How much funding can be received?

Funds up to 65% of admissible expenses.

What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is 2025-12-01T11:59:00Z.

Who are the financial supporters of the AFA — Arts Presenting Project Funding?

AFA — Arts Presenting Project Funding is funded by Alberta Foundation for the Arts (AFA)

What are AFA — Arts Presenting Project Funding's eligibility criterias?

The applicant must be a registered not-for-profit organization or entity such as a library board, church, or post-secondary institution in Alberta, in good standing under the appropriate legislation for at least one year before the deadline. The organization must have at least 50% of its board members or ruling council living in the community or region where events are presented and demonstrate financial stability and good governance practices. The organization must be the primary organizer, operating independently from municipalities or commercial enterprises, and must present at least three different touring professional artists within the eligible period.

AFA — Arts Presenting Project Funding

Last Update: January 24, 2025

AB, Canada

Funding reimburses a portion of previous year's artist fees

AFA — Arts Presenting Project Funding at a glance

Eligible Funding

Up to 65% of project cost

Timeline

Open Date : November 15, 2025
Closing date : December 1, 2025

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Arts, entertainment and recreation

Grant Providers

Alberta Foundation for the Arts (AFA)

Status

Open

Overview of the AFA — Arts Presenting Project Funding program

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.

Financing 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.

Eligible projects & activities

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.

Eligibility criteria of the AFA — Arts Presenting Project Funding program

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.

Who is eligible?

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.

Who is not eligible

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.

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.

Eligible geographic areas

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.

Eligibility criteria of the AFA — Arts Presenting Project Funding program

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.

How to apply to the AFA — Arts Presenting Project Funding program

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.

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.

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.

Additional information

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.

Contact Alberta Foundation for the Arts (AFA)

jodie.vandekerkhove@gov.ab.ca

780-415-1318

Apply to this program

Supports non-profits enhancing public-use community facilities in Alberta