Interactive Fund
BC, Canada
Grant for British Columbia digital media or software productions
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|maxCount
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|closingDateJune 14, 2024
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
grant_single|grantors
- Government of British Columbia
- Creative BC
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|closed
grant_single_labels|preview
Grant of $50,000 to support the production of high quality, original, interactive digital media content and software applications owned and controlled by British Columbia companies or individuals.
grant_single_labels|projects
The Interactive Fund supports high-quality, original interactive digital media projects demonstrating strong connections between art and technology. These projects must provide opportunities for access, dissemination, and engagement with audiences within the BC arts and culture sector.
- Digital-based art installations
- Interactive/immersive theatre presentations
- Location-based or public interactive installations and presentations
- Interactive websites
- Interactive narrative content
- Virtual Reality/Augmented Reality experiences
- Mobile/tablet applications and games
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$50,000
Burnaby
Development of a digital storytelling platform focused on LGBTQ2+ experiences in BC
$50,000
Surrey
Launch of an online platform for interactive literary works from diverse Canadian authors
$50,000
Vancouver
A collaborative VR art exhibition showcasing the intersection of art and technology
$50,000
Kelowna
Creation of an augmented reality (AR) application for historical tours in BC
$50,000
Richmond
Creation of an educational video game addressing environmental issues in BC
$50,000
Victoria
Development of an interactive mobile app promoting BC indigenous art and culture
grant_single_labels|admissibility
Applications for this grant will be accepted from companies that meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Be a company incorporated in British Columbia or Canada with its head office in British Columbia.
- The primary owner or majority common voting shareholder(s) of the incorporated company must be a B.C. resident(s).
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
The Interactive Fund welcomes applications from a diverse range of entities working within the arts and culture sector. Below is a list of eligible types of businesses and organizations:
- Individuals who are B.C. residents
- Incorporated companies with their head office in British Columbia
- Not-for-profit organizations incorporated under the Society Act
- Collectives comprised of three or more individual professional artists or cultural practitioners, primarily based in B.C.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
There are specific types of projects that are not eligible for the Interactive Fund. While the eligibility criteria generally define who can apply, there are restrictions on the types of projects and activities considered for funding.
- Creation of or updates to a personal, society or company website.
- Video or audio content intended primarily for streaming services or social media platforms.
- Productions primarily intended for broadcast or theatrical release.
- Projects intended to be convergent or companion works to film or television productions.
- Projects with a specific corporate, industrial, or promotional focus.
- Catalogues or compilations of repurposed material without new, value-added original content.
- Digital “ramp up” or transformation plans, general capital hardware purchases or digitization of content.
- Digital presentations or performances that do not include audience interaction or control.
- Travel costs not associated with building the project, such as for marketing, distribution, promotions, events, or workshops.
- Corporate overhead and administrative expenses not associated with the project.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
Eligible expenses for this grant include costs directly related to the project, such as market research and labor, among others:
- Market research.
- Labour and personnel.
- Technology content and design.
- Expenses required to put content online or to create applications, including copyright clearance, documentation, design, and development.
- Technical and administrative expenses.
- Travel costs directly associated with building the project.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
The Interactive Fund is aimed at companies located in British Columbia, Canada. Eligible companies must be incorporated in British Columbia or Canada with their head office in British Columbia.
- British Columbia, Canada
grant_single_labels|criteria
The evaluation and selection criteria for projects in the Interactive Fund grant are based on several factors with specific point allocations in the evaluation matrix.
- Background, experience, and potential of the applicant and their key creative team - 20 points
- Creativity and originality of the concept - 25 points
- Intended goals, outcomes, and impacts of the project - 25 points
- Viability and achievability of the concept with the budget and financing plan provided - 15 points
- Weighted criteria for composition of key creative team members from equity-seeking groups, language, and regional representation - 15 points
grant_single_labels|register
Step 1: Prepare Application Materials
- Basic information on your project and company/organization
- Financing plan and budget
- A creative/work plan including project description, user experience overview, visual samples
- A strategic plan outlining goals, outcomes, impacts, primary audience, and exhibition plans
- Information on key creative team members
- For companies and societies, information on organization, shareholders, and/or directors
- A Community Engagement Plan and/or Letter of Support for projects collaborating with under-represented communities
- Link to a project proof of concept/demo, or previous work (if applicable)
Step 2: Register for Grant Coaching (optional)
- Opportunity for direct feedback for potential applicants from systemically excluded groups or underrepresented regions
- One-hour sessions available free of charge to qualifying groups
- Registration available on the Interactive Fund program webpage
Step 3: Submit Application
- Submit online application form on Creative BC's website
- Ensure all required documents and declarations are complete and submitted by the deadline: June 14, 2024, at 11:59 PM PDT
Step 4: Await Eligibility Review
- Creative BC staff conducts an initial review for eligibility and missing documentation
- Applicants informed of missing documentation with a short period (maximum 5 days) to submit
Step 5: Creative Evaluation by Advisory Panel
- An external advisory panel reviews applications based on evaluation matrix
- Panel considers creative, originality, impacts, viability, and other criteria
- Advisory panel ensures 30% funding allocation to target equity and priority groups
Step 6: Funding Decision and Notification
- Decisions finalized approximately 14 weeks post-deadline date
- Notifications sent via email to applicants
Step 7: Enter Into Agreement
- Successful applicants enter into an agreement with Creative BC
- Agreement includes project timeline, payment schedule, deliverables
- Confirm necessary rights and additional financing
grant_single_labels|contact
hcampbell@creativebc.com
Apply to this program
Understanding the Interactive Fund: A Catalyst for Digital Media Innovation in British Columbia
The Interactive Fund, a collaboration between Creative BC and the BC Arts Council, provides financial support for innovative interactive digital media projects that blend art and technology. Through this fund, creators can access up to $50,000 to foster diverse artistic expressions and engage audiences across British Columbia.
Comprehensive Guide to the Interactive Fund's Opportunities and Application Process
The Interactive Fund represents a significant opportunity for creators in British Columbia to develop innovative digital media projects that merge art and technology. This grant, a collaborative effort between Creative BC and the BC Arts Council, is designed to support diversity in artistic expression and engagement within the region's arts and culture sector. With a robust funding envelope of $600,000, the Interactive Fund is poised to make a substantial impact on the digital media landscape by nurturing projects that promise originality, interactivity, and audience engagement.
Applicants can request up to $50,000 per project, making this an attractive option for both emerging and established creators seeking to bring their digital visions to life. Notably, the fund earmarks at least 30% of its resources for projects owned and controlled by applicants from designated priority groups, including Indigenous, Black, People of Colour, LGBTQ2S+, and individuals with disabilities, as well as those operating outside the major urban centers of Greater Vancouver and Victoria. This targeted equity approach aims to dismantle historical barriers and foster a more inclusive, vibrant arts community.
Eligible projects under this fund are primarily digital and must center on interactivity, allowing users to influence their experience. The range of applicable projects is broad, encompassing digital art installations, interactive websites, virtual and augmented reality experiences, and more. Creative BC encourages projects that innovate within these parameters, providing diverse content that aligns with the fund’s objectives. However, it's important to note that projects primarily intended for streaming platforms or traditional media, among other exclusions, will not be considered for funding.
To qualify for the Interactive Fund, applicants must meet specific eligibility criteria. Individuals must be residents of British Columbia, having lived there for a minimum of 200 days in the year prior to the application and have filed taxes in the province. Companies need to be incorporated in British Columbia with majority ownership residing in the province. Not-for-profit organizations must be incorporated under the Society Act with a head office in the province, and collectives should consist of groups where most members are B.C. residents. Additionally, applicants are required to maintain 100% copyright ownership of their projects unless they are engaged in authorized co-productions. The fund also welcomes proposals from collectives, emphasizing collaboration among professional artists or cultural practitioners.
Application submissions for the Interactive Fund are detailed and require careful preparation. Applicants must provide comprehensive project information, including a creative work plan and strategic outcomes plan highlighting the project's intended goals. Additionally, a community engagement plan or letter of support is necessary if the project collaborates with underrepresented communities. This application process not only evaluates the technical and creative merits of a project but also its capacity to engage with diverse audiences and make meaningful contributions to the regional arts ecosystem.
Creative BC offers grant coaching sessions to help potential applicants refine their proposals, especially for systemically excluded groups and regions outside the Lower Mainland. These sessions provide valuable feedback and increase the likelihood of successful applications. Moreover, an external advisory panel evaluates submissions based on creativity, originality, intended goals, and overall feasibility.
The application deadline for the Interactive Fund is set for June 14, 2024, making it crucial for interested parties to plan and prepare their submissions promptly. Successful recipients will engage in a contract detailing the project timeline and deliverables, with funding disbursed across several drawdowns.
In conclusion, the Interactive Fund is a cornerstone of economic and cultural development in British Columbia's creative sector. By supporting projects that blend innovative technology with artistic expression, the fund not only encourages creative diversity but also strengthens the regional digital media economy. For eligible applicants, this fund offers not just financial support but also a platform to elevate artistic creativity and cultural dialogue across audiences in British Columbia and beyond. With its commitment to inclusivity and innovation, the Interactive Fund stands as a vital resource for the future of digital media art in British Columbia.
