Closed
Source verified July 23, 2026
BCAC — Professional Development
Supports short-term artistic professional development
Get notified when BCAC — Professional Development reopens
Latest source updateLast Update: October 13, 2026Latest change: The Professional Development guidelines now show new applicant eligibility rules, a $7,500 maximum grant amount, and updated eligible expense and contact details.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: October 13, 2026
Latest change: The Professional Development guidelines now show new applicant eligibility rules, a $7,500 maximum grant amount, and updated eligible expense and contact details.
Professional Development Guidelines Updated
The Professional Development Program Guidelines 2026/27 now show a maximum grant amount of $7,500 and state that applicants may request up to 100% of eligible project expenses. The guidelines also newly spell out who can apply, including B.C. residency and professional-status requirements, plus detailed eligible and ineligible expenses and compensation rules for artists, Elders, and Knowledge Keepers. Program contact details are now visible in the guidelines, including Justine Shore at 250 940-8538 and Justine.Shore@gov.bc.ca, Paneet Singh at 778 572-6567 and Paneet.Singh@gov.bc.ca, and general contact 250-356-1718 or BCArtsCouncil@gov.bc.ca.
Funding available
$ 7,500
Deadline
Unspecified
Location
British Columbia, Canada
Overview
BC Arts Council Professional Development supports B.C.-based professional artists, arts administrators, and technical personnel with short-term learning activities. The program funds courses, mentorships, learning residencies, workshops, and related learning expenses that advance practice or career.
Receipt of requests is now closed
Get notified about updates to this grant.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Obtain certifications or accreditations
- Develop workforce skills
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 7,500 $
- Up to 100% of project cost
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- British Columbia
Legal structures
- Sole proprietorship
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Canadians
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Availability timeline
2026
Periods: 2
Activities funded
- Short-term professional learning activities to advance artistic practice or career.
- Courses or workshops with structured learning outcomes.
- Mentorships with a qualified professional or group of professionals.
- Learning residencies focused on skill development or knowledge exchange.
Documents Needed
- Curriculum vitae or resume
- Budget form
- Supporting documentation from a course, mentor, or host
- Resume or biographical statement for advisors or mentors
Official resources
Application form
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- B.C.-based individual established artists in all disciplines
- Arts administrators and artistic support staff
- Museum and Indigenous cultural centre professionals
- Production and technical personnel
- Indigenous artists who have received at least one grant through the First Peoples’ Cultural Council Individual Artists Program or Indigenous Arts Program and do not have any overdue final reports for that grant
Who is not eligible
- Emerging artists and early-career practitioners with less than two years of professional practice
- Full-time students in eligible arts training programs
- Artists working exclusively in commercial or private capacities
Eligible expenses
- Subsistence expenses for basic living costs while devoting most of your time to the learning activity
- Travel expenses, accommodation, and meal per diems for professional development activities outside of your region
- Consumable supplies and materials directly related to the learning activities, including software subscriptions, rental or lease of specialized equipment and supplies, and equipment or materials directly related to the project up to $750
- Accessibility services or rental equipment related to access needs of mentors or advisors during project activities, plus additional access support expenses for applicants who identify as D/deaf or having a disability
- Fees paid to mentors, instructors, advisors, Elders, and Knowledge Keepers; course, workshop, or learning residency registration fees; childcare costs; and rental of venue or studio required for learning activities
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Project phases or activities that begin before the application is submitted
- Projects focused on artistic creation, presentation, or production, and projects where artistic practices are not the primary focus
- Research not directly connected to learning activities, self-directed learning or studies without an instructor or mentor, and basic or academic studies not directly related to an existing artistic practice
- Promotional materials, capital expenses, and equipment purchases over $750
- Fundraising, contests and competitions unless competition is integral to the art form or cultural practice, unpaid work placements, training to support teaching of non-professional artists, degree or certificate requirements, commercial-sector activities, therapeutic projects, touring or travel expenses not directly associated with the proposed activity, and activities previously funded through other BC Arts Council grant programs or certain third-party delivery partners
Eligible geographic areas
- British Columbia
Selection criteria
- Impact on the applicant’s artistic or professional practice (50%)
- Impact on the community and the arts sector (20%)
- Feasibility of the project, including work plan, budget, and capacity (30%)
How to apply
- Step 1: Review guidelines and prepare your application
- Read the program guidelines and checklist.
- Prepare the required support material and budget information.
- Step 2: Register or update your online profile
- New applicants must register in the Grant Management System.
- Returning applicants must update their Personal Profile.
- Step 3: Complete the online application
- Fill in all required sections and upload support material.
- Use the application preview and checklist to confirm completeness.
- Step 4: Submit through the online system
- Send the application through the BC Arts Council Grant Management System before the deadline.
- Keep the confirmation and monitor your email for results.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed for eligibility first.
- Eligible applications are assessed by an independent peer panel.
- The panel scores and ranks applications before funding decisions are made.
- Applicants are notified by email about 16 weeks after the closing date.
- Successful recipients must submit a final report after the project ends.
Additional information
- Applications are assessed by an independent peer panel.
- Designated priority groups may receive funding priority.
- Successful recipients must submit a final report.
- Grant payments are issued by cheque unless direct deposit is set up.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the BCAC — Professional Development Program
What is the BCAC — Professional Development?
BC Arts Council Professional Development supports B.C.-based professional artists, arts administrators, and technical personnel with short-term learning activities. The program funds courses, mentorships, learning residencies, workshops, and related learning expenses that advance practice or career.
How much funding can be received?
BCAC — Professional Development Funds up to 100% of admissible expenses, capped at $7,500 per project.
Who is eligible for the BCAC — Professional Development program?
To be eligible for the BCAC — Professional Development program, you must:
B.C.-based professional artist or arts worker
At least two years paid experience
Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident
What expenses are eligible under BCAC — Professional Development?
Short-term professional learning activities to advance artistic practice or career.
Courses or workshops with structured learning outcomes.
Mentorships with a qualified professional or group of professionals.
Learning residencies focused on skill development or knowledge exchange.
Who can I contact for more information about the BCAC — Professional Development?
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 — Professional Development available?
The BCAC — Professional Development program is available the province of British Columbia.
Is the BCAC — Professional Development a grant, loan, or tax credit?
BCAC — Professional Development is a Grant and Funding