Here’s good news for community groups that support arts, culture, diversity, local food, and wellness.

The City of Vancouver has approved a subsidy of $550,000 to help these organizations rent spaces at local civic theatres for their events.

The funding will be spread over three years, from 2017 to 2019.

In a meeting Tuesday (October 18), council accepted a recommendation to authorize Vancouver Civic Theatres (VCT) staff to create a grant program to enliven underutilized venues.

The subsidy will allow community groups to rent spaces below current rates.

The move follows a successful trial this year, which had a funding of $100,000.

“Based on the success of the 2016 grant program, VCT experienced greater utilization and diversity of users on the Queen Elizabeth Theatre Plaza, Annex and Orpheum’s former Granville Street box office, by groups and events that supported the City’s goals of cultural engagement, health and wellness,” according to a staff report considered by council.

For 2017, the subsidy will total $150,000. In 2018, the city will allocate $200,000, and for 2019, $200,000.

“Continuing this initiative will contribute to Vancouver’s liveable city status by providing urban space for community engagement focusing on local food, health, wellness and diversity ...,” according to the staff report.

Among the events held at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre Plaza and supported in the pilot project were the TaiwanFest and Zumba Vancouver.

“Our goal is to continue the momentum created with the pilot program and continue to successfully negotiate short term rental engagements with arts organizations, not-for-profit local community driven groups (food; fitness, dance, martial arts or similar health and wellness-focused groups) as well as community based festivals/events celebrating diversity within the city,” staff advised council.

The program covers all VCT venues. Priority will be given to the Queen Elizabeth Theatre Plaza, Annex, the Granville Street box office of the Orpheum Theatre, and lobbies of all sites.