Services
Expertises
Resources
Who we are
Contact us
OpenCloses in 18 days

AFA — Arts Presenting Project Funding

Supports public presentation of professional artists

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

Record updated

Funding available
Up to 65% of project cost
Deadline
December 1, 2026
Location
Alberta, Canada
Who can apply
Registered not-for-profit organizations, churches, and library boards
See full eligibility

Overview

Formula-based support reimburses up to 65% of eligible professional artist fees for Alberta artists, and up to 50% for artists from the rest of Canada or international artists, for public arts presentation events. It supports public performances, exhibitions, readings, screenings, and original live-streamed presentations featuring professional touring artists.

At a glance

Funding available

Maximum share of project costs
65%
Financing goals
  • Increase social or community impact
  • Improve governance or administrative structure
  • Raise awareness or mobilize a population

Eligible candidates

Location
  • Alberta
Eligible Industries
All industries
Annual revenue
All revenue ranges
Organisation size
All organization sizes
Audience
  • Indigenous Peoples
  • Rural or Northern Residents
  • Canadians
Legal structures
Non-profit
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
Culture and Arts
Target groups
General public, Artists / creatives
Scope
Provincial

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: 2

Latest changes

AFA Arts Presentation Grant Updated

The AFA Arts Presentation grant now shows updated contact details, a new deadline, and revised eligibility and application requirements.

See more

The AFA Arts Presentation grant has been updated with a new contact email and phone number, a new closing date of December 1, 2026, and the program now appears open. The eligibility, scope, eligible activities, and required application materials were also revised, including stricter applicant rules and added ineligible activities. The page now highlights a different submission process, decision timing, and application-document checklist, while keeping the Alberta focus and the core funding rate at up to 65%.

Official source: affta.ab.ca
April 10, 2026

Eligibility

Who is eligible?

  • Registered not-for-profit organizations, churches, and library boards
  • Indian Bands as defined by the Indian Act R.S.C. 1985, C.I-5
  • Métis Settlements recognized under the Métis Settlements Act R.S.A. 2000, C.M14
  • Organizations registered under the Agriculture Societies Act
  • Organizations recognized under the Post-Secondary Institutions Act (by Faculty or Department)

Who is not eligible

  • Municipalities
  • Commercial enterprises and other for-profit entities
  • Schools
  • Groups that are not at arm’s length from municipalities, commercial enterprises, or schools
  • Organizations eligible for operating funding under another AFA grant stream, and organizations primarily engaged in competition-based activity

Eligible expenses

  • Professional artist fees paid directly by the applicant, excluding GST, including presentation, performance, public reading, exhibition artist or curator, and screening fees
  • Film festival lecture and panel discussion fees paid to the creator, director, producer, or representative of film and video works
  • Transportation and accommodation for the eligible presentation activities

Ineligible Costs and Activities

  • Activities already funded through other Government of Alberta programs and curriculum-based activities
  • Pre-recorded events for online distribution and repeat presentations of previous live-streamed events
  • Conference- or workshop-related activities and competitive performances
  • Entertainment or arts activities presented as part of primarily social events, such as fundraisers, rodeos, trade fairs, parades, conventions, community dances, and student union cabarets
  • Fees for staff, board members, resident acts, house bands, applied arts practitioners, and commercial variety acts

Eligible geographic areas

  • Alberta

Activities funded

  • Public events presenting professional touring artists in performing arts, visual and new media arts, film and video arts, or literary arts
  • Arts presentations, performances, readings, screenings, or exhibitions where the arts activity is the main purpose of the event
  • Publicly accessible events offered through season tickets, casual sales, or free admission
  • Original live-streaming arts events presented through online channels or resources

How to apply

  • Step 1: Register for portal access
    • First-time applicants must request a GATE Front Office username and password at least five business days before the deadline.
    • Complete the GATE Front Office Registration form and email it to the registration address provided by the funder.
  • Step 2: Prepare the application
    • Gather the required organizational information for the GATE online forms, including contact details, registration details, board list, Statistical Report, and Arts Presenting worksheet information.
    • Prepare the required attachments, including the calculation worksheet, promotional materials, financial statements, annual return confirmation, and film classification proof if applicable.
  • Step 3: Complete the online application
    • Log in to GATE Front Office and fill out the application for this program.
    • If more than one organization is involved, the primary applicant organization must submit the application.
  • Step 4: Submit the application
    • Submit the complete application through GATE Front Office no later than 11:59 p.m. Mountain Time on the deadline date.
    • If support material cannot be uploaded, send a hard copy by mail and ensure it is postmarked by the deadline.
  • Step 5: Verify submission status
    • Confirm in GATE that the application has been completed and submitted for consideration.

Documents Needed

  • Arts Presenting calculation worksheet
  • Promotional materials related to the event, such as posters and programs
  • Most recent annual financial statement
  • Confirmation of filing of the most recent annual return from Alberta Corporate Registry
  • Written proof of compliance with film classification regulations for public film or video screenings

Selection criteria

  • Applications are evaluated by staff according to the program grant stream criteria.
  • Funding is calculated by formula based on eligible artist fees.
  • Available funds are distributed equitably among eligible applicants.
  • Funding is not assured for any project.

Processing and Agreement

  • Staff review applications against the program grant stream criteria and prepare recommendations
  • Grant recommendations are submitted to the AFA board of directors for approval
  • Successful applicants are notified after board approval, generally four to six months after the deadline
  • Funding is formula-based and not guaranteed for any project
  • All decisions are final, and the AFA may review records to verify claimed expenses

Additional information

  • The AFA only accepts applications through the Front Office portal of the Grant Administration Tracking and Evaluation (GATE) online application system.
  • Download the Front Office User Guide and additional AFA resources are available under Help and resources.

Contacts

registrationafa@gov.ab.ca

Official sources

Arts Presenting Project Funding

Program guide

Arts Presenting Project FundingArts Presenting Project FundingArts Presenting Project Funding

Application form

Arts Presenting Calculation Worksheet 2024Arts Presenting Calculation Worksheet 2024

Supporting document

Arts Presenting Project FundingHelp and resources
Add helloDarwin as a preferred source on Google

Frequently Asked Questions about the AFA — Arts Presenting Project Funding Program

What is the AFA — Arts Presenting Project Funding?

Formula-based support reimburses up to 65% of eligible professional artist fees for Alberta artists, and up to 50% for artists from the rest of Canada or international artists, for public arts presentation events. It supports public performances, exhibitions, readings, screenings, and original live-streamed presentations featuring professional touring artists.

How much funding can be received?

AFA — Arts Presenting Project Funding Funds up to 65% of admissible expenses.

What is the deadline to apply?

The application deadline for this grant program is December 1, 2026.

Who is eligible for the AFA — Arts Presenting Project Funding program?

To be eligible for the AFA — Arts Presenting Project Funding program, you must: Organizations must be registered and in good standing in Alberta for at least one year before the deadline Organizations must be in good standing with the AFA with no outstanding reporting requirements Organizations must have been in operation for at least one full year before the deadline

What expenses are eligible under AFA — Arts Presenting Project Funding?

Professional artist fees paid directly by the applicant, excluding GST, including presentation, performance, public reading, exhibition artist or curator, and screening fees Film festival lecture and panel discussion fees paid to the creator, director, producer, or representative of film and video works Transportation and accommodation for the eligible presentation activities

Who can I contact for more information about the AFA — Arts Presenting Project Funding?

You can contact Alberta Foundation for the Arts (AFA) by email at registrationafa@gov.ab.ca.

Where is the AFA — Arts Presenting Project Funding available?

The AFA — Arts Presenting Project Funding program is available the province of Alberta.