Demonstrated need for public subsidy
Public funds should be allocated in a manner that benefits the community. For that reason, the BC Arts Council assesses whether each applicant has a real need for financial assistance to realize the project or program for which it requests assistance. All applicants registered as not-for-profit societies must demonstrate that there is a real need for financial assistance to realize the project or program for which BC Arts Council assistance is requested.
For applicants in the Operating Assistance program, need is determined as follows:
For applicants with budgets under $50,000: Holding an accumulated, undesignated surplus in excess of 50% of annual gross revenues, brings into doubt the need for BC Arts Council assistance.
For applicants with budgets greater than $50,000: Holding an accumulated, undesignated surplus in excess of 50% of annual gross revenues on the first $50,000, plus an accumulated, undesignated surplus in excess of 25% of annual gross revenues over $50,000, bring into doubt the need for BC Arts Council assistance.
For all applicants: Generating an operational surplus greater than the total BC Arts Council funding in two consecutive fiscal years, raises doubt as to the need for Council assistance in that fiscal year.
Surpluses generated for specific purposes (such as endowment funds and capital development) through private or public sector fundraising are exempt from these limits.
Applications
- Applications must be made on forms provided, or submitted electronically via the online application system. Additional application requirements are specific
to each program and must be submitted according to program guidelines. The BC Arts Council is not
responsible for the loss or damage of supporting materials submitted with applications.
- Applications will not be accepted for activities that have already started prior to submission.
- Any major changes to budgets and/or projects after an application has been submitted in writing
must be discussed with the appropriate program officer.
- Applicant organizations may be required to submit an audited financial statement at the request
of the BC Arts Council.
- Applicants must allow BC Arts Council staff, BC Arts Council members, advisors or
authorized assessors reasonable access to view the applicants' facilities, work, program, or project funded.
Application Deadline
Applications must be delivered or postmarked by deadline date. If the deadline falls on a weekend or statutory holiday, the deadline becomes the next business day.
Financial Statements
Financial Statements must include a Balance Sheet, Income Statement and Notes. The type of Financial Statements required are based on the recipient’s last BCAC award or, in the case of new applicants, internally prepared financial documents are acceptable. Council staff reserve the right to request audited Financial Statements if deemed appropriate, regardless of the amount of the applicant’s last award.
| BC Arts Council Grant for last fiscal year |
Minimum Required Documentation |
| Less than $10,000 | Internally prepared Financial Statements |
| $10,001 - $25,000 | Notice to Reader Financial Statements (Externally prepared) |
| $25,001 - $100,000 | "Review Engagement" Financial Statements |
| Greater than $100,000 | Audited Financial Statements |
Adjudication process
The BC Arts Council is committed to active partnerships in the development and dissemination of arts and cultural activity in British Columbia. Merit-based, independent assessment is the primary method of evaluation. This is a careful and detailed process, and it takes up to fourteen weeks following a submission deadline for results to be published. For more information on the adjudication process, click here.
Changes to awards
The BC Arts Council reserves the right to redistribute, delay or suspend payments if the organization:
- Does not carry out its planned program of activities.
- Undergoes major changes in artistic or administrative direction.
- Does not meet its obligations as a grant recipient, including regular submission of reports to the Council.
Confidentiality of information
The collection, use, and disclosure of personal information are subject to the privacy provisions of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Your personal information will be used to process your application. The names and locations of successful award recipients will be published along with the amount of the award in the annual report of the BC Arts Council. Social insurance numbers are provided to Canada customs and revenue agency through the issuance of T4As.
Recognition of assistance
In recognition of funding, the support of the BC Arts Council and the province of British Columbia should be acknowledged in all promotional materials. Approved acknowledgment, along with logo and graphics standards, are available online in a variety of ready-to-use digital formats. The logo should be used on posters, brochures, print ads and programs and used where possible on media releases and signs related to the funded project. To download digital formats, click here.
As well, if funded organizations or artists have a website, they are encouraged to add a link to the BC Arts Council site.
For information regarding the provincial logo, please contact the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts’ .