Operating Assistance: Professional Arts Training Organizations

Description

Operating Assistance: Professional Arts Training Organizations provides funding to assist the general operations of established professional, non-profit arts training organizations in B.C. that provide comprehensive programs of specialized training for professional artists and cultural workers, or for those who are committed to pursuing professional careers in the arts.

Program Update: Operating Assistance extension

Updated August 2025

The Operating Assistance program is not open to new applicants in 2025/26.

For existing operating client’s information is detailed below. Updates for all existing operating clients are due October 1, 2025. Interim Applications, required only for clients on Concerned Status, are due October 1, 2025.

The BC Arts Council extended the Operating Assistance program for 2024 and 2025. The extension of the program covers the 2024/25 and 2025/26 government fiscal years. The intention of this extension is to provide stability for Operating Assistance recipients, allowing organizations to focus capacity and resources where they are needed most.

Key information:

  • Operating Assistance grants for 2025/26 will remain stable for current recipients for the next year based on current grant amounts.
  • There is no opportunity to request an increase to Operating Assistance funding during the extension period.
  • Current Operating Assistance recipients must provide key updates to access funding.
  • Details about 2025/26 processes and requirements are in the Operating Assistance Overview 2025/26 document below.

Operating Assistance Overview 2025/26:
The Operating Assistance Overview 2025/26 provides detailed information and instructions for current recipients in the program on the processes and requirements for 2025/26.

August 2025 Operating Assistance Overview 2025/26 (PDF)

Past program guidelines:
NOTE: Past program guidelines are for reference only. Please refer to the Operating Assistance Overview 2025/26 document for the most up-to-date information for 2025/26 processes and requirements.

September 2022 Operating Assistance: Professional Arts Training Organizations Guidelines (PDF)

This information is only for current Operating Assistance organizations.

How to Apply

The Operating Assistance program supports organizations’ operations over multiple years. The next opportunity to apply for Operating Assistance is anticipated for fall 2026.

Current Operating Assistance recipients must provide key updates and all submissions detailed in the Overview document above through the Grant Management System.