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 01, 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|projects
This grant encourages the public presentation of professional artists by supporting various artistic events. Eligible projects include events that feature professional touring artists in various disciplines, with the primary purpose of showcasing arts presentations.
- Events presenting professional touring artists in performing arts including music, dance, theatre, circus arts, and spoken word.
- Visual and new media arts events featuring disciplines such as drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, and new media.
- Film and video arts presentations, inclusive of screenings and festivals.
- Literary arts events focusing on fiction, non-fiction, poetry, screenwriting, and playwriting performances.
- Publicly accessible arts events available through season tickets, casual sales, or free admission.
- Original live streaming arts events presented through online channels post-March 2020.
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 managed by the Alberta Foundation for the Arts (AFA), suggesting that it is intended for organizations within Alberta. Only entities that are registered and operate in Alberta are eligible to apply for this funding opportunity.
- Organizations must be based in Alberta, Canada.
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
Apply to this program
Enhance Your Arts Presentation with AFA Grant Funding
This grant offers substantial financial assistance to eligible organizations, supporting the public presentation of professional artists across various disciplines in Alberta. It is aimed at reimbursing parts of the fees paid to professional artists for their performances, exhibitions, or presentations in eligible events.
Detailed Insights Into This AFA Funding Opportunity
The Arts Presenting project grant available through the Alberta Foundation for the Arts (AFA) is a pivotal opportunity for not-for-profit organizations, churches, library boards, and other eligible entities to bring professional artistic presentations to their communities. By offering financial support that covers a significant portion of the fees paid to artists, this grant encourages organizations to broaden their cultural events and presentations, thereby enriching the community’s access to diverse artistic expressions.
Eligible organizations must have been registered in Alberta for at least a year and demonstrate strong governance and fiscal responsibility. The grant supports public events featuring touring professional artists, ensuring that a wide array of arts disciplines—ranging from dance, music, and theatre to visual arts, film, and literary arts—are presented to the public. This initiative is particularly advantageous for rural areas, which may have fewer opportunities to host such events.
A notable aspect of this grant is the comprehensive coverage of artist fees, which can include presentation, performance, and public reading fees, among others. It also supports ancillary costs like transportation and accommodation associated with hosting these artists. Such funding opportunities are invaluable for fostering vibrant cultural scenes and supporting the livelihood of professional artists by ensuring they receive fair compensation for their work.
The grant is accessible through the GATE Front Office online application system, which organizations must use to submit their applications by the specified deadline. Applicants are urged to begin the process well in advance to ensure timely submission, and all necessary documents, detailing everything from promotional materials to financial statements, must be included to meet the stringent guidelines.
It is essential for applicants to remember that while the AFA seeks to support as many projects as possible, funding is not guaranteed. The allocation of funds follows a strict formula based on artist residency and origination, with different percentage supports for Alberta-based, Canadian, and international artists.
Following the submission, applications are reviewed and assessed by AFA staff who provide recommendations to the board. The process, although rigorous, ensures that the grants awarded align closely with the AFA’s mandate of enriching the cultural landscape of Alberta through diverse artistic expression.
This grant not only aids in financial reimbursement but also elevates the capability of local arts organizations to reach broader audiences, presenting culturally rich and diverse events. By supporting these initiatives, the AFA helps in shaping a more inclusive and vibrant cultural community within Alberta.
