Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage (BCAH): How to Apply

Planning a local festival or celebrating a community milestone can be costly. The Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage (BCAH) program helps cover these expenses with federal, non-repayable grants. Managed by the Department of Canadian Heritage, BCAH supports events that honour local history, culture, and people.

What Is the Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage Program?

BCAH is a federal grant program that funds local festivals and community anniversary events. Its goal is to boost community pride and participation by celebrating the arts, heritage, and shared history.

There are two main parts to the program:

Local Festivals – Recurring or one-time festivals that highlight local arts, culture, or heritage
Community Anniversaries – Events marking big milestones, like a 50th, 100th, or 150th anniversary of a community, organization, or historic event

Funding is non-repayable. If you meet the program’s terms, you do not have to pay it back.

Who Is Eligible to Apply for BCAH Funding?

Eligibility depends on who you are and what your event is about.

Eligible Applicants

You may qualify if you are:

A not-for-profit organization
A municipality or local government
An Indigenous government or community organization
A Canadian group or organization that provides community cultural activities

Individuals and for-profit businesses are not eligible to apply directly.

Eligible Projects

Your event must:

Take place in Canada
Be open and accessible to the public
Focus on local arts, heritage, or history
Involve community members, volunteers, artists, or heritage experts

Events that are mainly commercial, private, or invitation-only do not qualify for BCAH.

What Expenses Does BCAH Cover?

BCAH grants help pay for delivering and promoting your event. Common eligible expenses include:

Artist and performer fees
Honoraria for elders, knowledge keepers, or heritage experts
Event production costs (staging, sound, lighting)
Venue and equipment rentals
Marketing, promotion, and communications
Accessibility costs (interpretation, captioning, inclusive design)
Administrative costs that are directly related to the event

Ongoing costs not related to the event are not eligible.

If you’re unsure about which expenses count, you can use GrantHub to compare programs by province and project type.

How to Apply for Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage

The Department of Canadian Heritage manages the application process. Here’s how to apply:

Check your project’s fit with BCAH
Make sure your event celebrates local arts, heritage, or a community milestone.
Gather your project details
Prepare a project description, timeline, budget, and details about who in the community will take part.
Apply through the Canadian Heritage online portal
Applications are submitted using the Canadian Heritage funding portal. Apply here.
Wait for a decision
Review times depend on how many applications are received and how complex your project is.

Deadlines change based on your event date and program intake. It’s important to apply well in advance.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applying too late
Applications sent close to the event date may be rejected if there isn’t enough time for review.
Unclear community impact
If your application doesn’t explain how the public will benefit or take part, it will be weaker.
Including ineligible expenses
Listing costs that are not allowed, like ongoing operating costs, can reduce your funding or cause delays.
Missing documents
Incomplete budgets or timelines are a common reason for delays or follow-up questions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage funding repayable?
No. BCAH grants are non-repayable if you follow the program’s rules and reporting requirements.

Q: When is the deadline to apply for BCAH?
There is no single deadline. Deadlines depend on your event date and the program intake.

Q: How long does it take to get a funding decision?
It can take several weeks to a few months, depending on how many people apply and how complete your application is.

Q: Can municipalities apply for BCAH funding?
Yes. Municipalities and local governments can apply if they are hosting eligible festivals or anniversary events.

Q: Is BCAH funding taxable?
Grant funding may have tax effects depending on your organization’s structure. Ask your accountant or financial advisor for advice.

Next Steps and Tips for Success

To give your application the best chance:

Start planning early. Review the program details and check deadlines well before your event.
Focus on community involvement. Describe clearly how your event will include and benefit the public.
Double-check your budget. Only include expenses that are directly tied to the event.
Gather all documents before applying. Complete applications are reviewed faster.

You can use GrantHub to compare arts and heritage grants across Canada and see which programs fit your organization and event.

See also:

What expenses do arts, culture, and media grants cover?
How to prove eligibility for arts and culture grants in Canada
Cultural heritage, arts, and creative industry grants: eligible expenses

Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage (BCAH): How to Apply