Closed
BCAC — Project Assistance: Professional Arts Festivals
Supports new festival programming in B.C.
Last Update: June 18, 2026
Funding available
$ 25,000
Timeline
- Closing date : October 22, 2025
Location
British Columbia, Canada
Overview
BC Arts Council’s Project Assistance: Professional Arts Festivals supports organizations and collectives in British Columbia developing new or unique public programming within an existing multi-day festival. It funds specific project components, including artist fees, accessibility-related expenses, and work by Elders or Knowledge Keepers.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Develop a new program or service
- Increase social or community impact
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 25,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
Timeline
- Closing date : October 22, 2025
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
Location
- British Columbia
Legal structures
- All legal structures
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Development of new or unique public programming within an existing festival
- Specific artistic or curatorial project components inside a multi-day festival
- Festival programming that increases access to arts in the community
- Programming that supports specific art forms or practices
Documents Needed
- Project description with rationale, objectives, and outcomes
- Project timeline or work plan
- Balanced project budget
- Project team table with biographies
- Support material, including work samples and required reference letters
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Arts and culture organizations
- Arts and curatorial collectives
- Indigenous community organizations
- Indigenous governments in British Columbia
- Municipal governments or post-secondary institutions in B.C. with dedicated arts and culture programs
Who is not eligible
- Community arts organizations, including community arts councils
- Organizations receiving BC Arts Council Operating Assistance Program grants
- Private or for-profit entities, including businesses and sole proprietorships
- Collectives with fewer than 3 members
- Member-funded societies, archives organizations, social service organizations, and industrial or heritage sites
Eligible expenses
- Artist fees and compensation for project team members
- Accessibility and accessible programming costs
- Fees for Elders and Knowledge Keepers
- Related travel, accommodations, hospitality, and accessibility expenses tied to the funded component
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Festival activities in their entirety, first-time festivals, and single-day festivals
- Operating, ongoing, capital, and maintenance expenses
- Equipment purchases over $2,500
- General marketing as the main activity
- Fundraising, conferences, contests, professional development, and arts therapy projects
Eligible geographic areas
- British Columbia
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are first reviewed for eligibility by BC Arts Council.
- Eligible applications are then assessed by independent peer panels.
- The panel determines funding levels and any payment conditions.
- Applicants receive a written decision by email, generally about 16 weeks after the closing date.
- Final reports are required after the project ends.
Additional information
- Applications are submitted through the BC Arts Council online Grant Management System.
- New applicants must register and create a profile before applying.
- Results are typically communicated about 16 weeks after the closing date.
- Successful applicants must acknowledge BC Arts Council and the Province of British Columbia in promotional materials.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the BCAC — Project Assistance: Professional Arts Festivals Program
What is the BCAC — Project Assistance: Professional Arts Festivals?
BC Arts Council’s Project Assistance: Professional Arts Festivals supports organizations and collectives in British Columbia developing new or unique public programming within an existing multi-day festival. It funds specific project components, including artist fees, accessibility-related expenses, and work by Elders or Knowledge Keepers.
How much funding can be received?
BCAC — Project Assistance: Professional Arts Festivals Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $25,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the BCAC — Project Assistance: Professional Arts Festivals program?
To be eligible for the BCAC — Project Assistance: Professional Arts Festivals program, you must:
Eligible B.C. arts organization or collective
Existing multi-day festival component
Fair compensation required
What expenses are eligible under BCAC — Project Assistance: Professional Arts Festivals?
Development of new or unique public programming within an existing festival
Specific artistic or curatorial project components inside a multi-day festival
Festival programming that increases access to arts in the community
Programming that supports specific art forms or practices
Who can I contact for more information about the BCAC — Project Assistance: Professional Arts Festivals?
You can contact British Columbia Arts Council (BCAC) by email at Kaitlyn.Reining@gov.bc.ca or by phone at 778-405-3973.
Where is the BCAC — Project Assistance: Professional Arts Festivals available?
The BCAC — Project Assistance: Professional Arts Festivals program is available the province of British Columbia.
Is the BCAC — Project Assistance: Professional Arts Festivals a grant, loan, or tax credit?
BCAC — Project Assistance: Professional Arts Festivals is a Grant and Funding