The FPCC Arts Program supports B.C. First Nations artists working in both traditional and contemporary arts by delivering grants, workshops and programs to positively impact creative sovereignty in their respective activities, knowledge transfer, training and professional development.
Arts in B.C. have a long and nuanced history, stretching back to a time well before colonization. Music, dance, carving, weaving, regalia, body art – these are just some of the artistic expressions that reflect our cultures and identities. Our art is a conduit for physical, mental, socio-cultural and economic well-being.
We use art to record history and mark events, map the land, pass on values and identify political and family structures that shape our communities. Art is at the centre of our ceremonies and cultural practices. Art is an educational tool, a public record, a political document and a spiritual resource – and it is a critical component of our cultural systems.
The Arts Program supports the creation, development, production, marketing and promotion across all forms of creative expressions. This includes but is not limited to ceremonial, oral, visual, performance, music, literary, media, sculpture, carving and weaving.
Arts Program Changes
You may notice some changes to the Arts Program! To better serve the needs of applicants we have streamlined the grants into four main areas. We are still supporting all the areas we supported before just with fewer application and reporting forms. The four new areas are:
- Individual Artists Program – scholarships, projects and creative development
- Arts Strengthening Program- one-on-one arts mentorships and arts group knowledge transfer
- Arts Infrastructure Program- art space construction, renovation or capacity building for First Nations arts and culture organizations & communities
- Music Program – creation & sharing, recording engineer and industry professionals
All Arts Program funding opportunities are now accepting applications until September 15, 2023.
Click below to learn more about each area!
Individual Artists Program – CLOSED
The Individual Artists Program supports the artistic development of B.C. First Nations, First Nations, Métis and Inuit creators residing in B.C. with a creative practice of any medium or expression and who have demonstrated a commitment to their artistic practice. This program offers funding for two areas:
- Individual Artists (up to $20,000): Funding supports artists to expand their portfolio, explore new approaches and techniques, connect with community and further develop their creative practices.
- Scholarships (up to$15,000): The scholarship funding will support applicants enrolled in an arts program at a post-secondary institution.
Arts Strengthening Program – CLOSED
The Arts Strengthening Program supports arts revitalization opportunities for one-on-one arts mentorships or arts group knowledge transfer.
- One-on-one Arts Mentorships (Up to $30,000): This option supports artist apprentices to pursue a one-on-one mentorship with an established artist mentor in their desired creative expression
- Arts Group Knowledge Transfer (Up to $50,000): This option supports artists and B.C. First Nations arts and culture organizations in their arts revitalization efforts through group workshops with an established mentor. This option supports cultural creative expressions, for example, weaving, carving, beading, dancing, storytelling, regalia, drumming and more.
Arts Infrastructure Program – CLOSED
The Arts Infrastructure Program supports B.C. First Nations community organizations and First Nations-led non-profit arts and culture organizations and societies with art spaces, construction or renovations, artistic production projects, administrative capacity building and operational assistance.
- Organizations (Up to $50,000): This area supports B.C. First Nations communities and organizations with artistic production, administrative capacity building and operational assistance.
- Community Arts Spaces (Up to $75,000): ) – This area supports B.C. First Nations communities and organizations with the development and enhancement of community arts and culture spaces.
- Arts Administrator Internships (Up to $40,000): This area supports the transfer of knowledge to develop skills and increase capacity for arts administrators in a museum or art setting.
Music Program – CLOSED
The Music Program supports the development of B.C. First Nations, First Nations, Inuit and Metis music creatives, and professionals residing in B.C. through grants and training programs.
The Music Program supports activities that can lead to professional development opportunities, cultural knowledge transfer and community well-being. This program offers three areas of funding:
- Creation & Sharing (Up to $20,000): Supporting individual artists in music creation, performance, recording, touring and promotion.
- Recording Engineers – Mentorship (Up to $30,000): Supporting emerging recording engineers who are operating an independent recording studio OR emerging recording engineers who have graduated from a recognized professional recording school or have a minimum of one year of experience in a recording studio.
- Industry Professionals – Internship or Mentorship (Up to $20,000): Supporting emerging music industry professionals in the roles of administrator, agent, promoter, manager, event organizer or presenter. Short-term Mentorship or Internship opportunities that will position applicants to gain experience, skills and knowledge.
Program Coordinator Contact
Individual Artists Program
Leah Anthony, individualarts@fpcc.ca
Arts Strengthening Program
Nikki Rohani, asp@fpcc.ca
Arts Infrastructure Program
Nikki Rohani, aip@fpcc.ca
Music Program
Koralee Tonack, music@fpcc.ca
