Deadlines loom for Surrey-based arts and heritage groups looking to land a cultural grant from the City of Surrey for 2013.

The aim of the program is "to support and enhance arts and heritage in Surrey," with grants available in three categories.

In the category of capacity building, grants up to $2,500 will be provided to qualified groups to support the organizations' development needs.

For projects, grants will be provided to "encourage partnerships and collaborations that result in cultural programs and initiatives." The grant award would contribute up to 50 per cent of the program budget on a matching basis, which could include in-kind contributions. The maximum grant in this category is $5,000.

Start-up grants are also available to assist with costs for an organization that is being established to provide cultural-based programming in Surrey. Such a grant would be a one-time grant. Also, the applicant would need to "provide a business plan as part of its application that demonstrates economic viability and includes demonstration of secured funding for at least 80 per cent of the first year's budget for the organization. The grant would be limited to the lesser of $5,000 or 20 per cent of the organization's annual budget, and could recognize the value of in-kind contributions by the organization."

In the grant application process, important dates in 2013 are Jan. 8 (due date for Expression of Interest forms), Jan. 24 (date of an application information session at Surrey Arts Centre) and Feb. 25 (applications due). For details, visit www. surrey.ca/grants.

In May 2012, Surrey city council adopted a cultural plan called "Surrey Cultural Plan: Enhancing Urbanization through Arts and Heritage." A key goal of the plan is to "enhance community involvement potential" via a cultural grants program. The city's 2012 approved operating budget included an allocation of $75,000 in support of the grant program.

From there, the Culture Development Advisory Task Force was formed with a mandate to research and develop a Cultural Grants Program for the City. Local arts and heritage groups were consulted, and a workshop in September attracted more than 50 participants.

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