Operating Assistance: Performing Arts Organizations

Description

Operating Assistance: Performing Arts Organizations provides funding to assist the general operations of established non-profit arts and culture organizations working in professional dance, music, theatre, comedy, circus, or multidisciplinary performing arts. The program is intended for organizations that sustain an annual artistic program encompassing creation, development, production, and public presentation.

Program Update: Operating Assistance extension

The BC Arts Council is extending the Operating Assistance program at current funding levels for the next two years (2024 and 2025 intakes). This extension is intended to provide stable funding for Operating Assistance recipients for the next two years, allowing organizations to focus capacity and resources where they are needed most at this time.

Key information:

  • Current Operating Assistance recipients will receive consistent funding levels over the next two years, 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 will be required to provide key updates to access funding.
  • The Operating Assistance program will not be open to new applicants in 2024 or 2025.

As part of the Extending Foundations: Action Plan 2022-2024, the BC Arts Council continues to prioritize reducing barriers to funding programs and supporting equitable funding distribution. As this plan concludes, Council is developing a new strategic vision. This vision will be supported by an Action Plan that will guide the BC Arts Council’s approach to programs and funding.

Operating Assistance Overview 2024/25:

More detailed information and instructions on submission requirements for this year will be posted here by the end of July 2024.

Past program guidelines:

Download the September 2022 Operating Assistance: Performing Arts Organizations Program Guidelines (PDF)

Download the September 2022 Operating Assistance: Performing Arts Organizations Application Preview (Word)

This information is only for current Operating Assistance organizations.

More detailed information and instructions on submission requirements for this year will be provided to current clients before mid-July. We will update this section with new information at that time.

How to Apply

The Operating Assistance program supports organizations’ operations over a funding cycle of two years. The BC Arts Council intends to relaunch Operating Assistance in 2026 and accept applications from new applicants at that time.

Current Operating Assistance recipients must provide key updates and submissions through the  Grant Management System.