Project Assistance: Media Arts Organizations 2026/27 (Canada)

Deadline: 14-Oct-2026

The Project Assistance: Media Arts Organizations program supports eligible media arts organizations and arts or curatorial collectives in British Columbia to develop, expand, enhance, or create new independent media arts works and programming. Grants of up to $25,000 support artistic innovation, community engagement, and the growth of independent media arts outside commercial film, video, and gaming industries. The program supports creative projects involving moving images, audio and sound art, and new media and digital arts.

About Project Assistance: Media Arts Organizations

Project Assistance: Media Arts Organizations is designed to strengthen the growth and vibrancy of independent media arts in British Columbia.

The program supports organizations and collectives that use media-based artistic practices to develop innovative works, programs, and community engagement initiatives.

Funding can help applicants:

- Develop new media arts works. - Expand existing artistic projects. - Enhance media arts programming. - Create unique and innovative artistic works. - Develop community engagement initiatives. - Explore independent media arts practices. The program focuses on artistic innovation rather than commercial film, video, and gaming production. Funding Available Eligible applicants can request up to $25,000 for their projects. Funding is intended to support the development and delivery of independent media arts works, programming, and community engagement initiatives in British Columbia. What Types of Media Arts Are Supported? The program supports projects across several areas of independent media arts. Moving Image Arts Eligible moving image practices may include: - Narrative works. - Experimental film and video. - Expanded cinema. - Installation-based moving image works. Projects can explore new artistic approaches to moving images beyond conventional commercial production. Audio and Sound Art The program also supports audio and sound-based artistic practices, including: - Sound sculptures. - Sound installations. - Sound walks. - Other independent sound art projects. These projects can explore sound as an artistic medium and create new ways for audiences to experience media arts. New Media and Digital Arts Projects involving new media and digital technologies may include: - Interactive installations. - Immersive environments. - Web-based art. - Other digital artistic practices. The program encourages experimentation and innovation in the use of technology for artistic and community engagement purposes. What Can the Funding Support? The grant can support projects that develop, expand, or enhance independent media arts activities.

Potential project activities include:

- Creation of new media arts works. - Development of experimental artistic projects. - Expansion of existing programming. - Enhancement of artistic presentations. - Community engagement initiatives. - Development of innovative digital or interactive works. - Curatorial projects connected to independent media arts. Applicants should demonstrate the artistic value and relevance of their proposed activities. Who Can Apply? Eligible applicants must be professional media arts organizations that meet the program’s organizational requirements.

Applicants must:

- Be professional media arts organizations. - Be registered as a non-profit society or community service co-op in British Columbia. - Have been registered for at least one fiscal year before applying. - Have the majority of key staff and board members based in British Columbia. - Have a mandate dedicated to arts and culture programming or services for the arts and culture sector in B.C. The organization’s activities should reflect its dedicated arts and culture mandate. British Columbia-Based Leadership The program requires applicants to have a strong organizational connection to British Columbia. The majority of key staff and board members must be based in B.C. This helps ensure that funded organizations are rooted in the province’s arts and cultural sector. Applicants should also demonstrate that their operations and programming align with their B.C.-based arts and culture mandate. Independent Media Arts Focus The program is specifically intended to support independent media arts. It focuses on artistic practices outside the commercial film, video, and gaming industries. Applicants should therefore demonstrate an artistic rather than primarily commercial purpose for their proposed projects. The program provides space for experimentation across moving images, sound, digital arts, interactive media, and other independent media practices. Examples of Eligible Creative Approaches Projects may use different technologies and artistic formats to engage audiences and explore contemporary media arts.

Examples include:

- Experimental moving image installations. - Immersive digital environments. - Interactive artworks. - Sound-based public installations. - Web-based artistic projects. - Expanded cinema presentations. - Experimental narrative media works. - Community-focused digital art initiatives. These examples illustrate the types of practices supported by the program, rather than an exhaustive list of eligible activities. How to Prepare a Strong Application Applicants should clearly explain the artistic purpose and community value of their proposed project.

A strong application should:

- Clearly describe the proposed media arts work or program. - Explain the project’s artistic objectives. - Identify the media arts practice or practices involved. - Demonstrate innovation or a distinctive creative approach. - Explain how audiences or communities will engage with the project. - Show the organization’s experience in independent media arts. - Demonstrate that the organization meets the B.C. registration and leadership requirements. - Explain how the project contributes to the development of independent media arts in British Columbia. Why This Program Matters Indepen