How much funding can be received?

The Arts Circulation and Touring grant program by the BC Arts Council aims to support arts and culture organizations, collectives, and individual practitioners in circulating and touring artistic works within British Columbia, nationally, and internationally. Eligible activities include outbound tours, inbound hosting and presentation of artistic works from various regions, and digitization or translation of works to increase accessibility and reach. The grants offer financial assistance primarily to enhance professional opportunities and exposure for B.C. artists and organizations.

grant_single_labels|terms_and_conditions

This grant provides financial support for enhancing professional and artistic opportunities for organizations, with specific funding caps and disbursement conditions as outlined below.

Applicants may request a grant amount up to 50% of the total eligible project budget.
For applicants considered part of the BC Arts Council’s designated priority groups, a grant amount up to 65% of the total eligible project budget can be requested.
Maximum grant request amount is $25,000 per project.
Applicant contributions to the project budget can include both cash and in-kind contributions.
The BC Arts Council intends to support successful applications at 100% of the request; however, grants may be awarded for less than requested.
Grants are taxable income and must be reported, with T4As issued for the year the grant payment is processed.

grant_single_labels|projects

This grant program is aimed at supporting projects that improve the circulation and exposure of B.C. artists, collectives, and arts organizations both regionally and internationally. Eligible activities include various artistic touring, hosting, and digitization initiatives.

Outbound circulation and touring of artistic and cultural works both within and outside British Columbia.
Single artistic touring or travel opportunities that bring long-term benefits or growth for the artist and B.C.'s arts development.
Participation in events focused on the promotion, planning, or networking to enhance future circulation and touring opportunities.
Hosting and presenting artistic and cultural performances, exhibitions, and works from different parts of British Columbia and beyond.
Bringing in artists or artistic leadership to plan and organize events, and networking development related to hosting artistic works.
Digitizing artistic works for greater dissemination and public access, preserving knowledge, or enhancing market reach.
Translating literary, dramatic, or other written artistic works for broader access and publication within identified communities.

grant_single_labels|admissibility

Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to the applicant's organizational status, commitment to arts and culture, and operational practices.

The applicant must be an arts and culture organization registered and in good standing as a non-profit society or community service co-op in B.C. for at least one fiscal year prior to application.
The organization must have the majority of key staff (paid or volunteer) and board members based in B.C.
Creative control and decision-making for programming and engagement must be primarily maintained within the organization and by leadership based in B.C.
The applicant must have a purpose or mandate dedicated to arts and culture programming and activities or services to the arts and culture sector in B.C.
Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, Inuit) community organizations and governments in B.C. that offer regular arts and culture activities are eligible.
Professional arts and culture organizations operated by a local government or a public post-secondary institution in B.C., fulfilling certain operational criteria, can apply.
Book publishers must meet eligibility requirements for specific BC Arts Council programs.
An eligible organization must provide public arts and cultural programming or service to the arts and culture sector in B.C. as a primary activity.
Applicants are required to engage skilled artistic, curatorial, and administrative leadership and compensate artists and cultural practitioners fairly.
Applicants must follow international intellectual property rights standards and cultural ownership protocols.
Applicants must adhere to the Criminal Records Review Act for team members.
All previous BC Arts Council grant final reports must be submitted on time for eligibility.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply

The grant application is open to arts and culture organizations, collectives, and individuals focusing on circulation and touring activities both within British Columbia and outside of the province. Eligibility is determined based on specific guidelines related to the type of applicant (organizations or collectives) and the nature of the project.

Organizations must be arts and culture entities registered as non-profits or Indigenous community organizations.
Organizations must have a purpose dedicated to arts and culture programming and have been operational for at least one fiscal year prior to application.
Collectives must be established as a group of independent artists or cultural practitioners with a minimum of three individuals.
Organizations run by local or Indigenous governments, or post-secondary institutions, with professional arts programming are eligible.
Designated priority groups, including Indigenous, Deaf, Disabled, Black, and people of color, as well as those located outside major urban centers, receive funding prioritization.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply

This grant excludes certain companies and industries due to their profit-driven nature and non-artistic focus. The restrictions are set to prioritize non-profit organizations and those primarily engaged in arts and cultural activities.

Private or for-profit entities (except in the case of for-profit book publishing companies).
Member-funded societies.
Industrial, archaeological, or heritage sites, historic places or organizations dedicated to archives.
Virtual museums.
Museums with only temporary exhibitions.
Social service organizations.
Organizations primarily engaged in creative industries or commercial sectors, such as architecture, commercial fashion design, commercial film and television, culinary arts, games, sports, recreation, mass media, journalism, podcasts, graphic design.
Projects with a primary focus on art therapy, health, or therapeutic outcomes.
Entities already funded through other BC Arts Council grant programs or third-party delivery partners, such as ArtStarts, First Peoples’ Cultural Council, BC Touring Council, or Creative BC.

grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses

This grant supports the circulation and touring of artistic works, both inbound and outbound, as well as digitization and translation initiatives. Eligible projects include touring performances, hosting engagements, and expanding access to artistic content.

Outbound circulation and touring of artistic and cultural works to venues inside or outside of British Columbia.
Participation in events for promoting, planning, or developing networks for future touring opportunities.
Hosting artistic and cultural performances, exhibitions, or works from artists outside the applicant's local proximity.
Digitization of artistic works to enhance their dissemination and accessibility to broader audiences.
Translation of literary or dramatic works to engage new communities or audiences through publication or presentation.

grant_eligibility_criteria|zone

This grant is specifically available to companies operating within British Columbia, as determined by the BC Arts Council. The eligible locations focus on enhancing the circulation and touring activities of arts organizations both within and beyond the province.

Organizations based within the province of British Columbia.

grant_single_labels|criteria

The evaluation and selection of projects for the Arts Circulation and Touring grant are based on specific criteria with allocated point scores to ensure alignment with the program’s objectives.

Artistic and Cultural Contribution and Engagement (50%): This includes the relevance of the project to the communities served, its contribution to the art form’s development, level of artistry and risk, strategies for engaging new audiences, and effective representation and cultural practices.
Impact on the Community and the Arts Sector (30%): This considers the potential short and long-term impacts, ethical approaches, contribution to under-represented communities, and accessibility measures.
Feasibility (20%): This evaluates the achievability based on sound budgets, experience in successfully realizing similar projects, leadership roles, and resource planning including fair compensation practices.

grant_single_labels|register

Here are the steps to submit an application for this grant:

Step 1: Eligibility Check and Registration
Review the program guidelines and ensure your organization or collective meets the eligibility criteria.
Contact a Program Advisor to discuss eligibility if needed.
New applicants: Register and create a profile in the BC Arts Council online system.
Existing applicants: Update your online Organization Profile, including contact details and board/staff information.
Step 2: Prepare Your Application
Draft your project description, including rationale, objectives, outcomes, and a timeline or work plan.
Complete the Project Team Table with biographies and roles.
Prepare a balanced and detailed Project Budget Table, including notes and indicating confirmed or pending revenues.
Compile required support materials specific to your project category, such as letters of confirmation/engagement and examples of work.
Step 3: Complete Application Forms
Access the online application through the BC Arts Council portal.
Enter all project details and upload required documents and supporting materials.
Complete the Designated Priority Groups and Equity Data Tool sections if applicable for funding prioritization.
Step 4: Review and Submit Application
Proofread the entire application and ensure all fields and uploads are complete.
Submit your application by 11:59 p.m. on the closing date.
Plan to submit at least two days early to account for any technical issues.
Step 5: Post-Submission Actions
Ensure your email includes NoReply@BCArtsCouncil.ca as a safe sender to receive notification results.
Update mailing address in your profile to receive grant payment if awarded.
Contact a Program Advisor for feedback on the assessment after receiving results.

grant_single_labels|otherInfo

The Arts Circulation and Touring grant program focuses on enhancing the professional and artistic opportunities for B.C. artists and arts organizations through regional, national, and international exposure. Eligible activities must start after application submission, and applicants should engage with Program Advisors to ensure the proposed project aligns with the program's objectives and requirements.

Applications are accepted until 11:59 p.m. on the closing date.
Applicants can receive only one Art Circulation and Touring grant per BC Arts Council fiscal year.
Eligible projects must include fair payment to artists and cultural practitioners, aligned with industry standards.
Outcome notifications will be sent roughly 16 weeks after the submission deadline.
Communication results are sent through the online system, and applicants should add NoReply@BCArtsCouncil.ca to their safe senders list.
Support is available only for projects that exceed 80 km from the applicant's home base.