AFA — Public Art Galleries Operating Funding
AB, Canada
Three-year funding for Alberta public visual arts exhibitions
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|closingDateApril 01, 2027
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
This grant provides operating funding in three-year cycles for eligible professional organizations in Alberta that program and display public exhibitions of visual arts, supporting expenses related to administration, programming, salaries, maintenance, promotion, and other required operational costs. The funding is calculated based on Community Derived Revenue tiers, with up to 40% of such revenue potentially allocated, depending on the organization's revenue size.
grant_single_labels|projects
This grant supports the operations of professional organizations that focus on visual arts and new media. The funding sustains various organizational functions, aligning with their strategic plans and mandates.
- Administration and office operations directly related to the delivery of visual arts exhibitions and programs.
- Programming that includes planning, implementing, and promoting public exhibitions and events.
- Salaries and fees for administrative and artistic staff involved in the operations and programming of the organization.
- Maintenance of equipment and fixed assets used in exhibitions and gallery operations.
- Promotion of exhibitions and gallery activities to enhance public engagement and attendance.
- Other expenses that are necessary to fulfill the organization’s visual arts mandate.
grant_single_labels|admissibility
Eligibility for this grant requires professional organizations to meet specific standards and operational conditions.
- The organization must exhibit visual works of art and provide visual arts programs for the general public as its principal mandate.
- Engage in ongoing development, implementation, and promotion of visual arts programming as its core primary activity in an annual program for public presentation.
- Operate a gallery and/or exhibition space that is accessible to the public for at least 1,000 hours each year, fulfills minimum security and presentation requirements for exhibited work.
- Employ at least one full-time equivalent administrative and/or artistic staff member responsible for planning and directing gallery programs.
- The organization must be a not-for-profit entity.
- The organization must be registered and in good standing under the appropriate legislation and have been in operation in Alberta for at least three years.
- At least 50% of the organization’s board members must reside in Alberta.
- The organization must contract with exhibiting artists and provide professional artists’ fees according to copyright legislation and CARCC schedules.
- Demonstrate the ability to operate with good governance, effective administration, fiscal responsibility, and maintain an artistic mandate.
- Operate as a standalone arts organization at arm's length from municipalities, commercial enterprises, or institutions receiving annual operating funds from the Government of Alberta or its affiliates.
- Comply with all Canadian Arts Database (CADAC) financial and statistical data requirements.
- Have a board-approved cash reserve policy.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
To be eligible for Public Art Galleries operating funding, organizations must meet several criteria:- The organization must have visual arts public exhibitions and programming as its principal mandate, as evidenced in its incorporation documents.- Engaging in ongoing development, implementation, and promotion of visual arts programming should be a primary activity with an annual program for public presentation.- The organization must operate an accessible gallery or exhibition space open to the public for at least 1,000 hours each year and meet minimum security and presentation standards for exhibits.- At least one full-time equivalent staff member must be employed for administrative or artistic planning and direction.- The organization must be a not-for-profit entity registered and in good standing under relevant legislation, operating in Alberta for at least three years.- Board members: At least 50% of the organization’s board members must reside in Alberta.- Professional artist contracts: The organization must contract with exhibiting artists and provide fees compliant with copyright legislation and the schedules recommended by CARCC.- Governance: The organization must demonstrate solid governance principles, effective administration, and fiscal responsibility while maintaining an artistic mandate.- Independence: It must operate as a stand-alone entity, independent of municipalities or commercial enterprises, and not receive operating funds from other Alberta Government entities.- CADAC compliance: The organization must adhere to all CADAC financial and statistical data requirements.- Cash reserve policy: A board-approved cash reserve policy must be in place.Ineligible applicants include organizations primarily engaged in competition-based activities, those applying for first-time grants at the beginning of a three-year cycle without prior approval, and organizations already receiving operating funding from another AFA grant program.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
This grant excludes certain companies based on their primary activities or if they are already receiving specific funding. Restrictions exist to focus funding on eligible visual arts organizations that align with the grant's purpose.
- Organizations engaged primarily in competition-based activity.
- Organizations already receiving operating funding from another AFA grant program.
- Organizations operating under municipalities, commercial enterprises, or are institutions receiving annual operating funds from the Government of Alberta or its affiliates.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
This grant supports numerous operational expenses essential to fulfilling an organization's mandate.
- Administration costs.
- Programming expenses.
- Salaries and fees for staff and contractors.
- Maintenance of equipment and fixed assets.
- Promotion and marketing costs.
- Other necessary expenses as required to fulfill the organization's mandate.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
This grant is available to organizations operating within Alberta, as the funding body specifies location-based eligibility criteria. Eligible organizations must be registered and operational within Alberta.
- Organizations based in Alberta, Canada.
grant_single_labels|criteria
The evaluation and selection of projects for this grant are based on specific criteria to ensure alignment with the grant’s objectives and requirements.
- Funding awarded through this opportunity is calculated based on Community Derived Revenue (CDR), with the following percentage tiers applied:
- 22% of CDR for organizations with a three-year average CDR equal to or greater than $750,000.
- 30% of CDR for organizations with a three-year average CDR of less than $750,000 and equal to or more than $150,000.
- 40% of CDR for organizations with a three-year average CDR of less than $150,000.
- The adjusted CDR is then divided by the sum of the adjusted CDR for all eligible organizations, and then multiplied by the funding opportunity’s budget to determine the funding allocation.
grant_single_labels|register
Here are the steps to submit an application for this grant:
- Step 1: Check Eligibility
- Review the eligibility criteria to ensure your organization meets all requirements.
- First-time applicants need to contact the grant provider for a preliminary eligibility assessment at least three months before the deadline.
- Step 2: Register on GATE Front Office
- Request a GATE Front Office username and password at least five business days before the application deadline by emailing a completed registration form to registrationAFA@gov.ab.ca.
- Wait for the username and password, which will be sent to the email address provided in the registration.
- Step 3: Prepare Application Documents
- Assemble all required documents, including an Application Contact List, organization details, a CADAC number, an Organization Applicant Agreement, and a current board list.
- Complete the Community Derived Revenue Calculation form and Diligence Questionnaire.
- Prepare necessary attachments like the board-approved business or strategic plan, Cash Reserve Policy, governance principles, planned activities, and financial statements.
- Step 4: Submit Application via GATE
- Log into the GATE Front Office online application system using your credentials.
- Complete all online forms and upload the necessary documents and attachments.
- Submit the application before the deadline, ensuring it is received by 11:59 p.m. Mountain Time on April 1, 2027, or the next working day if the deadline falls on a holiday or weekend.
- Step 5: Receive Confirmation
- Once submitted, an automated notification should confirm receipt of your application.
- Keep the confirmation email for your records.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
Here are additional relevant details for this grant:
- The deadline time is up to 11:59 p.m. Mountain Time on the due date, with extensions for statutory holidays or weekends.
- First-time applicants must initiate contact three months before the deadline for eligibility assessment.
- Non-compliant use of the AFA logo and credit requirements can result in a 10% funding reduction or ineligibility for future opportunities.
- The organization’s cash reserve policy must be board-approved and detail guidelines for usage and replenishment.
- A verification of financial records may be done by the AFA to ensure compliance with grant usage.
- Interim and final reports are mandatory each year of the funding cycle, with the final report due alongside new funding applications.
grant_single_labels|contact
kari.mcqueen@gov.ab.ca
780-415-0288
Apply to this program
Supporting Visual Arts Organizations in Alberta
This grant provides essential operating funding to professional visual arts organizations in Alberta, supporting their core activities and public exhibitions. It aims to fortify the arts community by ensuring organizations can maintain and expand their programming over a three-year cycle.
Detailed Information About the Grant for Visual Arts Organizations
This funding opportunity is specifically tailored to support the operational needs of professional organizations in Alberta that are dedicated to presenting public exhibitions in visual arts. Operating over a three-year cycle, this grant ensures that organizations centered around visual arts can sustainably manage their programs, maintain their facilities, and effectively engage with the public. The grant supports various operational expenses that are critical for the successful execution of an organization’s strategic and artistic mandate. These expenses include, but are not limited to, administrative costs, salaries and fees, equipment maintenance, and promotional activities that align with the organization’s objectives.
Eligibility for this grant is stringent, ensuring that funds are allocated to organizations with a proven impact and sound governance structures. Organizations must be not-for-profit entities with a primary mandate in the visual arts and must operate from an accessible venue meeting standards for security and presentation. Furthermore, organizations need to have a history of fiscal responsibility, demonstrated through board-approved financial statements showcasing positive net assets.
Successful applicants will benefit not only from financial support but also from the assurance that their organizational activities are acknowledged and backed at a provincial level. This external validation helps attract further engagement and support from community members, partners, and patrons. The grant requires a commitment from successful applicants to comply with reporting and recognition requirements, ensuring transparency and accountability. Failure to adhere to these obligations could lead to decreased funding in future cycles.
For first-time applicants, a preliminary eligibility assessment is crucial. This ensures that organizations meet all necessary criteria before the formal application process begins, thus saving time and effort for both the applicant and the funding body. Organizations are encouraged to contact the Arts Development Consultant for guidance throughout their application process, ensuring all submission requirements are meticulously met.
The funding received is calculated based on a Community Derived Revenue (CDR) approach, ensuring an equitable distribution of funds based on the organizations’ revenue sources and financial needs. Alongside financial provisions, the grant imparts a level of prestige and acknowledgment that can leverage further strategic collaborations and opportunities within the arts community.
In conclusion, this funding initiative plays a vital role in sustaining the vibrant visual arts scene in Alberta by empowering organizations to continue delivering high-quality exhibitions and public programs. By providing the necessary resources and support, the grant ensures that the arts remain accessible and enriching for communities throughout the province.