Province provides timely support for fairs, festivals, events

Province is providing $30 million to support BC events in response to calls from the sector for more help.

“The past three years have been incredibly difficult for people in the tourism industry, including live events, and we know not all businesses have fully recovered,” said Lana Popham, Secretary of State for Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport. “Our government is proud to provide funding to support fairs, festivals and events across BC as they re-establish themselves. We know that these kinds of gatherings fill the hearts of the people of British Columbia with joy. We also know that in many cases they support a larger economy across the province.”

Through the BC Fairs, Festivals and Events (BCFFE) Fund, the BC Government is providing $30 million in one-time grants to eligible events to respond to challenges facing the sector such as: B. the loss of staff and volunteers and supply chain issues, and a cautious return of the audience. Grant amounts are up to 20% of the event’s total budget, up to a maximum of US$250,000. Depending on the number of applications received, the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport can grant grants of more than 20% of the event budget. Individual organizations hosting multiple events are capped at $500,000 per organization.

“The core of what we do is listening to and responding to the people of BC,” said Bob D’Eith, Parliamentary Secretary for Arts and Film. “We know that events are an integral part of the spirit of our communities and our economy. Today’s announcement demonstrates that we are delivering for the sector by providing greater support for the continued recovery and success of trade shows, festivals and events across the province.”

This investment builds on the success of the BCFFE program, launched in 2021, which provided one-off grants to support the safe return of events early in the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This timely investment will ensure that events and festivals can continue and bring tourism and economic benefits to the province,” said Walt Judas, CEO, Tourism Industry Association of BC. “Local events in communities large and small create a stronger community presence and provide employment opportunities for residents while also contributing to the vitality of the community. This is an exciting announcement for the industry.”

Eligible events include sporting events, arts and culture events, community celebrations, agricultural fairs and rodeos. Examples of eligible expenses include operating expenses, health and safety measures, space rental, marketing, wages and advertising.

Applications will be accepted until March 3, 2023. Funding is available for events between April 1, 2023 and December 31, 2024. Organizations are encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible.

Quotes:

Shelley Frost, CEO, Pacific National Exhibition –

“The Province has recognized the challenges and realities of our sector. For communities across the province, fairs, festivals and events are part of the social fabric. It is a place where people and families come together to celebrate and make memories. This support will help the PNE show and other events thrive as we adapt to a new way of doing business.”

Mark Zuberbuhler, President, Vancouver Folk Music Festival Society –

“This funding is an exciting announcement for the industry. Music audiences and festival partners have all asked for help to save their events. We can all use a helping hand now, so this funding will go a long way in helping events take place over the next two summers.”

Cara Haughton, Executive Director, Kamloops Exhibition Association, Provincial Winter Fair Committee Member –

“Events like county fairs provide highly entertaining family events and educational activities that often become family traditions. This funding is crucial in supporting rural and urban events, both large and small, and allows fairs to celebrate their local agricultural traditions with the general public and gives organizers more time to make their events sustainable.”

Fast Facts:

• Over the past three years, the BC government has supported the tourism sector with more than $500 million in tourism grants, including:
  • $30 million in BCFFE funding in 2021 that supported 682 events: 233 arts and culture events; 222 sporting events; 72 live music festivals; 105 parish celebrations and meetings; 43 agricultural fairs, shows and rodeos; and seven other types of events
  • US$8 million in special assistance from Indigenous Tourism BC to Indigenous tourism businesses
  • More than $80 million for community-based tourism infrastructure and destination development to help BC tourism recover, create jobs and boost economic development.

Learn more:

To view the BC Fairs, Festivals, and Events Fund criteria and application visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/tourism-immigration/tourism-resources/tourism-funding-programs/ fairs-festivals event fund