Into the Act provides financial assistance to BC-based, non-profit performing arts presenters and arts and culture festivals to create opportunities for Canadian-based early-career artists.
Into the Act is a partnership program of BC Live, the Province of BC, and the BC Arts Council.
The 2026-27 intake is now open. The deadline to apply is Friday, May 29, at 5:00 pm PT. Guidelines are reviewed and updated annually. Be sure you are working with the most current version.
New! Applications will now be submitted through an online form. No account or password is required to access the form. See the link below under Guidelines & Application. You may need to refresh your browser to access current information.
Demand for funding significantly exceeds the available resources. Applicants should review the BC Arts Council’s funding priorities. Receiving funding in previous years, even for multiple consecutive years, does not guarantee funding. Successful applicants may not receive the full amount requested. The assessment panel will determine the award level based on the criteria.
Sheryl McGraw
sheryl@bclive.ca
T:250-352-0021
Check out Sheryl
on the BC Live Team page.
All organizations receiving funding must acknowledge support in all promotional materials.
The BC Live Performance Network delivers our funding programs in partnership with the Province of BC and the BC Arts Council. Therefore, we request that all three logos be included in your materials, including print marketing (posters/brochures), websites, and social media.
Applicants must be BC-based non-profit performing arts presenters who present a series/season, OR an arts and cultural festival that engages professional artists and pays fees at industry rates. Exclusions include applicants and activity based in the municipalities of Vancouver and Victoria, and producing companies that present their own works in a series or season are not eligible. Projects that have received funding support from the BC Arts Council or Community Presenter Assistance for the same activity are not eligible. See the Guidelines (PDF) for other exclusions.
Requests may be up to $10,000 per organization. 100% of your funding request must be used to pay early career artists’ fees and/or expenses associated with touring, including travel and accommodation (ONLY). The program does not allow other expenses associated with presenting. Funding is limited.
Your proposed performances must occur between May 30, 2026 and May 30, 2027. There is only one intake per year.
Eligible applicants can apply to engage early-career artists for the following:
To open for mainstage artists as part of a series, season, or arts & cultural festival, OR engage early career artists as part of a showcase, special event, or tour of BC.
Applications are evaluated by a peer assessment panel representing those working in the touring arts and presenting communities throughout BC. The panel scores applications based on the following:
Engagement of Early Career Artists (25% of your score)
A feasible proposal that identifies early-career artists, their presentation and compensation.
Benefit to Early Career Artists (50% of your score)
Applicants should clearly outline the opportunities available to early-career artists, such as collaborating with presenters, engaging with other artists, and gaining practical experience and knowledge related to touring and presenting.
Approach to Programming & Anticipated Outcomes (25% of your score)
Outline your artistic vision for programming early-career artists and what methods and approaches you use to realize that vision. Applicants should include the expected outcomes and how this opportunity would expand or diversify audiences for early-career artists.
Early Career Artists Definition
To be eligible, early-career artists must live, work, and practice in Canada. They must demonstrate competency in the basic techniques of their artistic practice and are in the early stages of launching a professional career. They may have reached a critical moment and will use this opportunity to maximize their potential audience and propel them into their next career phase. Where an artistic company/band is proposed, the majority must be early-career artists.
Applicants should have all artists, including early career and main-stage (if applicable), confirmed before applying. You must submit bios with your application for the early career artists you are proposing.
Into the Act does not require matching funds, nor does the application include a budget to include revenues.
Applications received are acknowledged by email. Applications are reviewed for completeness and accuracy. Applicants may be contacted for additional information or clarification as required. However, the applicant is responsible for submitting a completed application (using the online form) along with the necessary supporting materials.
A peer assessment panel reviews applications, convened specifically for this purpose. Applicants will be informed of the panel’s decision by email 12 weeks after the application deadline. Funds will be paid to successful applicants following notification by email to the primary contact listed on the form.