First Peoples Culture Council: Arts Programs now open

Deadline: March 5, 2026

Funding is available for B.C. First Nations individuals, communities, governments, bands, tribal councils and First Nations-led organizations located in B.C.

Program areas include:

ARTS STRENGTHENING PROGRAM: supports arts revitalization opportunities for B.C. First Nations creatives to pursue either a one-on-one arts mentorship or arts group knowledge transfer. Projects in this program focus on the transfer of essential artistic and cultural knowledge to new generations of B.C First Nations artists to support the strengthening and continuation of significant cultural practices.

There are two priority options when applying:

1. One-on-One Arts Mentorships:

Objective: This option supports B.C. First Nations artist apprentices to pursue a one-on-one mentorship with an established artist mentor in their desired creative expression. The following are just some examples of the variety of eligible arts mentorship projects:

• A mentorship in ancestral tattooing methods
• An experienced mentor transferring knowledge, skills and teachings to a group of apprentices wanting to revitalize the practice of canoe carving and designing in their community
• A mentorship for further artistic development in acrylic painting
• A mentorship in creating regalia

Grant amount: up to $30,000

2. Arts Group Knowledge Transfer

Objective: This option supports B.C. First Nations artists and B.C. First Nations-led arts and culture organizations in their arts revitalization efforts through group workshops with an established mentor. This option supports cultural creative expressions such as weaving, carving, beading, dancing, storytelling, regalia making and drumming. The following are examples of eligible knowledge transfer workshops:

• An experienced wood carving artist teaching 10 beginner wood carvers
• Reclaiming teachings through workshops that transfer braided cultural knowledge, weaving and language
• A mentor and Knowledge Holder sharing skills in drum making with eight participants
• Hosting workshops to create dance regalia

Grant amount: up to $50,000

Eligible Applicants:

The FPCC Arts Strengthening Program supports projects by B.C. First Nations individuals and B.C. First Nations-led organizations as per our legislated mandate. For organization applicants applying to the Arts Group Knowledge Transfer option, FPCC requires at least 75% of an organization’s board members/ directors to include individuals from recognized B.C. First Nations as they are the rightful stewards of their cultural knowledge and arts practices and are best equipped to lead the important work of protecting, sharing and revitalizing B.C. First Nations arts practices on their lands.

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ARTS INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM: supports B.C. First Nations–led non-profit arts and culture organizations and societies with art space construction, renovations, artistic production projects, administrative capacity building and operational assistance.

Applicants can select one priority area out of the two funding options:

• Organizations.
• Community Arts Spaces

1. Organizations: This priority area supports B.C. First Nations communities and organizations with artistic production and a combination of either administrative capacity building, operational assistance or an arts administrator internship.

Grant amount: up to $50,000

Applicants can choose one of the following options:

• Apply for combined artistic production and an arts administrator internship
• Apply for combined artistic production and administrative capacity building
• Apply for combined artistic production and operational assistance

2. Community Art Spaces: This priority area supports B.C. First Nations communities and organizations with the development and enhancement of community arts and culture spaces. This can include renovations to an existing structure or new construction that supports community accessibility to arts spaces. All spaces must be community focused and available for community use.

Grant amount: up to $75,000

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INDIVIDUAL ARTISTS PROGRAM: supports the artistic development of B.C. First Nations who have demonstrated a commitment to their creative expression. This program supports artists to further develop their creative practice, present their work and/or explore new approaches or techniques. This program also supports artistic production or education scholarships.

*Note: if you are applying for a full-time one-on-one mentorship, please apply to the Arts Strengthening Program.

**Note: if you are applying for primarily music-based activities, please apply to the Music Program.

The Individual Artists Program offers funding for two types of activities:

1. Individual Artists up to $20,000.
2. Scholarships up to $15,000.

Individual Artists: The Individual Artists Program supports artists in:

• Increasing their skills and knowledge.
• Pursuing new approaches or techniques in their practice.
• Gaining the recognition of their peers and community.
• Developing a presentation of their artistic journey/history for the public (including but not limited to knowledge sharing events and community gatherings, gallery showings, digital platforms, performance, film).
• Spending more time with their creative expression

Grant Maximum: $20,000.

The following examples illustrate some of the potential applications of this funding:

• Furthering or developing skills within your creative practice(s) through a specific project.
• Dedicating time to testing an innovative approach to your work.
• Expanding your repertoire and portfolio of works .
• Supporting your community with your project.
• Preparing for an event, gathering or opportunity where your work will be utilized or displayed.

Scholarship: The funding for post-secondary arts education will support applicants enrolled in an arts program at a post-secondary institution. Applicants must indicate the institution, program, and number of semesters they have enrolled in.

Grant Maximum: $15,000

The following examples illustrate some of the potential applications of this funding:

• Pursuit of post-secondary education in the arts through a semester-based program.
• Pursuit of post-secondary education in the arts through an intensive program.
• Pursuit of professional development training in your creative practice.

Eligible Applicants:

• BC. First Nations individuals with a creative practice of any medium or expression, for example; carvers, storytellers, visual artists, choreographers, dancers, dance groups, performance artists, regalia creatives, weavers, writers, multi-media artists and sculptors.
• Must be 19 years of age or older.
• A resident of British Columbia for at least one year. If there is a question about whether applicant lives in B.C., they may be asked to provide documentation. Proof of residency can include a valid B.C. services card, a valid B.C. driver’s license or evidence of income taxes paid in the previous year as a B.C. resident.
• Project will have a start date on or after the application deadline.
• Have previous experience or a creative mandate that demonstrates a commitment to their creative practice.
• Demonstrate the support of recognized artists, creatives, cultural, or community leaders within B.C. First Nations communities they are connected to, and the project affects.
• Submit only one application as an applicant per deadline to the Arts Program.

The FPCC Individual Artists Program supports projects by B.C. First Nations individuals as per our legislated mandate.

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MUSIC PROGRAM: The Music Program supports the development of B.C. First Nations music creatives and professionals residing in B.C. through grants and training programs.

The FPCC Music Program funds activities that can lead to professional development opportunities, knowledge transfer and community well-being

This program offers three areas of funding for artists, recording engineers and music industry professionals. Explore the areas below to find the right grant for you.

Creation & Sharing: up to $20,000

Supports individual B.C. First Nations artists in music creation, performance, recording, touring and promotion.

Recording Engineers – Mentorship: up to $30,000

Supporting B.C. First Nations emerging recording engineers who are operating an independent recording studio, OR emerging recording engineers who have graduated from a recognized professional recording school, OR a minimum of one year experience in a recording studio.

Industry Professionals – Mentorship, Internship, Training: up to $20,000

Supporting emerging B.C. First Nations music industry professionals in the roles of administrator, agent, promoter, manager, event organizer or presenter. Short-term mentorship, internship, training and project support opportunities that will provide participants with experience, skills and knowledge.

Eligible Applicants:

The FPCC Music Program supports projects by B.C. First Nations individuals as per our legislated mandate.

FPCC is a First Nations-led organization with unique expertise in B.C. First Nations languages, arts and heritage. There is an urgent need to support the revitalization of First Nations arts practices in B.C. With the growing number of requests for funding, the FPCC Arts Program is focused on providing support for the artforms that come from this land.

Our work is founded in the fundamental belief that First Nations are the rightful stewards of their cultural knowledge and arts practices, and are best equipped to lead this important work of protecting, sharing and revitalizing B.C. First Nations Arts practices on these lands.

Eligible applicants include:

• B.C. First Nations individuals with previous experience or a mandate that demonstrates a commitment to your creative practice or profession in the arts
• 19 years of age or older
• Have been a resident of B.C. for at least one year. If there is a question about whether you live in B.C., you may be asked to provide documentation. Proof of residency can include a valid B.C. services card, a valid B.C. driver’s licence or evidence of income taxes paid in the previous year as a B.C. resident.
• Demonstrate support of the project by recognized artists and creatives or cultural or community leaders within B.C. First Nations communities you are connected to
• Submit only one application as an applicant to the Arts Program per deadline.

We are supportive of artists being successful no matter where they are from. If you are not eligible for funding from FPCC, there are other funding options available. Here is a link to infor-mation on other arts funding sources and organizations: https://fpcc.ca/resource/arts-funding-sources/