Role of the Friends of St. Albert Children’s Theatre Society in the funding ecosystem
The Friends of St. Albert Children’s Theatre Society is a community-based non-profit organization dedicated to supporting theatre arts for youth and fostering leadership through performing arts. Closely linked to the St. Albert Children’s Theatre (SACT) program operated by the City of St. Albert, the Society raises and distributes funds to ensure that children and teenagers can participate fully in productions, workshops and related activities, regardless of their financial circumstances or special needs.
The Friends Society manages donations from individual “Angel” donors and other supporters, issues charitable tax receipts for qualifying gifts, and uses these resources to fund children’s productions throughout the year. By underwriting production costs and providing targeted assistance, the organization helps maintain a high-quality youth theatre program that serves hundreds of participants annually in St. Albert and the surrounding area.
Scholarships and financial assistance programs
A core part of the Society’s mandate is to provide direct financial support to young people involved with SACT. It oversees and governs several scholarship streams that recognize artistic commitment and help students advance their education in the performing arts.
- Friends of SACT Scholarship – An annual award for former SACT participants pursuing eligible post-secondary undergraduate programs. The scholarship guidelines specify that up to two awards of $500 may be granted each year, with clear eligibility and selection criteria based on SACT involvement, level of study and institution type.
- Emma Bailey Scholarship – Established in memory of a former SACT performer, this scholarship is administered through the Friends’ Scholarship Committee, with up to two $500 awards available annually. It supports students in drama and performing arts, including participation in SACT summer programs, and is governed by the Friends board under a points-based assessment system.
Both scholarship programs have defined application deadlines, evaluation procedures and governance structures, including a selection committee appointed by the Friends board. Online application forms and downloadable PDFs are hosted on the City of St. Albert website, making the process accessible to current and former SACT participants.
Governance, community leadership and impact
The Friends Society is led by an elected Board of Directors and Executive Committee composed of community members and business leaders who are committed to youth development through theatre. The board holds an Annual General Meeting each September and appoints committees to administer scholarships and oversee fundraising programs such as the Angel Donor initiative.
Through its scholarship program, production funding and accessibility supports, the Friends of St. Albert Children’s Theatre Society plays a key role in sustaining one of Canada’s notable youth theatre programs. Its financial contributions help reduce barriers for children from economically disadvantaged homes and support inclusive access for participants with special needs, while also nurturing the next generation of artists and community leaders in St. Albert.