AFA — Professional Performing Arts Organizations Operating Funding
AB, Canada
Three-year funding for Alberta's professional performing arts organizations
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|closingDateNovember 03, 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
This grant provides funding in three-year cycles to support eligible professional performing arts organizations in Alberta for their operations, including administration, programming, salaries, and maintenance, as part of their strategic or business plan. The maximum funding amount is determined based on the organization's Community Derived Revenue, adjusted percentages, and the funding opportunity's budget, rather than a fixed amount.
grant_single_labels|projects
This grant is designed to support the operational activities that align with the mandate, strategic or business plan, and core activities of professional performing arts organizations. Eligible expenses typically encompass aspects crucial to maintaining and promoting their artistic offerings.
- Daily administration operations essential for running the organization.
- Programming related to the creation and presentation of self-produced performing arts productions.
- Payment of salaries and fees for administrative and artistic staff.
- Maintenance of equipment and upkeep of fixed assets necessary for performances.
- Efforts and strategies for the promotion and marketing of performances and organizational activities.
- Other related expenses that aid in fulfilling the organization’s artistic mandate within its operations.
grant_single_labels|admissibility
To be eligible for the Professional Performing Arts Organizations operating funding grant, organizations must meet the following criteria:
- Have public performing arts programming as your organization’s principal mandate as stated in its incorporation documents.
- Engage in ongoing development, implementation, and promotion of performing arts programming as its core activity in an annual program or full season of professional self-created and self-produced work for public presentation.
- Employ at least one full-time equivalent administrative and/or artistic staff member for the minimum duration of your programming season.
- Be a not-for-profit organization registered and in good standing under the appropriate legislation.
- Have been in operation in Alberta for at least three years.
- Ensure at least 50% of the organization’s board members live in Alberta.
- Pay a ‘fee for service’ at minimum industry standard rates to at least 75% of the artists involved in the organization’s performance program for all performances.
- Demonstrate the ability to operate using good governance principles, effective administration practices, and a commitment to fiscal responsibility while maintaining an artistic mandate.
- Operate as a stand-alone arts organization at arm's length from municipalities, commercial enterprises, or organizations and 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.
- First-time applicants must meet all eligibility requirements for the three annual fiscal periods prior to application and provide board-approved financial statements demonstrating no annual deficit for each of these periods.
- First-time applicants must contact the AFA at least three months before the deadline for a preliminary eligibility assessment.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
To be eligible for the Professional Performing Arts Organizations operating funding, organizations must primarily engage in public performing arts programming as stated in their incorporation documents and have ongoing development, implementation, and promotion of performing arts programming as a core activity in an annual program or full season of professional self-created and self-produced work for public presentation. Applicants must employ at least one full-time administrative or artistic staff member during their programming season, operate as a not-for-profit organization registered and in good standing in Alberta for at least three years, and have a board with at least 50% of members residing in Alberta. They must pay artists at least 75% at industry-standard rates, demonstrate good governance, and have a board-approved cash reserve policy. Organizations must operate independently from municipalities, commercial enterprises, and other government-funded organizations.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
This grant excludes certain organizations based on their primary activities and eligibility for other funding. These restrictions help focus resources on organizations that directly align with the grant's objectives.
- Organizations that engage primarily in competition-based activities.
- Organizations receiving funding from other AFA grant programs simultaneously.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
This grant supports expenses specifically tied to the operational activities of professional performing arts organizations.
- Administration costs necessary for program delivery.
- Programming expenses for the creation and production of performances.
- Salaries and fees for administrative and artistic staff.
- Maintenance of equipment and fixed assets essential for operations.
- Promotion and marketing expenses related to performances.
- Other operational expenses as required to fulfill the organization's mandate.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
This grant is specifically available to not-for-profit organizations based in Alberta, Canada. The eligibility is geographically restricted to ensure regional support and development within this province.
- Organizations must be in operation in Alberta for at least three years.
grant_single_labels|criteria
The evaluation and selection of projects for this grant are based on community-derived revenue calculations and compliance with reporting and operational standards.
- Calculation of funding based on percentage tiers of Community Derived Revenue (CDR).
- Compliance with Canadian Arts Database (CADAC) financial and statistical data requirements.
- Submission and approval of interim and final reports as per outlined requirements.
- Adherence to the cash reserve policy and its stipulations, including board approvals and maintaining the reserve as per AFA guidelines.
- Demonstration of professional governance, administration, and fiscal responsibility practices.
grant_single_labels|register
Here are the steps to submit an application for this grant:
- Step 1: Preliminary Eligibility Assessment (First-Time Applicants)
- Contact the AFA at least three months before the deadline to confirm eligibility.
- Step 2: GATE Front Office Registration
- Request a GATE Front Office username and password at least five business days before the deadline.
- Complete the registration form and email to registrationAFA@gov.ab.ca.
- Receive your login credentials via email.
- Step 3: Prepare Your Online Application
- Log into the GATE Front Office system using your credentials.
- Complete necessary online forms, such as:
- Application Contact List
- Organization Applicant Agreement
- Community Derived Revenue Calculation form
- Diligence Questionnaire
- Prepare and upload attachments including:
- Board-approved business or strategic plan
- Planned activities for the coming year
- Recent financial statements
- Cash Reserve Policy
- Ensure compliance with CADAC financial and statistical data requirements.
- Step 4: Review and Submit Application
- Review all application components for accuracy and completeness.
- Submit the application via the GATE Front Office system before 11:59 p.m. Mountain Time on the deadline date.
- Step 5: Confirmation of Submission
- Await an automated email confirmation of receipt from the AFA system.
- Keep the confirmation number for your records.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
Here are additional relevant details for this grant:
- The grant is assessed based on the Community Derived Revenue (CDR), which excludes government grants.
- For first-time applicants, an eligibility assessment is required three months before the application deadline.
- Funding recipients are required to credit AFA in publicity materials, with non-compliance resulting in potential funding reductions.
- Interim and final reports are required annually, with specific financial documentation thresholds based on the funding amount.
- There is an option for a "Creative Year", allowing for non-reduced funding without a performing season, applicable under certain conditions.
- The AFA Board reviews and approves grant recommendations, with notification four to six months post-deadline.
grant_single_labels|contact
780-415-0297
Apply to this program
Supporting Alberta's Performing Arts Through Stable Funding
This grant provides a stable three-year funding opportunity for Alberta-based professional organizations dedicated to self-creating and self-producing performing arts such as dance, music, and theatre. It aims to foster sustained artistic activity while upholding rigorous standards of governance, fiscal responsibility, and artistic commitment.
Detailed Overview of the Grant for Performing Arts Organizations
In a bid to nurture the arts sector, this grant targets professional performing arts organizations in Alberta, boosting their ability to consistently deliver self-created and self-produced performances. The funding cycle stretches over three years, ensuring financial stability and enabling organizations to plan long-term programming and artistic ventures effectively. This assists these organizations in maintaining a robust annual or seasonal schedule of public performances, fulfilling their respective artistic mandates.
Eligible entities are rigorous in their structure and operation, requiring them to be not-for-profit organizations with proper incorporation and at least three years of operational history in Alberta. Moreover, the organizations must adhere to several critical financial and organizational standards, including paying industry-standard rates to a significant majority of their artists, ensuring at least 50% of their board members reside in Alberta, and maintaining accountability with comprehensive and up-to-date reporting to the Canadian Arts Database (CADAC).
Applicants must apply through the GATE Front Office system, submitting their information by the November 3, 2025, deadline. This covers registration details, financial history, a list of activities, and a board-approved cash reserve policy within their applications. First-time applicants are encouraged to initiate contact months in advance to confirm eligibility and ensure all requisite conditions are met.
The funding aids in covering various operational expenses such as administrative costs, salaries, programming, and promotional activities, all in alignment with the organization's strategic plan. Successfully funded organizations are also expected to meet ongoing reporting obligations, which ensure transparency and commitment to the stipulated objectives of the funding. Critically, the funding advisory notes that organizations falling short of the reporting requirements may face financial ramifications or ineligibility for future funding cycles.
Evaluation of applications is inherently linked to the organization's community-derived revenue (CDR), ensuring a fair apportioning of funds. The AFA Board uses detailed criteria and tiered calculations based on CDR data to determine funding allocations, focusing funds on organizations that demonstrate significant community engagement and financial prudence. Importantly, the sustainability of this funding initiative is guaranteed by the AFA's annual budget, which reflects Alberta's commitment to cultural enrichment through the performing arts.
In addition to basic funding, organizations can explore options like the Creative Year, which allows them to hold onto full funding allocation in years when they might not host performances. This flexibility empowers organizations to manage their resources strategically, ensuring artistic continuity and organizational growth even during less active periods.
Overall, this grant acts as a keystone in supporting the arts ecosystem in Alberta, rendering it a vital resource for sustaining creativity and cultural vitality across the province. Arts organizations availing of this funding not only receive financial assistance but also solidify their role in enriching the cultural landscape, fostering a profound impact on Alberta's community and beyond.
