Deadline: 17-Jun-2026
The BC Arts Council is offering the Individual Arts Grants Media Artists Program to support professional independent media artists in British Columbia in creating and producing original media-based artistic works.
The programme supports independent media arts practices across film, video, sound art, digital arts, and immersive media projects that are not part of commercial entertainment industries.
Focus Areas
The programme supports:
- Film and video art
- Narrative and experimental moving image works
- Expanded cinema
- Installation-based media works
- Audio and sound art
- Sound sculptures and installations
- Sound walks
- New media and digital arts
- Interactive installations
- Immersive environments
- Web-based art
- Technology-based artistic expression
The programme does not support:
- Commercial film production
- Video game development
- Streaming-focused commercial projects
Funding Support
Applicants may receive:
- Up to CAD 25,000
Eligible expenses include:
- Subsistence costs
- Artist fees
- Materials and supplies
- Equipment purchases up to CAD 2,500
- Equipment rentals
- Professional fees
- Production and post-production costs
- Travel expenses
- Accessibility-related costs
- Elders and Knowledge Keeper fees
- Contingency costs up to 10%
Subsistence support:
- Up to CAD 750 per week
- Maximum CAD 15,000
Who Can Apply?
Eligible applicants must:
- Be independent media artists
- Be Canadian citizens or permanent residents
- Be residents of British Columbia for at least 12 continuous months
- Demonstrate professional media arts practice
- Retain final creative control over the work
Applicants must also demonstrate:
- At least 2 years of paid artistic work
- At least one publicly presented project with professional compensation and creative control
Alternatively, applicants may qualify if they:
- Previously received a First Peoples’ Cultural Council arts grant
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit:
- CV or resume (up to 3 pages)
- Examples of previous artistic work
- Supporting project materials such as:
- Scripts
- Storyboards
- Treatments
- Project concepts
Applicants may also include:
- Up to two collaborator confirmation letters
Work samples may include:
- Up to 5 images
- Up to 5 minutes of audio or video
Assessment Criteria
Projects are assessed based on:
- Artistic quality
- Feasibility and planning
- Budget clarity
- Applicant experience
- Realistic timelines
- Accessibility considerations
- Safe engagement practices
- Support for equity-deserving communities
How to Apply
Applicants should:
- Develop a media arts project proposal
- Prepare a realistic project budget and timeline
- Gather work samples and supporting materials
- Demonstrate professional artistic experience
- Submit the application according to programme guidelines
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid:
- Submitting commercial media projects
- Providing unclear budgets or timelines
- Submitting weak artistic samples
- Ignoring accessibility considerations
- Applying repeatedly without major proposal revisions
FAQ
- What is the maximum funding available?
- Applicants may receive up to CAD 25,000.
- Who can apply?
- Professional independent media artists who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents living in British Columbia.
- What artistic disciplines are supported?
- Film, video, sound art, digital media, immersive art, and other independent media practices.
- Are commercial film or gaming projects eligible?
- No, commercial productions and video game development projects are not supported.
- What supporting materials are required?
- Applicants must submit a CV, work samples, and project support materials such as scripts or storyboards.
Conclusion
The BC Arts Council Individual Arts Grants Media Artists Program supports independent media artists in British Columbia through funding for innovative and original media-based artistic projects. The programme aims to strengthen independent media arts practice while encouraging creative experimentation, accessibility, and diverse artistic expression.
For more information, visit BC Arts Council.