Program Objectives
The City of Niagara Falls Arts, Culture and Museum Committee created the Niagara Falls Cultural Development Fund (NFCDF) with the following objectives:
- Allocate funding to new cultural initiatives and innovative programs and projects that engage the local community with cultural and heritage-related ideas and activities
- Build capacity in Niagara Falls’ culture sector
- Increase access to culture for residents and visitors in Niagara Falls
- Promote cultural partnerships between public, private and governmental sectors
- Provide support to Niagara Falls culture groups and participants
- Celebrate Niagara Falls’ history, people, and identity
The aim is to support interesting, innovative, and high quality cultural programming that is:
- Niagara Falls-based (i.e., created by, experienced in and celebrates the arts and heritage of Niagara Falls)
- Inclusive (i.e. accessible, open to the public)
- Collaborative (i.e. features shared costs and enhanced partnerships)
- Accountable (i.e. has measurable impact and sustainability)
The grants offer funding to individuals, groups, collectives and organizations for the creation, production, presentation and distribution of culture and cultural services. Funding is not renewable from year to year. Applicants that have received funding from the NFCDF are not eligible to apply for the same project in subsequent years. However past applicants, may apply for new initiatives related to previous successful grant projects.
Level of Funding
In 2018, the maximum level of funding that will be allocated to one project may be up to $10,000.00.
Program Dates
- Applications Available: October 1, 2017
- Applicant Information Sessions: November 22nd and 27th 7:00 p.m., 5810 Ferry Street, Niagara Falls History Museum (both sessions will be identical)
- Application Deadline: January 31, 2018 at 4:00 p.m.
- Announcement of Successful Applicants: It is anticipated that successful applicants will be notified by May 15. This is also contingent on City of Niagara Falls Council Budget Approval.
Note: Unsuccessful applicants are encouraged to seek feedback from the committee to strengthen any future applications that they may submit.
- Project Dates: Projects must occur between March 2018 and February 2019
- Final Reports Due: Within one month of the project completion; OR December 31, 2018, whichever is earlier. Should your project take place in 2019, you will have one month from that date to complete the reports. The final installment will be paid once all reporting requirements are satisfied.
Full details of the fund and criteria are available in the application package.
To Apply
- Email Kim Van Stygeren, Cultural Program Assistant for the application and criteria materials or call 905-356-7521, extension 5911.
2017 Fund Recipients
Niagara Falls Art Gallery
Celebrating Canada 150 through Animation
A collaborative project between Heartland Forest and the Gallery to provide 2 weeks of summer programming at the Heartland Forest Celebrating Canada 150 incorporating digital animation with nature.
$8,800
Laura-Lee Burey
Share Peace, Discover Niagara River
The Niagara River is the backdrop of a walking circuit with street art, music, and talks focusing on peace through local culture.
$6,000
Marinko Jareb
“Niagara Falls Sunset Market”
Weekly family friendly pop-up market combining art, music, vendors and food trucks, with a focus on local culture.
$4,500
Niagara Arts Showcase
Carmel Fine Art & Music Festival
A 3-day Art & Musical Festival featuring local artisans & musicians in a fun, family atmosphere of exploration, learning & enterprise.
$9,700
Planet 3 Communications Ltd
INDIGENOUS 150+
INDIGENOUS 150+ is an indigenous film series dedicated to showcasing Indigenous films and artists, using story-telling and cinema as a vehicle for reconciliation.
$8,000
Shelley Glica
Porchfest
Porchfest is a celebration of music and art in the community. Front porches act as stages to showcase the diverse talent in Niagara Falls.
$3,000
Rafik Guirguis
Livestock Niagara Music & Arts Festival 2017
Project Summary: Livestock Niagara is a multi-disciplinary community event hosting 40 bands, 20 visual artists, 8 artisan vendors over a 14-hour day. Free to the public.
$10,000
2016 Fund Recipients
Niagara Falls Art Gallery
Seniors Teaching Seniors
The purpose of this project is to continue to pilot a program of providing in resident seniors art programs.
$5,000
Rafik Guirguis
Livestock Music Festival
Livestock Niagara Music Festival will host 45 bands (4 stages, 13 craft-art vendors, over a 14-hour day. Non-profit. Community event. Free to the public.
$5,000
Niagara Falls Military Museum
WWI Escape from Niagara Falls Internment Barracks
Participants will experience the live scenario of being under military discipline for being drunk and disorderly on duty during WWI at Camp Niagara and will attempt to escape.
$4,500
Shelley Glica
Porchfest
Porchfest Niagara Falls is a celebration of music in the community. Porches in the downtown residential area will host musicians on July 24th from 1-4pm.
$500
Marinko Jareb
Niagara Falls Arts Walk
A public art project consisting of murals by various artists on accessible outdoor space at 5400 Robinson Street in Niagara Falls with designated signage.
$2,500
C.D. Onofrio
Perpetual Peace Project’s Culture Jam
The Culture Jam will be a 1 week long musical exploration of synergy and creativity with a focus on creating a hospitable and welcoming environment for artists and audience to partake in the jam or simply listen and be.
$2,500
