Theatre
• Front of House labour (Front of House Supervisor, ushers, concession staff)
• Technical labour
• In-house technical equipment
• Administrative charges (insurance, licenses)

To apply to this program, the applicant must be:

• A non-profit or charitable organization, or a collective with a mandate in arts, culture or heritage.
• Based in or primarily serving St. Catharines.
• A recipient of a SCCIP grant in the current or previous year, OR able to demonstrate eligibility under the Arts Development Program criteria.

Organizations or collectives that:

• Are presenting public-facing arts events, especially those led by equity-deserving groups.
• Can demonstrate financial needs and clear benefits to artistic development and community acces.
• Include emerging artists or new initiatives that would benefit from professional venue exposure.
• If the program is over-subscribed in a given year, priority will be given to organizations that have not received Facility Access funding in the prior year.
• If the program is under-subscribed, a lottery will be used that includes applicants that received Facility Access funding in the prior year.

• One rental block per calendar year per organization.
• Does not guarantee venue booking - PAC staff must confirm availability.
• Partridge Hall and the Film House are not eligible venues under this program.
• Applicants must obtain a rental estimate from the PAC prior to submitting their application.
• A standard rental agreement with the PAC must be signed after funding approval.
• Events must be open to the public (free or ticketed.)
• Programming can take place up to 2 years from the date of funding approval (or more than 3 years if prior authorization has been received from City staff.)
• The program will not fund applications for bookings that are already under contract with the PAC.

Some activities are beyond the scope of this program, regardless of their merit. No activities will be funded retroactively. 

Grants are not available for:

• Events where the central focus or theme is not artistic or cultural
• Events that do not meet the program goals and eligibility criteria
• Social Service, Religious, Sports organizations or clubs
• Charges for merchandising, licensing, and commission
• Third-party fundraisers, event reception costs, and events not aligned with the organization’s mandate

30 per cent of total score

• The current proposal is well planned and achievable and includes a realistic plan and articulated goals.
• 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 project shows potential to contribute to cultural activity, artistic expression, or public engagement in St. Catharines.

30 per cent of total score

• The project leadership has demonstrated standards of artistic / cultural achievement, and past activities show overall quality and impact.
• 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.
• Budget reflects a demonstrated need for financial assistance from the City.
• The organization incorporates contingency plans, including strategies to alter program delivery (if necessary).

40 per cent of total score

• The project is designed to have an impact in the local arts and culture sector.
• The applicant identifies specific communities it intends to engage and describes thoughtful, meaningful engagement strategies.
• The application identifies resources, partnerships, outreach methods, or supports that will help make community engagement achievable.
• The project contributes to St. Catharines offering a range of cultural experiences for residents, including educational, participatory, or audience-based programs.
• The project shows how access to the PAC will support the applicant's artistic growth, visibility, capacity, or future development.
• The application clearly explains why SCCIP Facility Access funding is important to the project's feasibility, accessibility, or overall success.

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 PAC Facility Access 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:

• Applicant Information and Authorization form with original signatures
• Completed Financial Information form
• Rental estimate from the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre
• Two letters of support for the organization and/or the project
• Sample promotional materials from past events or similar activities
• Brief bios of all members participating in the leadership of the project

For Incorporated Applicants:

• Most recent financial statements approved and signed by your Board of Directors
• Minutes from your most recent annual general meeting
• A list of your Board of Directors - include name, title and length of service
• A copy of your letters patent or other incorporation documents (first time applicants only)

For Non-Incorporated Applicants:

• In lieu of financial statements, a detailed profit and loss summary from the previous year's operations or your most recent project.

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.