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Recommended Framework for Festivals and Celebrations Policy

Objectives for Supporting Festivals and Celebrations

· Enriching the quality of life for residents and enhancing the experience of visitors by providing for a variety of quality activities accessible to people of all ages and walks of life.

· Contributing to community development by supporting events that celebrate the city's heritage, and diverse communities, creating a sense of community ownership.

· Contributing to economic development by raising Vancouver's profile as a tourist destination, and a place to invest in, by supporting distinctive events, as well as initiatives designed to promote them.

Event Categories

The term "special event" generally encompasses a wide range of activities that take place in parks, streets and other City-owned spaces, including runs, walks, demonstrations, picnics, fairs, block parties, and a variety of festivals and celebrations. This document focuses on two categories of special events: festivals and celebrations, defined as follows:

Festival

· annual (or bi-annual) cultural event
· short duration
· taking place indoors or outdoors
· actively programmed around a central format or theme
· encompassing multiple performances, exhibitions, & other activities related to arts & culture
· organized by the same non-profit society every year
· primarily for the benefit and enjoyment of city residents
· publicized city-wide
· primarily non-competitive
· originated in Vancouver (includes locally organized component of an event hosted by the city)

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Festivals include:

Community-based cultural festival - large or small festival encompassing a broad definition of culture, including music & other performances, crafts, cuisine, or other cultural expressions of the community. eg. Intertribal Pow-Wow

Professional arts festival - performing, visual, media or literary arts festival with professional administration & paid artistic participants. eg. International Children's Festival, Dancing on the Edge Festival

Celebration

· one-day outdoor event
· with a significant cultural component
· actively programmed around a theme, anniversary or companion activity (e.g. Grey Cup festivities)
· organized by the same non-profit society every year
· primarily provided for the benefit & enjoyment of all Vancouver residents
· publicized city-wide
· primarily non-competitive
· originated in Vancouver (includes locally organized component of a one time visiting event held in the City)

Celebrations include:

Community-based celebration - one-day event encompassing a broad definition of culture, including music & other performance, crafts, cuisine or other cultural expressions of the community. e.g. Latin Summer Fest

Major parade - large-scale parades publicized city-wide. e.g. Pride, Vaisakhi, Chinese New Year's parades

Civic event - special event originating in Vancouver and held for the benefit of its residents, and that the City of Vancouver - on its own or in partnership with other organizations - has initiated and/or has a significant role in organizing. e.g. Remembrance Day Service & Parade

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General Guidelines for Festivals and Celebrations Support

While detailed guidelines for reviewing requests for civic assistance outside the existing Cultural grants program will be prepared subject to Council's approval of the recommendations in this report, they should include the following criteria:

· Quality of the event in relation to its core activities (performances, exhibits, demonstrations, etc.)
· Organizational competence as measured by the applicants' handling of event logistics, co-operation with regulating bodies, and relations with host community
· Financial accountability and administrative competence
· Community support, as demonstrated by participation levels, volunteer levels and donations
· Demonstrable social, cultural, and economic benefits
· Demonstrated ability to raise funds from diverse sources
· Demonstrated financial need

Civic Support for festivals and celebrations

Activity category	Existing Support	Additional Recommended Support
Professional arts festival	Eligible for Cultural grant. Outdoor events eligible for standard $500 police costs offset.	Eligible for Opportunity grant.
Community-based cultural festival	Limited eligibility for Cultural grant if has arts component and professional staff. Outdoor events eligible for standard $500 police costs offset.	Celebration grants up to maximum of $10,000.
Community-based celebration	Limited eligibility for Cultural grant if has arts component and professional staff. Eligible for police services offsetting grant	Celebration grants up to maximum of $10,000.
Major parade	Eligible for police services offsetting grant.	Celebration grants up to maximum of $10,000.
Civic Event	Eligible for waiving of police and engineering services. Staff time may be provided.	Eligible for Opportunity grant.

(c) 1998 City of Vancouver