Yes! Each theme camp may have up to three (3) funded art grants placed within its borders. The members of your theme camp may apply for more. If more than three art grants intended to be placed in the same theme camp are approved via our blind review process, our art leads will talk to the theme camp and artists involved to find a solution ex. placing additional art grants elsewhere.
Not particularly, no. However, if you arrive early to set up your project, you’ll have prime pick of open camping. Effigy and Temple teams may apply for a placed spot for their art support camp when they submit their final project applications.
No – for 2026 SideBurn will not be organizing transportation for art projects. However, you may include a line for transportation in your project budget/grant funding request. Transportation costs will be considered if your art requires transportation expenses beyond what you would need to get yourself to SideBurn as a participant. SideBurn encourages conversations with other artists and theme camps to help each other meet transportation needs.
Yes. Our event is non-profit and 100% volunteer run. That means every single person at the event purchases a ticket. This ensures that every penny goes directly into producing the event and funding more art. All participants – artists, theme camps, DJs, and even the board – pay for their tickets. Artists will receive a direct-purchase link for themselves and a +1. If you need more people to support your art project, they should register for a ticket via our Main Sale. The exception is Effigy and Temple build teams. You will be asked in the application how many core team members you need on site, and we’ll do our best to issue directed tickets.
SideBurn art grants are not intended to cover the entire cost of projects. We suggest creative ways and fundraisers to meet any planned budget deficit.
If you are selected to receive an art grant, you will receive 75% of your grant upon award, The remaining 25% will be disbursed within 15 days after the event’s conclusion provided the project has met its build requirements, passed necessary inspections (Fire Art Safety and Leave No Trace), and all receipts submitted. The exception is the Micro Grant, which disburses 100% of the grant to recipients upon award.
An Art Grant is primarily intended to subsidize fabrication costs for your project to appear at SideBurn. You can pay for construction materials like wood, hardware, paint and metal. You can also pay for electronic components like LED strips, transistors, control boards and Arduinos. Fuel for generators or fire arts can also be paid for with your grant.
NEW for 2026: SideBurn will not be providing art trucks. Any additional transportation costs required fro your art (beyond what you would need to get the event as a participant) can be included in your Art Grant application.
Start by reading our guide on creating a Burn Plan and the FAST required documentation for planned art burns and submit a detailed Burn Plan. Submit as much detail about your project and safety measures as you can. Our FAST crew (Fire Art Safety Team) may reach out prior to awarding the grant if there are any questions or concerns. Your project will also require an inspection by the FAST team on-site.
We understand that projects may change slightly as you create and execute your vision. You don’t need to let us know about small changes – if your Giant Grasshopper is purple instead of orange, that’s fine! But if it’s 7 inches instead of 7 feet, or now it’s suspended to look like it’s flying – that’s a major difference. Not sure if your changes are significant? No worries – just email art@sideburn.ca and we can discuss.
Effigy, Temple, and certain Large Grant recipients will be asked to submit a mid-construction update to inform us on progress and help us decide whether we can provide any troubleshooting assistance. Other projects do not need to submit updates, but if there has been a major change to your project, please let us know.