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The Cultural Economic Development Program - Arts

The Cultural Economic Development Program (CEDP) is a support program designed to stimulate economic activity by providing financial support for heritage and professional arts activities based on the following objectives:

• To assist with initiatives in the cultural industries that are deemed a priority based on their potential for stimulating economic growth
• To stimulate the sustainable development of the province's heritage resources
• To adhere to the principles outlined in Creative Newfoundland and Labrador: The Blueprint for Development and Investment in Culture

The objectives of the arts component of the Cultural Economic Development Program are as follows:

• To achieve job growth and to increase earned incomes for professional artists within the sector over the long-term
• To increase capacity for market access and expansion of cultural products
• To contribute to the stability of cultural infrastructures
• To contribute to the growth of self-sustaining economic activity within the sector
• To support growth of the cultural tourism industry

• Eligible Sectors
• Eligibility Criteria
• Program Components
• Deadlines
• Application and Assessment Process
• Administration and Reporting
• Contact
• Forms
• Publishers Assistance Program (PAP)

Eligible sectors

Eligible sectors include the following:

• Visual Arts
• Theatre
• Dance
• Literary Arts
• Interactive Digital Media

Film: CEDP supports website development for incorporated film production companies. For information on provincial support for all other film projects, please contact the Newfoundland and Labrador Film Development Corporation at www.nlfdc.ca / (709) 738-3456.

Music: CEDP supports major music festivals. For information on provincial support for all other music projects, please contact MusicNL at www.musicnl.ca / (709) 754-2574.

Crafts: For information on provincial support to craftspeople, please contact the Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador at www.craftcouncil.nl.ca / (709) 753-2766, or the Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development at www.intrd.gov.nl.ca/intrd / (709) 729-7053.

The Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council also offers granting programs to artists and arts groups. For more information, please see www.nlac.ca / (709) 726-2212.

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Eligibility Criteria

Eligible applicants include professional artists, cultural enterprises and not-for-profit organizations, including provincially based sectoral organizations whose principal activity is in at least one of the eligible cultural sectors. Applicants must meet the criteria for professional artists and cultural organizations as defined in Creative Newfoundland and Labrador: The Blueprint for Development and Investment in Culture. For applicants working in a sector represented by a professional association, membership in that association is strongly recommended.

For individual artists, eligibility will normally be limited to those who:

• participate in, as a principal activity, and earn a significant portion of their income from one of the previously defined eligible sectors
• have a track record of regular public presentations, normally continuous over an extended period of time
• are recognized as a professional by their peers or have equivalent professional experience in the cultural industries
• have Canadian citizenship or are a permanent resident of Canada
• have been resident in Newfoundland and Labrador for at least twelve consecutive months prior to application. (Individuals who have worked outside the province during the year prior to application may be considered eligible if it can be demonstrated their permanent place of residence is Newfoundland and Labrador.)
• are 18 years of age or older

For not-for-profit organizations and cultural enterprises, applicants should:

• have an established track record in the sector identified
• demonstrate adequate managerial, professional, financial and technical capability to conduct the proposed activity
• demonstrate potential for long-term viability
• demonstrate their primary focus is on the presentation or promotion of cultural activities and/or products by professional artists and cultural industry workers
• be registered for incorporation with the Registry of Companies and Deeds for at least one year prior to application
• demonstrate a viable work or business plan

While applicants meeting the above criteria may be considered for funding, eligibility does not guarantee an automatic right to assistance. Applicants are expected to seek support from other government agencies, as well as private and corporate sources, to complement CEDP funding. Once successful in obtaining a CEDP grant, applicants are normally not eligible for funding again until the following year.

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Program Components

Support is targeted at professional artists, sectoral organizations, established cultural events and festivals, and activities with industry-wide benefit. The program focuses on the following three components as a means of enhancing the overall impact of the cultural industries on the provincial economy.

Component 1: Operational Support

This component recognizes the importance of supporting strategies and initiatives of key sectoral organizations and major not-for-profit cultural attractions that aim to improve the capacity of the sector. Support is based on the submission of an annual strategy and work plan identifying measurable outcomes for increased stability of the sector. Preference is given to groups with an established track record of significant professional commitment to cultural industries development in the province. Successful applicants may be eligible to receive support for administrative, related project costs, and strategic planning.

Component 2: Professional Development

This component supports activities targeted at strengthening and enhancing not-for-profit organizations, cultural enterprises and professional artists through workshops, courses and mentorships. Individual artists must be formally invited by an established school, program, institution or festival, and should clearly state in their application the economic importance of the project at this point in their career development. Cultural enterprises are eligible to apply for initiatives that will increase the economic status of professional artists through enhancement of their artistic endeavours. It is strongly recommended that organizations offering professional development services through CEDP support charge a nominal fee to participating artists.

Individual artists are eligible to apply for costs associated with attendance at conferences that have an emphasis on the cultural industries and involve artists in their activities. Funding is based on size and significance of event, professional development opportunities, potential audience and/or networking opportunities, and project costs.

Applicants must contribute at least 10% towards eligible costs and may be eligible to receive CEDP support to a maximum of 90% of eligible costs, including administrative costs, travel expenses, per diems, professional fees and related training costs. The minimum level of support is $1,000. The maximum level of support to individual artists is $5,000.

Component 3: Market Access and Export

The purpose of this component is to expand the marketing, promotion and distribution of cultural products and activities that demonstrate the potential for positive economic and cultural impact. Not-for-profit organizations, cultural enterprises and professional artists are eligible to apply. Cultural enterprises are eligible to apply for initiatives that will increase the economic status of professional artists through increased marketability of their products and activities.

Initiatives aimed at the marketing, promotion and distribution of cultural products and activities, and attendance at national and international events including trade shows, trade missions and showcases, are eligible. The minimum level of support is $1,000. The maximum level of support to individual artists is $5,000. Applicants must contribute at least 10% towards eligible costs and may receive CEDP support to a maximum of 90% of eligible costs for activities such as:

• transportation
• shipping and insurance
• production and distribution of promotional materials
• booth rental fees and registration
• exhibit display and related costs
• accommodation and meals
• website development *

* For incorporated companies only; individual artists are not eligible. Applicants are required to submit three price quotes.

Professional choirs may be eligible to receive up to a maximum of $10,000 for costs related to attendance at major, international choral competitions. Applicants must submit copies of formal invitations and be able to demonstrate potential for increased economic development as a result of this activity.

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Deadlines

• Operational Support to theatre festivals: April 16, 2012.
• Operational Support to all other organizations: June 1, 2012.
• Market Access and Export, and Professional Development: November 15, 2012.
• Applications must be submitted a minimum of 6 (six) weeks in advance of the project start date.
• Applications will be received beginning February 1, 2012.

Please note, CEDP grants are assessed on a first-come, first-serve basis. Funds may be exhausted prior to this time. It is recommended that applications be submitted well in advance of the deadline, if possible.

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Application and Assessment Process

The Cultural Economic Development Program supports initiatives with a strong potential for sustained development and employment over the long term. Projects are reviewed in the context of sound market and business planning, the application of best practices, and competitive impact.

Applications should be concise, comprehensive and professional, and must include a balanced budget. (A budget template (11 KB) is available for arts organizations as a guide in preparing their budget.) Arts organizations must provide their most recent financial statement. Please contact a Program Officer to determine whether a Review Engagement prepared by an accredited accountant is required. A complete list of required information is provided on the application form. It is recommended that applicants discuss their proposal with a Program Officer at a preliminary stage to clarify eligibility and to receive feedback as to program priorities.

The Working Committee for the Cultural Economic Development Program makes the final determination as to what constitutes eligible costs for a given project. For project-based initiatives, eligible costs will include additional operating costs, determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, linked directly to a project and without which the project could not proceed. Eligible costs are retroactive to the date of receipt of a completed application.

Where deemed a part of approved project costs, per diems (accommodation and meals) will be paid at the following rates: $125/day within the province and $150/day outside the province. Gas mileage rates will follow provincial rates. Projects involving extended periods of travel may be subject to a limit on per diem expenses. Applicants must provide proof of travel expenditures. Meal and accommodation receipts are not required. Air travel should not exceed full fare economy.

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Administration and Reporting

Successful applicants may request an advance for an amount normally not exceeding 50% of the approved project contribution. For grants over $5,000, a progress payment may be issued midway through the project. A holdback of 10% will be paid on receipt of a final report.

For grants of $5,000 or less, two payments will be issued: an advance payment (50%) at the commencement of the project, and a final payment (50%) following completion of the project and submission of a final report. All projects must be completed and a final report submitted within ten weeks of completion of the project or by March 31, 2013, whichever comes first.

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Acknowledgment

All funding recipients are required to acknowledge the support of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador by including the official logo in any printed or electronic materials, events or performances related to the activity. To obtain the logo for the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, call (709) 729-7518.

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Contact

For additional information related to visual arts, theatre, dance, the literary arts and publishing, please contact:

For additional information related to film, music and interactive digital media, including website development, please contact:

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