Chinatown Activation Microgrant
Chinatown Activation Microgrant
Supporting initiatives that energize Chinatown and celebrate its heritage.
Chinatown Activation Microgrant
Funding is available to individuals, community groups, businesses, nonprofits and cultural or social groups to activate Chinatown through cultural activity.
Initiatives must fall under one or more of the following categories:
- Cultural education: Preserve, celebrate and share the rich cultural heritage and traditions of Chinatown.
- Child/Youth engagement: Foster cultural connections across generations, focusing on inspiring younger audiences.
- Hands-on learning: Promote skill-building to pass down cultural heritage through experiential learning.
- Cultural celebrations: Support cultural events, festivals, and celebrations that activate Chinatown and draw people into the neighbourhood.
50 events were supported by the microgrant in 2025. See the full list here.
Funding available
The Chinatown Activation Microgrant supports small initiatives in Chinatown only by covering up to 100 per cent of eligible expenses, up to a maximum of $3,000.
Applicants may receive up to two Chinatown Activation Microgrants per year.
The 2026 Chinatown Activation Microgrant is now accepting applications. Intake is ongoing for initiatives until the funding is fully subscribed.
Initiative ideas
- Workshops on traditional Chinese art forms
- Classic Chinese movie nights
- Intergenerational storytelling and family programs
- Asian cultural celebrations
- Pan-Asian cooking classes
- Language classes from different regions
- Introduction to Traditional Chinese Medicine
- Chinese Chess tournaments
- Youth-led programs to foster leadership
- Your idea here!
Apply for a microgrant
Upcoming supported events
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Chinatown Community Garden Project
April 20 to Nov. 30By: Calgary Chinese Elderly Citizens' Association
Location: 111 Riverfront Ave. S.W.
The Chinatown Community Garden Program aims to create a shared green space that promotes gardening knowledge, cultural exchange and community connection.
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Mini Peking Opera Headdress DIY
May to AugustBy: Heritage Arts Club
Location: Chinatown Calgary
Learn the art of making a traditional Chinese Peking opera–style headdress pendant.
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Golden Voices of Chinatown: Choral Heritage & Seniors Vocal Wellness
May to AugustBy: Happy 50+ Association
Location: Calgary Chinese Cultural Society
A cultural activation program designed to energize Calgary Chinatown through choral art.
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Future Creators Festival
May 2By: Calgary Chinatown Lions Club
Location: 128 2 Ave. S.W.
A youth-focused community event designed to celebrate creativity, cultural expression and community engagement in Chinatown.
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Hong Kong Journey of Time – Dai Pai Dong Cultural Festival
May 8 to 10By: HongKongers Association of Calgary
Location: Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre
Join “Hong Kong Journey of Time” for an authentic Dai Pai Dong experience—from sizzling wok hei to iconic folding stools. Relive the vibrant street food culture, and stay into the evening for a lively Cantopop concert that brings the sounds of Hong Kong to life!
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Chinatown Pop Up Movie Club Filmmakers Showcase
May 9By: Chinatown Pop Up Movie Club
Location: Chinese National League
This showcase features the short films of Dave & Quin Cheung, Eunice Hau, Yuqi Kang and Steph Wong Ken. Each story speaks on the themes and experiences of the diaspora community, through elements of food and family, while weaving through past and present generations.
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Dragon City Mother’s Day Night Market
May 9By: Dragon City Community Volunteers Association
Location: Dragon City Mall
A family-friendly evening event in celebration of mothers, families and community connections.
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Exclusive Film Premiere Night: Cinema Strade
May 9By: Calgary Hongkongers Lions Club
Location: Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre
Step onto a path where personal memory meets cinematic history, discovering the soulful heartbeat of Hong Kong through the lens of a legendary cinephile in Cinema Strada.
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Chinese Movie Week
May 16 to 23By: Shanghai Cultural Society of Calgary
Location: Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre
Experience the richness of Chinese storytelling, history and contemporary life through film.
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Peking Opera Appreciation Workshop
May 31By: Multicultural Theatre Association
Location: Sien Lok Park
Explore the beauty and depth of Peking Opera in an interactive, welcoming outdoor setting.
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Art Along the Bow: Chinatown Youth & Family Workshops
June 1 to 30By: The New Gallery
Location: The New Gallery
Enjoy free community workshops designed to activate Chinatown through youth engagement, public art and hands-on learning.
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Commemoration of Chinese Railroad Workers
July 1By: Calgary Kaiping Association
Location: Sien Lok Park
An event to commemorate Chinese Railroad Workers.
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Crafting Heritage: Cultural Art Workshops in Chinatown 2026
July 25 to Aug. 29By: Hong Kong Canadian Community Service Association
Location: The Clay Club
A community-led workshop series designed to activate Calgary’s Chinatown through hands-on cultural learning.
2025 Microgrant highlights
Free Tai Chi classes participantI have attended these free classes for the past few months as a solution to managing my PTSD, as was recommended by my mental health therapist. I then experienced a server motor vehicle accident coming up 5 years this August, which resulted in a zero quality of life. Since attending this class, I immediately felt welcomed by the members in this community. Attending this class has given my quality of life back, the instructors always greet me with a smile and are so kind and gentle and encouraging to be patient in my healing as this class is helping in my healing.
Hong Kong Journey of Time attendeesWe really enjoyed this event. We appreciate the organizers' dedicated efforts in promoting cultural programs, the attention to detail in the venue setup, the delicious food, and the reasonable prices. The free souvenirs were a wonderful touch, making the experience feel perfect. We look forward to their next event.
Culinary Cultures: Cooking and Connecting Workshop organizerWe were able to successfully host two cooking workshops for the community to participate in cultural exchange by learning how to make baked coconut sticky rice cakes. We had some amazing conversations with some of the participants, who shared some recipes that they liked to make themselves. We collected some of the simple recipes to create a mini dessert recipe collection. We will share the recipes with the community members who come out to the Cultural Centre and with our summer camp children.
Other funding and resources
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Discover funding opportunities that support arts and culture events, festivals and initiatives.
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If you are looking to host a festival or event in Calgary, we can help.
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Recognizing Chinatown’s history, people and culture through their struggles, achievements and values.