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Community Presenters Assistance Program

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Objective of Community Presenters Assistance

Community Presenters Assistance (CPA) is a partnership program of the BC Touring Council, the Province of BC and the BC Arts Council for the purpose of supporting performing arts touring throughout British Columbia by professional artists.

This is carried out by providing grants to non–profit organizations in BC that present a professional performing artist series/season (events between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024) in their communities to create a healthy touring network.

Awards are available on a project basis to assist non-profit community organizations that present British Columbian and Canadian professional performing arts touring events as part of a series/season. 


► 2024-2025 Season: Next Intake –  June 28, 2024

Guidelines & Application – check back for updated guidelines and forms

Guidelines (PDF) – check back for updated guidelines
Application (Excel)
Narrative (PDF)
OR Download the Application Package in full (a zipped or compressed file).

Final Report 2023-2024

Now available: Final Report Form for 2023-2024 (excel file)

Resources

FAQ: Artists’ Fees (Aggregate data from 2022-23)
Artist Fees Resources (PDF)
Info Session Recording June 8, 2023 – https://youtu.be/kvjB1OCuZDw

FAQ’s

What’s new this year?

There are a few changes to the 2023-2024 program:

  • Splits of the door on profit over and beyond guaranteed professional fees are eligible. Where there is no guaranteed professional fee, splits of the door are ineligible;
  • 50% for both BC and Canadian Artists up to a maximum of $4,000 per event;
  • We no longer require a board/staff list as an attachment. 

Application form:

  • There are only two pages in Excel (org info and presenting activity) and one PDF (narrative).
  • The Excel form has the formula to calculate eligibility for each artist for you;
  • You are asked to identify whether the artists are from a BC Arts Council designated priority group (they have to self-identify in their promo materials for you to know). If you don’t, list n/a/unsure.
  • Please review the questions in the narrative, as some of the language has changed in those questions. The narrative is an important part of your application’s assessment). We encourage you to answer the questions asked to the best of your ability.

 

What is the activity period for this program?

Proposed activity must occur between July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024.

Where can I find information about professional artists’ fees?

We have assembled information regarding artist fees for your reference. These are to provide a guideline for what to consider for professional fees. See our FAQ Artist Fees for more information.

How are applications assessed?

Applications are evaluated by a peer assessment panel representing the touring arts and presenting communities throughout BC. The committee weighs applications based on the following:
Contribution and Significance (50%)
Because this grant is based on the series of artists you are presenting, this is the most critical section to address in your written narrative. This is where you can address things such as:

  • Describe your approach/considerations when programming your season/series;
  • Describe your efforts to program boundary-pushing new and inspiring work that supports the development of the performing arts in Canada;
  • Please provide examples of how your programming reflects a dedication to equity, diversity, accessibility, truth and reconciliation through practical application.

Engagement and Impact (25%)
Applicants should identify the proposed artists, audiences, and/or communities involved and show how the project will offer stimulating and varied forms of engagement. Engagement may include performance, exhibition or other presentation, artistic development, participation, discourse, outreach and/or education activity. Assessors may consider the following:

  • Strategies to engage with new audiences, communities or networks;
  • The depth of your engagement with Indigenous and culturally specific groups in the context of your community or region;
  • Reciprocity in artistic, cultural and community relationships;
  • Consideration of culturally appropriate protocols, practices and permissions, including consent, support, advice and/or collaboration.

Feasibility (25%)
How does your organization plan and execute its financial and operational goals? Describe the role and work of the board and volunteers in your organization. Assessors may consider the following:

  • Demonstrated capacity to realize the presentation series;
  • The overall suitability of the activity to the applicant’s stated artistic and/or development goals;
  • The alignment of the projected series presented with the stated purpose of the program;
  • The quality of working conditions for artists and cultural workers, including fair remuneration, equitable employment,
    cultural competency, cultural safety, and respectful work environments.
Do I need to submit a budget or financial statement?

The Community Presenters Assistance application does not include a budget. You are asked to submit a financial statement for your last fiscal year that includes:

  • Balance Sheet, Income Statement and Notes with two comparative fiscal years;
  • Artists’ fees should be a separate line item and identifiable in your statements;
  • an itemized list of grants identified by the funder, either in the income statement or attached;
  • a breakdown of operating net assets, distinguishing between unrestricted net assets and capital assets;
  • signature of the auditor/bookkeeper/accountant (if applicable);
  • signatures of two board members of the organization, demonstrating board approval.
Who is eligible to apply?

Awards are available on a project basis to assist non-profit community-based arts organizations that present BC and Canadian professional performing arts touring events as part of a series/season.

Applicants from the municipalities of Vancouver and Victoria or those receiving Professional Operating Assistance from the BC Arts Council are not eligible to apply. See other exclusions in the guidelines.

There are two funding categories: Key Presenters (eligible for up to $15,000) and Community Presenters (eligible for up to $10,000). Both require applicants to present an artistically diverse program of not less than three eligible professional performing arts events on an annual basis,
demonstrated, through previous activity, an ability to realize a program of comparable scale and complexity; and adhere to the principle that artists must be paid for their work at recognized professional rates;

 

Key Presenters must also:

  • manage a performing arts facility with approximately 300 or more seats;
  • engage full-time, professional management;
  • show a high level of leadership in the touring network and is seen as a “hub” for presenting artists in a geographic region.
How much can I apply for?

Key Presenters are eligible for up to $15,000 and Community Presenters are eligible for up to $10,000. The eligible amount is based on the following formula for performing artists’ fees:

50% of fees for professional BC artists, including local artists, to a maximum of $4,000 per event.
50% of fees for professional Canadian artists, including local artists, to a maximum of $4,000 per event.
0% of fees for Non-Canadian artists or non-professional artists (e.g. amateur choirs), highly commercial acts and any/all ‘non-performing artist” presentations (e.g. films, readings, lectures).

While the maximum eligible level of an award is calculated on a formula basis, the full amount is not automatic. The Assessment Panel will apply the evaluation criteria in determining the award level. Applicants should be aware that they may not receive the full amount requested.

Should I include my entire season/series in the application and Final Report?

We encourage you to include your entire season/series in the report. This helps us with our reporting and demonstrating the level of presenting activity in the province.

Do I need to have my artists confirmed before applying?

You will be asked to complete on the application form whether your artist is contracted or tentative: “Confirmed” means a contract or letter of agreement has been signed with the artist for a set fee.

Tentative performances should be listed as well and a request can be made for them however, tentative performances may or may not be approved and/or made conditional upon confirmation. In other words, the more bookings you have confirmed by the application deadline date, the better.

When will we know whether our application was successful?

Applicants will be informed of the committee’s decision by email approximately fourteen weeks after the deadline. Funds will be paid out to successful applicants in mid to late October.

First Time Applying?

If this is your first application, please contact the Program Coordinator before applying.

Submitting your Application

Applications and support materials must be emailed to sheryl @ bctouring.org by the deadline. All applications received will be acknowledged by email.

Questions?

Sheryl McGraw
Program Coordinator
Sheryl @ bctouring.org
T: 250-352-0021

Community Presenters Assistance is a partnership program of the BC Touring Council, the Province of BC and the BC Arts Council.

BCTC / BC Arts Council