Resources

Artists' Legal Outreach (ALO) is comprised of a group of volunteer lawyers and law students committed to working with artists and arts organizations, offering resources, workshops and clinics where artists across BC can meet confidentially with an experienced lawyer who specializes in copyright, intellectual property, and entertainment law. Every artistic discipline is welcome, all for the price of a donation. 

The Pacific Legal Education & Outreach Society strives to empower artists and non-profits in Canada to access justice efficiently, effectively and equitably. PLEO works to shift the paradigm in how non-profits and artists experience the law, and to identify and fill gaps in legal services and supports for racialized, indigenous, and historically marginalized communities across Canada. 

The National Network of Legal Clinics for the Arts is the go-to resource connecting legal clinics, regional hubs, arts service organizations, and those in the legal sector with an interest in justice for artists.

Community Legal Assistance Society (CLAS) has partnered with Ending Violence Association of BC to address workplace sexual harassment through the SHARP Workplaces Program. Through the program, free confidential legal advice from a lawyer is available to anyone who has experienced, or is experiencing, sexual harassment in their workplace in BC. 

Theatre Interpreting Services pioneers inclusive artistic practices by implementing different forms of inclusion by collaborating with Theatre Interpreters, Deaf Interpreters, Deaf artists and ASL consultants in Vancouver, British Columbia.

IATSE Local 118 is the labour union supplying technicians, stagehands, stage crew, artisans and craftspeople to the Greater Vancouver performing arts and entertainment industry, including live theatre and music.

UBCP/ACTRA - Vancouver (Union of British Columbia Performers) is an autonomous branch of ACTRA (Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists), the national organization of professional performers working in the English-language recorded media in Canada. 

Actsafe Safety Association works to make BC safe for the production of motion pictures, television, live events and performing arts by providing trusted and reliable occupational health and safety education, training and resources to employers, supervisors and workers.

The AFC (Actors' Fund of Canada) helps Canadian entertainment professionals maintain their health, dignity and ability to work through compassionate support.

Arts BC connects local artists, creative entrepreneurs, and organizations with the tools and support they need to excel at arts and cultural leadership. 

Associated Designers of Canada is a national, professional non-profit arts service organization dedicated to representing the interests of set, costume, lighting, projection and sound designers working in the live performing arts in Canada. 

BC Alliance for Arts + Culture works to advocate for, inform, connect and serve BC's arts and cultural sector. Members include organizations, professional associations, not-for-profit groups, artists, and cultural workers throughout British Columbia.

BC Touring Council serves presenters and touring professional artists in BC by expanding touring opportunities, promoting audience development and advocating for artists and presenters.

Canadian Actors' Equity Association represents 6000 active professional artists, including performers (actors, singers, dancers), directors, choreographers, fight directors and stage managers, engaged in theatre, opera and dance in English Canada. Equity negotiates and administers scale agreements and policies on behalf of its membership.

The Canadian Association for the Performing Arts/l’Association canadienne des organismes artistiques (CAPACOA) is a national arts service organization for the performing arts touring and presenting community. Represents more than 150 professional for-profit and not-for-profit presenters, festivals, presenter networks, artistic companies, agents, managers and other stakeholders in Canada.

CHRC (Cultural Human Resources Council) brings together cultural workers and employers to address training, career development and other human resource issues.

CITT/ICTS actively promotes the professional development of its members and works for the betterment of the Canadian live performance community. Membership includes technicians, craftspeople, managers, designers, educators and students, theatre consultants and architects, suppliers and manufacturers.

Indigenous Performing Arts Alliance (IPAA) is a member-driven organization of professional Indigenous performing artists and arts organizations which serves as a collective voice for Indigenous performing arts in Canada. IPAA provides leadership, support, representation, advocacy, and practical assistance for the national development of Indigenous performing arts.

PACT (Professional Association of Canadian Theatres) is a national member-driven organization of professional Canadian theatres which serves as the collective voice of its members by promoting professionalism in the field of theatre, nurturing Canadian theatre’s artistic talent, bolstering the business and management acumen of theatre companies, and inspiring new and renewed passion for theatre in Canada.

PGC (Playwrights Guild of Canada) is a national arts service organization offering programs that promote and protect playwrights.

TheatreBC promotes and encourages the development of community theatre in British Columbia. 

Seeking funding opportunities? 

• City of Vancouver - Cultural Services Arts & Culture Grants
• BC Arts Council
  
• BC Community Gaming Grants
• Canada Council for the Arts
• Department of Canadian Heritage
• Vancouver Foundation

• Jessie Richardson Theatre Awards (The Jessies) are Vancouver’s professional theatre awards, celebrating excellence in professional theatre and educating the public about Vancouver’s theatre scene.
• The Siminovitch Prize recognizes excellence and innovation in Canadian Theatre with an annual prize worth $100,000.
• The John Moffat & Larry Lillo Award is an annual Award, intended to assist mature West Coast theatre artists to further their artistic development, and takes the form of a $2000 dollar cash award. Applications will be considered for projects, courses or to fulfill your heart’s desire.
• The Colin Campbell Award for Excellence in Technical Theatre is awarded annually to an individual at any stage of their career who has displayed excellence and commitment to the field of professional technical theatre in Greater Vancouver through their body of work.
• 50/50 Applause Awards For Theatre Gender Parity are sponsored by the International Centre for Women Playwrights (ICWP).
• John Hobday Awards in Arts Management offers up to two distinct awards of $10,000 annually to established or mid-career arts managers for professional development or mentorship opportunities.
• The Trevor Craven Memorial Scholarship for Young Actors, offered by Mitch & Murray Productions, consists of acting training and mentoring at the company's Working Actors Gym. 
  
• The Fringe New Play Prize, awarded annually, offers eight months dramaturgy, some free creation and rehearsal space, a free spot in a how-to-produce-theatre seminar series, and a free space on the Fringe Mainstage.