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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 3, 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|terms_and_conditions
This grant allocates funding based on a structured percentage of Community Derived Revenue (CDR), ensuring support aligns with the fiscal capabilities of organizations. This model is designed to maintain ongoing operations and artistic ventures.
- Funding is calculated on a three-year average CDR adjusted by predefined percentage tiers.
- For organizations with a CDR equal to or greater than $1 million, funding is 11% of that average.
- For organizations with a three-year average CDR between $100,000 and $1 million, the funding amount is calculated at 15% of CDR.
- Organizations with less than $100,000 in three-year average CDR receive funding at 20% of their CDR.
- Funding allocations are determined by dividing the organization's adjusted CDR by the sum of all eligible organizations' CDR, multiplied by the grant's budget.
- Each organization can only receive operating funding from one AFA program annually.
- Unused portions of the grant must be returned if objectives are not met.
- Grants are subject to examination and reporting requirements to ensure compliance and effective use of funds.
- Failure to meet recognition requirements could result in funding reductions in subsequent payments.
grant_single_labels|projects
This grant supports the operational functions of professional performing arts organizations. It focuses on assisting organizations with their day-to-day expenses, which are crucial to their mandate and strategic endeavors.
- Administration costs specific to the organization’s mandate.
- Expenses related to the organization’s core programming activities.
- Salaries and fees for administrative and artistic staff.
- Maintenance of equipment and fixed assets used in productions.
- Promotion and marketing efforts to enhance visibility and audience engagement.
- Other necessary expenditures that support the organization’s mission and strategic plan.
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 for professional performing arts organizations that have been operating in Alberta for at least three years. The program focuses on supporting organizations within this geographical area to promote local artistic development.
- Organizations operating within the province of Alberta, Canada.
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
