First Round Grants Open Summer 2026

Strengthening Community. Shaping Our Future.

Inspire Vancouver is more than a grant program. It’s a long-term investment in the people, organizations and cultural life that make Vancouver a vibrant place to live.

Explore Grants

Child looks at the sky through a large telescope with the help of an adult.

Funding Priorities

Through sustained public funding, Inspire Vancouver supports arts, culture, heritage and science organizations that bring people together, spark curiosity and create meaningful opportunities for connection and learning. By expanding access to cultural experiences, Inspire Vancouver helps ensure everyone in our community can participate, belong and thrive.

Arts

Visual arts, music, dance, theater and literature that enrich our cultural landscape

Culture

Shared traditions, values, languages, and creative expressions that shape a community’s identity

Heritage

History, landmarks, folklore, and cultural resources passed down through generations

Science

Sparking curiosity with physical sciences, natural and life sciences, earth and space sciences, engineering, and technology

Why Inspire Vancouver Matters

Strong communities are built on shared experiences. Cultural programs create places to gather, learn, celebrate and understand one another, helping shape a city’s identity and sense of pride.

By investing in cultural infrastructure and a thriving creative economy, Inspire Vancouver positions Vancouver as a cultural leader in the region, attracting residents, visitors and creative talent while strengthening our community from the inside out.

Dancers smile at the camera before a Dia de Muertos performance — Vancouver Ballet Folklórico

Investment with Lasting Impact

Research consistently shows that communities that invest in culture are stronger and more connected. According to a 2025 ArtsFund study, cultural investment is linked to stronger social ties, increased volunteerism and civic participation, lower income inequality and more vibrant public spaces.

Inspire Vancouver builds on this evidence by supporting people and organizations that create real benefits today and in the future.

Who Benefits

Everyone in Vancouver benefits from a strong cultural ecosystem. Inspire Vancouver places special emphasis on expanding access for people and communities who have historically faced barriers to participation.

Funded programs may include:

Free or low-cost cultural events and experiences
In-school and out-of-school learning opportunities for students
Community-based programming in neighborhoods across Vancouver
Partnerships that bring arts, culture, heritage and science into public spaces
Support for smaller and emerging organizations that reflect Vancouver’s diversity

By investing in local organizations and community-driven ideas, Inspire Vancouver helps ensure cultural opportunities are available where people live, learn and gather.

Children building with large foam blocks at a park. — Columbia Play Project

Building a Cultural Future Together

Inspire Vancouver supports the organizations, artists, educators and community leaders who make Vancouver creative, connected and inclusive. Together, we are building a city where culture is accessible, creativity is valued and everyone has the opportunity to participate.

Explore the program. Learn about grant opportunities. Be inspired.