To be eligible for the 2023 WinterCity Festivals and Events Grant, a festival or event must be hosted outdoors and align with the City Plan to:
- Support Edmonton’s identity as a winter city through its infrastructure, design, events and economy (City Plan Intention 1.3.2);
- Celebrate our winter identity through the arts, recreation, events, storytelling and inspired design (City Plan Direction 1.3.2.1); and
- Encourage winter events, activities and festivals through community and business partnerships (City Plan Direction 1.3.2.3)
Eligible events must also:
- Have expenses that as a result of winter conditions require additional funding;
- Take place in the city of Edmonton;
- Take place between January 1 and March 30, 2023 and/or November 15 and December 31, 2023;
- Be an outdoor event primarily located in the public realm (such as parkland, public open space, or road right-of-ways) with more than 80% of the event’s programming taking place outdoors;
- Held in-person with an attendance of 100 people or more;
- Be open to the public. The event may be free to attend, or have a participation fee or require a donation to attend and/or be a ticketed event;
- Produced by an organization (not an individual) that:
- Is a not-for-profit or charitable organization
- Undertakes their work primarily in Edmonton, or has a history of significant activity in Edmonton when they also work elsewhere;
- Is in good standing, and not in arrears with the City of Edmonton.
- Be insured with a minimum of $2 million in general liability;
- Held in compliance with permitting or licensing requirements as required (Edmonton Fire, Development Services, etc); and public health requirements, restrictions and guidance imposed by the City of Edmonton, Alberta Health Services or the Government of Alberta.
Note: Events being hosted in multiple locations on multiple dates with similar program content will be counted as one event. Organizers wishing to host different events may apply for multiple grants for each event produced from January 1 to March 30, 2023 and/or November 15 to December 31, 2023 season. A separate application for each event will be required.
The program will be assessed at the end of each year to confirm or modify eligibility and criteria.
Grant funding awards will be considered for eligible events only.
Eligible events include but are not limited to:
- Cultural and historical celebrations and observances
- Concerts, performances, and music festivals
- Food, arts, and cultural festivals
- Parades and processions
- Sport and Active Recreation events / Active Living events
- Organized runs, walks and other sporting events
- Not-for-profit events attracted through partnership with Explore Edmonton that have public opportunities to participate.
Ineligible festivals/events and organizations include, but are not limited to:
- Festivals and events taking place outside of Edmonton;
- Festivals and events that are indoors (i.e. more than 20% of the event is held inside), events may have opportunities for people to warm up, or hold during inclement weather;
- Seasonal programs and activities (i.e. snowbank ice rinks, winter patios, trail grooming, etc.) though special events at these facilities may be considered;
- Registered programs such as day camps, lessons, community programs, etc.
- Private events (examples include, but are not limited to: weddings, graduations, showers, celebrations of life, potlucks, awards ceremonies, roasts, local sports tournaments or competitions);
- Virtual events;
- Professional / semi professional / amateur outdoor spectator sporting events though public "try it" events or programs as part of the overall event may be considered;
- Events intended to raise funds for specific individuals, charities or groups;
- Film productions;
- Protests, rallies, demonstrations, and marches;
- Stand alone markets (unless it is a program element as part of a bigger event);
- Commercial, promotional or marketing activities (i.e., product demonstrations, merchandise sales, launches, etc.);
- Events that require membership to observe or participate and are not open to the public;
- Primarily religious services or activities delivered by faith organizations.
- Note: The event cannot prevent participation based upon culture, faith or partisan politics.
- Events run by for-profit organizations
- Events run by government; City agencies, boards or commissions; educational secondary institutions, or political parties; NOTE: Post Secondary Clubs and organizations such as international student clubs, children’s community groups may be considered.
- Political campaigning;
- Capital projects (e.g., new construction, expansion or replacement of an existing facility); and
- Performances, exhibitions or activities that promote or incite racism, hatred or violence.