Uptown Plaza Grant Program
Host your events and activities in our neighborhood!
Uptown Business Association (UBA) is offering grants to community organizers to host activities at Uptown Plaza, located at Belmont and Sixth Street. Organizers must apply for a City permit and may request grant funding from the UBA below.
FAQ
No. UBA’s role is to provide grant funding and share information with Organizers on where to apply for a City permit.
Grant amounts vary depending on the hard costs of the event and its duration. Grants are intended to cover demonstrated need for expenses like permit and insurance fees along with operational expenses. Activations may be one-time or recurring and funding is only available for those that take place in Uptown Plaza. Grant funds may not cover 100% of activation expenses.
Yes. A permit from the City is required, and applying for the permit is a separate process from applying for grant funds. Find details on activating the plaza and the fees here: Uptown Plaza Activation Program.
Find the City permit application form here: Outdoor Event Space Form
*Note that permit requests could take up to 30 days for approval, and receiving a City permit does not guarantee that you will also get grant funding from the UBA.
The goals of the program are to support positive, community-based, inclusive, and barrier-free activities in the space. Activities can be (but are not limited to):
Passive and contribute to the appeal and ambiance of the space- such as an art exhibit, pop-up book exchange, live sketching; or
Active to encourage public participation- such as a free dance class, theater sports demonstration, craft market, performance, or board game tournament.
Creative ideas and use of the space encouraged!
Uptown Plaza is best suited for small and medium size activations as the capacity cannot exceed 200 people. Events that are considered private or require a paid admission are outside of the program goals. Activations that are political in nature, or have divisive or exclusive elements are not a fit for this program.
Organizers must complete the form (below) with their contact information, a description of their activation, the date(s) desired, a rough budget, and a few other details.
UBA will contact organizers with a reply to their submission. They may require more details and have questions in order to consider the application.
Initial steps:
- Review UBA grant FAQ & application form, and the City’s Uptown Plaza Activation Program & Outdoor Event Space Request Form (event permit application) so you know what details are needed before you get started
- Complete and submit the UBA grant form and apply for City permit
Next steps:
- UBA will reply that they have received the application and ask clarifying questions if applicable
- City of New Westminster will contact the Organizer with any additional requirements then provide conditional approval if the application is successful
- The Organizer will provide that conditional approval from the City to the UBA as proof of permit in progress
- The Organizer will obtain an event insurance certificate and pay the City permit fee
- The City issues an event permit
- Activate the Plaza!
For information on the grant program, email info@myuptown.ca
Application Form
Ready to apply for a grant? Please complete the form below to submit your request for the Uptown Plaza grant program.