The BC Arts Council is accepting grant applications until Dec. 15, 2014, for book publishers seeking block funding or title assistance.

Block funding supports the provincial publishing industry by providing grants to established, eligible B.C. publishers, based on an assessment of eligible books published during the previous calendar year. Genres can include fiction, poetry, drama, graphic novels, non-fiction or publications for children and young adults and titles must contribute to the development of provincial or national arts and culture.

Title assistance awards are available once a year to provide small and emerging publishers with project-based support toward the publishing of up to three titles. Requirements include having at least four eligible titles in print, having published at least two eligible titles per year in the previous 12 months, and being committed to an ongoing program of publishing original titles.

For complete program details, including a full list of eligibility criteria, visit: www.bcartscouncil.ca

The BC Arts Council is the Government of British Columbia's lead agency for arts funding and development. All BC Arts Council grants are awarded through a peer assessment process that relies on the knowledge and expertise of the province's talented arts and culture community.

In 2014-15, government is investing $60 million overall in British Columbia's artists, arts organizations and cultural institutions, including $24 million to the BC Arts Council.

Media Contacts:

Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development
250 888-1462