Advanced Education and Travel Policy

The BVCAC will accept applications for Advanced Education and Travel Grants at any time throughout the year. Fixed amounts are available of $500, $750, or $1,000.

There are no deadlines for these grants, but requests have to be received before the departure date of artist or professional.

Applicants can be schools, individuals or small partnerships or ensembles who have made an outstanding contribution to the performing arts, the visual arts (including architecture and photography), literary, media arts or fine crafts in the Bulkley Valley. Candidates must have volunteer or professionally maintained bodies of work, a curriculum vitae or life experience in one or more of the following activities or roles:

1. Has specialized training in their field (not necessarily in academic institutions).

2. Is recognized as a professional by her or his peers (artists working in the same artistic tradition).

3. Is a director, producer, and curator of an event, program or activity.

4. Is an educator.

5. Has maintained their practice over a significant period of time.

6. Is committed to devoting more time to their artistic career if financially feasible

There are 2 categories of Advanced Education Grants and each category lists eligibility requirements.

1. Professional Development

Project Grants support professional artists who contribute to the arts and require grant money for research & creation, production, and career development. All funding requests must demonstrate the project’s capacity to advance the artistic practice of the artist and benefit to the larger Bulkley Valley community. The applicant must also demonstrate that the project occurs in a key period with regard to its impact on the progression of his or her career.

Eligible Projects:

1. Research & Creation: This type of grant allows for a period of independent research. Whether the artist in retreat or school, artists can apply for a fixed amount.

2. Production: This grant supports production costs of one or more works where there is at least one confirmed public presentation of the work(s). This could include the purchase of specific equipment or tools.

3. Career Development: This grant supports the development of an artist’s career through development activities and/or the growth of a professional network with partners such as critics, curators or art dealers. This can be done in conjunction with the development of tools such as websites, portfolios and small monographs.

2. Travel Grants

Travel grants cover the travel costs of incoming professional artists to the Bulkley Valley. The incoming professional can serve as mentor, instructor or resident artist. Also covered are travel costs outside the home region for events or activities important to the development of artistic practice or career and benefit to the larger Bulkley Valley community. For most instances below the travel should be in response to an invitation from a professional organization. The host organization should also offer support in the form of a confirmed trade, grant or honorarium, or contribution towards accommodations.

Eligible Projects:

1. Invited to perform or exhibit:  Travel to attend a professional presentation of your artworks. Your work will be recognized by a professional organization, curator, gallery director or presenter. A fee or other grant money received for a guest appearance for example, would demonstrate professional recognition.

2. Travel to artists’ residency: Travel to participate in a professional artists’ residency. Participants must be chosen through a selection process. 

3. Travel for presentation: Travel to attend a public presentation of your work at a professional venue or to present at a conference or symposium.

4. Travel for research: Travel to undertake professional activities, such as studio visits or site visits related to a specific research project.

5. Invited to present a paper or to teach: Invited to present a paper or lead an activity at a conference, festival or symposium.

6. Invited to take part in a collective creation: An invitation to participate in a collective creation where credit for authorship or creation will be shared equally among the participants. The event must be one-time and exceptional, and cannot be part of a company’s regular season.

7. Invited to audition: The company must confirm, in writing, that it has the ability to offer the artist either internship or paid work.

8. Conducting a tour: An artistic director wishes to conduct a tour of at least three cities, in Canada or internationally.

9. Studying with a scholarship or bursary: Artist has received a confirmed scholarship or bursary to participate in an advanced professional workshop. Scholarships can be offered by a third party, including the BVCAC and do not need to come from the host organization.

10. Invited to set a choreography: A choreographer is invited to set a new or existing choreography, or to attend the premiere of that work.

Applications

1. A cover letter stating

   1. why the application

   2. whether you apply for a professional development or travel grant and the amount

   3. address which of the above eligible projects above you qualify for

2. A copy of a sample of the body of work of the applicant.

3. A letter or bio demonstrating the work or professional achievement of the event or incoming professional.

4. Copies of invitations to attend or documents showing the support of the outside professional organization.

5. A simple income and expense statement or budget indicating other financial sponsorship, program costs, travel costs, etc.

Eligibility

1. Members of the Board are not eligible to be considered for this prize during their term as members and for six months following the end of their term.

2. Applicants should limit applications to 2 yearly.

3. The BVCAC will not fund applications retroactively.

4. Funds are to be applied only to the project specified in the application.

5. The BVCAC has the right to monitor the progress of the project to which funds were awarded.

6. The BVCAC may under exceptional circumstances grant an award for an arts education activity that would not otherwise qualify.