Ask any arts organization about applying for grants and the eyes are quick to roll in frustration.
Other than a few government sources - via agencies like the Canada Council or BC Arts Council or through gaming funds - few foundations or financial trusts even allow for the arts to apply.
Northern Development Initiative Trust was one such agency, until this past week. NDIT said the long-term math was just too compelling to continue the practice of nonsupport of specifically festivals and annual special events.
The new grant envelope provides up to $2,500 in support to ongoing musical, athletic, cultural or otherwise artistic recurring events, as long as they are operated by not-for-profit organizations.
"It's the first time we've gone into the arts and culture space," said NDIT director of communications Joel McKay. "For us, we look at everything from an economic development perspective, and that typically goes to key education programs for business development or key infrastructure - community halls, arenas, pools, that sort of thing. We wanted to find small ways to make a big difference, where a small financial investment would pay big returns for the local economy, and our research identified these festivals as having major impacts. These are a vital piece of the tourism industry, and it does a lot to diversify a local economy. It happens all over the north, they are plugged directly into their host communities. And the added benefit is, with support like this, they can get bigger and spread their word even farther, which just fuels the tourism potential of the north and the community-building these events represent."
There are still a few restrictions to the program. Funding will not be extended to first-time events, events that are political in nature, or events that are religious in nature.
The maximum amount of $2,500 was arrived at through research as well, not arbitrary lines in the banking sand. NDIT consulted with many existing festivals and ongoing events across the northern region. Organizers talked to them about their budgets, their needs, their obstacles, and through that dialogue came the understanding that reliable grant income was prized above all, and up to $2,500 would take the edge off their cash crunch. Most events are built on volunteers doing the organizing and operating, and many are dependent on that elusive X-factor - the paying audience. Having the bills paid in advance of any given event was the key to survival, and a big infusion of up-front cash like NDIT's new contribution would help immensely.
"A lot of these events are focused on music, like Cold Snap in Prince George or Music on the Meadow in Fort St. James, but there's actually quite a diversity," said McKay. "You've got airshows in Quesnel and Vanderhoof and Fort St. John, you've got the Big Pig mountain bike event in Burns Lake, you've got the chainsaw carving festival in Chetwynd, The Emperor's Challenge is a mountain half-marathon every year in Tumbler Ridge. Northern B.C. has a lot of events that are home grown and do a couple of things for their host community: brings people and investment into the community, and gets the word out to the rest of the world about that community. It attracts money in and it advertises out. We want to support that."
To apply for a grant under their new festivals and events program, visit the NDIT website. Forms can be filled out online.
