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

Deadline: 14-Oct-2026

The Project Assistance: Visual Arts Organizations program supports professional visual arts organizations and arts or curatorial collectives in British Columbia to develop, expand, enhance, or create unique public programming and community engagement initiatives. The program supports both contemporary and traditional visual arts and craft, with grants of up to $25,000.

About Project Assistance: Visual Arts Organizations

The program is designed to strengthen public access to visual arts and craft in British Columbia by supporting organizations and collectives that create meaningful artistic programming and community engagement opportunities. Funding can support new initiatives as well as the development, expansion, or enhancement of existing public programs. The program covers a broad range of visual arts and craft practices, including both contemporary and traditional approaches. What Does the Program Support?

Eligible projects may involve:

- Independent critical and curatorial work. - Drawing and painting. - Photography. - Printmaking. - Sculpture. - Installation art. - Video art. - Performance art. - Public art. - Beading. - Carving. - Ceramics. - Weaving. - Multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary artistic practices. - Community-engaged projects led by arts and cultural practitioners. Projects should contribute to public programming, community engagement, or greater participation in visual arts and craft. Funding Information The maximum grant available through Project Assistance: Visual Arts Organizations is $25,000. Applicants can seek support for projects that develop, expand, enhance, or create new and unique public programming and community engagement initiatives. Eligible Applicants The program is open to professional visual arts organizations that meet the following requirements: - Be registered and in good standing 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 B.C. - Have a mandate dedicated to arts and culture programming or services for the arts and culture sector in B.C. - Maintain creative control over programming and community engagement activities within the organization. - Ensure programming and engagement decisions are led by B.C.-based leadership. Organizational Requirements Applicants should demonstrate that visual arts and/or craft are central to their organizational activities and mandate. The organization must also have sufficient creative and decision-making authority to independently develop and deliver the proposed programming. This requirement ensures that supported projects are artistically directed and managed within the B.C. arts and culture sector. Who Is Not Eligible? The following applicants are not eligible for this program: - Organizations currently receiving grants through the BC Arts Council’s Operating Assistance program. - Organizations eligible for the Community Arts Organization grant programs. - Private or for-profit entities. - Member-funded societies. - Social service organizations. - Industrial or heritage sites. - Organizations dedicated to archives. - Arts or curatorial collectives with fewer than three members. - Non-profit societies registered for less than one fiscal year. Key Considerations for Applicants Before applying, organizations should ensure that: - Their legal and organizational status meets the eligibility requirements. - They have operated as an eligible B.C. non-profit society or community service co-op for at least one fiscal year. - Their proposed activities are clearly connected to visual arts or craft. - The project provides public programming or meaningful community engagement. - Key staff and board leadership meet the B.C.-based requirements. - The organization retains creative control and decision-making authority. Why This Funding Matters Visual arts and craft contribute to cultural participation, community connection, and public engagement across British Columbia. By supporting both contemporary and traditional practices, this program provides organizations with an opportunity to develop innovative programming while also preserving and promoting diverse artistic practices. The funding can benefit organizations working across studio-based disciplines, multidisciplinary practices, traditional craft, public art, and community-engaged artistic activities. Frequently Asked Questions

What is Project Assistance: Visual Arts Organizations?

It is a British Columbia funding program supporting professional visual arts organizations and arts or curatorial collectives to develop, expand, enhance, or create public programming and community engagement initiatives in visual arts and craft. How much funding is available? The maximum grant amount is $25,000. What types of artistic practices are eligible? The program supports contemporary and traditional visual arts and craft, including drawing, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, installation, video, performance, public art, beading, carving, ceramics, weaving, and multidisciplinary or interdisciplinary practices. Who can apply? Professional visual arts organizations registered and in good standing as B.C. non-profit societies or community service co-ops for at least one fiscal year before applying may be eligible. Can for-profit organizations apply? No. Private and for-profit entities are not eligible. Can a collective with two members apply? No. Collectives must have at least three members to be eligible. Are organizations receiving Operating Assistance eligible? No. Organizations currently receiving grants through the BC Arts Council’s Operating Assistance program are ineligible for this program. Are newly registered non-profit societies eligible? No. Non-profit societies must have been registered for at least one fiscal year before the application. Do applicants need to be based in British Columbi