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AFA — Arts Presenting Project Funding
Supports public presentation of professional artists
Last Update: April 9, 2026
Funding available
Up to 65% of project cost
Timeline
- Closing date : December 1, 2026
Location
Alberta, Canada
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.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase social or community impact
- Raise awareness or mobilize a population
Eligible Funding
- Up to 65% of project cost
Timeline
- Closing date : December 1, 2026
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
Location
- Alberta
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Rural or Northern Residents
- Canadians
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Culture and Arts
Target groups
- General public
- Artists / creatives
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- Local
- Regional
- Provincial
- National
- International
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
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
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
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Registered not-for-profit organizations and churches
- Library boards
- Indian Bands and Métis Settlements recognized under applicable legislation
- Organizations registered under the Agriculture Societies Act
- Post-secondary faculties or departments recognized under the Post-Secondary Institutions Act
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
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
- Deadline: December 1, 2026
- Only one application may be submitted per deadline
- Partnerships must apply through one primary organization
- Reporting is not required for this program
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the AFA — Arts Presenting Project Funding Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the AFA — Arts Presenting Project 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.
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.
Who is eligible for the AFA — Arts Presenting Project Funding program?
To be eligible for the AFA — Arts Presenting Project Funding program, you must:
Alberta organization in good standing
Primary organizer paying artists directly
Presents touring professional artists
What expenses are eligible under AFA — Arts Presenting Project Funding?
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
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 or by phone at 780-644-1029.
Where is the AFA — Arts Presenting Project Funding available?
The AFA — Arts Presenting Project Funding program is available the province of Alberta.
Is the AFA — Arts Presenting Project Funding a grant, loan, or tax credit?
AFA — Arts Presenting Project Funding is a Grant and Funding