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AFA — Summer School Project Funding
Support for residence-based summer arts schools
Last Update: April 9, 2026
Funding available
Up to 40% of project cost
Timeline
- Closing date : October 1, 2026
Location
Alberta, Canada
Overview
Funding of up to 40% supports organizations delivering residence-based summer arts schools in Alberta. Eligible projects include multi-day arts camps with workshops, supervision, meals, overnight accommodation, and youth participation.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop a new program or service
- Increase social or community impact
- Enhance an existing program
Eligible Funding
- Up to 40% of project cost
Timeline
- Closing date : October 1, 2026
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
Location
- Alberta
Legal structures
- Non-profit
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Youth (<40)
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Culture and Arts
- Children and Youth Organizations
Target groups
- Children & youth
- Artists / creatives
- Academia / students
Revenue structures
- 100% donations / grants
Scope
- Provincial
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Residence-based art-intensive summer school programs
- Multi-day arts camps with workshops and hands-on training
- Youth arts training with professional artists and instructors
- Programs that encourage creative process learning and province-wide participation
Documents Needed
- GATE Front Office registration form
- Organization registration details
- Board of directors list
- Most recent annual financial statement
- Partnership agreement, if applicable
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Not-for-profit arts organizations
- Organizations with residence-based summer arts programming experience
- Collaborative applications from two or more eligible organizations
Who is not eligible
- Municipalities
- Commercial enterprises
- Schools
- Groups not at arm’s length from municipalities, commercial enterprises, or schools
- Organizations primarily engaged in competition-based activity
Eligible expenses
- Administration and programming costs
- Instructor, artist, and supervisory staff fees
- Promotional and communications costs
- Accommodation, food, and lodging
- Materials, supplies, and equipment rental
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Costs already funded by AFA or started before application
- Facility costs, permanent staff salaries, and overhead covered by the institution
- Alcohol, GST, amortization, and fundraising costs
- Buildings, property purchases, construction, or renovations
- Applied arts, variety acts, competitive performances, and social event activities
Eligible geographic areas
- Alberta
- Province-wide participation is encouraged
Selection criteria
- Merit of curriculum
- Merit of marketing plan
- Impact on participants
- Applicant’s history of providing training programs
- Ability to carry out the project
How to apply
1
Registration for GATE Front Office
- First-time applicants need a GATE Front Office username and password.
- Complete the GATE Front Office Registration form.
- Email the form to registrationAFA@gov.ab.ca at least five business days before the deadline.
- You will receive your login credentials via email.
2
Prepare Your Application
- Complete the GATE Front Office Applicant Profile section with all required information.
- Gather necessary documents such as organization information, project budgets, and board member lists.
- Develop required attachments including resumes, program descriptions, and financial statements.
3
Complete Online Forms in GATE Front Office
- Fill out contact lists, applicant agreement, participation report, project expenses, and project revenue forms online.
- Ensure all information is accurate and complete.
4
Upload Attachments
- Develop and upload required PDF attachments using preformatted AFA templates or your own documents.
- Attachments may include resumes, detailed program descriptions, promotional materials, and financial statements.
5
Submit Your Application
- Review your application to ensure all information and attachments are in place.
- Submit the application through the GATE Front Office by 11:59 p.m. Mountain Time on the deadline date.
- Ensure that the system has processed your application successfully before the deadline.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed by an expert panel.
- Projects are assessed against program criteria and compared with other applications.
- Recommendations go to the AFA board of directors for approval.
- Successful applicants are notified after board approval.
- Final reports and funding conditions apply after approval.
Additional information
- Applicants may submit only one application per arts discipline.
- Successful recipients are usually notified 4 to 6 months after the deadline.
- Funding recipients must acknowledge AFA support in project publicity whenever possible.
- The AFA may request interim reports or additional information during review or after approval.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the AFA — Summer School Project Funding Program
What is the AFA — Summer School Project Funding?
Funding of up to 40% supports organizations delivering residence-based summer arts schools in Alberta. Eligible projects include multi-day arts camps with workshops, supervision, meals, overnight accommodation, and youth participation.
How much funding can be received?
AFA — Summer School Project Funding Funds up to 40% of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the AFA — Summer School Project Funding program?
To be eligible for the AFA — Summer School Project Funding program, you must:
Registered not-for-profit organization
At least one year in operation
Experience with residence-based arts programming
What expenses are eligible under AFA — Summer School Project Funding?
Residence-based art-intensive summer school programs
Multi-day arts camps with workshops and hands-on training
Youth arts training with professional artists and instructors
Programs that encourage creative process learning and province-wide participation
Who can I contact for more information about the AFA — Summer School Project Funding?
You can contact Alberta Foundation for the Arts (AFA) by email at justina.verboom@gov.ab.ca or by phone at 780-422-3250.
Where is the AFA — Summer School Project Funding available?
The AFA — Summer School Project Funding program is available the province of Alberta.
Is the AFA — Summer School Project Funding a grant, loan, or tax credit?
AFA — Summer School Project Funding is a Grant and Funding