Bring Professional Artists into Your School
Artists in the Classroom grants bring professional artists into schools for rich learning experiences ; Artists in the Classroom grants are disbursed by ArtStarts in Schools through a partnership agreement with BC Arts Council and funded by the Province of British Columbia.
Artists, Teachers, Principals and PAC Representatives can apply for Artists in the Classroom (AIC) Grants to bring professional artists into the classrooms. Through AIC, artists and educators collaborate to expand the role of arts in education and activate learning for young people across BC.
AIC Grants support projects in schools across BC that demonstrate artistic impact, strong curricular connections, high levels of student engagement and an active partnership between educators and professional artists.
Increase opportunities for young people to engage in hands-on arts experiences with professional artists to facilitate deeper learning.
Increase opportunities for professional artists to develop their artistic excellence and practice further.
Increase opportunities for educators to integrate arts into their classrooms to inspire creativity and innovation.
Grants of up to $3,500 for small-scale projects and grants of up to $10,000 for large-scale projects are available. AIC grants can fund up to 70% of total project costs and can only cover eligible expenses. The remaining 30% of costs, including ineligible expenses, must be covered by other sources secured by the applicant. FNSA Schools can apply for grants to cover up to 100% of eligible project costs.
Educators: Have an idea for a project but havent found an artist to work with yet? Search ArtStarts' Artists in the Classroom Directory. Please be sure to connect with the artist you want to work with, prior to applying for the grant. All BC-based artists are eligible to be funded through the Artists in the Classroom Grant, they do not have to be on the Directory.
The AIC grant is disbursed to the school for management. Artists and educators are encouraged to apply together. check to see if the school in which the project will take place is eligible for the AIC Grant! Search https://bcschoolcontacts.gov.bc.ca/ or the First Nations School Directory. If your school is on either of those lists, you are eligible for funding!
All professional artists, Indigenous Elders, Knowledge Keepers, teachers, principals and PAC representatives in British Columbia are eligible to apply for this grant. Any BC based professional artists can apply or work on projects - the Artists in the Classroom Directory is a resource to help teachers find potential artists!
Find out if your project is a good candidate by taking the Eligibility Quiz
Read the Grant Guidelines to get all the essential details about the grant. Still have questions? Consult the Frequently Asked Questions below.
Attend a drop in video call session with a grants manager (coming soon!) to ask questions about your application, schedule a phone call, call 604-336-0626 ext 103, or email [email protected] with questions.
Work with your collaborators to complete the application questions in the Word Document for Reference. Be sure to refer to the grant guidelines for the adjudication rubric and guides for filling out the form.
Download the Excel Spreadsheet/Google Sheets version of the budget and complete your budget.
You will be able to save the application and go back to complete it.
Submit your application by the end of the submission period
Make sure you have an email with a copy of your application. If you do not have an email, we have not received your application.
You will receive an email from ArtStarts when your application has been received and when it has been marked eligible
We have put together practical resources for teachers and artists in the classroom to help you deepen your understanding of arts in education and provide tips and tools that can be used when putting together your application and executing the project.
Get Inspired
Read guest blog posts from AIC teachers and artists
Browse our catalogue of projects funded by AIC
Explore current and past exhibitions at the ArtStarts Gallery
Get Help Completing your Application Form
Get practical application advice From Assessors
Watch a video on what makes a successful AIC application
10,704
students took part in AIC projects in the 2023-24 school year
Be inspired by creative projects successfully supported by Artists in the Classroom grants. Browse our list of funded projects—or search by artistic discipline, curriculum, region of BC, school name or school year.
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Located in Downtown Vancouver, the ArtStarts Gallery is the only free, public gallery in Canada exclusively dedicated to young people’s art.
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