Applications are now being accepted for several project-assistance funding programs offered by the BC Arts Council, including a new opportunity - the Leon and Thea Koerner Award. 

• Leon and Thea Koerner Award – seeks to improve the well-being of communities, organizations or groups of individuals in B.C. through the authentic collaboration of community social services and professional arts organizations and artists. Up to three awards of at least $25,000 each will be provided to B.C. social service and/or cultural and creative arts organizations that collaborate on projects that will create lasting social benefit to communities in British Columbia. This new award is funded through an endowment by the Leon and Thea Koerner Foundation and is administered by the BC Arts Council.
• Arts-Based Community Development – assists with projects that develop and extend the practice and understanding of arts-based community development through the processes of creating new work, producing events and developing resource materials for arts-based community development practitioners.
• Professional Development – assists professional artists and arts administrators in two ways: to take advantage of opportunities that require travel or to undertake specific learning activities to advance their practice or career. The program assists those who link activities to the next stage of their professional development.
• Touring Initiatives – supports B.C. artists and arts organizations undertaking touring activities outside the province that will lead to enhanced professional opportunities. Funding is provided for projects that are scheduled as part of significant national or international cultural events or that take advantage of significant market development and audience development and touring opportunities.

Application deadline is April 1, 2016. Guidelines and program details, including eligibility, can be found at: 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 2015-16, the Province is investing about $60 million in British Columbia's artists, arts organizations and cultural institutions. This includes $24 million to the BC Arts Council – the highest level of funding in the council's history.