BC Government: New fund launched for community events

Aug. 27, 2021

VANCOUVER – The Province will begin accepting applications on Friday, Aug. 27, 2021, to support B.C.-based events through the new Fairs, Festivals and Events Recovery Fund.

“We know that people have been missing community fairs, festivals and events, and organizers have made tremendous sacrifices to keep us all safe,” said Melanie Mark, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport. “We’re proud to support local events, so people can gather safely with family and friends, in groups and close to home as we continue to navigate our way through this pandemic.”

The Government of B.C. is providing up to $12.9 million in one-time grants to eligible event organizers to support their efforts to resume safely. Grant amounts for each event will be up to 20% of the total event budget, to a maximum of $250,000 per application.

Eligible events include sport, arts and culture events, community celebrations, agricultural fairs, rodeos and exhibitions. Applications submitted by organizations will be required to demonstrate local or regional support and show the economic and social benefits for the community.

“We thank the Province for its continued recognition of the significant challenges our sector is facing through ongoing financial support,” said Shelley Frost, CEO, Pacific National Exhibition in Vancouver. “For communities large and small across this province, the local fair is a part of the social fabric. It’s a place to come together and celebrate, and this assistance will help ensure it continues on an ongoing basis.”

Applications are being accepted until Oct. 1, 2021, for eligible events that take place between July 1, 2021 to Sept. 30, 2022. Organizations are encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible. Eligible expenses include operational costs, health and safety measures, venue rental, marketing, wages and promotion.

“We can’t wait to see all the smiling faces at our next concert and event,” said Mike Hann, festival director, Lake Town Events. “It’s been a long 18 months since we’ve been able to gather, and this support from government will help festival organizers hit the ground running to get back to the normal we miss so much.”

Learn More:

To see the Fairs, Festivals and Events Recovery Fund criteria and application, visit: gov.bc.ca/fairs-festivals-events-recovery

For a complete list of pandemic supports for the tourism industry, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/factsheets/covid-19-economic-recovery-plan-boosts-bc-tourism-industry

A backgrounder follows.

Contact:

Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport
Media Relations
250 208-4309

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BACKGROUNDER

COVID-19 tourism supports

Since the start of the pandemic, the B.C. government has implemented recommendations from the Tourism Task Force and worked with industry to provide relief and support. This includes:

• $36.8 million provided to major anchor attractions and tour bus operators through the Major Anchor Attractions Program;
• $100-million tourism-specific stream under the Small and Medium Sized Business Recovery Grant Program;
• $5 million in dedicated relief funding delivered by Indigenous Tourism BC for Indigenous tourism businesses;
• $53 million in community-based tourism infrastructure and destination development to help tourism in B.C. recover, create jobs and spur economic development;
• partnering with go2HR to design and deliver a COVID-19 safety certificate course for the tourism and hospitality workforce; and
• $50 million in Budget 2021 to support tourism recovery and $20 million for community-based tourism infrastructure.

Contact:

Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport
Media Relations
250 208-4309

Connect with the Province of B.C. at: news.gov.bc.ca/connect

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