Grant programs and subsidy
Arts & Culture Stories of Community Impact 2025 Grant programs and subsidy
We invested more than $6 million in Calgary communities to support vibrancy, strengthen connections and build capacity. From local non-profits to Community Associations and Business Improvement Areas, funding helped transform ideas into action.
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Grant programs and subsidy
Quick facts
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$6+ million
Funding and subsidies provided
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$54.6+ million
Economic impact generated
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416
Individual initiatives supported
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1.9+ million
Attendees to funded initiatives
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369
Local organizations received subsidies and funding
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8,484
Local creative professionals received funding
One-time grants aren’t enough
We can support only 40 per cent of the eligible funding applications we receive, and one-time grants aren’t enough to meet community needs. Many of our community partners risk shutting their doors, leaving a gap in essential services and programs that people rely on every day.
To keep these community initiatives alive and thriving, we need to turn short-term support into base operating funding. This helps support the health of local non-profits, charities, Community Associations and Business Improvement Areas that make Calgary’s cultural landscape vibrant and accessible.
NEW: #YYCNeighbourDay Microgrant
Neighbour Day is Calgary’s celebration of community spirit and connection. Held each year on the third Saturday in June, it is a step toward creating welcoming and inclusive communities.
The 2025 #YYCNeighbourDay microgrant was launched to offer funding for small-scale, free-to-attend Neighbour Day events that foster community connection, while promoting equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging.
Due to overwhelming demand, the application intake was closed early after funding was fully allocated.
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$91,543
Funding provided
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42
Initiatives supported
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74%
Eligible applications funded
Community building under construction
In celebration of Neighbour Day and to highlight the benefits of remaining patient with the short-term inconveniences of local stormwater mitigation projects, the community of Hillhurst Sunnyside organized a parade through their neighbourhood. Engaging hundreds of community members, the parade showcased their love of community, along with their appreciation for the flood protection measures that have been established since 2013.
SafeLink Alberta's community clean-up
For the second year in a row, SafeLink Alberta organized a community cleanup and BBQ event in Sunalta. Over 105 community members joined the activities, promoting collaboration, community connection, cleanliness and shared responsibility.
NEW: Calgary Culture Days Microgrant
Calgary Culture Days is a month-long celebration of arts, culture and community spirit, held every September since 2014. From live music and festivals to theatre, film, visual arts and more, this annual event encourages Calgarians and visitors to explore new perspectives and engage with the vibrant cultural life of Calgary.
In 2025, the Calgary Culture Days Microgrant was introduced to help activate the greater downtown area through free or low-cost arts and culture programming during September. It supports new small-scale initiatives and fosters creative exchanges among artists, communities and cultural groups.
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$95,000
Funding provided
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19
Non-profit organizations supported
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44%
Eligible applications funded
Unity in Diversity: A Decade of Art and Healing Art Exhibition
Hosted in downtown Calgary during Culture Days 2025, the LOUD Art Society (LAS) exhibition showcased the work of 22 racialized and equity-deserving artists, who use art as a form of healing and cultural expression. Centered on the themes of mental health, multicultural identity and resilience, the event featured visual art, interactive installations and artist talks.
Over 120 attendees, including newcomers, youth, families and arts sector leaders, reflected on creativity’s role in community well-being. The exhibition extended LAS’s longstanding art therapy programming into a fully public and accessible cultural event, celebrating the organization’s ten-year commitment to creative care and cultural inclusion in Calgary.
“The Culture Days microgrant made it possible for LOUD Art Society to present our very first group exhibition in 10 years of operations — something that could not have occurred at this scale without their support. This funding allowed us to reach a larger audience, celebrate community through art and healing, and foster new partnerships and collaborations that will carry forward beyond the event.”– Tara Vahab, Executive Director of LOUD Art Society
NEW: Downtown in Motion Grant
The Downtown in Motion Grant was created to support long-lasting community impact in the greater downtown area. It empowers organizations to host financially sustainable, publicly accessible arts, culture and sports initiatives. Through activating public spaces, our local partners create places of connection and creativity, while contributing to a safer, more dynamic downtown.
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$1.2 million
Funding provided
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31
Initiatives supported
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58%
Eligible applications funded
Phil in the Park
The Downtown in Motion grant helped enhance Phil in the Park, a free community concert at Prince’s Island Park hosted by the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra. Grant funding covered essential site and technical needs — such as sound, power, fencing, heaters, sanitation, security and first aid – allowing the event organizers to focus their resources on musician fees and marketing.
By supporting infrastructure, the grant helped bring orchestral music to the heart of downtown and made the event more accessible to the public.
“We had 11,971 people register in advance, and many passing by stopped to listen. We heard many great comments from attendees at the event, who appreciated the food trucks, fun atmosphere and perfect weather. A long, standing ovation at the conclusion of the concert was another great sign. Based on registrations, 57 per cent of registrants were attending a Calgary Phil concert for the first time. It was very important for us to provide this concert free of charge so that anyone could attend without barriers.” – Calgary Philharmonic Society
“Fabulous afternoon, in a great venue!!! Thanks so much to the Calgary Philharmonic and The City of Calgary. We should do more of these!” – Attendee
Photos from Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra
Arts & Culture Microgrant
The Arts & Culture Microgrant empowers local non-profits to celebrate Calgary’s diverse cultural landscape and foster vibrant, inclusive communities.
Funding is available for new arts and culture initiatives, including programming, temporary installations, place-keeping projects, workshops and events that promote cultural learning and deepen appreciation for the arts.
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$1.18 million
Provided to 131 initiatives
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68%
Eligible applications funded
Montgomery Night Market featuring "Chalk the Block"
Montgomery's summer art festival, Chalk the Block, was originally scheduled for June 5, 2024, but cancelled because of the water main break. One year later, the festival was finally brought to life, this time accompanied by the community's first night market.
The festival brought together 3,000 neighbours and 72 local artists to create and present their art in the heart of the Montgomery community, restoring vibrancy, partnership and community spirit. This initiative supported 53 community partnerships.