BCAC — Early Career Development - Individuals

• Completed application answers
• Project expense form
• Resume or CV
• Project description and main activities
• Work plan

Who is eligible?

• Individual early career artists and practitioners
• B.C.-based applicants in eligible arts disciplines
• Emerging artists transitioning into professional practice

Who is not eligible

• Mid-career and established artists or practitioners
• Applicants not living in B.C. for the required period
• People not legally allowed to work in Canada
• Applicants with overdue final reports on previous BC Arts Council grants
• Applicants already participating in another application in the same intake

Eligible expenses

• Subsistence costs for the applicant, including housing, food, and local transportation.
• Travel and accommodation directly related to the activity for the applicant and mentor.
• Supplies, materials, and reasonable project-related costs.
• Equipment or materials directly related to the project, up to the stated limit.
• Residency fees, mentor fees, childcare, and accessibility costs.

Ineligible Costs and Activities

• Budget deficits, surpluses, contingency funds, and loan repayments.
• Start-up costs, seed money, and capital expenses.
• Equipment purchases above the stated limit or not directly related to the project.
• Commercial recordings, demo reels, and unpaid work placements.
• Creation of new work, fundraising, conferences, and commercial-sector activities.

Eligible geographic areas

• British Columbia

• Impact on the Early Arts Practitioner: 50%
• Impact on the community and the arts sector: 30%
• Applicant readiness: 20%

• Step 1: Register or update your online profile
  • Create a profile in the BC Arts Council Grant Management System if you are a new applicant.
  • Update your mailing address, priority group information, and other profile details.
• Step 2: Prepare your application
  • Complete the application questions, project expense form, resume or CV, project description, and work plan.
  • For mentorship or residency applications, upload the required mentor or host organization letter and other supporting material.
• Step 3: Submit online
  • Send the application through the Grant Management System before the deadline.
  • Ensure the application is complete, as incomplete submissions are not followed up individually.

• Applications are first reviewed for eligibility by the BC Arts Council.
• Eligible applications are then assessed by an independent peer panel.
• The panel scores and ranks applications before funding decisions are made.
• Applicants are notified of results by email approximately 16 weeks after the closing date.
• Final reports are required after the project ends.

• The program has a separate stream for individual applicants.
• Applications are submitted through the BC Arts Council Grant Management System.
• New applicants must register in the online system before applying.
• Applicants are encouraged to review the program guidelines and scoring guide before submitting.