Closed
BCAC — Operating Assistance: Professional Arts Festivals
Operating support for professional arts festivals
Last Update: June 16, 2026
Funding available
$ 20,000
Timeline
- Closing date : October 1, 2025
Location
British Columbia, Canada
Overview
Operating Assistance: Professional Arts Festivals supports the general operations of established professional non-profit arts and culture organizations in British Columbia. It helps fund the operations, programming, and services of major arts festivals that present professional artists and have a clear unifying theme or vision.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Enhance an existing program
- Improve governance or administrative structure
- Strengthen organizational capacity
Eligible Funding
- Minimum amount : 20,000 $
Timeline
- Closing date : October 1, 2025
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
Location
- British Columbia
Legal structures
- Non-profit
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Culture and Arts
Target groups
- Artists / creatives
- Nonprofits / charities
Revenue structures
- 100% donations / grants
Scope
- Provincial
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- General operations of established professional arts festivals
- Delivery of arts and culture programming and services
- Presenting and featuring professional artists
- Festivals with a clear unifying theme or vision
Documents Needed
- Organization profile with updated leadership, board, and staff information
- Signed financial statements for the two most recently completed fiscal years
- Constitution or statement of primary purpose
- Support materials for applicants on Concerned Status, if applicable
- CADAC financial and statistical forms, if applicable
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Non-profit arts and culture organizations in British Columbia
- Community service co-operatives in British Columbia
- Organizations producing professional arts festivals
- Organizations presenting professional artists
Who is not eligible
- Private or for-profit entities
- Organizations that only operate venues or facilities
- New applicants in 2025/26
Eligible expenses
- General operating costs for the organization’s activities
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Budget deficits
- Capital expenditures, including construction, renovation, property, or equipment purchases
- Start-up costs or seed money
- Private or for-profit entities
- Organizations that only operate venues or facilities without primary artistic production
Eligible geographic areas
- British Columbia
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are first checked for eligibility by staff
- Applications are then assessed through a peer review process
- Funding recommendations are made and approved
- Applicants are notified in writing, usually within 16 weeks of the deadline
- Payments may be delayed, suspended, or redistributed if obligations are not met
Additional information
- Current recipients must submit required updates through the BC Arts Council Grants Management System.
- Organizations on Concerned Status must submit a full application and support materials.
- Notification is sent by email, usually within 16 weeks of the deadline.
- Funding recipients must acknowledge BC Arts Council and the Province of British Columbia in promotional materials.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the BCAC — Operating Assistance: Professional Arts Festivals Program
What is the BCAC — Operating Assistance: Professional Arts Festivals?
Operating Assistance: Professional Arts Festivals supports the general operations of established professional non-profit arts and culture organizations in British Columbia. It helps fund the operations, programming, and services of major arts festivals that present professional artists and have a clear unifying theme or vision.
Who is eligible for the BCAC — Operating Assistance: Professional Arts Festivals program?
To be eligible for the BCAC — Operating Assistance: Professional Arts Festivals program, you must:
Established non-profit arts and culture organization in B.C.
Provides arts and culture programming for at least one year
Has received an eligible BC Arts Council project grant
What expenses are eligible under BCAC — Operating Assistance: Professional Arts Festivals?
General operations of established professional arts festivals
Delivery of arts and culture programming and services
Presenting and featuring professional artists
Festivals with a clear unifying theme or vision
Who can I contact for more information about the BCAC — Operating Assistance: Professional Arts Festivals?
You can contact British Columbia Arts Council (BCAC) by email at BCArtsCouncil@gov.bc.ca or by phone at 250-356-1718.
Where is the BCAC — Operating Assistance: Professional Arts Festivals available?
The BCAC — Operating Assistance: Professional Arts Festivals program is available the province of British Columbia.
Is the BCAC — Operating Assistance: Professional Arts Festivals a grant, loan, or tax credit?
BCAC — Operating Assistance: Professional Arts Festivals is a Grant and Funding
Who are the financial supporters of the BCAC — Operating Assistance: Professional Arts Festivals?
BCAC — Operating Assistance: Professional Arts Festivals is funded by British Columbia Arts Council (BCAC)