Funding

On June 25, 2021, the Alberta government announced it would work with Indigenous communities to establish a permanent memorial on the Alberta legislature grounds for the victims of the residential school system.

Indigenous artists can submit a Expression of Interest for a memorial on legislature grounds to honour residential school students who never came home.

Funding

Up to $1 million.

Eligible applicants

This Request for an Expression of Interest is open to the following categories of Indigenous artists from or living in Alberta:

• individual artist
• artist-led teams
• artist collectives
• partnerships of artists

Recent familial connections to Alberta First Nations or with the Metis Settlements and Métis Nation Regions are required.

Deadline

Deadline to apply: July 29 at 2 pm MT.

For more info:

news release

Learn more on eligibility requirements and how to apply by clicking on the pink button below.

For further information or to set up an informational meeting please contact ir.rscrg@gov.ab.ca.

We have an important update for artists interested in applying for Music Individual Project Funding by March 1. AFA music grant applicants must now upload music samples directly into their GATE Front Office online application.

What does this mean for you?

Music applicants must now upload two audio samples as attachments to their application. This includes those artists applying for career development, training, or marketing projects.

Samples should reflect your artistic practice, and may include:

• scratch demos
• high-quality demos
• past commercial recording
• recordings of previous compositions or scores
• or two other representative works

Only arts administrators that are applying for training or career development projects are exempt.

• these applicants can upload a blank document as attachments to complete their applications

Format and resources

File size is limited and artists must prepare their samples accordingly. Each audio file must be:

• under 5 minutes
• in MP3 or AAC format
• no larger than 8MB

We encourage artists to edit their files into the required format and length before submitting their applications. Free online resources include:

• Pro Tools
• Reaper
• Garageband
• Audacity

New requirements for music commissions

Music applicants for Commission projects must attached a signed contract by commissioners.

We strongly encourage applicants to use the Model Composer Commissioning Contract, available through the Canadian League of Composers.

• download the contract

More information

You can find more information about how to attach audio files to your application in Music grant guidelines under How to apply.

• view the guidelines

Next deadline

March 1, 2023. The AFA must receive your application by 11:59 p.m. MST on the deadline.

Current applicants and recipients

If you have already submitted an application for March 1, your Arts Development Consultant will update your application on your behalf.

If you are a current recipient of an AFA Music grant and still need to submit your report, you can also upload audio files directly to GATE Front Office. Please visit the Music grant guidelines under Reporting for requirements.

• view the guidelines

Questions?

Contact Jason Flammia, Arts Development Consultant – Music.

In April 2021, the AFA hosted targeted stakeholder engagement sessions to gather input and feedback that could be used to inform the AFA’s 2021-22 spending plan and potential arts sector relaunch communications following the pandemic. The AFA sought input from arts organizations, individual artists, and Indigenous artists and arts workers.

The AFA heard from 91 clients and stakeholders from across Alberta during seven virtual meetings held via Zoom. By seeking stakeholder input on the arts community’s challenges, needs, and expectations, the AFA sought to make funding decisions that both fulfil our mandate and are as responsive to the current situation as possible.

To increase transparency and to help fulfill the AFA’s commitment to evidence-based planning, we have published a summary of what the AFA heard from this engagement process.

What did the AFA hear?

The AFA heard several consistent overall themes during the engagement. Stakeholders highlighted their views and concerns related to:

• funding and support for grant writing
• relaunch and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic
• digital capacity
• communication and advocacy they would like to see from the AFA
• artistic practice supports and professional development opportunities

While we heard a variety of ideas, reflections, as well as concerns, related to these themes, there were four topics we heard repeated across all sessions and through many of these themes:

1. Uncertainty due to the pandemic: We heard about the many challenges that artists and arts organizations have had to endure during the COVID-19 pandemic. One challenge we heard that has been felt profoundly across the sector has been the uncertainty associated with the pandemic, both during the here-and-now and for the future during relaunch and recovery. This uncertainty impacts every aspect of the advice and input we received during engagement.
2. Stability of funding: While many stakeholders shared ideas for new programs that could be of value to the sector, a consistent message we heard across all sessions was the importance of maintaining current programs. Operational clients also stressed the importance of predictability and sustainability of funding levels from year-to-year. 
3. Flexibility for use of grant funding: Comments along this theme varied based on program, but we did hear a consistent desire among clients and grant recipients for fewer restrictions on eligible uses for funding. During discussions on this theme, we also heard some ideas for eligible uses of funding that the AFA already permits in many of its grant programs, such as support for professional development, research and development, costs related to cultural expenses (such as protocols and gift giving), and for child care costs. 
4. Advocacy: In all sessions, we heard many ideas about how the AFA could advocate on behalf of the arts community. We heard the importance not only of better outcomes that could be realized by the arts sector based on increased advocacy efforts, but the value artists and arts organizations see of the AFA advocating on their behalf. 

We encourage all artists, arts workers, other stakeholders and organizations that are connected to the AFA to read the full report. 

What happened next?

The AFA values the input provided during engagement sessions and has addressed some of the priorities raised in our 2021-22 spending plan. Our priorities were to maintain predictable and stable support for Alberta’s arts organizations, and to continue to provide project opportunities for individual artists.

We also considered ways to increase communication on supports available and other topics raised during the engagement sessions. We published frequently asked questions by new AFA applicants, based on feedback we heard during this engagement.

The AFA remains committed to ongoing engagement with our clients and stakeholders to ensure we are as responsive as possible to the community’s needs.

Questions? 

The AFA values input from all clients and stakeholders, and you may share your perspective or ask any additional questions by emailing afacontact@gov.ab.ca.

Image provided by the Citadel Theatre

Alberta’s government is investing in the Citadel Theatre so that Albertans of all ages will be able to continue to enjoy the performing arts in Edmonton.

Edmonton’s Citadel Theatre is a performing arts hub in downtown Edmonton and an important partner in Alberta’s vibrant arts and culture scene. It draws both local and international visitors and productions to Edmonton while also offering programs to teach and encourage the next generation of creative voices.

As part of the Budget 2023 Capital Plan, Alberta’s government would provide the Citadel Theatre with $4 million to help fund its renewal project. Supporting the theatre’s renewal project will ensure it remains in top condition to provide a high-quality performance space for Alberta’s talented performers and continues to be a destination for world-renowned productions for years to come.

“The Citadel Theatre is a hub for the performing arts in Alberta. Through development of cultural infrastructure like the Citadel, we are creating jobs, helping to diversify our economy and building vibrant communities for all Albertans to enjoy.”

Jason Luan, Minister of Culture 

“This funding is absolutely transformational for the Citadel Theatre! As one of the gems of downtown Edmonton, the funds will be put towards capital infrastructure costs. We are really delighted, as this building has long needed this level of support. Thank you to the Government of Alberta for recognizing the Citadel Theatre and for their support of arts and culture in Edmonton.”

Sarah Pocklington, executive director, Citadel Theatre

Edmonton’s Citadel Theatre provides nearly 170,000 square feet of community space, and the project will see upgrades throughout the building.

Quick facts

•  The Citadel Theatre is one of the largest theatres in Canada and home to the Foote Theatre School.
• The Citadel Theatre renewal project includes: 
  • replacing elevators, window glazing and skylights, flooring and mechanical systems
  • renovating washrooms and adding stairlifts to increase accessibility
  • renovating the flexible hospitality venue

Related information

• The Citadel Theatre - Edmonton Theatre, Musicals & Plays
   

When applying for funding from the AFA the first thing you will need to do is get acquainted with the Grant Administration Tracking and Evaluation (GATE). GATE is the AFA's online application system.

The AFA only accepts applications through the Front Office portal of the GATE online application system.

Accessing GATE Front Office

Click the “Apply Now” button on the program guidelines page for your grant. 

First time GATE users

First-time applicants will require a GATE username and password.

First time applicants, email registrationafa@gov.ab.ca at least five business days before the application deadline, and include:

• your legal name
• the funding opportunity to which you are applying
• your email address

If you are registering on behalf of an organization, please also include the Legal Name of the organization as registered with Alberta Corporate Registry.  Your GATE user name and password will be sent to the email address provided. 

Returning GATE users

If you are a returning user, you do not need to request a new username. Use your previous login information to access Front Office. Should you have trouble accessing your account, email GATE Registration for a password re-set.  Please note, if your account goes for six months without login, you will be required to request a password re-set. 

GATE usernames don't expire but passwords do.

Your GATE username will not expire but your password will expire every six months. Email registrationafa@gov.ab.ca to reset your password.

Recommended browsers

While engaging with GATE ensure that you are using one of the recommended browsers:

• Chrome 65.0.3325.181
• Firefox 59.0.2
• Microsoft Edge

Did you know...

You can start your application in GATE at any time during the year?

A Message from AFA Chair Cynthia P. Moore

I am pleased to share that the Alberta Foundation for the Arts (AFA) Board of Directors has approved its 2024-25 annual budget. This budget is based on an increased provincial allocation of $30.1 million. 

In Budget 2024, Alberta’s government increased funding to the AFA by 18 per cent. They then committed to further increases until 2026-27 with the annual allocation reaching a record-level $39.1 million. We are pleased that this additional funding will allow us to provide further support to artists and arts organizations across the province.

Our board has taken time to consider the best way to implement the funding increase this year. This will set an important foundation for future years. With increased funding annually over the next three years, we will be able to support the arts community in a measured and impactful way.

This year, our focus is on increasing support for individual artists. We expect to fund nearly triple the number of individual project grants. The maximum eligible amount has been raised to $18,000, commencing with applications received prior to the September 1, 2024, program deadline. We are excited to invest these additional resources in many creative projects and the professional development of our artistic community.

At the same time, we are restoring funding to some other AFA grant programs, Arts Presenting and Arts and Education, to pre-pandemic levels. It is also important to note that the AFA will be maintaining funding this year for organizations receiving multi-year operating grants. We recognize that many of these organizations may have been hoping for an increase. We will continue to look at ways we can best support Alberta’s entire arts sector through ongoing engagement with the arts community.

Additional resources will be provided to the AFA Art Collection to increase access and public circulation. With this support, we will continue to grow this important cultural legacy and make it available to a greater number of Albertans.

The AFA remains committed to supporting equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility (EDIA) through our programs and services. Last year, for the second year in a row, the AFA used its Organization Activation Projects grant to support projects focused on EDIA. We look forward to hearing about the impact of these initiatives as they rollout this year.

In closing, I would like to thank the Honourable Tanya Fir, Minister of Arts, Culture and Status of Women for the opportunity to serve as the Chair of the AFA. She is a tireless advocate for the cultural sector. I look forward to working with her and all of those engaged in Alberta’s artistic community. 

Kindest regards,

Cynthia P. Moore, Chair
Contact the Chair at afacontact@gov.ab.ca

A Message from AFA Board Chair Paul R. Baay

On February 29, the Alberta government announced Budget 2024. I am pleased to share that funding for the Alberta Foundation for the Arts (AFA) was increased by $4.5 million, or by 18 percent from last year, to $30.1 million for 2024-25.

In addition to this year’s increase, the government has committed to incrementally increasing funding to the AFA so that it will reach nearly $40 million by 2026.

The AFA board is incredibly pleased with the government’s increased investment in the arts, and I know this will be good news for those in our arts community. We look forward to utilizing additional resources to continue to support the development of the arts in all corners of the province by funding artists, arts activities that engage audiences, and the organizations that bring them together. 

As usual, the AFA board will work on a plan for allocating its budget amongst our programs and services that will best utilize resources including the budget increase. Once that plan is approved, we will communicate our funding approach to the community. At this time, the AFA has not made any decisions related to program funding allocations.

The AFA board will work to ensure our spending plan is reflective of community priorities and continues to be informed by engagement with the sector. In line with our mandate, we will continue to prioritize and invest in artists, art, and cultural materials. 

As the government’s approach is incremental, the AFA’s will be as well: we will carefully and responsibly plan for increased resources as they are allocated to the foundation.

The board acknowledges the valuable feedback received from Alberta’s arts community over the past year. Alberta’s arts community is ready to thrive, not just survive, in a healthy and vibrant creative environment. Increased investment will help but we also recognize that collaboration and information sharing will be vital to support the sector to redefine success in a post-pandemic world.

We appreciate your continued engagement and look forward to sharing further updates with you soon.

Paul Baay
Chair, Alberta Foundation for the Arts 

Budget 2024 information

• Budget 2024
• Alberta Arts, Culture and Status of Women 2024-25 Business Plan (PDF) – English | French
• Government of Alberta 2024-27 Fiscal Plan (PDF) – Schedule 21: Allocation of 2024-25 Net Gaming / Lottery Revenue to AFA on page 161