As described in the City of Saint Jon Arts and Culture Policy, adopted by Common Council on September 26th, 2005, the arts make a substantial contribution to the quality of life and vitality of our community. The City of Saint John believes that one of the most effective means of facilitating the development of arts and culture in Saint John is to provide funding support to non-profits arts and/or cultural organizations serving our community. In this way, arts and culture organizations are encouraged to establish themselves, enhance their services, and provide their programming to the community. Accordingly, the City through the Saint John Community Arts Board has implemented the Community Arts Funding Program.
The following information will assist you when applying for a Community Arts Funding Grant. If you have further questions, please contact the Program Officer via artsandculture@saintjohn.ca
Who is eligible for a Community Arts Funding Grant?
This program is designed to provide project support for non-profit organizations or groups wishing to offer quality arts activities in any discipline of the creative arts within the City of Saint John.
Any non-profit organization whose primary purpose is the presentation, promotion, or education of the visual, performing, literary, media, or material arts in Saint John, or that wishes to undertake arts-related projects or activities of benefit to the community, is eligible to apply.
An organization that has previously received funding and has not complied with funding requirements (i.e. failed to submit a post-event report to the Board) will be deemed ineligible.
What type of projects can be funded?
Project/Activity Funding
Arts related projects, activities, events, or initiatives (including a series of activities or events) that are primarily participatory, actively engage the public, are educational in nature, or that develop the arts in the community.
Arts Festival Funding
Preparation and presentation of one-day or multi-day arts festivals, major arts events, or arts celebrations.
What type of projects, activities, or applicants are ineligible?
The following are examples of applicants and/or projects/activities that are NOT eligible for funding:
Building or equipment purchase, lease, renovation, or repair;
Funding that is primarily for the benefit of an individual;
For-profit organizations;
Organizations that fund other projects/festivals;
Retroactive funding (without prior approval of the Board);
Deficits or debts;
Free or discounted tickets;
Fundraising events;
Fellowships, scholarships, or bursaries;
Contributions to an endowment fund;
Conferences or professional development;
Non-specific operating expenses.
What are the Criteria for Evaluation?
During evaluation of applications, preference will be given to organizations that are based in Saint John and to projects and/or activities:
That are consistent with the objectives of the City’s Arts and Culture Policy:
https://saintjohn.ca/en/arts-and-culture
That are consistent with the current Council’s priorities:
https://saintjohn.ca/en/city-hall/council-and-committees/council-priorities
With significant community involvement;
That have not received other funding from the City of Saint John in 2024;
That have also sought and/or obtained other sources of funding (i.e. matching funds); and
That will benefit the creative arts, the arts community, and the community at large.
The applicant must also demonstrate organizational capacity and good management practices, including programming, finances, and human resources. Other practices will be considered such as: event attendance, audience development, community and business support, cultural diversity, funding, human resources, partnerships, public accessibility, and strategic planning.
What is the Evaluation Process?
The Saint John Community Arts Board will review and evaluate each application using these Program Guidelines and any other applicable program criteria as a framework for discussion. The Board will then determine which projects and/or activities will receive funding and the level of funding to be awarded based on the approved applications and the availability of funds.
The amount of funding available is determined annually by Common Council. Applicants will
normally be notified of the adjudication results by writing within 45 days after the application deadline.
Saint John Community Arts Board members who are also associates of an applying organization won’t be entitled to participate in the evaluation and decision process.
What is the role of the Program Officer?
Program Officer reviews the applications received to ensure they are complete and eligible. The Program Officer also moderates the jury meeting but does not influence the decisions about which applications receive funding. Rather, they offer support to the jury as its members evaluate the feasibility and merit of the applications. Once the jury makes its decisions about the distribution of the available grant budget, the Program Officer will communicate these results to the applicants via email, contact the grant recipients to issue payments, and prepare a summary of the grants to submit to Common Council.
How do I apply?
The fillable application form can be filled out on the City’s website (link here)
Read over the application and write out your thoughts prior to filling out the form. You can not save the page so be sure to have everything ready when you begin to fill it out online.
Review the Council Priorities and the Arts and Culture Policy to see where your project fits.
Be sure to have the following documents ready to upload:
Supporting documents such as your latest financial statement, list of board members, budget, letters of support, and other information you feel would support your project.
Applications must be clear, concise, and complete. Incomplete or inaccurate applications will be rejected.
If your organization cannot submit via the online form, you may contact the Program Officer to discuss alternative options. Please contact at least 48 hours in advance of the deadline. artsandculture@saintjohn.ca
Applications received after the deadline will NOT be accepted.
What is the deadline to apply?
Applications must be received by 4:00 p.m. on Thursday March 14th, 2024.
The City of Saint John recognizes the importance of public participation in the decisions that impact our community. There are a number of ways citizens can be involved in municipal government, such as completing City surveys and attending public meetings.
Citizens may also apply to serve on a board or committee. The City of Saint John has over thirty agencies, boards, commissions and committees, often referred to as ABC’s, that oversee municipal entities, initiatives or services and provide guidance and recommendations to support the decisions of Common Council.
Saint John City Hall is the centre of municipal government for the City of Saint John. It’s home to the Mayor’s office and Council Chambers, and it’s where these City officials meet to discuss City business. It’s also where Saint John residents can access various City services.
You’ll find City Hall near the foot of King Street, at 15 Market Square, in uptown Saint John. Visitors must check in at the first floor reception, which is accessible by the main street entrance, or via the pedway system and a newly installed elevator—which will take you to the public areas of the building.
The first City Hall building in Saint John was a wooden structure, built in 1797 at about the same location as the current City Hall, which was built in 1971. In 2020, the City made significant renovations to the building, and moved City operations to the first four floors, which makes City Hall much more visible and accessible.
The deadline for submissions is generally 4 p.m. on the Wednesday before a scheduled meeting. Deadlines for individual applications can be found in the Public Notices.
Submissions will be shared with Saint John Common Council and relevant staff and become part of the official public record. Submissions will also be posted on the City's website attached to the relevant agenda item. Your name will be posted with your comments, but your mailing address, phone number, and email address will not be posted online.
