AFA — Artists and Education Funding

Q: How much funding can be received?

AFA — Artists and Education Funding Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $15000 per project.

Q: What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is 2025-05-01T23:59:00Z.

Q: Is the AFA — Artists and Education Funding a grant, loan, or tax credit?

AFA — Artists and Education Funding is a Grant and Funding

Q: Who are the financial supporters of the AFA — Artists and Education Funding?

AFA — Artists and Education Funding is funded by Alberta Foundation for the Arts (AFA)

Q: Who is eligible for the AFA — Artists and Education Funding program?

To be eligible for the AFA — Artists and Education Funding program, you must: • The applicant must be an Alberta school or school jurisdiction recognized by Alberta Education, operating on a full-time basis for students in kindergarten through Grade 12. • Two or more eligible schools may collaborate on a project if school populations, locations, or conditions warrant.

Q: Who can I contact for more information about the AFA — Artists and Education Funding?

You can contact Alberta Foundation for the Arts (AFA) by email at jodie.vandekerkhove@gov.ab.ca or by phone at 780-415-1318.

Q: Where is the AFA — Artists and Education Funding available?

The AFA — Artists and Education Funding program is available the province of AB.

Last Update: July 22, 2025

Alberta, AB

Subsidizes Alberta artists' fees for school residency projects

At a glance

Eligible Funding

Max. $15,000
Up to 50% of project cost

Timeline

Open Date : September 1, 2024
Closing date : May 1, 2025

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Arts, entertainment and recreation

Funds Providers

Unspecified

Program status

Open

Overview

This grant subsidizes the fees of professional Alberta artists to facilitate interactive arts residency projects for K-12 students in Alberta schools, with a maximum funding amount of $15,000. Eligible activities involve engaging students with Alberta-based artists, encouraging creative expression, and must take place on school property during school hours.

Financing terms and conditions

The AFA — Artists and Education Funding provides financial support to Alberta schools for arts residency projects by subsiding the fees of professional artists. The funding covers specific eligible expenses and varies depending on the school’s location and jurisdiction.

The maximum grant amount will not exceed $15,000.
Schools in certain jurisdictions, including Edmonton and Calgary, can apply for up to 50% of the artist's fee (excluding GST).
Schools in other jurisdictions may apply for up to 75% of the artist's fee (excluding GST).
The artist’s fee can include travel, accommodation, meal expenses, and non-reusable materials necessary for the proposed activity.

Activities funded

The AFA — Artists and Education Funding grant supports residency projects that provide Alberta students from kindergarten through Grade 12 with the opportunity to engage in the arts. These projects are designed to foster creativity and provide direct access to professional artists and their work.

Interactive arts residency projects conducted by Alberta-based professional artists or groups within any artistic discipline.
Projects that allow students to observe and actively participate in the creative process.
Activities aimed at helping students discover and express their creative potential.
Residency projects that take place on school property during school hours.
Programs ranging in duration from five hours to thirty days and must be completed within three months of their start date.

Eligibility

Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific criteria related to the applicant's status as an educational institution and collaboration opportunities.

The applicant must be an Alberta school or school jurisdiction recognized by Alberta Education.
The school must operate on a full-time basis for students from Kindergarten through Grade 12.
Two or more eligible schools may apply to collaborate on a project when school populations, locations, or conditions warrant.

Who is eligible?

To be eligible for this funding, applicants must be:- An Alberta school or school jurisdiction recognized by Alberta Education operating on a full-time basis for students in kindergarten through Grade 12.- Two or more eligible schools may apply to collaborate on a project when school populations, locations, or conditions warrant.

Who is not eligible

This grant does not explicitly exclude specific types of companies or industries beyond eligibility criteria for schools. There are restrictions primarily aimed at the nature of activities funded and types of expenses covered.

Activities by applied arts such as culinary, architecture, graphic arts, commercial photography, and gaming.
Commercial variety acts including face painting, balloon entertainers, fireworks/pyrotechnics, and hypnotism.
Competitive performances and activities at social events.

Eligible expenses

This grant covers expenses specifically related to engaging professional Alberta artists for school residency projects.

Artist's fee (excluding GST).
Travel expenses for the artist.
Accommodation for the artist.
Meal expenses for the artist.
Non-reusable materials required for the proposed activity (e.g. paint, paper, clay, wood, data storage).

Eligible geographic areas

This funding is available to Alberta schools, with varying maximum grant amounts depending on the jurisdiction.

Schools in Edmonton, St. Albert, Sherwood Park, Fort Saskatchewan, Leduc, Spruce Grove, Stony Plain, Calgary, Airdrie, Okotoks, Strathmore, Chestermere, and Cochrane can apply for up to 50% of the artist's fee (excluding GST).
Schools in all other jurisdictions in Alberta can apply for up to 75% of the artist's fee (excluding GST).

Selection criteria

The evaluation and selection of projects for this grant focus on several key criteria to assess merit and impact effectively.

Artistic vision and merit of the project.
Demonstrated school commitment and involvement in the project.
Demonstrated benefits to students.
Exposure to and involvement of students in the creative process.
Demonstrated qualifications of the artist, both as a practicing professional artist and in delivering arts programming to youth.
The appropriateness of the project expense.
Additional priority criteria may include high-needs schools, schools with low enrollment, schools that have not previously received funding for an Artists and Education residency, and the impact of the project on the community.

How to apply

Preliminary Registration

Obtain a GATE Front Office username and password if you are a first-time applicant by completing the GATE Front Office Registration form.
Email the completed form to registrationAFA@gov.ab.ca at least five business days before the deadline.
Receive your username and password via email.

Prepare the Application

Complete the GATE Front Office Applicant Profile section with all required organization and contact information.
Gather all necessary documents, including the detailed project description and artist resume.
Ensure the Artist Fee Confirmation Form is completed and signed by both the school and artist.

Draft Project Description

Develop a detailed project description collaboratively with the school and artist, including project activities, objectives, and expected outcomes.
Include project timelines, number of students involved, and engagement level.

Submit Application via GATE Front Office

Log into the GATE Front Office online application system.
Upload all prepared documents including support materials up to the required format limits.
Fill out the online application form ensuring all sections are complete and accurate.
Submit the application before the deadline ensuring enough time for processing before 11:59 p.m. Mountain Time.

Confirmation of Submission

Ensure you receive a confirmation of submission from GATE Front Office.
Retain any confirmation numbers or communications for your records.

Additional information

Applicants should consider the following additional details for this grant:

Applications must be submitted via the GATE Front Office online system and late submissions due to system delay are considered the applicant's responsibility.
First-time applicants should ensure they request a GATE Front Office username and password at least five business days before the deadline.
Funding decisions are final, with recommendations reviewed and approved by the AFA Board at their June meeting.
Successful recipients will be notified approximately four to six months after the application deadline.
Applicants must comply with all grant conditions, including specifying changes in the project or fund usage, to remain eligible for future grants.
Detailed support material and artist documentation should be prepared in advance of the application to ensure a complete submission.
All applications and materials submitted become the property of the AFA, and may be reviewed for compliance.
Acknowledgement of AFA funding in all project-related publicity is mandatory, with failure to comply resulting in a potential reduction in future funding.

Contacts

jodie.vandekerkhove@gov.ab.ca

780-415-1318

Apply to this program

Frequently Asked Questions about the AFA — Artists and Education Funding Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the AFA — Artists and Education Funding. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.