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Deadline: May 15, 2026
Program Summary:
The Bill Millerd Artist Fund was named for and established by the Arts Club’s Artistic Director Emeritus. In the early 1960s, the Koerner Foundation awarded Bill a grant to assist him in attending the National Theatre School. After 46 years as Artistic Managing Director at the Arts Club, Bill wanted to gift similar life-changing opportunities to other theatre artists. He seeded a fund with a significant donation that was then built up to an endowment by over a thousand generous donors and a contribution from the Department of Canadian Heritage.
The result is the Bill Millerd Artist Fund. Its purpose is to assist B.C. theatre artists and arts workers with expenses related to unique opportunities that will advance their professional development, such as workshops/classes, mentorships or apprenticeships, residencies with theatre companies, or tuition costs to pursue professional training.
This year the Arts Club has $40,000 to award B.C. theatre artists who are interested in pursuing professional development activities.
WHAT TYPE OF FUNDING IS AVAILABLE?
The Fund is intended to assist B.C. theatre artists and arts workers with expenses related to unique opportunities that advance individual artistic development. Proposals must clearly demonstrate how the opportunity is timely, unique to the applicant’s development, and has true potential to impact their artistic career. Acceptable opportunities include:
- Professional development workshops or classes
- Mentorships or apprenticeships
- Residencies with a theatre company
- Travel to attend conferences, workshops, etc.
- Tuition costs to pursue professional training
We respect, champion, and uplift underrepresented voices in all jobs. Our stages and stories aim to reflect the beauty, diversity, and nuance of our city. We strongly encourage submissions from those who self-identify as belonging to underrepresented communities. We want to work with artists and administrators from every walk of life and are excited to meet new people.
Grant Amount:
Up to $3,500
Eligible Applicants:
An applicant must be 1) a resident of B.C. and 2) a working professional theatre artist / arts worker or enrolled in post-secondary training with the goal of a professional theatre career. Both emerging and established artists are eligible to apply.