Deadline: 24-Sep-2025
The British Columbia Arts Council is seeking applications for its Arts Circulation and Touring – Individuals Grant Program to support opportunities that enhance exposure of B.C. artists and artworks.
This program supports circulation, touring and travel activities. It also supports access to arts and culture experiences within the province. Activities can take place inside of British Columbia or outside of the province.
The focus of this program is supporting the mobility and circulation of artistic and cultural works and programming. The Extending Foundations: Action Plan for 2022-2024 includes the BC Arts Council’s commitment to placing reconciliation, equity, diversity, inclusion and access at the centre of its activities with the intention to address historic funding inequities. Equity considerations are embedded throughout the assessment criteria and the assessment process. Funding prioritization may be applied to individuals considered designated priority groups as described above.
The program is divided into two categories. Outbound Activity supports artists touring, circulating, or showcasing existing works outside their home base, including exhibitions, performances, or participation in events where invitations and compensation are confirmed. It also supports professional opportunities such as site visits, planning, and network development meetings. Inbound Activity assists communities in hosting or presenting existing artistic works, inviting artists to share programming, or facilitating planning for future inbound circulation. Both categories require that the activity take place at least 80 kilometers away from the applicant’s home base.
Applicants can request funding for eligible expenses such as travel, accommodation, per diems, borrowing fees, shipping, transportation insurance, and artist fees, with up to 25 percent of the request covering supporting project expenses like remount costs or rehearsal adjustments. All projects must include appropriate compensation for artists and cultural practitioners at professional standards. Activities must also have confirmations or letters of intent from presenters, artists, or organizations, and they cannot begin before the application submission date.
The maximum grant request is $25,000, and applicants must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents who have lived in British Columbia for at least twelve continuous months prior to applying. Applicants must demonstrate professional status through training, past professional work, or equivalent recognition in their field of practice. Ineligible expenses include creation of new works, ongoing or operating costs, self-presented or uncompensated tours, fundraising, and non-arts focused activities.
Applications will be reviewed through an assessment process that evaluates artistic and cultural contribution and engagement, impact on the applicant and community, and feasibility. Equity-deserving and under-represented communities are a priority in funding decisions. Applications close on September 24, 2025.
For more information, visit BC Arts Council.
