AFA — Arts Presenting Project Funding

• 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

Who is eligible?

• Registered not-for-profit organizations
• Churches
• Library boards
• Indian Bands
• Métis Settlements
• Organizations registered under the Agriculture Societies Act
• Post-secondary faculties or departments

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

• 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.

• 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.

• 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

• 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