Professional Development Grants – Canada

Grants are not intended to support the creation of new work, research (unless it is directly related to the learning activity), self-directed learning, full-time studies, or travel expenses that are associated with auditions, attending conferences, showcases or events focused on presentations.

Grant Amounts

• Maximum request amount is $7,500.

Eligible Activities

• Course or Workshop: A course or workshop following a specified curriculum or including specific skills acquisition or learning outcomes. This may include masterclasses or private studies with a specific focus. Online courses are eligible if registration is required, live instruction or mentorship is provided, and classes follow a schedule. Self-directed online learning is not eligible. Activities with multiple courses or workshops must be connected to overarching learning goals.
• Mentorship: An individual structured relationship with a qualified professional, or a group of professionals. Activities with multiple mentors must be connected to overarching learning goals.
• Learning Residency: A learning-based residency that includes significant opportunities for skill development or knowledge exchange.

Designated Priority Groups

• The BC Arts Council has committed to targeted investment in underserved and equity-deserving groups and the development of equity support initiatives, including a policy to support designated priority groups. These identified groups will be the focus of BC Arts Council strategic measures, through dedicated programs, funding prioritization processes, partnerships, and outreach.
• The BC Arts Council’s designated priority groups include applicants and arts and cultural practitioners who are:
  • Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, or Inuit) Peoples
  • Deaf or experience disability
  • Black or people of colour
  • Located in areas outside greater Vancouver or the capital region
• Applicants who would like to identify as part of a designated priority group must complete the Designated Priority Groups section in their online Personal Profile. All applicants are encouraged to also complete the Voluntary Self-Identification section, but it is not mandatory.

Applicant Eligibility

• To be eligible, you must:
  • Be a Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident who ordinarily resides in B.C. and has lived in the province for at least 12 months immediately prior to submitting an application. You must be prepared to provide documentation to support your residency status upon request.
  • Be recognized as professional by other practitioners working in a similar discipline.
  • Be committed to working full-time at your practice when financially possible.
  • Demonstrate professional status by submitting a CV or resume that indicates the following:
    • Have completed appropriate and relevant training in your discipline at a level that would be recognized as professional by other practitioners working in similar disciplines. Training may be through post-secondary institutions, traditional knowledge transfer, or apprenticeship with a qualified practitioner.
    • Have a minimum two years of professional practice in your field following basic training.
    • Meet discipline-specific criteria outlined below:
      • Performing Artists: a demonstrated body of previous professional work for which you have received professional fees.
      • Visual or Craft Artists: at least two professionally curated shows or exhibitions for which you have received professional fees.
      • Visual Arts Critics or Curators: have curated two or more exhibitions or published two or more works of critical writing for which you have received professional fees.
      • Media Artists: have directed/created or hold creative control on at least one project subsequent to basic training for which you have been paid professional fees. This may include student works which have been professionally exhibited or screened.
      • Creative Writers: at least one book professionally published.
      • Arts Administration, Publishing, Producer, Artistic Support Staff: two or more years of full- or part-time paid employment (permanent or contract) in arts or cultural administration and artistic support at an arts organization, or at a professional book or periodical publisher.
      • D/deaf, Disability and Mad Arts: a demonstrated body of work in or across any artistic practice for which you have received professional fees.
      • Community-Engaged Arts Practice: facilitated two participatory arts projects in a community setting or learning environment.
      • Multi- and Interdisciplinary Practice: a demonstrated body of professional public work that integrates multiple fields of practice, and for which you have received professional fees.
      • Museum or Indigenous Culture Centre Professionals: two or more years of full- or part-time paid employment (permanent or contract) in a museum or Indigenous Cultural Centre.
      • Production and Technical Personnel: two or more years of full- or regular part-time paid employment (permanent or contract) in arts and cultural production or as a technician in an arts and cultural institution, organization, or venue.
    • Have submitted any overdue final reports on previous BC Arts Council grants as of the submission deadline for this program.
    • Have received at least one grant through the First Peoples’ Cultural Council‘s Indigenous Arts Program and have submitted any outstanding final reports for that grant.
  • Emerging artists and early career practitioners with less than two years of professional practice may be eligible for support through the BC Arts Council’s Early Career Development program.
  • Students studying full-time in arts training programs may be eligible for support through the BC Arts Council’s Scholarship program.

Ineligible

• Expenses incurred or activities started prior to the activity start date.
• Projects focused on artistic creation, presentation, or production.
• Projects focused on basic training in a field of practice not connected to the applicant’s primary artistic practice or focus. For example, a theatre creator applying to take an introductory course in mixed media curation.
• Research not directly connected to learning activities.
• Self-directed learning or studies.
• Production of promotional materials.
• Individual Arts Grants
• Scholarship Program
• Arts Circulation and Touring Grant for Individuals.

For more information, visit British Columbia Arts Council.