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AFA — Artists and Education Funding

Supports Alberta school arts residencies

Offered by
Alberta Foundation for the Arts (AFA)
Official source: affta.ab.ca

Source change captured

Funding available
$ 15,000
Up to 50% of project cost
Deadline
May 4, 2027
Location
Alberta, Canada
Who can apply
An Alberta school.
See full eligibility

Overview

Artists and Education Funding supports Alberta schools and school jurisdictions with up to $15,000 to subsidize professional Alberta artists for interactive arts residency projects for K-12 students. Eligible residencies must involve an Alberta-based artist or artist group with school residency experience, student participation, and school-based delivery during school hours.

At a glance

Funding available

Maximum funding
$15,000
Maximum share of project costs
50%
Financing goals
  • Develop a new program or service
  • Increase social or community impact

Eligible candidates

Location
  • Alberta
Eligible Industries
All industries
Annual revenue
All revenue ranges
Organisation size
All organization sizes
Audience
All groups
Legal structures
Public or Parapublic institution

Start applying for this program

Take a practical assessment to gain a clear understanding of how well this program aligns with your specific needs and long-term goals.

Availability timeline

2026
Periods: 1

Latest changes

Expert panel comments updated for 2026 deadline

The expert panel comments page now refers to the May 1, 2026 deadline and revises the assessment priorities for school residency projects.

See more

The Artists and Education Project Funding Expert Panel comments page now references the May 1, 2026 deadline instead of May 1, 2025. The assessment guidance was also revised to emphasize rural access, student skill development, cultural representation, school commitment, and clearer expectations for artist bios, project specificity, realistic outcomes, student engagement, and fee alignment. The updated comments may affect how applicants prepare supporting materials and frame residency proposals for schools.

Official source: affta.ab.ca
September 20, 2026

Eligibility

Who is eligible?

  • An Alberta school.
  • An Alberta school jurisdiction.
  • Two or more eligible schools applying collaboratively when school populations, locations or conditions warrant.

Who is not eligible

  • Grant recipients who do not provide a report are ineligible for further funding from the AFA for a period of three years from the time the delinquency is resolved.

Eligible expenses

  • The artist's fee
  • Travel, accommodation and meal expenses included in the artist's fee
  • Non-reusable materials required for the proposed activity, such as paint, paper, clay, wood and data storage

Ineligible Costs and Activities

  • Activity undertaken before an application is submitted to this project grant stream.
  • Activities by applied arts, including culinary, architecture, graphic arts, commercial photography and gaming.
  • Commercial variety acts, including face painting, balloon entertainers, fireworks/pyrotechnics and hypnotism.
  • Competitive performances.
  • Activities at social events.

Eligible geographic areas

  • Alberta

Activities funded

  • Interactive arts residency projects for grades K-12.
  • Residencies delivered by an Alberta-based individual artist or a group of artists working together in any artistic discipline with school residency experience.
  • Projects that provide students access to Alberta's professional artists and their work.
  • Projects that give students an opportunity to observe and actively participate in the creative process.
  • Residencies that take place on school property during school hours, last five hours to thirty days, and are completed within three months of commencement.

How to apply

  • First-time applicants must request a GATE Front Office username and password at least five business days prior to the application deadline.
  • Complete the GATE Front Office Registration form and email it as an attachment to registrationAFA@gov.ab.ca.
  • Complete the GATE Front Office Applicant Profile section with all required information.
  • Upload the required PDF attachments.
  • If support material is too large to upload, mail a hard copy CD or USB to 10708 – 105 Ave, Edmonton, AB, T5H 0A1, and include your first name, last name and project number.
  • Submit the online application through GATE Front Office no later than 11:59 p.m. Mountain Time on the deadline date.

Documents Needed

  • GATE Front Office Registration form
  • Artist fee confirmation form attachment
  • Resume of the artist or company
  • Detailed project description developed collaboratively by the school and the artist

Selection criteria

  • Artistic vision and merit of the project
  • Demonstrated school commitment and involvement
  • Benefits to students and their exposure to the creative process
  • Qualifications of the artist in professional practice and youth arts programming
  • Priority may be given to high-needs schools, low-enrollment schools, first-time recipients, and projects with community impact

Processing and Agreement

  • Eligible applications are reviewed by an expert panel and assessed against the program criteria and other applications received at the deadline.
  • Expert panel recommendations are reviewed by the AFA board at its June meeting.
  • Successful applicants are notified after board approval, generally four to six months after the application deadline.
  • Board decisions are final, and funding is not guaranteed.
  • If approved, recipients must complete the project as proposed, request any changes in writing in advance, and submit a final report.

Additional information

  • Schools can find a resource listing of some of Alberta's professional artists at the Arts Touring Alliance of Alberta's Young Artist directory.
  • Schools are not required to choose an artist from this list.

Contacts

jodie.vandekerkhove@gov.ab.ca
780-415-1318

Official sources

Artists and Education Funding

Program guide

Artist & Education On-Line Grant ReportingArtist & Education On-Line Grant ReportingArtists and Education Funding

Application form

Artist Residency Fee Confirmation FormArtist Residency Fee Confirmation Form

Supporting document

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

What is the AFA — Artists and Education Funding?

Artists and Education Funding supports Alberta schools and school jurisdictions with up to $15,000 to subsidize professional Alberta artists for interactive arts residency projects for K-12 students. Eligible residencies must involve an Alberta-based artist or artist group with school residency experience, student participation, and school-based delivery during school hours.

How much funding can be received?

AFA — Artists and Education Funding Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $15,000 per project.

What is the deadline to apply?

The application deadline for this grant program is May 4, 2027.

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

To be eligible for the AFA — Artists and Education Funding program, you must: Alberta school or school jurisdiction recognized by Alberta Education Full-time K-12 operation Two or more eligible schools may apply together when school populations, locations or conditions warrant

What expenses are eligible under AFA — Artists and Education Funding?

The artist's fee Travel, accommodation and meal expenses included in the artist's fee Non-reusable materials required for the proposed activity, such as paint, paper, clay, wood and data storage

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.

Where is the AFA — Artists and Education Funding available?

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