Grant Application Process

Getting Started

Whether you are applying for a grant for the first time or have applied before, the information in this section is designed to help you complete your grant application as smoothly and efficiently as possible.

Step 1: Determine the kind of support you are seeking. Individual artists apply under the Individual Artists Project Grants category, while arts organizations or institutions can apply for grants listed under either Arts Organization Project or Operational grants.

Step 2: Determine which artistic discipline or activity you are engaged in. Choose from the list of sub-categories to determine which one your activity belongs to. This is the grant you need to apply for.

Step 3: Once you have selected the grant application you need, read the application guidelines thoroughly and download the application form. Read the FAQs before you get started.

Step 4: Complete the application, gather the required supporting materials and submit the application by mail on or before the deadline date. The AFA cannot accept late or incomplete applications. You can always contact any of the Arts Branch staff if you require additional assistance.

We offer all our application forms online in a fillable, saveable PDF format.

Completing your AFA Grant Application Form

Follow these steps to make sure you correctly complete your grant applications – remember that incomplete applications are not accepted!

  1. Read the program stream guidelines carefully! It is important to determine your program stream eligibility.

  2. BEFORE PRINTING, read the application form carefully from start to finish. All required application documents will not be printed until the form has the applicable selections.

  3. Click on the appropriate application stream on the General Information page. This is critical, as it opens the requisite application checklist and accompanying attachments.

  4. For Individual Artists Project Grant Streams, also click on the Application Category (i.e. Art Production, Marketing, etc.).

  5. Check the attachments against the application checklists and/or attachment listing (for Arts Organizations Operational) to ensure all requisite materials are present.

  6. Complete application or print (if you wish to complete the application by hand).

  7. Please print a completed copy to mail to the AFA by the program stream application deadline.

  8. If you have a question or concern, contact the Arts Development Consultant AFA Grant Stream Deadlines

February 1

  • Dance Project Grant

  • Film & Video Arts Project Grant

  • Literary Arts Project Grant

  • Music Project Grant

  • Professional Performing Arts Organizations Operational Grant

  • Provincial Arts Service Organizations Operational Grant

  • Theatre Project Grant

  • Traditional Aboriginal Arts Project Grant

  • Visual Art and New Media Project Grant

March 1

  • Community Support Organizations Operational Grant

  • Post-Secondary Institutions Project Grant

April 1

  • Art Acquisition by Application

  • Artists and Education Project Grant

  • Public Art Galleries Operational Grant

May 1

  • Summer School Operational Grant

September 1

  • Community Support Organizations Project Grant

  • Dance Project Grant

  • Film & Video Project Grant

  • Literary Arts Project Grant

  • Music Project Grant

  • Theatre Project Grant

  • Traditional Aboriginal Arts Project Grant

  • Visual Art and New Media Project Grant

October 1

  • Alberta Major Performing Arts Companies Operational Grant

  • Community Performing Arts Organizations Operational Grant

November 15

  • Arts Presenting Operational Grant

December 1

  • Aboriginal Arts Organizations Project Grant

Ongoing Application

  • Arts Partnership Project Grant

  • Cultural Relations Project Grant