BCAC — Individual Arts Grants: Creative Writers

• Project description
• Project timeline
• Expense form
• Recent sample work
• CV and publication history

Who is eligible?

• B.C.-based individuals with an established creative writing practice.
• Collaborations of two or more eligible artists sharing creative control.
• Eligible writers in literary genres such as fiction, poetry, nonfiction, graphic novels, comic arts, spoken word, dub and sound poetry, and storytelling.

Who is not eligible

• Applicants who do not meet the B.C. residency or citizenship/permanent resident requirements.
• Applicants without an established professional creative writing practice.
• Projects in drama or theatre-related fields.
• Projects primarily in film, television, podcasts, journalism, gaming, or other commercial sectors.
• Projects previously funded through this or other BC Arts Council programs.

Eligible expenses

• Subsistence costs during the project.
• Materials directly related to research, development, and creation.
• Equipment purchase or rental directly related to the project.
• Space rental directly related to the project.
• Fees for literary professionals, such as editors or sensitivity readers.
• Travel costs directly related to completing the project.

Ineligible Costs and Activities

• Project phases that began before the application closing date.
• Equipment or supplies purchases over $2,500.
• Publication-related costs such as rights, royalties, design, production, and printing.
• Promotion, marketing, distribution, or touring costs.
• Fundraising, conferences, and competitions unless integral to the art form.
• Projects primarily focused on commercial sectors, social media distribution, or therapeutic outcomes.

Eligible geographic areas

• British Columbia

• Artistic contribution and significance, weighted at 40%.
• Impact on the applicant and community, weighted at 40%.
• Applicant readiness, weighted at 20%.

• Step 1: Register or log in to the online system
  • New applicants must create a profile in the BC Arts Council Grant Management System.
  • Registration requests may take up to 5 business days to process.
• Step 2: Complete the application
  • Update your online profile and complete the required profile sections.
  • Fill out the project description, timeline, expense form, and all required questions.
  • Upload the required sample work, CV, publication history, and any collaborator letters.
• Step 3: Review and submit
  • Proofread the application and check it against the assessment criteria.
  • Complete the declaration and submit through the online grant system before the deadline.

• Applications are first reviewed for eligibility.
• Eligible applications are sent to an independent peer assessment panel.
• The panel evaluates applications and determines funding levels and conditions.
• Applicants receive the decision in writing by email.
• Final reports are required after the project is completed.

• New applicants should register in the online system at least two weeks before the deadline.
• Applicants may submit only one application per intake.
• Designated Priority Groups can be identified in the online profile.
• Accessibility support is available for D/deaf applicants and applicants with disabilities.