Community cultural places program

This program is directed at small communities, or communities at risk due to financial or social issues, that would like to transform an existing heritage place into a community cultural venue. It is also intended to benefit communities, strengthen identity and reinforce pride while supporting the continued use of heritage places.

The deadline to submit a completed application for the Built Heritage Program is April 1 or September 7. 

This program will contribute 75% to a maximum of $75,000. Appropriate in-kind contributions may be considered. Only one project per location will be funded per year. If an eligible applicant owns more than one heritage property, no more than two properties will be considered for funding per fiscal year.

The Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada is used as a reference document in the administration of this program. Applicants should familiarise themselves with the principles set out in this document.

Eligible organizations

• community groups (duly incorporated not-for-profit)
• local governments
• New Brunswick based
• does not have any outstanding Built Heritage Program or Community Cultural Places final reports

Eligible projects

To be eligible for funding, projects must be community-based initiatives that re-purpose, restore or renovate significant heritage places into a cultural venue or infrastructure. Applicants must illustrate the positive impact that their project will have on local social development, economic development and tourism. 

Community cultural venues may include music, dance and art spaces, community centers or museums. The finished project should be a place that benefits the community, strengthens identity and reinforces pride. 

Applicants must own or have a long-term lease agreement and the owner’s approval to undertake the project. The property must be designated as one of the following: 

• Provincial Heritage Place
• Municipal Heritage Conservation Area
• Local Historic Place

Or

• A place that can be shown to have community heritage value. The applicant will be responsible for demonstrating heritage value by providing documentary evidence such as historical documents, historical and technical reports, oral histories, interviews with individuals or organizations connected to the site or who have heritage expertise, etc.

Ineligible projects

• projects initiated before the submission of a grant application or approval by the department
• projects that negatively impact or remove the heritage value of a place
• places of active religious worship (e.g., consecrated churches)
• cemetery restorations
• commercial buildings (e.g., bed and breakfasts)

Proposed project locations with the following designations might require permits: 

• Provincial Heritage Place (from the department if a character-defining element is altered or effected)
• Municipal Heritage Conservation Area or part thereof or Local Historic Place (see local bylaws for more information)
• some project locations might require archaeological investigations if ground-breaking activities are proposed as part of the project

Projects are funded for one fiscal year (April 1 to March 31); funding not used within the fiscal year will not be carried over to the following year, and the applicant must reapply.

All projects must have a defined start and end date (no later than January 31); the department must be informed if these dates need to be adjusted after funding is approved.

Applications submitted to this program are evaluated according to the program objectives and criteria.

Fill out the application form (PDF 2.1 MB), ensure it is signed by someone with signing authority, and send it and all supporting documents to [email protected] or to Archaeology and Heritage Branch, Attn: Built Heritage Program, Department of Tourism, Heritage and Culture, P.O. Box 6000, Fredericton, NB E3B 5H1.

• the Community Cultural Places Program provides funding as a reimbursement - for funding to be disbursed, all project work must be completed by January 31 and a final report (PDF 1.2 MB) must be submitted by March 14
• for funding to be disbursed, the scope of work identified in the approved project application must correspond with that described in the Final Report; the work must also have been undertaken in a manner consistent with the conservation principles of the Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada or a method approved by the department
• a copy of the signed contract with the contractor (or equivalent) for the undertaking of the work for which funding is being provided must be submitted within thirty (30) days of receipt of the grant approval letter from the department
• if you are unable to complete the project by January 31, please notify the department as soon as possible
• if the project is expected to take more than one month, monthly status updates must be provided to [email protected]
• applicants approved during the April 1 intake will be required to confirm, in their August status update, whether their projects are on track for completion before January 31

Release of information to the public

The Department of Tourism, Heritage and Culture is subject to the Right to Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Applicants must accept and agree that, if they receive a grant, their name, community and the grant amount will be published on the provincial government website and in the department’s annual report.