Deadline: 28-May-25
The First Peoples’ Cultural Council (FPCC) has launched the Arts Vitality Grant Program to support creation, development, production, promotion and of all forms of creative expression.
This includes, but is not limited to, ceremonial, visual, performance, music, literary, media, sculpture, carving and weaving.
This program supports B.C. First Nations storytellers, artists and arts organizations to share their stories about the perseverance of storytelling, arts knowledge and practices in their communities. Stories may be told in a variety of ways using creative expressions such as weaving, carving, beading, dancing, song, film, and more.
Focus Areas
- The FPCC Arts Program regularly provides grant funding, outreach, training and support in the following four areas:
- Arts Strengthening
- One-on-one arts mentorships and group knowledge transfer work.
- Arts Infrastructure
- Art space construction, renovation or capacity building for First Nations arts and culture organizations & communities.
- Individual Artists
- Projects and creative development; Scholarships for arts education.
- Music Program
- Creation & sharing and industry professional internships, mentorships and training
- Arts Strengthening
- The FPCC Arts Program also conducts focused research to better understand the needs and challenges of the B.C. First Nations arts community, and to advocate for sustainable and sufficient funding and support for B.C. First Nations arts.
Funding Information
- Grant amount: Up to $10,000
Duration
- Projects can take place anytime between May 28, 2025, and February 1, 2026.
Eligible Projects
- Examples of eligible projects may include:
- A community or band -run school art-making series exploring climate-impacted natural materials and substitutes through drawing, collage, and linocut
- A community mural based on intergenerational stories of current reality of original stewards’ arts vitality
- A series of community songwriting circle(s) with songwriters, youth, and Language Holders culminating in a community performance/or recording
- A land-based performance, carving, song, dance piece depicting the art-making relationships between humans and the natural world
- An experimental short film that imagines how future generations will share arts and storytellers’ knowledge with next generation
Eligibility Criteria
- The FPCC Arts Vitality Grant supports projects by B.C. First Nations individuals and B.C. First Nationsled organizations as per the legislated mandate. For organization applicants applying, FPCC requires at least 75% of an organization’s board members/directors to include individuals from recognized B.C. First Nations as they are the rightful stewards of their cultural knowledge and arts practices and are best equipped to lead the important work of protecting, sharing and revitalizing B.C. First Nations arts practices on their lands.
- Eligible applicants include:
- B.C. First Nations individuals. Applicants must be 19 years of age or older
- Recognized B.C. First Nations bands or Tribal Councils
- Not-for-profit societies registered in B.C. in good standing and governed by B.C. First Nations individuals where at least 75% of directors are from recognized B.C. First Nations
- B.C. First Nations–led museums and cultural spaces where at least 75% of directors are from recognized B.C. First Nations
- Urban and off-reserve B.C. First Nations-led organizations where at least 75% of directors are from recognized B.C. First Nations
- B.C. First Nations schools or adult education centres operating in B.C. on First Nations lands (please note that applications from B.C. First Nations schools that serve one community must be submitted through their respective Nation/band office)
- Applicants with an active FPCC Arts grant from the 24-25 grant intake and are in good standing
- In addition to the above criteria, eligible applicants must:
- Have been a resident of B.C. for at least one year.
- Have previous experience or a creative mandate that demonstrates a commitment to their practice
- Demonstrate the support of recognized artists, creatives and cultural or community leaders within B.C. First Nations communities they are connected to and that the project affects
- Submit only one application as an applicant to the Arts Program per deadline
Ineligibility Criteria
- Ineligible Applicants.
- Organizations or individuals who are not from a B.C. First Nation.
- Public institutions (e.g., schools, universities).
- For-profit organizations and businesses.
- Committees, groups and task forces without an established governing body.
- Provincial/territorial and municipal governments.
- Federal or provincial government departments.
- Organizations or previous grant recipients with incomplete or outstanding reporting with FPCC or FPCF. These applicants are ineligible until all required documentation is complete.
- Religious organizations
For more information, visit FPCC.