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New Actions Strengthen Diversity, Equity in Arts Funding
More artists and arts and culture organizations throughout the province will benefit from changes to the way the BC Arts Council provides funding to support calls to action for reconciliation, diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. The BC Arts Council’s Extending Foundations: Action Plan 2022-2024 marks a renewal in the focus of the BC Arts Council that is aimed at breaking down systemic barriers within its policies and programs to expand opportunities for those who have historically been underserved.
More artists and arts and culture organizations throughout the province will benefit from changes to the way the BC Arts Council provides funding to support calls to action for reconciliation, diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.
The BC Arts Council’s Extending Foundations: Action Plan 2022-2024 marks a renewal in the focus of the BC Arts Council that is aimed at breaking down systemic barriers within its policies and programs to expand opportunities for those who have historically been underserved.
Extending Foundations: Action Plan 2022-2024 identifies seven key action areas of the council for the next two years:
Strategic Visioning and Planning
Diversity, Equity and Access Program Supports
Process and Procedure Improvements
Modernize Peer Assessment
Rebalance of Funding Distribution
Maintaining the Arts Impact Grant Program
Continued support for the Arts Infrastructure Program
More Recovery Support Coming for BC's Arts & Culture Sector
More than $12.4 million in one-time funding to the BC Arts Council will offer support to BC artists and organizations as the Province continues to build back from the COVID-19 pandemic.
From this funding, the BC Arts Council will distribute $7.9 million in resiliency supplements to more than 300 organizations currently receiving operating assistance. The average grant amount is $25,000.
Additionally, BC Arts Council has allocated $4.5 million to top up the Arts Impact Grant program, which closed its intake in January 2022. The next intake of this program is anticipated for winter 2023.
Funding is available to organizations and collectives with an arts and culture mandate or a dedicated arts and culture program. Grants are available to non-profit organizations, Indigenous communities and community organizations.
More than $12.4 million in one-time funding to the BC Arts Council will offer support to BC artists and organizations as the Province continues to build back from the COVID-19 pandemic.
From this funding, the BC Arts Council will distribute $7.9 million in resiliency supplements to more than 300 organizations currently receiving operating assistance. The average grant amount is $25,000.
Additionally, BC Arts Council has allocated $4.5 million to top up the Arts Impact Grant program, which closed its intake in January 2022. The next intake of this program is anticipated for winter 2023.
Funding is available to organizations and collectives with an arts and culture mandate or a dedicated arts and culture program. Grants are available to non-profit organizations, Indigenous communities and community organizations.
Arts Impact Grant Now Available: Apply by January 20, 2022
Arts and culture groups throughout B.C. can now apply for the Arts Impact Grant to receive as much as $30,000. This adaptable grant is available through the BC Arts Council in response to feedback from arts and culture groups. All non-profit organizations with an arts and culture mandate, and Indigenous governments and community organizations offering dedicated arts and culture programming, are eligible to apply.
Arts and culture groups throughout B.C. can now apply for the Arts Impact Grant to receive as much as $30,000. This adaptable grant is available through the BC Arts Council in response to feedback from arts and culture groups. It provides greater flexibility for organizations as they prioritize how to use the funding.
All non-profit organizations with an arts and culture mandate, and Indigenous governments and community organizations offering dedicated arts and culture programming, are eligible to apply.
The application deadline is Jan. 20, 2022.
Applications Open for Arts Infrastructure Program
Arts and culture groups throughout B.C. can look forward to new and enhanced spaces with $4 million to support the Arts Infrastructure Program.
The Arts Infrastructure Program dedicates money that allows arts and cultural organizations to improve infrastructure, enhance safety features, increase accessibility, buy equipment and continue to offer virtual programming to contribute to B.C.’s economic recovery.
To be eligible, an applicant must provide public arts and cultural programming in British Columbia and have done so for a minimum of two years.
The application deadline January 14, 2022.
Arts and culture groups throughout B.C. can look forward to new and enhanced spaces with $4 million to support the Arts Infrastructure Program.
This is the second year this funding has been made available in response to the needs of arts and culture groups. In 2020-21, the program had an initial budget of $2 million. However, an additional $2 million of one-time funding was made available, resulting in funding for 97 organizations and $4 million in support.
The Arts Infrastructure Program dedicates money that allows arts and cultural organizations to improve infrastructure, enhance safety features, increase accessibility, buy equipment and continue to offer virtual programming to contribute to B.C.’s economic recovery.
The application deadline January 14, 2022.
Quick Facts:
Through the next intake of the Arts Infrastructure Program, arts and cultural organizations can receive these grants:
an increased limit from $75,000 to $250,000 to improve arts and culture spaces;
$40,000 to buy special equipment to support art programming; and
$25,000 to support capital planning and consultation.
The BC Arts Council administers the Arts Infrastructure Program and a peer committee reviews the funding applications.
Budget 2021 committed $6 million over three years to expand the Arts Infrastructure Program.
As part of StrongerBC: BC’s Economic Recovery Plan, the Province provided $35 million to support arts and culture organization's recovery through the BC Arts Council.