Funding Increase Approved and 2022 Deadlines Set for City’s Arts, Culture & Heritage Fund (ACHF) Grant Program

Funding Increase Approved and 2022 Deadlines Set for City’s Arts, Culture & Heritage Fund (ACHF) Grant Program

   Press Release    February 14, 2022  |  0

As part of the City of Windsor’s 2022 budget, City Council approved a funding increase to the Arts, Culture & Heritage Fund (ACHF) Grant Program. Beginning this year, $118,000 in annual funding will be awarded, with $59,000 available in each of two funding rounds. That represents an increase of $30,800 to the program going forward.

Since 2014, the ACHF program has awarded $714,000 in grant funding, through 16 funding rounds, to 347 arts, culture and heritage projects in the City of Windsor. To date, 253 individuals and 94 organizations have received project funding.

This funding stream awards project grants to deserving individuals and cultural organizations to help stimulate creative and economic growth in Windsor, thereby contributing to a prosperous economy and towards making Windsor an attractive and affordable place to live. Completion of funded projects often results in assets, products, programs and initiatives being available for public engagement. From films to photography collections, novels to performances, exhibitions to virtual programs, the ACHF makes a difference in the community by supporting local, innovative and creative works.

2022 Funding Rounds Set

With ongoing pandemic restrictions impacting the creative sector, some typical activities like in-person performances, exhibitions, recitals and more are difficult to plan and prepare. In recognition of these challenges, the first ACHF funding round of 2022 focuses on the theme of Let’s Create, with applicants encouraged to seek funding towards the creation of new works, pre-production and development phases of multi-phase projects, individual art practices like the writing of novels and new music, online and virtual projects and presentations, etc. Applicants are also able to seek funding towards in-person projects, which help to encourage a safe return to in-person arts, culture and heritage activities.  

The ACHF program is fully accessible through the online platform at www.ACHFWindsor.ca. The application link goes live when each application round opens. Applicants have the ability to complete the application, attach supporting documents and materials, and submit and receive confirmation of submission online.

·       ACHF 2022 Round 1: Applications accepted from Monday, January 17, 2022, to Friday, February 4, 2022, at 5:00 p.m.

·       ACHF 2022 Round 2: Applications accepted from Monday, July 4, 2022, to Friday, July 22, 2022, at 5:00 p.m.

In order to be considered, applicants must be residents of Windsor and must consult with Culture Department staff prior to submitting a project for funding and before the application deadline. Consultations are conducted via phone or email, once application rounds open, and help ensure applicants and projects meet program eligibility requirements. Interested applicants should email culturalaffairs@citywindsor.ca for a consultation.

Zoom Public Information Sessions

To assist ACHF applicants, virtual public information sessions will be offered on Wednesday, January 26, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. During these sessions, program coordinators will review the guidelines, key priorities and objectives, and the application and adjudication process. Attendance is not mandatory, and these sessions are intended for first-time applicants only. This session will require participants to use the Zoom meeting platform available via www.zoom.us/meetings.

Those wishing to attend will need to RSVP to receive an event-specific link and password to facilitate participation. Please RSVP to culturalaffairs@citywindsor.ca by email.

Quotes:

“Through our 2022 City budget, Council continues Delivering Results by investing in the facilities, amenities, assets, programs and services that contribute to the health, strength and resiliency of our community and economy, while improving our quality of life. Windsor has a proud history of investment in our arts, culture and heritage community. As we continue to navigate the impacts of the pandemic, the ACHF remains a strong tool to help support the local creative sector. The projects funded through this program result in positive stories, experiences and assets for our entire community, growing and developing audiences while fostering a greater appreciation for arts, culture and heritage in Windsor.”
– Mayor Drew Dilkens

“We’re very proud of the ACHF program and grateful for Council’s ongoing support and increased funding toward this important initiative. Projects funded through this innovative program represent multiple genres, including the visual and fine arts, performing arts, film, music, literary arts and storytelling, and podcasts. These projects often include a focus on diversity, inclusivity, multiculturalism, heritage and the celebration of humanity in the City of Windsor. We’re encouraging creatives to seek funding for projects that focus on the creation of new work, including the artist fees that work requires. Let’s Create! together at a time we need it most.”
– Michelle Staadegaard, Manager of Culture & Events, City of Windsor   

Further details on the ACHF program objectives, application process, eligibility requirements, consultations, and current deadlines are available online at www.ACHFWindsor.ca. To learn more about culture and heritage services at the City of Windsor, visit www.CityWindsor.ca or contact 311.

Media Contacts:

Michelle StaadegaardManager of Culture & EventsRecreation & Culture
(519) 253-2300 ext. 2726mstaadegaard@citywindsor.ca 		Jason Moore
Senior Manager of Communications and Customer Service
519-551-9011jmoore@citywindsor.ca
Christopher MenardCultural Development CoordinatorRecreation & Culture519-253-2300 ext. 2752cmenard@citywindsor.ca  

Arts, Culture & Heritage Fund (ACHF) Grant Program Background Information

The City of Windsor’s Arts, Culture & Heritage Fund (ACHF) invests the soul of our City by providing financial assistance to locally developed arts, culture and heritage projects that provide exciting, surprising and meaningful opportunities to strengthen our creative community. This funding initiative supports the City of Windsor’s priority to build a strong and stable creative community that contributes to a prosperous creative economy and to making Windsor an amazing place to live.

Program Objectives

  • Promote innovation and support new, dynamic efforts in the creative community;
  • Develop unique cultural resources to enhance the health and vitality of our communities and the quality of life for our people;
  • Encourage participants in the creative community to stay and continue to create and work in the city of Windsor;
  • Make arts, culture and heritage central to the lives of all our people;
  • Increase public awareness and access to the arts, culture and heritage sectors; 
  • Celebrate diversity by recognizing our rich creative community; and
  • Value creativity by promoting and supporting arts, culture and heritage.

Projects eligible for funding will benefit one or more cultural sectors and will develop new alliances and creative, innovative approaches. Funding will be distributed over two evaluation periods. Projects must address one or more of the following key priorities:

·       Increase Windsor’s attractiveness, affordability, and quality of life;

·       Support the development of new audiences;

·       Increase the supply of skilled cultural workers;

·       Nurture creativity and imagination through arts, culture and heritage projects;

·       Encourage the inclusion of diverse cultural groups;

·       Increase public access to the creative community.

Organizations and individuals are urged to apply following the project guidelines on www.ACHFWindsor.ca.