Since 2010, Squamish Arts has adjudicated the Arts and Culture Grant (ACG) for local arts and/or culture projects that seek to provide community enhancement. This funding is awarded by the District of Squamish to Squamish Arts through the Community Enhancement Grant Program.
Please note that this grant is specifically geared towards projects that seek to enhance the community of Squamish through an arts and culture initiative, and can include objectives pertaining to decolonization and reconciliation, intergenerational programming, neighbourhood connectivity, environment, equity and diversity, physical and mental health, social wellbeing, youth led initiatives, vulnerable populations and recreation that are based in education, recreation, the environment, or alternative programming,
For projects that align with these objectives and that are NOT specifically arts and culture focused, please refer to the Community Enhancement Grant provided by the Squamish Community Foundation.
Please note that you can only receive either the Squamish Arts’ Arts and Culture Grant OR the Squamish Community Foundation’s Community Enhancement Grant. If you believe that your project could feasibly apply to both, please email info@squamishartscouncil.com to determine which grant you should apply to.
If you would like aid in the grant writing process, please reach out to info@squamishartscouncil.com.
The Arts & Culture program has specific eligibility criteria. Please review the guidelines before applying.
The 2025 Arts and Culture Grant intake will open again in October.
Squamish Arts, in partnership with the District of Squamish, has completed adjudications for the Community Arts and Culture Enhancement Grant! This was an amazing year for the number and quality of applications and is indicative of the diversity and creativity of Squamish.
Thank you to all who submitted, thank you to the hardworking volunteer adjudication committee, and congratulations to the winners!
The Brazil in Squamish Festival will involve a series of six to eight small interactive events, presentations, and workshops with one larger event as well. They will be hosted in several Squamish neighbourhoods, different venues, and formats. Events include Brazilian music, arts and crafts, environment, culinary, sports, dance, and traditions
A two week, all ages community theatre event for the winter season. This show is part of the Between Shifts Theatre Mentorship Program that teaches and welcomes young actors and new members interested in learning the theatre arts on and off stage.
This event will invite and showcase local Squamish/Sḵwx̱wú7mesh artists and performers to Cheakamus Centre’s Annual Open House along with family friendly enviro education activities and nature themed local art.
A live music, dance performance with multi-media projections celebrating International Women’s Day at the Eagle Eye Theater
The Squamish Mural walk created both a walking and virtual tour of the murals within the DSBIA’s catchment area (between Pemberton Avenue to the north and Westminster Street to the south, and between Loggers Lane and Second Ave to the east and west).
The best way to explore the murals in Downtown Squamish is by simply taking a stroll. This project created an accessible free self guided tour of the murals that add visual evidence of Squamish’s diverse local cultures, history and heritage.
Concert series that incorporates 4 elements: Air, Fire, Earth, and Water to highlight the diversity, inclusion, and strength within our Corridor.
Once a month jam sessions for youth (ages 11-16) at the Squamish Academy of Music.
An annual Christmas season ice skating show at Brennan Park with three separate performances by students who are a part of the Skate Sea2Sky Figure Skating Club.
Bright Life is a temporary immersive winter light art experience that will take place in downtown Squamish.
1 Poet Next Door per month, 1 culminating Soul House event per year (A larger event with multidisciplinary artists), and 4 Queergasm events per year (an 2SLGBTQ+ erotic storytelling/poet event).
Enjoy live music weekly at the Squamish Farmers Market!
A collaborative Squamish-based, Corridor-wide event (live-streamed with viewings), showcasing Chief Robert Joseph’s teachings, Q&A, and a reading from his recent book, Namwayut – We are All One: A Pathway to Reconciliation.
Celebration of queer culture and art at Quest featuring approximately 10 live drag performances in one evening. Youth led with tons of volunteers for all portions of the production.
Lenny Rubenovich and Art Harry – Portage
Squamish artist Art Harry led a series of workshops over three weeks in which participants learned how to carve paddles from red cedar. Multidisciplinary Squamish-based artist Lenny Rubenovitch shared through stories his knowledge of trees. The workshop targeted youth, but welcomed participants of diverse ages and backgrounds to share stories and develop woodworking techniques and character.
Hilltop House Support Society plans to create and support a program which focuses on indigenous artists and cultural figures from our community sharing their crafts and culture with the residents. This would be through a variety of events such as art projects, native crafts, music, dancing and sharing circles throughout the year.
The Squamish Arts Fair will be an outdoor market featuring artist and artisan vendors, food vendors and a variety of entertainment. The event will provide Wild Connection experience for vendors and visitors alike by brining people together to showcase amazing local creators while enjoying lively music and street style performances.
The Sea to Sky Dance Collective hosted a performing arts event that blended contemporary ballet dance, live music, poetry, and storytelling in an inclusive and welcoming environment. WILD was a dance performance that celebrates the connection between community and art to generate revenue for Girl in the Wild, a non-profit organization that provides free, adventure-based learning opportunities for young girls in the wild spaces of British Columbia.
The Squamish Mural walk created both a walking and virtual tour of the murals within the DSBIA’s catchment area (between Pemberton Avenue to the north and Westminster Street to the south, and between Loggers Lane and Second Ave to the east and west).
The best way to explore the murals in Downtown Squamish is by simply taking a stroll. This project created an accessible free self guided tour of the murals that add visual evidence of Squamish’s diverse local cultures, history and heritage.
This project aims to provide people dealing with homelessness, substance use, and/or mental illness with the opportunity to participate in therapeutic writing and creative expression as meant to improve their overall wellbeing and quality of life, as well as give shape and understanding to the broad community about the lives of those experiencing homelessness and addiction.
This project consisted of a drum making workshop for kindergarten-grade 8 students at Squamish Nature Learners school and members of the Squamish Nation community. The drum making workshop was hosted by the respected Indigenous leader Alice Guss (Tsawaysia Spukwus). Squamish Nature Learners aims to celebrate the art and culture of drum making with Alice and also host five free community spots to Squamish Nation members who would like to join. The mentorship and sharing of community between the school children and Squamish Nation members will help to build knowledge sharing and work towards reconciliation.
This project set out to paint a mural on the ‘kicking wall’ on the Turf Fields.
Eulogy was a temporary immersive environmental art exhibition for residents in Squamish and further that provided an engaging and unique way to learn about the environment and taking action.
This project brought a dance and movement program to the school for a 7 day residence.
Between Shifts Theatre hosted an evening of 5 one-act plays 2 that were written by local writer, Katherine Fawcett. All 5 plays were loosely based on Grimm’s fairytales, but also contained modern references.
Squamish artist Art Harry led a series of workshops over three weeks in which participants learned how to carve paddles from red cedar. Multidisciplinary Squamish-based artist Lenny Rubenovitch shared through stories his knowledge of trees. The workshop targeted youth, but welcomed participants of diverse ages and backgrounds to share stories and develop woodworking techniques and character.
The aim of this project is to revitalize the existing DRMS concrete courtyard to create an outdoor indigenous and edible educational garden that is surrounded by student lead inspirational artwork and play areas. Don Ross Middle School is planning on working with local artists that can help the students create murals on the courtyard walls showcasing the strength of student connection and growth during this year of persevering through the challenges of a global pandemic. In addition to the walls, they would like to create ground activities contributing to Physical Literacy and Creative Movement; suggestions of a live chess boards and Hopscotch areas have been proposed.
School Children collaborated with local mural artist Liesl and indigenous artist Gyauustees to convert two sea cans at Legacy Sports Park from neglected metal storage units to to beautiful works of large-scale art installations.
The ‘It’s Raining Poetry Project’ solicited poems from the public (Squamish residents) and then installed them on paved active transportation corridors (e.g. sidewalks, overpasses, bike trails) throughout the community of Squamish. The poetry was painted onto paved or hard surfaces using biodegradable paint, visible only when wet.
Tsawaysia Spukwus hosted a variety of traditional first nations drum making and wool weaving workshops at the Squamish Public Library.
Squamish Steamed Live entailed numerous live shows that were performed at the Squamish Brackendale Art Gallery. These shows were streamed for people to enjoy from the comfort of their homes.
The Squamish Mural walk created both a walking and virtual tour of the murals within the DSBIA’s catchment area (between Pemberton Avenue to the north and Westminster Street to the south, and between Loggers Lane and Second Ave to the east and west).
The best way to explore the murals in Downtown Squamish is by simply taking a stroll. This project created an accessible free self guided tour of the murals that add visual evidence of Squamish’s diverse local cultures, history and heritage.
Due to COVID-19 this year, SAM Jam could not host the community music improv. event. Instead, they used the grant to fund a music teacher to host online workshops in the theme of musical improvisational skills. A total of 10 workshops were held once a month.
Sea to Sky Singers hosted a public concert at the Eagle Eye theatre that focused on inclusivity.
“The mission of Space 2B is to build a strong foundation for creative practice in our community by engaging youth and connecting to one another to celebrate and support artistic discovery. Space 2B is a destination for young artists from Squamish. Connect, collaborate, and create – a SPACE to be you! “Space” stands for Squamish Arts Circle of Excellence. But what about the “P” in “Space”? That’s where individuality comes in: performing, painting and pencil, poetry and prose, pointe and pas de deux, pottery, photography, piano, piccolo, and pastries! And the list goes on. For this project we will be producing a virtual series of artist speaker events. By showcasing successful artists from our community and beyond we will inspire young artists to follow their dreams of pursuing the arts. We will be featuring artists from different genres and backgrounds for a well-rounded educational experience. As a student at Howe Sound Secondary I bring a unique perspective of the needs of Squamish teens. Mental Health in teenagers has taken a big hit this year due to COVID. By providing access to the arts and opportunities to create I am supporting the mental wellbeing of my peers, and classmates.”
Lauren Bridle and Emily Beekmans are seeking to co-produce a film series titled “Underrated – A Film Series Recognizing Inspiring Women in British Columbia”. This project will highlight the importance of British Columbia’s most inspiring women who have been fiercely and humbly dedicating their time to breaking down barriers, building up communities, and bettering our planet.
A bear sculpture this is made entirely of recycled materials that have been donated by the community.
A 3-dimensional wood and metal work of art that tells the story of the traditional Skwxwú7mesh Nation village of site of Waiwakum.
A reconception of the National Flag of Canada. It will showcase the acknowledgement and collaboration of Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) and Canadian values. The graphics will portray orange t -shirts and a maple leaf inscribed with West Coast First Nations symbology.
37950 Cleveland Avenue (in Pavilion Park)
2670 Stn Main, Squamish B.C. V8B 0B8