AFA — Visual Arts and New Media Individual Project Funding
AB, Canada
Funding for Alberta artists' visual arts and new media projects
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|maxCount
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|openingDateJanuary 01, 2025
- grant_single|closingDateMarch 04, 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 provides up to $18,000 to individual Alberta artists, arts administrators, or ensembles for projects in visual arts or new media. Eligible activities include art production, marketing, research, and training or career development.
grant_single_labels|projects
This grant aims to support individual Alberta artists or groups in various visual arts and new media projects. The eligible activities focus on artistic creation, marketing, research, and training to advance artistic careers.
- Development, creation, and production of visual arts work.
- Exhibitions, crating, and shipping of artworks.
- Participation in creative residencies and curation projects.
- Marketing initiatives to promote and disseminate the artist's work.
- Research activities leading to the development of arts projects.
- Training and career development through courses, workshops, or mentorship programs.
grant_single_labels|admissibility
Eligibility for this grant is based on the applicant's residency status and prior engagements with the AFA.
- The applicant must be a resident of Alberta, having had their primary residence in the province for at least one full year before applying.
- The applicant must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or Protected Person with an open work or study permit from inside Canada.
- Applicants must ordinarily live in Alberta for at least six months of each year, except for attending a formal program of study.
- Applicants must be in good standing with the AFA, with no open or outstanding projects or reporting.
- Previous grant recipients must have all final reporting approved by the AFA before new applications are accepted.
- Applicants, including ensembles or collectives, must not be incorporated under either provincial or federal legislation.
- Ensembles, collectives, and collaborations must list all principal artists involved in the project as part of their application.
- Principal artists cannot apply and/or receive funding for multiple projects at the same time, whether as an individual or a member of various ensembles, collectives, or collaborations.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
The grant is open to individual Alberta artists, arts administrators, or an ensemble of artists. Applicants must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or Protected Persons residing in Alberta. They must have had their primary residence in Alberta for at least one full year prior to application and live in Alberta for at least six months each year, with exceptions for education commitments. All applicants must be in good standing with the Alberta Foundation for the Arts (AFA), with no unresolved projects or reports. Previous grant recipients must have their final reporting approved by the AFA before applying for new funding. Ensembles or collectives must list all principal artists involved and each must meet individual eligibility criteria. Applicants cannot apply for multiple projects simultaneously as individuals or as part of different groups, and they must not be incorporated under provincial or federal laws.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
Individuals and organizations with certain statuses are restricted from applying for this grant. The restrictions support the alignment of funding with the grant's artistic and community-focused objectives.
- Incorporated organizations under provincial or federal legislation.
- Individuals or groups with outstanding reports or incomplete projects with the AFA.
- Applicants intending to use the grant for ineligible projects such as capital purchases, recreational training, or activities as part of a formal education program.
- Artists or ensembles who have current simultaneous projects funded by AFA.
- Projects related to applied arts not supported by this grant, such as gaming, architecture, or interior design.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
You may apply for up to 100% of eligible expenses that are directly related to carrying out your proposed project.
- Contracted artist and technician fees.
- Commission fees.
- Production expenses, including materials and supplies appropriate for the development of the project.
- Promotion and publicity.
- Transportation and accommodation.
- Tuition or training fees.
- Royalties.
- Administration and contract fees.
- Basic living/subsistence expenses (housing, local transportation, food, childcare, dependent care) up to $3,000/month.
- Other expenses and supplies considered by the AFA to be reasonable and necessary.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
This funding is specifically available to individual artists who are residents of Alberta, Canada. The eligibility criteria focus on ensuring artists have a strong connection to this region.
- Residents of Alberta, Canada.
grant_single_labels|criteria
The evaluation and selection of projects for this grant are based on criteria to ensure alignment with the grant's objectives and impact potential.
- The impact of the project on both the applicant and the artistic genre in Alberta.
- The artistic, educational, or promotional merit of the project.
- The appropriateness of the project budget, showing commitment from all partners as applicable.
- The ability of the applicant to carry out the proposed project.
- Evaluation of the applicant's artistic and technical ability to carry out the proposed project.
- The level of training, experience, and expertise of the applicant.
- Performance and achievements to date of the applicant.
- Personal objectives of the applicant.
grant_single_labels|register
Here are the steps to submit an application for this grant:
- Step 1: Register on GATE Front Office
- First-time applicants must request a GATE Front Office username and password by emailing the Alberta Foundation for the Arts (AFA) at registrationafa@gov.ab.ca at least five business days before the application deadline.
- Include your legal name, the funding opportunity you are applying to, and your email address in the email.
- Step 2: Prepare Application Documents
- Prepare personal and contact details, ensuring information is up-to-date and complete.
- Draft a project description including objectives, timeline, and expected outcomes.
- List all principal artists involved in the project and assure their Alberta residency.
- Create a detailed project budget, including all projected expenditures and non-AFA revenue sources.
- Compile necessary attachments such as artistic resumes, project descriptions, and work samples.
- Gather additional documentation, if applicable, such as marketing plans, official invitations, and letters of reference.
- Step 3: Complete Online Application
- Log into the GATE Front Office online application system.
- Complete the online forms, providing all required information and attaching relevant documents.
- Ensure the accuracy and completeness of the application before submission.
- Step 4: Submit Application
- Submit your completed application through the GATE Front Office by 11:59 p.m. Mountain Time on the deadline date.
- Note that if the deadline falls on a statutory holiday or weekend, it will be extended to the next working day.
- Step 5: Confirmation of Submission
- Receive confirmation of your submission through GATE Front Office.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
Here are additional relevant details for this grant:
- Successful applicants will be notified generally between four to six months from the application deadline.
- All expert panel recommendations are reviewed by the AFA board, and all decisions are final.
- In case of a change to the project, such as outcomes, location, or an extension to the report due date, approval from the AFA is required beforehand.
- Failure to fulfill reporting conditions may render applicants ineligible for future funding for a period of three years.
- Funding is intended specifically for the uses described in the application, and recipients must adhere to these plans unless changes are approved.
- Applicants may be asked for additional information during the evaluation process.
- An artistic resume of no more than four pages, along with a detailed project description, is required with the application.
- Grant recipients must acknowledge the AFA in any publicity related to the funded project, using the AFA logo where appropriate.
grant_single_labels|contact
780-415-0288
Apply to this program
Empower Your Artistic Vision with Individual Project Funding
This grant offers individual Alberta artists substantial financial aid to support visual arts and new media projects. The funding encourages creativity and fosters artistic development through targeted support for innovative projects across the province.
Unlocking Artistic Potential: In-Depth Guide to the Individual Project Funding
The Individual Project Funding for Visual Arts & New Media is a unique initiative by the Alberta Foundation for the Arts (AFA) designed to support Alberta-based artists, arts administrators, and ensembles in realizing their creative ambitions. With a significant financial backing of up to $18,000, this grant is instrumental in enhancing the state's cultural landscape by focusing on the innovation and artistic exploration present within Alberta.Aimed at individual artists and group projects within the realm of visual arts and new media, this funding encompasses a wide array of project types including production, marketing, research, as well as training and career development. The funding covers eligible genres such as drawing, painting, sculpture, and computer-assisted art, enabling artists to fully delve into their creative pursuits without the financial constraints that often accompany artistic endeavors.The eligibility criteria require applicants to be bona fide residents of Alberta with Canadian citizenship or equivalent status, emphasizing the local focus of this initiative. This geographic specification ensures that the funding directly benefits the Albertan arts community, fostering a vibrant and diverse cultural environment. Moreover, the AFA explicitly encourages applications from underrepresented groups such as Indigenous peoples, 2SLGBTQIA+, women, and others, highlighting its commitment to diversity and inclusion.Potential applicants can apply for this grant biannually, with deadlines on March 3 and September 2. This frequency provides an ongoing opportunity for artists to plan and execute their projects throughout the year. Interested parties must utilize the GATE Front Office online application system, ensuring a streamlined and accessible application process. Importantly, all applications need to meet stringent submission requirements; incomplete proposals or those submitted post-project commencement will be promptly disqualified.The assessment process is conducted by an expert panel that rigorously examines each application based on the project's impact, artistic merit, budget feasibility, and the applicant’s capability to execute the proposed work. Successful projects are those that exhibit not only a high degree of creativity and innovation but also potential benefits to both the applicant’s career and the broader Alberta arts sector. Projects that align well with the AFA's vision of enhancing the diversity and richness of Alberta's cultural tapestry are particularly favored.Funding covers diverse expenses essential to the project’s fruition, ranging from artist fees, materials, and marketing to travel expenses and logistical support. This comprehensive coverage is tailored to support artists through every stage of their project lifecycle, ensuring both foundational needs and creative aspects are catered to. Nonetheless, applicants are required to balance their budgets responsibly, and the provision for up to 100% project expenses demands thorough financial planning and clarity.The grant mandates recipients to fully account for all expenditures and deliver a detailed final report post-project completion, ensuring transparency and allowing the AFA to evaluate the effectiveness of the funds utilized. Recipients are also expected to acknowledge AFA’s support in all promotional activities associated with their project, emphasizing the partnership between artists and the funding body.Overall, this grant represents a pivotal opportunity for Alberta's artists to advance their visual arts and new media projects, contributing profoundly to the cultural vitality of the region. It empowers artists to push boundaries, explore new mediums, and enhance their professional endeavors while staying true to the core values of inclusiveness and community enrichment.
