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AFA — Arts Presenting Project Funding
AB, Canada
Funding reimburses a portion of previous year's artist fees
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|openingDateNovember 15, 2025
- grant_single|closingDateDecember 1, 2025
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
grant_single|grantors
- Alberta Foundation for the Arts (AFA)
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|open
grant_single_labels|preview
The grant supports public presentation of professional artists by reimbursing a portion of their fees, covering up to 65% for Alberta artists and 50% for Canadian and International artists. Eligible activities include events featuring professional touring artists across various arts disciplines that are available to the public.
grant_single_labels|terms_and_conditions
The AFA — Arts Presenting Project Funding provides financial support by reimbursing a portion of the fees for professional artists. The funding allocations are determined by a specific formula depending on the origin of the artists involved.
- Up to 65% of fees paid to Alberta artists.
- Up to 50% of fees paid to Canadian artists from outside Alberta.
- Up to 50% of fees paid to International artists, with restrictions applied to maintain a balance in relation to Canadian/Alberta subsidies.
- Special considerations are made for international children's artists, exempting them from the typical restrictions.
grant_single_labels|projects
This grant facilitates the public presentation of professional artists by reimbursing a portion of the professional artists' fees incurred in hosting such events. The eligible events should primarily focus on arts presentations and include a variety of artistic disciplines.
- Events that feature professional touring artists who regularly perform outside of their residence area in music, dance, theatre, circus arts, and spoken word.
- Presentations that include visual and new media arts like drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, and more.
- Film and video arts screenings that involve creators, directors, producers, or representatives.
- Literary arts events that include fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and script readings.
- Exhibitions, performances, readings, or arts presentations explicitly conducted as the main intent of the event, which are open to the public.
- Original live streaming events presented after March 12, 2020, through online resources.
grant_single_labels|admissibility
Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific criteria related to the applicant's organizational status and activities.
- Applicants must be a registered not-for-profit organization, church, library board, Indian Band as defined by the Indian Act R.S.C. 1985, C.I-5, Métis Settlement recognized under the Métis Settlements Act R.S.A. 2000, C.M14, organization registered under the Agriculture Societies Act, or organization recognized under the Post-Secondary Institutions Act (by Faculty or Department).
- Must be registered and in good standing in Alberta under the appropriate legislation for at least one year prior to the deadline.
- The organization must be in good standing with the Alberta Foundation for the Arts (AFA) with no outstanding reporting requirements.
- Have been in operation for at least one full year prior to the deadline.
- At least 50% of the organization’s board members or ruling council must live in the community or region where the presentations are given.
- Demonstrate adherence to good governance principles, effective administration practices, and commitment to fiscal responsibility.
- Demonstrate financial stability, in the judgment of the AFA, for at least one year.
- Operate as a stand-alone organization at arm’s length from municipalities, commercial enterprises, or schools.
- Must be the primary organizer and producer of the event by directly paying professional artists and/or artist-affiliated organizations for professional artist fees.
- Have a policy of presenting at least three different touring professional artists during the twelve-month period from November 15 to November 14 immediately prior to the grant deadline.
- Organizations based in rural areas with a population of less than 3,000 may apply even if fewer than three artists are presented.
- Partnerships between not-for-profit organizations based in the same region must apply through one primary organization. Organizations with branches or separate offices in the same municipality may submit only one application.
- Post-secondary institutions may submit one application per department or faculty.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
To be eligible for this funding, applicants must be one of the following:- Registered not-for-profit organizations- Churches- 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)Organizations must also:- Be registered and in good standing in Alberta under the appropriate legislation for at least one year prior to the deadline- Be in good standing with the AFA with no outstanding reporting requirements- Have been in operation for at least one full year prior to the deadline- Have at least 50 percent of the organization's board members, or ruling council, living in the community or region where the presentations are given- Demonstrate adherence to good governance principles, effective administration practices and commitment to fiscal responsibility- Demonstrate financial stability, in the judgment of the AFA, for at least one year- Operate as a stand-alone organization at arm’s length from municipalities, commercial enterprises or schools - Be the primary organizer and producer of the event by directly paying professional artists and/or artist-affiliated organizations for professional artist fees- Have a policy of presenting at least three different touring professional artists during the twelve-month period from November 15 to November 14, immediately prior to the grant deadline- Organizations based in rural areas with a population of less than 3,000 may apply even if fewer than three artists are presented- Partnerships between not-for-profit organizations based in the same region must apply through one primary organization. Organizations with branches or separate offices in the same municipality may submit only one application.- Post-secondary institutions may submit one application per department or faculty.Ineligible applicants include:- Municipalities- Commercial enterprises- Schools- Groups that are not arm's length from municipalities, commercial enterprises, or schools- Organizations that are eligible for operating funding under another AFA grant stream- Organizations that engage primarily in competition-based activity- Event partners and sponsors may not apply on behalf of the event producer, commercial organizations or other for-profit entities.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
This grant excludes certain organizations from funding due to their status and main activities, ensuring support is allocated to eligible entities aligned with the grant's objectives.
- Municipalities.
- Commercial enterprises.
- Schools.
- Groups not operating at arm's length from municipalities, commercial enterprises, or schools.
- Organizations eligible for operating funding under another AFA grant stream.
- Organizations primarily engaged in competition-based activities.
- Event partners and sponsors applying on behalf of event producers, commercial organizations, or other for-profit entities.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
The grant supports the reimbursement of specific fees paid directly to professional artists involved in eligible events and activities.
- Presentation fees paid to professional artists.
- Performance fees for professional artists.
- Public reading fees for authors or literary artists.
- Artist and curator fees for art exhibitions.
- Screening fees for film and video presentations.
- Lectures and panel discussions by creators, directors, producers, or representatives of film and video works (specific to film festivals).
- Transportation and accommodation expenses directly related to the listed activities.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
This grant is specifically available to organizations based in Alberta, Canada. Eligible entities must be registered and operate within Alberta to qualify for funding.
- Organizations registered and in good standing in Alberta.
- Entities that have been operational in Alberta for at least one year before the application deadline.
- Events must take place in Alberta, with at least 50% of the board or council members residing in the community or region of the event.
grant_single_labels|criteria
The evaluation and selection criteria for projects under this grant are based on the funding formulas and equitable distribution policy set by the Alberta Foundation for the Arts (AFA).
- Arts Presenting funding maximums are established annually by the AFA board of Directors.
- Funding is calculated by a formula based on the percentage of fees paid to Alberta, Canadian, and International artists.
- Equitable distribution of available funds to all eligible applicants according to the established formula.
- Staff evaluations of applications as per program grant stream criteria.
- Final decisions are made by the AFA board, with no assurance of funding for any project.
- All decisions by the AFA board are final and communicated within four to six months from the application deadline.
grant_single_labels|register
- Step 1: Initial Registration
- 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.
- Step 2: Prepare Your Application
- Ensure your organization is eligible and meets all outlined criteria.
- Gather necessary organizational information and details, including registration details and board member list.
- Complete the GATE Front Office online forms with required applicant contact information.
- Prepare attachments such as the Arts Presenting calculation worksheet, promotional materials, and the organization's most recent annual financial statement.
- Step 3: Submit Your Application
- Log into the GATE Front Office system using your credentials.
- Upload the completed application form and necessary attachments within the GATE Front Office system.
- Submit your application before the deadline at 11:59 p.m. Mountain Time to ensure timely processing.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
Here are additional relevant details for this grant:
- The annual funding budget is contingent upon allocations in the Government of Alberta's budget, meaning funding availability may vary annually.
- The grant covers up to 65% of fees for Alberta artists, 50% for Canadian artists outside Alberta, and 50% for international artists, with some restrictions on international artists.
- Children's artists, defined as those with over 50% of their audience under age 16, are exempt from international artist restrictions.
- Grant decisions are made between four to six months after the application deadline, so planning for event timelines should account for this duration.
- All material submitted with the application becomes property of the AFA, and the organization may be audited to verify compliance with grant terms.
- A mandatory 10% reduction applies to future grants if AFA acknowledgement requirements are not satisfied with regards to publicity.
- No advance or partial payments are provided by the AFA; full project funding is based on project completion verification.
- Submission of promotional materials complying with AFA funding acknowledgment conditions is necessary.
grant_single_labels|contact
jodie.vandekerkhove@gov.ab.ca
780-415-1318
