Micro Grant: Arts and Culture Program

Activities funded must align with one or more of the following areas of focus, and applicants should indicate up to two areas that best fit their project in their grant application:

Individual or Organizational Development

Activities that:

• Build individual or organizational capacity,
• Support cultural expression and practices, and/or
• Build business acumen   

Sector Development

Activities that promote a strong and vibrant cultural sector  

Community Development

Activities that encourage community connection, interaction, and engagement through art and culture.  

Right Relations, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

Activities that:

• Support Canmore’s diverse culture and values, and 
• Include and amplify the voices of underrepresented communities.  

This program is open to (1) artists, (2) artist collectives, and (3) arts and cultural organizations. Applicants must meet program eligibility criteria at the time of application submission.

Applicant requirements:

• An individual artist, artist collective, or cultural organization, whose artistic creation is intended to be shared with/in the Canmore community;
• The individual artist, or the majority of the artist collective or cultural organization, must be either Canmore-based or Treaty 7-based.

Note: Canmore-based means living and working in Canmore for at least one year. Treaty 7-based means being an Indigenous artist, collective, or organization with cultural, ancestral, or community ties to a Treaty 7 Nation. Please review the definitions section before applying. 

Ineligibility:

• Individuals or organizations who have already received the maximum funding amount allowable under the Arts and Micro Grant Program within the previous 12 months are not eligible.
• Applicants with overdue reports or outstanding requirements related to prior Town of Canmore grant funding.
• Arts and Culture administrators are not eligible.

• Up to $1,000 for individual artists or artist collectives 
• Up to $3,000 for Arts and Cultural Organizations

Funding distribution: Grants will cover up to 100% of eligible expenses.

A final report is required, including: 

• Project summary and outcomes
• Financial breakdown with receipts
• Documentation (photos, video, press coverage)

Artist:  An individual engaged in the creation or presentation of art who has completed specialized training in their artistic field or is recognized by their peers as such; is committed to their artistic activity and has a history of public presentation or publication.. 

Artist Collective: Two or more individual artists who have a shared artistic practice that is distinct from their own individual artistic practices.  

Arts and Culture Organization: An arts and culture organization is defined as an established non-profit with a dedicated arts and cultural mandate, or a group of individuals who come together to develop and share artistic and/or cultural creations.

Organizational Profile: A document that explains who you are (mandate, mission, vision, values), what you do (key activities and communities served), why you exist (history, relevance, and contribution to arts and culture), and how you operate (governance and structure). Organizations must show that most of their activities benefit or serve the Town of Canmore.

Arts and Culture Administrator: A professional who is paid a wage to plan, organize, direct or control, coordinate and promote artistic and cultural policies, programs, projects and services.

Canmore Based: The main place or area in which Artists, Artist Collectives, and Organizations reside, create, live or do business is in Canmore. 

Treaty 7-Based: Indigenous artists, artist collectives, and arts and culture organizations who are members of, or have cultural, contemporary and/or ancestral ties to one of the Indigenous Nations within Treaty 7 territory; and applicant(s) live, work, or create art rooted in the cultures, traditions, or communities of Treaty 7 Nations.  

Purpose and Use of the Micro Grant: If you receive Micro Grant funding, you agree: that Town of Canmore funds will be used only for the purposes described in the application; if the project is delayed or changed substantially for any reason, you will report in writing to the Town of Canmore before changes take place. If the project does not go forward, you will return to the Town of Canmore the funds granted for the proposed project. The Micro Grant must be used for the purposes for which they were given within two years from the date of the grant notification from the Town of Canmore. 

Audit Requirements: As a recipient of Town of Canmore funds, you are required to maintain adequate accounting records as to the receipt and disbursement of funds received from the Town of Canmore.  

Reporting Requirements: If you are successful, you are required to submit a final report. Guidelines for this report will be provided with your Micro Grant cheque. The report must be submitted by the date identified in your Micro Grant notification letter. If you fail to submit a report, you will be disqualified from applying for any further Town of Canmore grants or from receiving any grant payments. Also, the Town of Canmore may request that you repay the grant.

Acknowledgment: Any exhibition or performance of works resulting from the proceeds of this Micro Grant shall acknowledge the Town of Canmore's support. This will be the inclusion of the Town of Canmore’s logo or a written acknowledgment of the Micro Grant.

Acknowledgement of Support: Artists and organizations must acknowledge the support of the Town of Canmore's Micro Grant Program in all promotional materials, including signage, social media, and printed materials associated with the project. 

Consent for Marketing: By accepting the micro grant, recipients consent to having their project, name, and details included in marketing materials, including the arts and culture newsletter.

Town of Canmore Logo Use: Use/application of the Town of Canmore logo must be approved by the Town of Canmore communications team in advance.

Applications will be considered based on the following:

Questions? Please contact artsandculture@canmore.ca. 

The Town of Canmore is committed to open, fair, and transparent processes. Support is available at every stage of the grant process.  

If you have questions or want feedback on your application, please don’t hesitate to contact us directly for support. Staff will do their best to answer questions and provide feedback on your application before the application deadline. Please contact us as early as possible so we can give you the best support possible.