SCCIP Development Programs

Eligibility

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

• Emerging arts organization;
• Artist ad-hoc group;
• 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
• Be in existence for a minimum of one year with evidence of public activity

Repeat applicants

If you're a repeat applicant, you must demonstrate:

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

Eligibility exceptions

• Arts organizations and artist ad-hoc groups 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.

Cultural interest 

32 per cent of total score

• The project leadership has demonstrated standards of artistic / cultural achievement in past activities
• The vision of the project is innovative, creative and inclusive
• Artwork created by local artists is a priority
• The proposed project is distinct and innovative in the context of comparable activities in St. Catharines
• The project provides unique opportunities for artists, other cultural organizations and/or the public

Organizational competence / project leadership 

28 per cent of total score

• 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
• The current proposal is well planned and achievable and includes a realistic plan and articulated goals.
• There is financial accountability, and a researched budget based on realistic revenue targets
• There is an overall quality and impact in the applicant’s recent activities
• 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)

Community impact

26 per cent of total score

• The project leadership has 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 is designed to have an impact in the cultural community
• The project is designed to engage a distinct or under-served sector of the community

Purpose and priorities of SCCIP

14 per cent of total score

The project serves the purpose and priorities of the St. Catharines Cultural Investment Policy (see page 1).

How to apply

Final Report Forms

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.

Eligibility

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

Eligibility exceptions

• 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 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.

Community impact

33 per cent of total score

• The applicant has demonstrated an ability to connect to members of a local community and encourage new participation
• The project prioritizes creative, engaged participation by members of a local community
• The project prioritizes public access, with particular focus on St. Catharines’ diverse or under-served communities
• The project is designed to have positive effects on the local community and will increase diverse civic engagement

Cultural and community interest 

27 per cent of total score

• The vision of the project is innovative, creative and inclusive
• The project features or celebrates issues and / or experiences that are distinct to the identified local community
• The project is distinct from comparable activities in St. Catharines
• The project utilizes creative strategies to encourage participation from residents who may not otherwise engage in local cultural activities

Organizational competence / project leadership

26 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 an overall quality and impact in the project leadership’s recent activities
• The current proposal is well planned and achievable
• An appropriate publicity, marketing and / or outreach plan exists for the project
• There is a demonstrated need for financial assistance from the City
• The organization incorporates contingency plans, including strategies to alter program delivery (if necessary)

Purpose and priorities of SCCIP

14 per cent of total score

The project serves the purpose and priorities of the St. Catharines Cultural Investment Policy (see page 1).

How to apply

Final Report Forms

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.

Eligibility

The Culture Days Activity Program is for artists, businesses or organizations who wish to run a Culture Days activity in St. Catharines. To be eligible for the Culture Days Activity Program, you must:

• Respond to the mandate of Culture Days
• Create public participation in cultural experiences
• Aim to inspire future involvement in the cultural life of the community

You do not need to meet all the general eligibility requirements of SCCIP. However, activities must:

• Take place in St. Catharines during Culture Days
• Be free and open to the public
• Engage the public in hands-on, interactive cultural experiences and encourage continued involvement in local culture
• Employ and pay local artists and cultural workers
• Be distinct from normal activities offered by applicant

Eligibility exceptions

For-profit businesses are eligible for this program when all other eligibility requirements are met. Business applicants are eligible for artist fee costs only.

Community Impact

 60 per cent of total score

• The activity is an interactive cultural experience for participants.
• The activity is designed to encourage participation from residents who may not otherwise participate in culture.
• The activity is creative, inventive and / or fun.
• The activity encourages future exploration or involvement in local arts, culture and / or heritage.
• The activity is accessible to a wide range of residents.
• The activity does not significantly duplicate any other Culture Days activity.

Project Leadership

40 per cent of total score

• Activities are well-planned. Organizers include sufficient time to prepare, conduct and conclude the activity.
• Local artists and cultural works are employed and are being engaged creatively in the project.
• Activities respond to the mission of the nation-wide Culture Days, which is:
  • FOSTER appreciation and support of the artistic and cultural life that is lived, created and expressed across the country in urban, suburban and rural areas alike;
  • PROMOTE direct interaction between creators and citizens, as a key to increasing understanding and appreciation of art and culture; and
  • AFFIRM that every citizen is the guardian of the cultural life of his, her or their community.
  • Culture Days also serves as a year-round catalyst that connects individuals and creators to build measurable support for the entire sector and amplify its contributions. They seek to eliminate barriers to access and participation, and stimulate understanding, appreciation and exploration of arts and culture – so that every person in the country has a deeper connection with themselves, their communities, and Canada.

How to apply

Final Report Forms

Final report forms are available from Cultural Services staff and must be accompanied by final actual budget figures and a completed statistical information form. Grant recipients are required to provide copies of all receipts for expenditures covered with SCCIP funds.

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. Please see the application form’s terms and conditions for further information on this subject.