Manitoba Government Commits $100 Million To Sports, Art and Culture

The $100 million announcement is a record for community-related investment and social programs

As part of Budget 2022, Recover Together: Strengthen, Invest, Build, Premier Heather Stefanson and Minister Andrew Smith announced $100 million over three years for the new Arts, Culture, and Sport in Community Fund. 

As part of its efforts to support the arts and culture, including heritage and ethnocultural organizations, and amateur sports, the Arts, Culture, and Sport in Community (ACSC) Fund provides grants to organizations. It will provide access to community infrastructure, programs, and services to Manitobans this year thanks to $34 million in the ACSC Fund. 

“We recognize the significant and positive contributions that Manitoba’s arts, culture, and sports sectors make to the health and well-being of our people and communities while supporting our economy and creating jobs,” said Premier Stefanson. 

When Budget 2022 was announced, the government had explicitly allocated $100 million toward sports and cultural events. This historic amount is the Premier’s commitment to ensuring Manitobans have access to quality programs and facilities.

The ACSC Fund will include three programs, with funding guidelines varying among each of the programs to address different needs and provide support to a broad range of applicant’s eligible projects that will meet one or more of the programs priority areas:

–      Capital projects: organizations will be able to apply for up to $5 million, on a 50-50 cost-sharing basis, for large projects that support the development and renewal of spaces and facilities used for arts, culture, and sport programming and activities;

–      Community celebrations: events, festivals and celebrations, both one-time and recurring, that promote cultural exchanges and are rooted in inclusion and belonging can receive full funding up to $5,000; and

–      Small capital and special initiatives: projects in this stream can receive between 50 and 100 per cent of eligible expenses, depending on the project’s overall cost and will support initiatives such as organizational development opportunities, training, technology, volunteer and equipment development through initiatives that will enhance the organization’s ability to increase participation and engagement in arts, culture or sports programming.

It is well-known that sports and cultural activities are essential in developing a young person’s character. The absents of one or both of those elements increases the odds of a person falling into the wrong crowd and making an adverse life-altering decision. 

The importance of the funding cannot be overstated. It will have a profound impact on many communities, especially those of people of colour. The applications for this year’s intake open on August 16.