Festivals and Events Subsidy Program Innovation Microgrant

Festival and Events Subsidy Program Innovation Microgrant

2025 FESP recipients can apply for up to $20,000 to fund innovative initiatives that diversify programming, enhance accessibility, foster community, and promote environmental sustainability.

Eligibility

Only 2025 Festival and Events Subsidy Program recipients are eligible to apply for FESPIM.

Festival and Events Subsidy Program

The FESPIM offers startup funding to support new and unique components of existing events. It’s designed to spark creativity, inspire change, and elevate Calgary’s festival landscape by encouraging fresh ideas and innovation.

For 2026 events, 2025 FESP recipients can apply for up to $20,000 to fund innovative initiatives that diversify programming, enhance accessibility, foster community, and promote environmental sustainability.

Application details

  • Who can apply: Only 2025 Festivals and Events Subsidy Program recipients whose events are publicly accessible and have been approved through the 2026 Interdepartmental Event Team (IET) process.
  • Deadline to apply: 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 9, 2025.
  • How to apply:
  • Eligibility requirements:
    • Are in good standing with The City of Calgary with no outstanding invoices.
    • Demonstrate the experience, financial resiliency, and skills needed to produce the initiative.

Note: You cannot receive funding for the same initiative more than once.

Download a printable copy of the guidelines

Project objectives

To qualify, your proposed initiative must be a new component that enhances your existing event. It must not duplicate work already funded or previously included.

Eligible initiative themes include:

  • Programming diversification: Introduce new cultural experiences, performances, or creative formats to expand Calgary’s cultural landscape.
  • Value-added innovation: Add event features that improve accessibility, reduce costs, increase safety, or provide alternate transportation options. (For example, FESPIM funding can cover the cost of inviting artists or speakers new to your event, even if they’re from outside Calgary.)
  • Community strengthening: Foster collaboration and inclusivity, strengthen partnerships, and promote positive community engagement.
  • Environmental stewardship: Promote sustainability, reduce environmental impact, or introduce green practices to your event.

Initiative inspiration

Need ideas? Here are examples of previously funded innovations:

  • An initiative reducing stigma highlighting the person behind dementia.
  • Multi-venue outdoor cinema and arts experiences that engage local communities.
  • Korean traditional mask and Minhwa art workshops.

Eligible and ineligible expenses

The microgrant covers direct costs related to the delivery of your new initiative. It is not intended to support general operations or capital projects.

Eligible expenses

  • Honorariums for artists, contractors, technicians, and temporary workers.
  • Production and technical costs.
  • Marketing and communication efforts specific to the innovation.
  • Administrative overhead (e.g., rentals, communications, insurance).
  • Health, safety, and accessibility plans.
  • Any other reasonable direct cost approved by the Arts & Culture Division.

You may combine this funding with federal, provincial, or other funding sources — as long as the same expenses are not being double-funded.

Ineligible expenses

  • Expenses incurred before funding approval.
  • Overhead costs like rent, utilities, and staff salaries.
  • Travel, accommodation, meals.
  • Compensation for existing staff wages, grant/report writing fees.
  • Office supplies, bookkeeping, postage.
  • Office and administration fees (e.g., office supplies, bookkeeping, postage).
  • Prizes, awards, trophies, fundraising expenses, or debt repayment.
  • Alcohol or cannabis.
  • Costs already covered by FESP or other grants.
  • Any expense deemed ineligible by the Arts & Culture Division.

For example, if your innovation overlaps financially with your existing event (e.g., same performers or logistics), those shared expenses are not eligible under FESPIM.

Assessment criteria

Applications are evaluated by the grant review team using the following three pillars. Exceptional performance in all areas is not required, but alignment with these criteria is strongly encouraged:

  1. Strategic Investment
    • Demonstrates clear community benefit.
    • Strong alignment with Arts & Culture Division values.
  2. Capacity
    • Realistic plan and budget.
    • Qualified people and resources in place.
    • Inclusive engagement, if relevant (e.g. DEI representation).
    • A clear timeline and commitment to delivery.
    • Even if your event is on a payment plan, you may apply. However, the outstanding balance must be paid before funding can be released.
  3. Connection
    • Collaboration with organizations or businesses.
    • Strategies to build awareness and encourage community participation.
    • A focus on long-term value for Calgary communities.

Review & notification process

  • Applications are reviewed based on eligibility, completeness, and how well they meet the assessment criteria.
  • Funding is awarded to highest-ranking applications until the total budget is allocated.
  • All applicants will be notified by mid-November 2025.
  • Funding will be disbursed by December 31, 2025.
  • All funding decisions are final.

Note: If you have not yet been billed for your 2025 event, you can still receive this grant. If you have already been billed, the invoice must be paid in full before funds can be released.

Final reporting requirements

Grant recipients must submit a final report within 60 days of completing the initiative. This must include:

  • A completed final report.
  • High-quality images, if requested.

Failure to submit your final report may affect your eligibility for future Arts & Culture grants.

All approved funding allocations will be made public to maintain transparency and accountability.

Conditions of funding

By accepting a FESPIM grant, you agree to:

  • Use the funding only for the approved initiative and budget.
  • Notify us of any major changes (e.g., location, scope, timeline).
  • Acknowledge our support in promotional materials. We can provide a logo, if needed.

We reserve the right to reclaim funding if:

  • The initiative is not completed as approved.
  • Unapproved changes are made.
  • Funds are misused or not properly reported.
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