Deadline: 07-Sep-2026
The Community Art Program supports community-engaged art projects by practicing artists and artist collectives in the Central Okanagan. Selected works will be presented during Culture Days, Canada’s national celebration of arts and culture.
Applicants may request up to $3,000, covering up to 100% of eligible project costs. Funded projects must create temporary, publicly accessible artworks suitable for outdoor public display in the City of Kelowna during Culture Days 2027.
What is the Community Art Program?
The Community Art Program is a funding opportunity for artists and artist collectives developing community-engaged public art projects.
The program supports temporary artworks that actively involve community members in the creative process.
Selected projects will be presented during Culture Days, a national celebration of arts and culture in Canada.
Main Purpose of the Program
The main purpose of the program is to support public art projects that connect artists with local residents.
The program aims to:
- Animate public spaces
- Encourage inclusive community participation
- Strengthen community identity
- Promote social cohesion
- Support diverse artistic expression
- Celebrate cultural expression
- Create meaningful connections between artists and residents
- Support innovative and interactive Culture Days activities
Geographic Focus
Projects must take place within the City of Kelowna.
Eligible artists must reside in the Central Okanagan and be eligible to work in Canada.
Culture Days Connection
Funded artworks will be presented during Culture Days 2027.
Projects should reflect the spirit of Culture Days through:
- Innovation
- Public interaction
- Community engagement
- Strong visual impact
- Inclusive participation
- Accessible public presentation
Funding Amount
Applicants may request up to $3,000.
Funding may cover up to 100% of eligible project costs.
Applicants should prepare a realistic budget that clearly shows how the requested funding will support project delivery.
Who is Eligible?
Eligible applicants include:
- Professional artists
- Emerging artists
- Artist collectives
Applicants must be eligible to work in Canada and reside in the Central Okanagan.
Project Eligibility
Eligible projects must:
- Take place within the City of Kelowna
- Serve residents inclusively
- Actively involve community members
- Produce temporary, publicly accessible artwork
- Be suitable for outdoor public display
- Demonstrate sound planning
- Include a clear and realistic budget
- Be ready for presentation during Culture Days 2027
Who is Not Eligible?
The following applicants are not eligible:
- Non-profit organisations eligible for the Cultural Grants Program
- Charitable organisations eligible for the Cultural Grants Program
- Educational institutions
- Academic projects
- Applicants with outstanding obligations to the City of Kelowna
Eligible Project Costs
Eligible expenses may include:
- Artist fees
- Professional services
- Materials and supplies
- Venue-related costs
- Project documentation
- Project coordination
All costs should be directly connected to the development, delivery, and public presentation of the community art project.
What Types of Projects Are Supported?
The program supports temporary public artworks that are community-engaged and publicly accessible.
Supported projects may include:
- Collaborative public art installations
- Community-created visual artworks
- Outdoor temporary art displays
- Interactive cultural projects
- Artist-led community workshops leading to public artwork
- Projects that engage residents in creative production
- Public art activities connected to Culture Days
Key Concepts Explained
Community-Engaged Art
Community-engaged art is created through active participation between artists and community members. Residents may contribute ideas, stories, materials, images, designs, or creative input.
Temporary Public Artwork
Temporary public artwork is displayed for a limited period in a public or publicly accessible space.
Culture Days
Culture Days is Canada’s national celebration of arts and culture, encouraging public participation in creative and cultural activities.
Artist Collective
An artist collective is a group of artists working together on a shared creative project or artistic goal.
Public Accessibility
Public accessibility means that the artwork should be available for residents and visitors to view, experience, or participate in without unnecessary barriers.
Assessment Criteria
Applications are assessed by City of Kelowna staff.
Assessment is based on:
- Alignment with community art objectives
- Project management quality
- Project design
- Anticipated outcomes
- Community participation
- Planning strength
- Budget clarity
- Suitability for public display
Funding Agreement and Reporting
Successful applicants must enter into a funding agreement with the City of Kelowna.
Recipients must also submit a final report within 60 days of project completion.
The final report must include:
- Project summary
- Project photographs
- Required permissions
- Details of completed activities
- Evidence of public presentation
- Information on outcomes and community participation
How to Apply
Applicants should prepare a clear proposal that explains the artistic concept, community engagement process, project plan, budget, and expected outcomes.
Suggested Application Steps
- Confirm that the applicant is a professional or emerging artist, or an artist collective.
- Confirm eligibility to work in Canada.
- Confirm residency in the Central Okanagan.
- Design a project that will take place in the City of Kelowna.
- Ensure the project actively involves community members.
- Align the project with the spirit of Culture Days.
- Prepare a clear artistic concept and visual plan.
- Develop a realistic budget of up to $3,000.
- Identify eligible costs such as artist fees, materials, documentation, or coordination.
- Explain how the artwork will be suitable for outdoor public display.
- Submit the application according to the program guidelines.
Expected Results
Funded projects should create meaningful cultural and community benefits.
Expected results may include:
- Increased public participation in arts and culture
- Stronger connections between artists and residents
- More animated public spaces in Kelowna
- Greater visibility for local artists
- Inclusive community storytelling
- Public artworks presented during Culture Days
- Stronger community identity and social cohesion
- Increased appreciation of diverse cultural expression
Why It Matters
Community art can bring people together, activate public spaces, and create shared cultural experiences.
The Community Art Program helps artists work directly with residents to create temporary artworks that reflect local identity and community connection.
By linking selected projects to Culture Days, the program also increases public access to creative experiences and strengthens Kelowna’s cultural life.
Tips for Strong Applications
A strong application should clearly show how the project will involve the community and create a strong public artwork.
Applicants should focus on:
- A clear and compelling artistic concept
- Strong community participation
- Inclusive engagement methods
- Realistic planning and timeline
- Clear outdoor display plan
- Strong visual impact
- Practical budget
- Clear Culture Days connection
- Meaningful outcomes for residents
- Strong project coordination
Applicants should avoid proposals that focus only on the artist’s individual practice without meaningful community involvement.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should carefully check eligibility and project requirements before applying.
Common mistakes include:
- Proposing a project outside Kelowna
- Applying without residing in the Central Okanagan
- Submitting a project without community participation
- Proposing artwork unsuitable for outdoor public display
- Requesting more than $3,000
- Including unclear or unsupported costs
- Submitting an academic project
- Applying with outstanding obligations to the City of Kelowna
- Providing weak project planning
- Failing to explain the Culture Days connection
FAQ
What is the Community Art Program?
The Community Art Program supports community-engaged temporary public artworks by practicing artists and artist collectives in Kelowna.
Who can apply?
Professional artists, emerging artists, and artist collectives may apply if they are eligible to work in Canada and reside in the Central Okanagan.
How much funding is available?
Applicants may request up to $3,000, covering up to 100% of eligible project costs.
Where must projects take place?
Projects must take place within the City of Kelowna.
What types of costs are eligible?
Eligible costs include artist fees, professional services, materials and supplies, venue-related costs, documentation, and project coordination.
When will funded works be presented?
Funded works must be suitable for outdoor public display during Culture Days 2027.
Who is not eligible?
Non-profit and charitable organisations eligible for the Cultural Grants Program, educational institutions, academic projects, and applicants with outstanding obligations to the City of Kelowna are not eligible.
Conclusion
The Community Art Program supports artists and artist collectives in creating temporary, publicly accessible artworks that involve residents and celebrate community creativity in Kelowna. With grants of up to $3,000, the program helps bring community-engaged art projects to life during Culture Days 2027.
Strong applications will demonstrate inclusive participation, creative public engagement, sound planning, clear budgeting, and a strong connection to the spirit of Culture Days.
For more information, visit City of Kelowna.
