CITY OF KELOWNA ACTIVE LIVING & CULTURE DIVISION 

CORE PRINCIPLES: 

The City of Kelowna’s Active Living & Culture Division administers a number of grant programs and services for the community which: 

• encourage active healthy lifestyles 

• build strong neighbourhoods 

• nurture lifelong participation in sport 

• enhance cultural vibrancy 

• facilitate development of events 

• enhance social sustainability 

• support effective management and operation of sport, recreation and cultural facilities 

 
Organizations seeking funding support from the City of Kelowna through any of the grant programs administered by the Active Living & Culture Division should be aware of and aligned with one or more of these core principles. 

VALUES: 

Any organization supported by the City of Kelowna will commit to the following values: 

• accessibility, diversity and inclusion: the organization will not unreasonably exclude anyone by reason of religion, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, language, income 

• accountability and fiscal responsibility: using resources effectively and efficiently 

• innovation: being leaders in finding new solutions 

• optimizing value: generating more value and impact from existing resources 

• partnerships and collaboration: working with others to leverage energy, talent and resources 

The Major Event Artist Grant is one of many grant programs provided by the City of Kelowna. Information about other grant opportunities is available on the City’s website: kelowna.ca/grants 

1.0MAJOR EVENT ARTIST GRANT OBJECTIVES AND DESCRIPTION 

1. Program description: 

The Major Event Artist Grant provides artists with an opportunity to activate signature events through dynamic art installations. By using art to transform public spaces into interactive, welcoming environments, the project celebrates and reflects the unique identity of each event, as well as the creativity and spirit of Kelowna. 

This initiative creates meaningful opportunities for both emerging and professional artists to showcase their work, collaborate, and connect directly with the community. Through placemaking, the grant enhances signature events while strengthening Kelowna’s cultural identity and supporting a vibrant, inclusive local arts ecosystem. 

The objectives of the Major Event Artist Grant: 2026 Memorial Cup are: 

• Creation and presentation of durable, large-scale hockey themed artistic installations that create photo opportunities and public engagement; 

• Animate public spaces with temporary artwork within the cultural district and at key locations identified by the Memorial Cup host committee during Memorial Cup week; 

• Reflect Kelowna’s unique identity as the host city while celebrating the spirit and culture of hockey in Canada; 

• Encourage curiosity and engagement with the art piece through photography or interaction between artists, community members, and hockey enthusiasts to create meaningful and memorable artistic experiences. 

2. Eligibility: 

To participate in this program, applicants must: 

• Be a professional or emerging artist or a group or collective of professional practicing or emerging artists, who are eligible to work in Canada;  

• Reside in the Central Okanagan (however the project activities being proposed must occur in the City of Kelowna); 

• Either solely, or in partnership with others, propose an initiative which is consistent with the guidelines of this program; 

• Be committed to carrying out the initiative for the benefit of Kelowna residents without exclusion of anyone by reason of religion, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, language, disability or income; 

• Have fulfilled all reporting requirements for any previous grants from the City of Kelowna; 

• Have the legal authority to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Kelowna and obtain general liability insurance; 

• Have financial management systems in place (e.g. a bank account, proper financial records); and 

• Submit a realistic project budget. 

3. Ineligible applicants are: 

• Non-profit or charitable organizations who are eligible for the cultural grants program; 

• Public or private educational institutions (schools, universities, colleges, training organizations); 

• Students or teachers who propose a project leading to academic credit; or 

• Organizations, groups or individuals which have outstanding indebtedness to the City of Kelowna or which have not fulfilled reporting requirements for any previous grants from the City of Kelowna. 

1.4   Eligible activities and expenses: 

• Artist fees (may include fee/hour plus expenses)1; 

• Services (various trades); 

• Materials and supplies (consumables such as paint, canvas, glue etc.); 

• Costs of setting up a safe venue for art production (insurance, tents, rental fees, permits); 

• Documentation (videographer, photographer, editing, printing); or 

• Coordination/project management (someone to help with logistics and publicity). 

Grants are available for up to 100% of the total project cost, to a maximum of $2,000. 

Projects must be presented during the 2026 Memorial Cup, May 21-31, 2026.  

4. Ineligible expenses and activities are: 

• Activities or products with a political, religious, fundraising or commercial purpose; 

• Capital improvements; 

• Purchase of property, capital equipment or collections; 

• Projects which already receive, or have received financial or in-kind support from the City of Kelowna (land, money or other support); 

• Projects that take place outside of the City of Kelowna boundaries; 

• Reduction or elimination of existing deficits or interest on same; 

• Retroactive funding for projects already in progress; or 

• Projects that will directly or indirectly lead to acquiring academic courses or credits. 

2.0APPLICATION PROCESS 

The application process is online and can be found on the City’s website. 

Artists considering submission of an application are encouraged to do the following prior to completing an application form: 

• Review these guidelines; 

• Contact City staff to discuss your project idea:  

• Sara Thirnbeck, sthirnbeck@kelowna.ca, (250) 469-8474 

Eligible applicants will answer a series of prescreening questions using the online system before completing a full project application to ensure the project is eligible.  

Only online applications will be accepted. If you are having problems with the online system, please contact sthirnbeck@kelowna.ca for support. 

We are committed to ensuring equitable access to our submission process.  Applicants are invited to contact sthirnbeck@kelowna.ca with questions or comments. Please ensure you receive email confirmation upon submission. 

3.0ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

Applications will be adjudicated based on the following criteria:  

1. The applicant is eligible for funding;  

3. There is a realistic and achievable timeline for the completion of the project;  

5. Potential for the installation to create awareness of, build appreciation for and drive engagement;  

6. The project has a reasonable budget and reflects a good understanding of the cost to deliver the project as described;  

7. The project meets all of the program objectives.  

8. The project is feasible and able to be installed securely with limited staff intervention  

3.0 PRIORITY APPLICATIONS 

All eligible projects will be considered for funding. Should requests exceed available funding, applications will be assessed with priority consideration for the following:  

• Unique and creative ideas; 

• Offer diversity in artistic disciplines; and/or  

• Provide meaningful opportunities for underrepresented artists, creative disciplines, and community-engaged practitioners.  

All projects are unique. The assessment criteria provide an objective framework within which the project’s feasibility and impact can be considered and form the basis for constructive feedback to the applicant. 

4.0 ASSESSMENT OF APPLICATIONS 

4.1Review Process: 

Committee Review 

• Applications will be adjudicated by City of Kelowna staff and host committee members who are knowledgeable of the program objectives and these guidelines.  

Obtaining a grant from any City of Kelowna funding program is a competitive process. Demand often exceeds available resources. Even if eligibility requirements are met, there is no guarantee of support. 

2. Interview: 

Applicants may be contacted to discuss the evaluation, build understanding about how the applicant will address any concerns arising, and engage in a broader dialogue about the project. 

3. Notification and Distribution: 

All applicants will receive an email notification of the evaluation results. 

Funds will be disbursed in accordance with the signed Memorandum of Understanding. 

4.4Request for Clarification/Request for Reconsideration 

Applicants may request further clarification from staff regarding the funding decision. However, all decisions of the review committee regarding this program are final. 

5. Final Report: 

Successful applicants will provide a Final Report in a prescribed format to the Cultural Services Department. Receipt of this report is a pre-condition for future eligibility in any City of Kelowna grant program. Final Reports must be submitted within 60 days of completion of the project. 

5.02026 TIMELINE 

This timeline is subject to change. 

6.0CONDITIONS OF FUNDING 

6.1 Terms and Conditions of Funding 

The conditions below will apply to any individual receiving funding from this program: 

• Grant funds must be applied to current expenses and must not be used to reduce or eliminate accumulated deficits or to retroactively fund activities; 

• The applicant will maintain proper records and accounts of all revenues and expenditures relating to its activities and, upon the City’s request, will make all records and accounts available for inspection by the City or its auditors; 

• The City will have access to the project site (if applicable) and the right to review the project at reasonable times during the fabrication/creation thereof; 

• The applicant will ensure that all necessary permits are in place before commencing work; 

• If there are any changes in the activities as presented in the application, Cultural Services must be notified in writing immediately and approve such changes; 

• In the event that the grant funds are not used for the activities as described in the application, they are to be repaid to the City in full; 

• If the activities are completed without requiring the full use of the City funds, the remaining funds are to be returned to the City; 

• Receipt of a grant does not guarantee funding in the future. 

6.2Responsibilities of the applicant: 

• Sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Kelowna.  

• Receive and manage the City of Kelowna grant funding; 

• Carry out insurance, financial, reporting and other responsibilities related to the grant; 

• Consider issues of public safety, durability, maintenance and operating costs in the design and delivery of the project; 

• Provide materials and information as requested for documentation of work in progress and the completed work; and 

• Fulfill all terms and conditions of funding.  

7.0CONFIDENTIALITY 

All documents submitted by applicants to the City become the property of the City. The City will make every effort to maintain the confidentiality of each application and the personal information contained therein except to the extent necessary to communicate information to staff and assessors for the purposes of evaluation, administration and analysis. General information about the project, including the funded amount and the artist, artist collective being funded under the program may also be released.  The City will not release any additional information to the public except as required under the Province of British Columbia Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act or other legal disclosure process. 

8.0 CONTACT INFORMATION 

Staff: Sara Thirnbeck, Community Development Coordinator, Cultural Services   

Phone:(250) 470-8474 

Email: sthirnbeck@kelowna.ca