Grants of up to $7,500 and grants of up to $15,000 to British Columbia writers and collaborations for literary projects. Applicants must complete required registrations prior to applying. Funding is intended for a range of genres, including drama, comic arts, fiction, graphic novels, juvenile, non-fiction, poetry, and spoken word. Funding is provided at Level 1 or Level 2 according to the previous publishing accomplishments of the applicant.
Awards are available to support the creation of new work. Applications may be made by individuals or on behalf of a collaboration of two or more artists sharing creative control of a project.
Eligibility Criteria - Level 1: To be eligible for a Level One grant, you must have at least one book (minimum 48 pages) published by a professional literary or trade publisher engaging an editorial selection process, and for which you have a publishing contract and receive royalties, OR an equivalent defined as:
- Fiction and non-fiction: a minimum of 120 pages (estimated 250 words per page) published in professional print or online literary magazines or periodicals, or anthologies published by recognized professional publishing houses, and for which you have received payment.
- Poetry: 40 pages of poetry published in professional print or online literary magazines or periodicals, or anthologies published by recognized professional publishing houses, and for which you have received payment.
- Drama: a minimum of two short works or one full-length work professionally produced, published, or publicly workshopped, and for which you have received payment.
- Spoken word: professional history of recent public performances in dub, sound, or performance poetry, storytelling, ASL poetry, or other performance literature forms for which you have received payment on at least three separate occasions.
- Graphic novels and comic arts: a minimum of 120 pages published in professional literary magazines or periodicals, or anthologies published by recognized professional publishing houses, and for which you have received payment. Eligible projects include works that are visual in nature; unified in narrative, style, theme, or concept; and intended for professional publication as a book, series of comics, or web comic. Most projects will include text and visual elements. Wordless projects intended primarily for publication, with a strong sequential structure or narrative direction are eligible. Works for all ages are eligible. Both or either the writer and artist may apply as long as they meet the eligibility criteria for this program.
Eligibility Criteria - Level 2: For awards at Level Two, the applicant must be recognized as a senior artist in their discipline and professional communities, and must have:
- Fiction, nonfiction, poetry, graphic novel/comic arts: at least three books (minimum 48 pages) published by a professional literary or trade publisher, and for which they have publishing contracts and receive royalties.
- Drama: a minimum of two full-length works professionally produced or published, and for which they have received payment.
- Spoken word: a significant body of professionally recognized work in dub, sound, or performance poetry, storytelling, ASL poetry, or other performance literature forms for which they have received payment.
Designated Priority Groups:
The BC Arts Council has committed to targeted investment in underserved and equity-deserving organizations and the development of equity support initiatives, including a policy to support designated priority groups. Support for designated priority groups includes funding prioritization, dedicated programs, outreach, and reporting. The BC Arts Council's designated priority groups include applicants and arts and cultural practitioners who are:
- Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, or Inuit) Peoples;
- Deaf or experience disability;
- Black or people of colour; or
- Located in areas outside greater Vancouver or the capital region.
Application Assistance:
This program provides funding for support services required to create and submit grant applications, project updates, and final reports for BC Arts Council grants: https://www.bcartscouncil.ca/program/application-assistance/
Access Support:
This program provides additional funding to support access costs associated with a project funded by a BC Arts Council grant: https://www.bcartscouncil.ca/program/access-support/
For information regarding eligible expenses, see: https://www.bcartscouncil.ca/app/uploads/sites/508/2023/08/FY2023-24-IAA-Creative-Writers-FINAL.pdf#page=5
