Spotlight on the Business Workshops for Artists Series: Community Capacity Building Program

Last year was a busy one for our Business Workshops for Artists Series. Since the pandemic, we’ve pivoted to an online platform, reaching even more artists, organizations and attendees all across the province. Again, we thank Cox & Palmer for their generous support in sponsoring our 2020 series.

In one of our last offerings of 2020 (and the first in our new “Accessing Funding” workshop series), Melissa Wheeler, Regional Economic Planning Analyst with the Department of Industry, Energy and Technology, walked participants through the province’s Community Capacity Building (CCB) Program. A total of 26 people took part in this informative session, which was held at the end of November.

The goal of this program is to assist organizations by enhancing skills essential to regional planning, economic development and implementation by focussing on strategy and planning, relationship building, organizational skills and management, and co-operative development. Funding for this ongoing program is available to not-for-profit economic development organizations including regional economic development associations, municipalities, industry/sector groups, educational institutions, and any other community-based organizations involved in economic development. The organizations must be located and operating in the province, and be incorporated with the NL Registry of Companies. (Click here to learn more.)

In terms of what qualifies as economic development, Melissa says this includes industry/sector development, entrepreneurial/enterprise skill development, leading or supporting development initiatives, tourism activities, and arts, culture and heritage activities that are open to the public and have economic spinoffs for the community (like festivals and artist associations).

Besides shedding light on this program, Melissa also broke down the eligibility requirements and application process. Along with the application form, she said, organizations must submit a proposal, with a budget. The workshop dates must also be at least six to eight weeks after the application date, and must take place before March 31 of the next year. Once the workshop or training sessions are complete, organizations are reimbursed for costs incurred (provided they submit all of the required documentation). Organizations with a regional focus may be reimbursed up to $5,000, while provincial organizations may receive up to $10,000.

In addition to taking questions from participants, Melissa also provided helpful templates and further resources to help non-profit organizations apply for this program.

Our Business Workshops for Artists Series continues next month with “Grant Writing for Artists & Arts Groups” and in March, we’ll take a look at “Income Tax for Freelance Artists in the Age of Covid.” (Click here for more information.)

We’d like to extend a big thank you to Melissa Wheeler for leading a great session!