Update: The policy was passed by City Council on February 8, 2010.

Update: This policy passed community and protective services unanimously on Feb 3, 2010.

Calgary Arts Development, The City of Calgary and key stakeholders in Calgary’s festival and events community have engaged in research and planning to improve City support for festivals and events over the past 18 months. The result of this work is a proposed Festival & Events Policy that will be heard by a committee of City Council on Wednesday, February 3, 2010. The new Policy recognizes the social, economic and cultural value that events and festivals bring to the city and declares the City of Calgary’s commitment to creating a supportive environment for festivals and events.

Key areas of support outlined in the proposed Festival & Event Policy include:

Recognition of the value of festivals and events as a vital ingredient in Calgary’s ongoing development as an active and creative city.

• The policy recognizes that festivals and events enhance quality of life in Calgary and are an essential element in creating complete communities.

• Community consultations show that festival and event experiences are recognized to have significant value among both citizens and visitors.

• Because of the value festivals and events bring to Calgary, The City considers its support to these events part of its core business.  read more »

The Operating Grant Program invests annually in non-profit organizations with year-round operations driven by an arts mandate, with priority given to organizations that demonstrate high artistic and public impact while maintaining sound operations. Organizations may allocate these funds to any area of their overall budget. The goal of the Operating Grant Program is to ensure that Calgary arts organizations have the opportunity to flourish in an environment with a stable base of resources.This program invests in the regular operations of non-profit arts organizations in Calgary. The following Operating Grant Programs are available for 2010:

• Professional Organization Operating Grant
  
• Community Organization Operating Grant 
• Large Organization Interim Report (For large organizations that received a Large Organization Operating Grant in 2009.  The next Large Organization Operating Grant deadline will be in 2012.) 
• Festival Organization Interim Report (For festival organizations that received a Festival Organization Operating Grant in 2009.  The next Festival Organization Operating Grant deadline will be in 2011.)

If you are a new applicant, you must complete the eligibility form.  read more »