Dance

Community Performing Arts Organizations Operating Funding

Grant subtitle
Funding for not-for-profit community orgs that self-create and produce performing art productions.
Select staff contact
Arts Development Consultant - Sector Support
Apply Now: Link to GATE
Apply Now
Recipient type
Organization
Art discipline
Dance
Music
Theatre
Preview image
Facebook title
Community Performing Arts Organizations Operating Funding
Facebook description
Funding for not-for-profit community orgs that self-create and produce performing art productions.
Twitter title
Community Performing Arts Organizations Operating Funding
Twitter description
Funding for not-for-profit community orgs that self-create and produce performing art productions.
Expiry
Owner
Arts Services Consultant - Communications
Overview

This grant provides annual funding to eligible not-for-profit community organizations that self-create and self-produce performing art productions.

Who can apply

To be eligible for Community Performing Arts Organizations operating funding, you must:
 

  • be engaged in creating and producing in the performing arts as your organization’s principal mandate as stated in its incorporation document
     

Your organization must:

  • be a not-for-profit organization
  • be registered and in good standing under the appropriate legislation and have been in operation in Alberta for at least two years
  • have at least 50% of the organization’s board members living in Alberta
  • demonstrate the ability to operate using good governance principles, effective administration practices,and a commitment to fiscal responsibility while maintaining its mandate
  • operate as a stand-alone arts organization at arms-length from municipalities, commercial enterprises, or organizations and institutions receiving annual operating funds from the Government of Alberta or its affiliates

Ineligible applicants

Organizations that are engaged primarily in competition-based activity are not eligible for AFA funding.

First-time applicants

If this is your organization’s first application for AFA Community Performing Arts Organizations operating funding, you must contact the AFA at least three months before the deadline for a preliminary eligibility assessment.

As a first-time applicant, your organization must provide approved financial statements that demonstrate the organization has positive net assets for the two annual fiscal periods immediately prior to application.

What does this funding support?

This funding is designed to support your organization’s operations, which are specific to your organization’s mandate, strategic and/or business plan and activities as described in your application and/or reporting.
 

AFA operating funding typically supports expenses such as:
 

  • administration
  • programming
  • salaries and fees
  • maintenance of equipment and fixed assets
  • promotion
  • other expenses as required to fulfill your organization’s mandate
How to apply

We only accept applications through the Grant Administration Tracking and Evaluation (GATE) Front Office online application system.

We must receive your online application through GATE Front Office no later than 11:59 p.m. Mountain Time on the deadline date,  unless the deadline falls on a statutory holiday or a weekend when it will be extended until the next working day. Please give the system time to process your application so that the AFA receives notification of your submission before the deadline falls.
 

GATE Front Office username registration

First-time applicants will require a GATE Front Office username and password. Requests must be received at least five business days prior to the application deadline.

Please complete the GATE Front Office Registration form and email it as an attachment to registrationAFA@gov.ab.ca.

GATE Front Office usernames and passwords will be sent to the email addresses provide on the registration form.

What to include in your application

For detailed step-by-step instructions, please download the GATE Front Office user guide.

GATE Front Office online forms

  • Contact Information which includes street and mailing address, primary and secondary contact names, phone numbers and email adresses
  • Organization Information, which includes the organization's legal name, Alberta Registration number and incorporation date and fiscal year-end
  • Applicant Agreement which includes the name and position of your legal signing authority
  • Current Board List which includes names, titles, mailing addresses, telephone numbers, email addresses and start dates for all current members
  • Community Derived Revenue (CDR), using the data from the most recent, approved financial statements, which includes total expenses, revenue and government grants
  • Diligence Questionnaire, which asks questions about your programming, financial management and stewardship

Attachments

Attachments must be developed prior to application, using either original documents specific to your organization or preformatted AFA templates, and uploaded to your online GATE Front Office submission.

You’ll be required to complete and upload the following attachments:

  • a list of planned activities for the coming year:
  • your most recent annual financial statements including Balance Sheet, Statement of Revenues and Expenditures, and Statement of Cash Flows
  • most recent annual return from Alberta Corporate Registry
  • void cheque or direct deposit form, if desired (not mandatory)
How will my application be assessed?

Funding awarded through this opportunity is calculated based on Community Derived Revenue (CDR). CDR is defined as an organization’s total annual revenue minus all federal, provincial and municipal government grants. Your organization’s CDR is then divided by the sum of the CDRs for all eligible Community Performing Arts Organizations, and then multiplied by this funding opportunity’s budget to determine your funding allocation. 
 

Funding for Community Performing Arts Organizations is established by the AFA Board of Directors based on the annual AFA Budget allocated by the Government of Alberta. Department staff evaluate applications according to eligibility criteria and prepare recommendations to the board.

The AFA Board of Directors reviews all funding recommendations, and all decisions are final.

When will I hear?

Grant recommendations are made to the AFA board of directors. Successful recipients will be notified upon board approval, generally between four to six months from the application deadline.

Conditions

Your organization is only eligible to receive support from one AFA operating funding opportunity in any given year. Funding is intended for the activities planned for your organization’s next fiscal year based on information provided in your funding application.
 

Ineligible expenses for AFA operating funding include, but are not limited to:

  • alcohol
  • amortization
  • GST expenses
  • fundraising expenses
  • bad debt and other paper losses
  • capital expenses

The AFA or our authorized representative may examine your financial and other records to ensure funding was used for its intended purpose:

  • funding recipients must return unused portions of their grant to the AFA
  • we may require your organization to return funds if reporting requirements are not met
  • if you do not meet reporting requirements, your organization may be ineligible for further funding from the AFA for a period of three years from the time the delinquency is resolved

The AFA Fair Notice Policy applies to this funding opportunity:

  • we may cancel, suspend, reduce or demand repayment of your grant in circumstances where we are concerned with the viability of your organization

Funding acknowledgement

Your organization must credit the AFA for financial support in any publicity prepared in relation to your organization’s activities, including electronic, print or visual material. 

  • if your organization fails to satisfy AFA recognition requirements, it may be subject to a 10% funding reduction in subsequent payments
  • subsequent infractions may result in ineligibility to apply for AFA funding opportunities

Download versions of the AFA logo and guidelines for usage.

 

Reporting

You are required to complete and submit a satisfactory final report in GATE Front Office that demonstrates that funding awarded for the previous fiscal year was spent on the activities described in the application.

Your final report is due October 1.
 

We must receive your online report through GATE Front Office no later than 11:59 pm Mountain Time, unless the deadline falls on a statutory holiday or a weekend when it will be extended until 11:59 pm on the next working day. Please give the system time to process your application so we receive notification of your submission before the deadline falls.

Your organization’s final report must include:

GATE Front Office online forms

  • Statistical Report, aligned with your organization’s most recent approved financial statements

Attachments

  • list of completed art activities aligned with your organization’s most recent approved financial statements
  • copies of promotional and publicity materials from the previous year, showing compliance with AFA recognition requirements (scanned into one PDF and uploaded)
  • your organization’s most recent approved financial statements with Balance Sheet, Statement of Revenue and Expenditures and Statement of Cash Flows
    • up to $25,000 requires a financial statement approved and signed by three board members, including the treasurer 
    • $25,001 to $50,000 requires a Notice to Reader financial statement provided by an independent, professionally designated accountant
    • $50,001 to $100,000 requires a Review Engagement statement provided by an independent, professionally designated accountant
    • more than $100,000 requires an Audited financial statement provided by an independent, professionally designated accountant. 
Helpful resources

Visit the Help and Resources section of our website to:
 

  • download the new Front Office User Guide
  • find additional resources for organizations
     

You may wish to download the following resources to include as attachments with your application or final report.

Should your organization wish to receive payment through direct deposit, please use the Direct Deposit form:

Deadline information

Organization Activation Projects Funding

Grant subtitle
Funding to assist Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility arts projects for organizations
Select staff contact
Arts Development Consultant - Dance
Recipient type
Organization
Art discipline
All disciplines
Dance
Film & video arts
Indigenous arts
Literary arts
Music
Theatre
Visual arts & new media
Preview image
Facebook title
Organization Activation Projects Funding
Facebook description
Funding to assist Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility arts projects for organizations
Twitter title
Organization Activation Projects Funding
Twitter description
Funding to assist Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility arts projects for organizations
Expiry
Owner
Arts Services Consultant - Communications
Overview

The deadline for this funding opportunity has passed. This opportunity provides funding of up to $30,000 for emerging artist engagement projects in rural communities, including First Nations reserves and Metis Settlements, to cultivate the next generation of artists and address intergenerational gaps in professional development. Projects must occur outside of Alberta’s major urban centres.

Who can apply

The AFA celebrates and supports diversity and is committed to creating equitable, inclusive, and accessible programs for all, free of barriers and discrimination. We recognize the unique contributions all artists make towards our community, and encourage applicants representing diverse communities including Indigenous peoples, racialized communities, women, people with disabilities, and the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

To be eligible for funding, applicants must be one of the following:

  • Not-for-profit organization, registered and operating in Alberta for at least one year, and in good standing under the appropriate legislation
  • First Nation or Métis Settlement in Alberta
  • Foundation established and regulated under Alberta’s Regional Health Authorities Act
  • University, college, or institute as recognized under Alberta’s Post-Secondary Learning Act

Eligible organizations must also:

  • Have at least 50% of the organization’s board members living in Alberta.
  • Deliver public arts and cultural programming in one or more of the following areas:
    • Self-created and self-produced work for public presentation in any arts discipline
    • Artist support, development, and training
    • Artistic presentation and public participation in any arts discipline that is open and available to the general public
    • Indigenous arts, culturally diverse arts programming, and arts programming that supports traditionally underserved communities
  • Demonstrate adherence to good governance principles, efficient administration practices and commitment to fiscal responsibility.
  • Demonstrate financial stability, in the judgment of the AFA, for at least one year prior to application.

Partnership projects

Two or more organizations that satisfy the eligibility criteria may apply to collaborate on a project. Multiple applications from separate organizations for aspects of the same project will not be accepted. Projects involving multiple partners must be consolidated and submitted by one lead organization.

Applicants are encouraged to consider projects between different partners (e.g. urban and rural, established arts organizations with new or emerging organizations, arts organizations with health, social services, immigrant settlement services, or Indigenous communities.)

Partnership projects must demonstrate that:

  • Control and responsibilities in the partnership are shared equally amongst all partners
  • Knowledge and practices will be shared and exchanged for the benefit of all project partners
  • The partnership results in activity that is beyond the normal programming of partnering organizations
  • The project could not be otherwise completed without the existence of the partnership

Ineligible applicants

Ineligible applicants are:

  • Municipalities
  • Commercial enterprises or for-profit organizations/companies
  • Schools
  • Organizations that are not arm’s length from municipalities, commercial enterprises, or schools
  • Organizations that engage primarily in competition-based activity
  • Organizations that do not meet the eligibility criteria in the section above
  • Organizations with overdue or incomplete accounting/reporting with the AFA or the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Status of Women
What does this funding support?

New initiatives that engage emerging artists in rural Alberta communities and foster the next generation of artists by addressing gaps in professional development and promote:

  • developing relationships and increasing knowledge sharing between emerging artists (typically ages 16-35) and established artists and mentors
  • increasing accessibility to programs and opportunities for rural emerging artists residing in Alberta communities outside of major urban regions
  • supporting artistic disciplines, and/or customary Indigenous arts and cultural practices
  • supporting Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (EDIA) of artists, communities, and audiences

Examples include, but are not limited to, projects that:

  • provide mentorship and pair experienced artists or arts professionals with emerging artists to provide professional development, guidance, support, and skill-building opportunities in their artistic pursuits
  • provide arts-related skill development to emerging artists though workshops, classes, or residencies in various artistic disciplines
  • support established mentors or facilitators to assist emerging artists to conceive, plan, and execute their own arts projects such as exhibitions, performances, festivals, or community arts initiatives
  • equip artists with the skills and abilities to market themselves in a region that may not likely have enough infrastructure to support development in their field
  • connect emerging artists with Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and/or other artists to share customary and/or contemporary artistic practices through community gatherings
  • build capacity for emerging artists to sustain their practice beyond the scope of the project itself, such as the development of marketing skills and strategies to promote work widely

Ineligible projects

  • activities eligible for funding, or already funded by other AFA project grant programs
  • programming that is already part of an organization's ongoing normal operations or artistic programming, i.e., proposed activities must be new initiatives
  • activities undertaken before an application is submitted to this project grant stream; projects must not start before the application is received by the AFA
  • post-secondary institution projects for curriculum-based or academic purposes
  • programs for core delivery of education, health and wellness, and social services
  • activities in the areas of applied arts (culinary, architecture, interior design, graphic arts, commercial photography, gaming, fashion design, tattooing, etc.), commercial variety acts (face painting, balloon entertainers, fireworks/pyrotechnics, hypnotism, etc.)
  • competitive performances or activities
  • cultural industry activities (for example, book and magazine publishing, sound recording activities, broadcasting/podcasting)
  • activities presented as part of primarily social events, including, but not limited to, fundraisers, rodeos, stampedes, grandstand performances, trade fairs, parades, meals, conventions, community dances, and student union cabarets

Eligible expenses

The maximum grant available will not exceed $30,000. Applicants may apply for up to 100% of eligible expenses that are verifiable and directly related to carrying out the proposed project.

Eligible project expenses include any combination of the following:

  • costs associated with the above listed activities over and above normal operations
  • external consultation, contract costs, commissioning fees, and artist/mentor fees associated with project execution
  • Elder, Knowledge Keeper, and/or cultural advisor honoraria and gifts as appropriate
  • project related materials and supplies (i.e., art materials, hospitality excluding alcohol)
  • venue and equipment rental costs
  • event or activity marketing and promotion costs
  • project-related travel and accommodation for artists, mentors, or participants
  • other expenses considered by the AFA to be reasonable and necessary

Ineligible expenses

Expenses and activities that are ineligible for funding include, but are not limited to:

  • permanent or existing staff positions, including prorated salaries and/or time of existing staff allocated to the project expenses
  • capital expenditures for the purchase of buildings or property or for capital development such as construction or renovations
  • capital expenditures for purchase of office furniture and/or equipment such as computers, technology, lighting, audio, etc., that can otherwise be rented and/or has a use beyond the life of the project
  • mortgage payments, amortization, and/or loan payments, bad debt, other paper losses, or debt reduction
  • expenditures already funded through other Government of Alberta grant programs
How to apply

The deadline for this funding opportunity has passed.

The AFA only accepts applications through the Front Office portal of the Grant Administration Tracking and Evaluation (GATE) online application system. The AFA must receive online applications no later than 11:59 p.m. Mountain Standard Time on the deadline date, unless the deadline falls on a statutory holiday or a weekend when it will be extended until the next working day. Please give the system time to process the submission so the AFA receives notification before the deadline closes.

The AFA does not accept:

  • applications received after 11:59 p.m. on the deadline
  • incomplete applications
  • applications for projects or activities that commenced prior to submission
  • more than one application from an organization per deadline, either solely or as a partnership
  • multiple applications from separate organizations for aspects of the same project; projects involving multiple partners must consolidated and submitted by one primary organization

GATE Front Office username registration

First-time applicants will require a GATE Front Office username and password. Requests must be received at least five business days prior to the application deadline.

Please complete the GATE Front Office Registration form and email it as an attachment to registrationAFA@gov.ab.ca, quoting the funding opportunity or grant program to which you are applying.

GATE Front Office usernames and passwords will be sent to the email addresses provide on the registration form.

What to include in the application

For detailed step-by-step instructions, please download the GATE Front Office user guide.

GATE Front Office online forms

  • Contact List: Includes the primary and secondary contacts for your application and signing authority for your organization
  • Applicant Contact Information: Includes street and mailing address
  • Organization Information: Includes the organization’s legal name and Alberta Registration number and incorporation date (when applicable), and fiscal year-end
  • Project Description: Includes a brief project description (20 words maximum) and project start and completion dates
  • Organization Applicant Agreement: Includes the name and position of your legal signing authority
  • Current Board List: Includes names, titles, mailing address, contact information, and start dates for all current board members; for First Nations or Metis Settlements includes governing council
  • Project Expenses: Categorized by expense type with brief descriptions and cost breakdowns in Canadian dollars
  • Project Revenues: List of all non-AFA revenues contributing to your project, including own-source, and status of funds, in Canadian dollars
    • the difference between expenditures and revenues will comprise the grant request to the AFA and cannot exceed $30,000

Attachments

The GATE Front Office attachment section indicates that not all attachments are required for submission as they may only be required for certain types of projects (e.g. marketing plan for a marketing project). It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure all relevant attachments to their project proposal are submitted with the application.

The applicant will be required to complete and upload the following attachments:

  • detailed description of the project, including an outline of the objectives, planned activities, and timelines
    • an explicit explanation of the benefits resulting from this funding is strongly encouraged as part of your detailed description.
    • ensure that the project description thoroughly addresses all assessment criteria outlined below (“How will my application be assessed” section)
  • organization’s most recent annual financial statements with balance sheet, statement of revenues and expenditures, and statement of cash flows
    • for partnership projects, the lead applicant must collate financial statements from all participating organizations
    • these must be uploaded as one file into the attachments
  • proof of filing with AB Corporate Registry
  • when applicable:
    • itineraries and travel confirmations
    • marketing plan
    • partnership agreement, contract, or memorandum of understanding indicating the responsibilities of each partner
    • additional support items that may assist in the assessment process including, but not limited to, promotional literature, programs, or newsletters

Should you wish to submit audio-visual support material, please contact the Arts Development Consultant responsible for this program for detailed instructions.

How will my application be assessed?

Staff convene an expert panel to consider all eligible grant applications submitted. The expert panel assesses the merit of each application both on its own terms and in relation to all other applications received for a given deadline.

Assessment of a project is based on the following general criteria:

  • Needs Assessment: demonstrated needs assessment that identifies the gaps or barriers in support and professional development for emerging artists within the region or community where the programming takes place
  • Project Merit: merit and clarity of strategies the organization will use to train, develop, and mentor emerging artists to foster self-sufficiency within the community
  • Project Impact: long-term impact of the project on both emerging artists and the organization’s future capacity and growth
  • Applicant Ability: ability of the applicant to carry out the proposed project, including programming and achievements to date
  • Project Budget: appropriateness of the project budget, including evidence of in-kind and/or financial contributions from the applicant, when applicable

All expert panel recommendations are reviewed by the AFA and all decisions are final.

Funding is not assured for any project

When will I hear?

Applicants will be notified in writing of the result of their application within four months of the application deadline.

Conditions

Funding is intended for the purposes described in the application. By accepting funding, the organization agrees to undertake the project as proposed in the original project description.

If the organization does not receive the full grant amount requested, it is still required to complete the project as proposed if the organizations accepts the grant.

  • the organization must return grant funds if the project cannot be completed as proposed

If the organization requires a change to the project including outcomes or an extension to the final report due date:

  • it must submit a request in writing for approval by the AFA
  • the request must be submitted to the consultant responsible for this program PRIOR to the change being made and/or before the project completion date
  • the AFA will consider a single extension per project

Funding recipients are responsible for informing the AFA of how funds were spent and outcomes of the project. The AFA requires a complete and satisfactory final report submitted through GATE Front Office that demonstrates funding was spent on the activities described in the application. The organization must:

  • return funds if reporting requirements are not met
  • return unused portions of funding to the AFA

Any funding recipient who does not provide a report by the date noted in the successful notification document, does not fulfill any conditions associated with the grant, or whose report is not approved will be made delinquent and may be ineligible for further funding from the AFA for a period of three years from the time the delinquency is resolved.The AFA will retain all materials submitted with grant applications.

The AFA or its authorized representative may examine a grant recipient's financial and other records to ensure that the grant has been used for its intended purpose.

Funding acknowledgement

Organizations must acknowledge the AFA for financial support in any publicity prepared in relation to the project, including electronic, print or visual material.

Download versions of the AFA logo and guidelines for usage on our website.

Failure to satisfy the AFA recognition requirements may result in the cancellation of the grant and the requirement to return all of the funding.

Reporting

A final report is due on the date noted in the successful notification document, typically 60 days from the project completion date set by the applicant. The final report must be submitted through GATE Front Office and demonstrate funding was spent on the activities described in the application.

The final report must include:

  • Project Expenses: A complete and accurate financial accounting for the project based on the original budget submission
  • Project Revenue: A complete and accurate financial accounting of all non-AFA revenues contributed to the project

Reporting attachments

The organization will be required to complete and upload the following attachments:

  • description of the results of the project, with an evaluation of its success in relation to the original objectives and outreach as stated in the application
  • copies of promotional and publicity material demonstrating AFA funding recognition
  • support materials such as reviews, publications, invitations and/or catalogues in which projects are mentioned, when applicable
Helpful resources

Helpful resources

Visit the Help and Resources section of our website to download the GATE Front Office User Guide.

Find more information on how the AFA adjudicates project grants

Learn more about the AFA and EDIA

Deadline information

Arts Presenting Project Funding

Grant subtitle
Funding supporting the public presentation of professional artists by reimbursing a portion of fees.
Select staff contact
Arts Development Consultant
Apply Now: Link to GATE
Apply Now
Recipient type
Organization
Art discipline
All disciplines
Dance
Film & video arts
Indigenous arts
Literary arts
Music
Theatre
Visual arts & new media
Preview image
Facebook title
Arts Presenting Project Funding
Facebook description
Funding supporting the public presentation of professional artists by reimbursing a portion of fees.
Twitter title
Arts Presenting Project Funding
Twitter description
Funding supporting the public presentation of professional artists by reimbursing a portion of fees.
Expiry
Owner
Arts Services Consultant - Communications
Overview

This funding supports the public presentation of professional artists by reimbursing a portion of professional artists' fees for the preceding year. 

Who can apply

To be eligible for this funding, applicants must be one of the following:

  • registered not-for-profit organizations
  • churches
  • library boards
  • Indian Bands as defined by the Indian Act R.S.C. 1985, C.I-5
  • Métis Settlements recognized under the Métis Settlements Act R.S.A. 2000, C.M14
  • organizations registered under the Agriculture Societies Act
  • organizations recognized under the Post-Secondary Institutions Act (by Faculty or Department)

Organizations must also:

  • be registered and in good standing in Alberta under the appropriate legislation for at least one year prior to the deadline
  • be in good standing with the AFA with no outstanding reporting requirements
  • have been in operation for at least one full year prior to the deadline
  • have at least 50 percent of the organization's board members, or ruling council, living in the community or region where the presentations are given
  • demonstrate adherence to good governance principles, effective administration practices and commitment to fiscal responsibility
  • demonstrate financial stability, in the judgment of the AFA, for at least one year
  • operate as a stand-alone organization at arm’s length from municipalities, commercial enterprises or schools 
  • be the primary organizer and producer of the event by directly paying professional artists and/or artist-affiliated organizations (for example: artist managers or booking agents) for professional artist fees
  • have a policy of presenting at least three different touring professional artists during the twelve-month period from November 15 to November 14, immediately prior to the grant deadline
    • organizations based in rural areas with a population of less than 3,000 may apply even if fewer than three artists are presented

Partnerships between not-for-profit organizations based in the same region must apply through one primary organization. Organizations with branches or separate offices in the same municipality may submit only one application.

Post-secondary institutions may submit one application per department or faculty.

Ineligible applicants

The following organizations are ineligible for this funding:

  • municipalities
  • commercial enterprises
  • schools
  • groups that are not arm’s length from municipalities, commercial enterprises, or schools
  • organizations that are eligible for operating funding under another AFA grant stream
  • organizations that engage primarily in competition-based activity

Event partners and sponsors may not apply on behalf of the event producer, commercial organizations or other for-profit entities.

What does this funding support?

Eligible events

Events that are eligible for this funding are:

  • events that present professional touring artists who regularly tour outside their place of residence in the following arts disciplines:
    • performing arts includes music, dance, theatre, circus arts and spoken word
    • visual and new media arts includes drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, clay, glass, wood, metal, fibre and new media
    • film and video arts
    • literary arts includes fiction, literary non-fiction, poetry, screenwriting and playwriting
  • events where arts presentations, performances, readings, or exhibitions are the primary reason for the event
  • events that are available to the public through season tickets, or casual sales or free admission
  • events that at least three different touring professional artists between November 15 and November 14, immediately prior to the grant deadline
  • original live streaming events, occurring after March 12, 2020, presented through online channels or resources

Eligible artists

Grants awarded through this grant stream are based on eligible fees paid to professional artists (excluding GST). Professional artists are defined as artists that:

  • are compensated at an industry standard for their art (example: union or nationally recognized rate)
  • fulfill at least 2 of the following:
    • are recognized by the public and by their peers for their art, and have received industry recognition
    • are actively marketing their work to professional booking agents, venues and galleries
    • present, perform and/or exhibit their art for compensation on a regular basis
    • have specialized training in their field
    • have membership to a nationally or provincially recognized industry or other professional organization (e.g. ACTRA, AFM, Canadian Actors Equity Association, CARFAC, IMAA, WGC, Writers Union of Canada, etc.)
    • has received royalties or residual payments on their copyrighted works

Eligible expenses

Only fees paid directly by the applicant to the artist are eligible for consideration under this grant stream. Eligible expenses include:

  • presentation fees
  • performance fees
  • public reading fees
  • artist and curator fees for exhibition
  • screening fees
  • lectures and panel discussions by the creator, director, producer, or representative of film and video works (film festivals only)
  • transportation and accommodation for the above activities

An organization may claim artist fees for up to three presentations by the same artist or artistic act presented during the eligible grant period.

Ineligible projects

Ineligible events and activities include:

  • activities already funded through other Government of Alberta programs
  • curriculum based activities
  • pre-recorded events for distribution through online channels or resources
  • repeat presentation of previous live streamed events
  • activities related to conferences or workshops
  • competitive performances
  • entertainment or arts activity presented as part of primarily social events, including but not limited to:
    • fundraisers
    • rodeos
    • stampedes
    • grandstand performances
    • trade fairs
    • parades
    • meals
    • conventions
    • community dances
    • student union cabarets
  • activities by board members, full-time faculty, sessionals, or staff at post-secondary institutions

Ineligible expenses

For the purposes of this funding opportunity, the following fees are ineligible for project support:

  • for staff, board members, resident acts or house bands
  • for those practicing applied arts, including but not limited to:
    • culinary arts
    • architecture
    • interior design
    • graphic arts
    • commercial photography
    • gaming
    • fashion design
  • for commercial variety acts, including but not limited to:
    • face painting
    • balloon entertainers
    • fireworks/pyrotechnics
    • hypnotism
How to apply

We only accept applications through the Grant Administration Tracking and Evaluation (GATE) Front Office online application system.

We must receive your online application through GATE Front Office no later than 11:59 p.m. Mountain Time on the deadline date, unless the deadline falls on a statutory holiday or a weekend when it will be extended until the next working day. Please give the system time to process your application so that we receive notification of your submission before the deadline falls. Applications received after 11:59 p.m. of the deadline date will be considered at the next deadline.

  • applicants may submit only one application to the AFA each deadline
  • the AFA does not accept incomplete applications
  • projects involving more than one organization must be submitted by the primary applicant organization; separate organization applications will not be accepted for the same project

GATE Front Office username registration

First-time applicants will require a GATE Front Office username and password. Requests must be received at least five business days prior to the application deadline.

Please complete the GATE Front Office Registration form and email it as an attachment to registrationAFA@gov.ab.ca.

GATE Front Office usernames and passwords will be sent to the email addresses provide on the registration form.

What to include in your application

For detailed step-by-step instructions, please download the GATE Front Office user guide.

GATE Front Office online forms

  • applicant contact information, including street and mailing address
  • contact list, including primary and secondary contact persons and signing authority designate for the application 
  • the organization’s registration details, including organization’s registered name, Alberta Registration number and incorporation date
  • an applicant agreement with e-signature of signing authority designate for the organization
  • a completed Statistical Report 
  • a listing of all current board members include the names, positions, addresses, telephone numbers, fax numbers, and e-mail addresses
  • total number of events, artists, artist fees paid from Arts Presenting worksheet

Attachments

The GATE Front Office attachment section indicates that not all attachments are required for submission. This is because they are only required for certain types of projects (e.g. marketing plan for a marketing project). It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that all attachments noted in the guidelines are submitted with their application.

You’ll be required to complete and upload the following attachments:

  • Arts Presenting calculation worksheet
  • copies of all promotional materials related to the event, such as posters and programs, demonstrating compliance with AFA funding acknowledgement conditions (see "Conditions" below)
    • do not submit press clippings or videos
  • the organization's most recent annual financial statement with Balance Sheet, Statement of Revenues and Expenditures, and Statement of Cash Flows
  • a confirmation of filing of the organization's most recent annual return from Alberta Corporate Registry
  • for presentations that include public screening of film and video media, please attach written evidence of compliance with film classification regulations as outlined in the Film and Video Classification Act

Applicants may be asked for additional information.

Format

  • all video and audio files must be Windows compatible
  • wherever possible, support material should be uploaded as an attachment into GATE Front Office (up to 4 MB)
  • if your support material is too large to upload, please mail a hard copy to 10708 – 105 Ave, Edmonton, AB, T5H 0A1
    • please include your first name, last name and project number
    • support material sent by mail must be postmarked no later than 11:59 p.m. Mountain Time on the deadline date
How will my application be assessed?

Arts Presenting funding and funding maximums are established annually by the AFA board of Directors. The annual AFA budget is based upon funds allocated in the annual Government of Alberta budget. 

This grant is calculated by formula.

  • up to 65% of fees paid to Alberta artists. Ensemble members may not be separated out and residency is determined by majority of ensemble members
  • up to 50% of fees paid to Canadian artists from the rest of Canada
  • up to 50% of fees paid to International artists to a maximum of 1/3 of the eligible Canadian/Alberta subsidy. International children's artists are exempt from the restriction. Children's artists are those who primarily play to audiences where over 50% of the audience is under the age of 16 years

Staff evaluate applications according to the program grant stream criteria and prepare recommendations to the AFA board.

 Available funds are equitably distributed to all eligible applicants according to a formula.

 Funding is not assured for any project. All decisions are final.

When will I hear?

Grant recommendations are made to the AFA board of directors. Successful recipients will be notified upon board approval, generally between four to six months from the application deadline.

Conditions

The AFA will retain all materials submitted with funding applications. The AFA or our authorized representative may examine a funding recipient's financial and other records to ensure that all claimed expenses were undertaken as outlined in the funding application. 

The AFA may cancel, suspend, reduce or demand repayment of funding in circumstances where the AFA is concerned with the viability of an organization as per the AFA Fair Notice policy.

The AFA does not provide advances for any grant.

Funding acknowledgement

Whenever possible, you must acknowledge the AFA for financial support in any publicity prepared in relation to the project, including electronic, print or visual material.

Download versions of the AFA logo and guidelines for usage.

A minimum reduction of 10% will be applied to the subsequent grant of any organization that does not satisfy the AFA recognition requirements.

Reporting

Reporting is not required for Arts Presenting project funding.

Helpful resources

Visit the Help and Resources section of our website to:

  • download the new Front Office User Guide
  • find additional resources for organizations

You may wish to download the following resources to include as attachments with your application:

Please note that the Arts Presenting Artist fees and financial statement confirmation form is no longer required to complete your grant application. 

Should your organization wish to receive payment through direct deposit, please use the Direct Deposit form:

 

Deadline information

Summer School Project Funding

Grant subtitle
This funding supports organizations in delivering residence-based art summer schools.
Select staff contact
Arts Development Consultant - Literary Arts/Film & Video
Apply Now: Link to GATE
Apply Now
Recipient type
Organization
Art discipline
All disciplines
Dance
Film & video arts
Indigenous arts
Literary arts
Music
Theatre
Visual arts & new media
Preview image
Facebook title
Summer School Project Funding
Facebook description
This funding supports organizations in delivering residence-based art summer schools.
Twitter title
Summer School Project Funding
Twitter description
This funding supports organizations in delivering residence-based art summer schools.
Expiry
Owner
Arts Services Consultant - Communications
Overview

This funding supports organizations in delivering residence-based art summer schools that offer:

  • an arts intensive training experience in any discipline through technical skills workshops with professional artists and instructors
  • opportunities for young people from across the province to engage in the creative process
Who can apply

To be eligible for this funding, applicants must be:

  • registered not-for-profit organizations
  • registered and in good standing in Alberta under the appropriate legislation, for at least one year prior to the deadline
  • have been in operation for at least one full year prior to the deadline
  • have at least 50% of the organization’s board members, or ruling council, living in Alberta 
  • demonstrate adherence to good governance principles, efficient administration practices and commitment to fiscal responsibility 
  • demonstrate financial stability, in the judgment of the AFA, for at least one year
  • operate as a stand-alone organization at arm’s length from municipalities, commercial enterprises or schools
  • have the authority to provide residence-based programming for minors 
  • have previous experience organizing, designing and operating residence-based art programming

Previous grant recipients must have met reporting requirements in order to be eligible to receive funding.

Two or more organizations that satisfy the eligibility criteria may apply to collaborate to operate a summer arts school program. A partnership project must be submitted through one primary organization. The primary organization must designate the main contact for all requirements of the grant.

Partnership projects must demonstrate that:

  • control and responsibilities in the partnership are shared equally amongst all partners
  • knowledge and practices will be shared and exchanged for the benefit of all project partners
  • the partnership results in activity that is beyond the normal programming of partnering organizations
  • the project could not be otherwise completed without the existence of the partnership

Ineligible organizations

Ineligible organizations are:

  • municipalities
  • commercial enterprises
  • schools
  • groups that are not arm’s length from municipalities, commercial enterprises or schools
  • organizations that engage primarily in competition-based activity
What does this funding support?

Eligible summer school projects must:

  • consist of residence-based art-intensive camp programs of no less than five (5) consecutive days in length where students are provided with supervision, meals and overnight accommodation
  • take place between July 1 and August 31 
     
  • deliver arts programming to students ages 11-19 years 
     
  • provide students access to Alberta's professional artists and instructors 
  • provide a daily regime of workshops and other hands-on activities for students to learn arts skill techniques and actively engage in creative process learning 
  • provide adequate participant supervision and safety requirements 
  • deliver age-appropriate curriculum and course content 
  • encourage participants to discover and express their creative potential 
  • provide workshops and other activity in an appropriate inclusive environment 
  • encourage province-wide participation

Eligible expenses

Applicants may apply for up to 40% of eligible expenses that are directly related to carrying out the proposed project, such as:

  • administration
  • programming
  • instructor and artist fees
  • promotional costs
  • accommodation and classroom arrangements
  • equipment rental costs and related extracurricular activities
  • supervisory staff
  • course and content development
  • food and lodging
  • materials and supplies
  • other expenses considered by the AFA to be reasonable and necessary

Ineligible expenses

Expenses and activities that are ineligible for AFA funding include:

  • activities eligible for funding or already funded by AFA
  • activity undertaken before an application is submitted to this project grant stream. Projects must not start before the application is received by the AFA
  • projects or programs offered by affiliated organizations that are eligible for funding under other AFA programs 
  • expenses related to eligible projects or programs that are covered by the institution (e.g. facility costs, permanent staff salaries, overhead costs) Summer schools operated by organizations whose permanent staff contribute significantly to the administration, promotion and operation of the school can declare up to 15% of permanent staff salaries, and must include a description of the applicable work undertaken by permanent staff
  • activities by applied arts (culinary, architecture, graphic arts, commercial photography, gaming), variety acts (face painting, balloon entertainers, fireworks/pyrotechnics, hypnotism), competitive performances and activities at social events

Ineligible expenses also include, but are not limited to:

  • alcohol
  • amortization
  • GST expenses
  • fundraising expenses
  • purchases such as buildings or property, or capital development such as construction or renovations
How to apply

We only accept applications through the Grant Administration Tracking and Evaluation (GATE) Front Office online application system.

We must receive your online application through GATE Front Office no later than 11:59 p.m. Mountain Time on the deadline date, unless the deadline falls on a statutory holiday or a weekend when it will be extended until the next working day. Please give the system time to process your application so that the AFA receives notification of your submission before the deadline falls.

GATE Front Office username registration

First-time applicants will require a GATE Front Office username and password. Requests must be received at least five business days prior to the application deadline.

Please complete the GATE Front Office Registration form and email it as an attachment to registrationAFA@gov.ab.ca.

GATE Front Office usernames and passwords will be sent to the email addresses provide on the registration form.

What to include in your application

For detailed step-by-step instructions, please download the GATE Front Office user guide.

First, complete the GATE Front Office Applicant Profile section with all required information.

GATE Front Office online forms

  • contact list: A listing of primary and secondary contact persons and signing authority designate for the application
  • applicant contact information: Street and mailing address 
  • organization information: the organization’s registration details, including Alberta Registration number, Canadian Charitable Registration number (if applicable) and incorporation date
  • organization applicant agreement: An Applicant Agreement with e-signature of signing authority designate for the organization 
  • summer school participation report: Number of Participants per Age Range and geographic area for the organization’s most recent residence-based art program
  • current board List: A list of all current members of the board of Directors, including names, titles, complete mailing addresses, telephone and fax numbers and e-mail addresses 
  • project expenses: Complete the online form providing a detailed budget in Canadian dollars, indicating all projected summer school expenditures
  • project budget:  The difference between expenditures and revenues will comprise the grant request to the AFA and cannot exceed 40% of the proposed budget.
  • project revenue: Complete the online form providing a detailed, budget in Canadian dollars, indicating all projected non-AFA revenues.

Attachments

Attachments must be developed prior to application, using either original documents specific to your organization or preformatted AFA templates, and uploaded to your online GATE Front Office submission.

The GATE Front Office attachment section indicates that not all attachments are required for submission. This is because they are only required for certain types of projects (e.g. marketing plan for a marketing project). It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that all attachments noted in the guidelines are submitted with their application.

You’ll be required to complete and upload the following attachments in PDF format:

  • resumes of curriculum designers, instructors, and other principal organizers (no more than four pages each) outlining their professional arts background, including training and any previous experience with delivering arts training to youth, or job descriptions if positions have yet to be filled
  • a detailed description of the arts summer school program to be offered, including:
    • list of workshops and description of arts skills training and engagement in the creative process
    • detailed daily program schedule
    • materials and supplies (if applicable)
    • number of students
    • program structure, fees and registration
    • contracting instructors, technical and participant supervisory staff
    • extra-curricular activities, if applicable
    • food and lodging arrangements
    • other logistical and administrative functions required for an arts summer school operation
  • copies of promotional material and public communications materials related to the summer school 
  • a description of the organization’s history of providing arts training programs 
  • the organization’s most recent approved annual financial statement of revenue and expenditure 
  • a confirmation of filing of the most recent return from Alberta Corporate Registry 
  • a copy of the organization’s Sexual and Workplace Harassment Policy for summer school staff and participants, with confirmation that this policy has been formally adopted within the past year
  • a marketing plan detailing province wide promotion of the program
  • for partnership projects, a copy of the contract or letter of agreement that indicates the responsibilities of each partner, and the knowledge, resources and experience that each will contribute
  • additional support materials that may assist in the assessment process. These may include but are not limited to, promotional literature, programs, or newsletters
    • all video and audio files must be Windows compatible, MP3 and MP4 files are preferred
    • wherever possible, support material should be uploaded as an attachment into GATE Front Office (up to 4 MB)
    • if your support material is too large to upload, please mail a hard copy CD or USB to 10708 – 105 Ave, Edmonton, AB, T5H 0A1. Please include your first name, last name and project number on the CD or USB

Applicants may be asked for additional information.

Applicants may submit only one application to this grant stream per arts discipline.

Partnerships

Applications for partnership projects must be submitted through one primary organization. The primary organization must designate the main contact for all requirements of the grant. Each organization involved in a partnership project must submit financial statements and confirmation of their corporate registries return.

How will my application be assessed?

The annual AFA budget is based upon funds allocated in the annual Government of Alberta budget and funding for this grant stream is established by the AFA board of Directors.

Staff convene an expert panel to consider all eligible grant applications submitted to each grant deadline. The expert panel assesses the merit of each application both on its own terms and in relation to all other applications received for a given deadline.

Assessment of a project is based on the following general criteria

  • merit of curriculum
  • merit of marketing plan
  • impact of the program on participants
  • applicant’s history of providing training programs
  • artistic and technical level of instructors
  • instructors level of experience teaching arts to youth  
  • appropriateness of summer school budget
  • the ability of the applicant to carry out the proposed project

The expert panel will be encouraged ensure support is provided to projects in a variety of arts disciplines. All decisions are final. Funding is not assured for any project.

Learn more about expert panels and how the AFA adjudicates funding requests for all programs.

When will I hear?

Grant recommendations are made to the AFA board of directors. Successful recipients will be notified upon board approval, generally between four to six months from the application deadline.

Conditions

Funding is intended for the purposes described in your application. By accepting funding, you agree to undertake the project as proposed in your original project description.

If you do not receive the full grant amount requested, you are still required to complete the project as proposed if you accept the grant:

  • you must return the grant funds if the project cannot be completed as proposed

If you require a change to your project including outcomes, location or an extension to your final report due date:

  • you must submit a request in writing for approval by the AFA
  • the request must be submitted prior to the change being made and/or before your final report is due
  • the AFA may consider a single extension per funding opportunity

Funding recipients are responsible for informing the AFA of how funds were spent and outcomes of the project:

  • you must return funds if reporting requirements are not met
  • you must return unused portions of funding to the AFA

Any funding recipient who does not provide a report prior to the date noted in the successful notification document, or does not fulfill any conditions associated with a grant or whose report is not approved will be made delinquent and ineligible for further funding from the AFA for a period of three years from the time the delinquency is resolved.

In addition to reporting requirements, applicants may be required to provide interim activity reports, financial reports or statements and other information deemed necessary by the AFA or its representatives. The AFA, or its authorized representative, may examine the applicant's financial and other records to ensure that the grant is being, or was used for its intended purpose.

  • the AFA will retain all materials submitted with grant applications
  • the AFA does not provide advances for any grant

Funding acknowledgement

Whenever possible, you must acknowledge the AFA for financial support in any publicity prepared in relation to the project, including electronic, print or visual material.

Download versions of the AFA logo and guidelines for usage.

A minimum reduction of 10% will be applied to any subsequent grant of any organization that does not satisfy the AFA acknowledgement requirements.

Reporting

You are required to complete and submit a satisfactory final report in GATE Front Office upon completion of the project by November 1 following the summer school.

The final report must include:

  • summer school participation report: online form that outlines the total number of participants and the number of participants categorized by age and geographic region
  • outcomes report:  a description of the results of the summer school, with an evaluation of its success in relation to the original objectives as stated in the application
  • financial report: showing project expenditures and income including AFA summer school grant funds 
  • copies of promotional materials in which AFA support is acknowledged
Helpful resources

Visit the Help and Resources section of our website to:

  • download the new Front Office User Guide
  • find additional resources for organizations

Should your organization wish to receive payment through direct deposit, please use the Direct Deposit form:

Deadline information

Professional Performing Arts Organizations Operating Funding

Grant subtitle
Three-year funding to professional organizations that create and produce performing art productions.
Select staff contact
Arts Development Consultant - Music
Apply Now: Link to GATE
Apply Now
Recipient type
Organization
Art discipline
Dance
Music
Theatre
Preview image
Facebook title
Professional Performing Arts Organizations Operating Funding
Facebook description
Three-year funding to professional organizations that create and produce performing art productions.
Twitter title
Professional Performing Arts Organizations Operating Funding
Twitter description
Three-year funding to professional organizations that create and produce performing art productions.
Expiry
Owner
Arts Services Consultant - Communications
Overview

This grant provides funding in three-year cycles to eligible professional organizations that self-create and self-produce performing art productions.

Who can apply

Eligible Applicants

To be eligible for Professional Performing Arts Organizations operating funding, you must:

  • have public performing arts programming as your organization’s principal mandate as stated in its incorporation documents
  • engage in on-going development, implementation and promotion of performing arts programming as its core primary 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

Your organization must:

  • be a not-for-profit organization
  • be registered and in good standing under the appropriate legislation and have been in operation in Alberta for at least three years
  • have at least 50% of the organization’s board members living in Alberta
  • pay a ‘fee for service’ at minimum industry standard rates (such as a union or nationally recognized rate) 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 arms-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

Ineligible Applicants

Organizations that engage primarily in competition-based activity are not eligible for AFA funding.

Organizations can only receive operating fudning from one AFA grant program.

First-Time Applicants

Eligible first-time applicants are accepted only at the beginning of each three-year cycle.

If this is your organization’s first application for Professional Performing Arts Organizations operating funding, you must contact us at least three months before the deadline for a preliminary eligibility assessment to ensure your organization meets the eligibility criteria.

As a first-time applicant, your organization must have met all eligibility requirements for the three annual fiscal periods prior to application. You must also provide board-approved financial statements that demonstrate the organization has positive net assets and has been operating with no annual deficit for each of these three fiscal periods.

What does this funding support?

This funding is designed to support your organization’s operations, which are specific to your organization’s mandate, strategic and/or business plan and activities as described in your application and/or reporting.

AFA operating funding typically supports expenses such as

  • administration
  • programming
  • salaries and fees
  • maintenance of equipment and fixed assets
  • promotion
  • other expenses as required to fulfill your organization’s mandate

Organizations which have an average annual CDR under $1 million, and have been in an AFA funding stream for a minimum of three years, may apply to the Creative Year option under this funding. This option allows organizations to receive non-reduced funding in a year without a performing season. Discipline-specific project expert panels assess the proposals for this option. To prepare for this option, organizations must contact the AFA at least one year prior to the proposed Creative Year.

How to apply

We only accept applications through the Grant Administration Tracking and Evaluation (GATE) Front Office online application system. 

We must receive your online application through GATE Front Office no later than 11:59 p.m. Mountain Time on the deadline date,  unless the deadline falls on a statutory holiday or a weekend when it will be extended until the next working day. Please give the system time to process your application so that the AFA receives notification of your submission before the deadline falls.

GATE Front Office username

First-time applicants will require a GATE Front Office username and password. Requests must be received at least five business days prior to the application deadline.

Please complete the GATE Front Office Registration form and email it as an attachment to registrationAFA@gov.ab.ca.

GATE Front Office usernames and passwords will be sent to the email addresses provide on the registration form.

What to include in your application

For detailed step-by-step instructions, please download the GATE Front Office user guide.

GATE Front Office online forms:

  • an Application Contact List which designates one contact as your organization’s primary contact and Signing Authority for this application 
  • your organization’s street address and mailing address 
  • your organization’s registration details, including legal name, Alberta Registration number and incorporation date
  • CADAC number for your organization’s last three years of financial and statistical data
  • an Organization Applicant Agreement, which must be agreed to by your organization’s Signing Authority
  • a current board list which includes names and titles, mailing addresses, telephone numbers, email addresses and start dates for all current members
  • a completed Community Derived Revenue Calculation form, using the data from the corresponding lines from CADAC
  • a completed Diligence Questionnaire

Attachments:

Attachments must be developed prior to application, using either original documents specific to your organization or preformatted AFA templates, and uploaded to your online GATE Front Office submission.

You’ll be required to complete and upload the following attachments:

  • a current, board-approved business or strategic plan
  • a listing of planned activities for the coming year
  • your most recent annual financial statements including Balance Sheet, Statement of Revenues and Expenditures, and Statement of Cash Flows
  • a confirmation of your organization's most recent annual return from Alberta Corporate Registry
  • a current list of your organization's core staff and their positions 
  • a copy of your organization's Cash Reserve Policy

Cash Reserve Policy requirements

Your organization’s submitted Cash Reserve Policy must: 

  • be approved by your organization’s board of Directors
  • establish a base Cash Reserve amount as a percentage of your organization’s annual operating expenditure and provide a rationale for that base amount
  • outline that the Cash Reserve be clearly identified on your organization’s annual financial statement
  • define the Cash Reserve as an unencumbered, restricted cash account that can only be accessed upon a resolution of your organization's board of Directors, approved by a majority vote
  • outline that the Cash Reserve funds may only be used to temporarily finance unforeseen operating deficits
  • outline that funds removed from the Cash Reserve must be replenished within three fiscal years from the end of the fiscal year in which the Cash Reserve funds were utilized
  • outline that the base Cash Reserve amount, once approved by the AFA, may not be reduced without prior approval by the AFA

We strongly encourage all organizations to strive for a cash reserve of no less than 10% of your organization’s average annual operating expenditures. However, we recognize that individual organizations have unique operating requirements. In considering the savings target for the Cash Reserve, your organization’s board of Directors is expected to consider its own operating requirements and determine an appropriate target which may be more or less than 10% of average annual operating expenditures.

Eligible organizations in this funding opportunity are encouraged to consult department staff as they develop the Cash Reserve Policy and associated plan for implementation.

How will my application be assessed?

Funding awarded through this opportunity is calculated based on Community Derived Revenue (CDR). CDR is defined as an organization’s total annual revenue minus all federal, provincial and municipal government grants. 

Funding amounts are calculated in two stages:

1. First, your organization’s three-year average CDR is adjusted to the following percentage tiers:

  • 11% of such CDR for organizations with a three-year average CDR equal to or greater than $1 million;
  • 15% of such CDR for organizations with a three-year average CDR of less than $1 million and equal to or more than $100,000
  • 20% of such CDR for organizations with a three-year average CDR of less than $100,000.

2. Your organization’s adjusted CDR is then divided by the sum of the adjusted CDR for all eligible Professional Performing Arts Organizations, and then multiplied by this funding opportunity’s budget to determine your funding grant allocation.

Note: If your organization has been approved for a Creative Year Option, your organization’s average CDR will consist of the most recent three years, excluding the Creative Year.

Funding for Professional Performing Arts Organizations is established by the AFA Board of Directors based upon the annual AFA Budget allocated by the Government of Alberta. Department staff evaluate applications according to eligibility criteria and prepare recommendations to the board. The AFA Board of Directors reviews all funding recommendations, and all decisions are final.

When will I hear?

Grant recommendations are made to the AFA board of directors. Successful recipients will be notified upon board approval, generally between four to six months from the application deadline.

Conditions

Your organization is only eligible to receive support from one AFA operating funding opportunity in any given year. Funding is intended for the activities planned for your organization’s next fiscal year based on information provided in your funding application.

Ineligible expenses for operating funding include, but are not limited to:

  • alcohol
  • amortization
  • GST expenses
  • fundraising expenses
  • bad debt and other paper losses
  • capital expenses

The AFA or our authorized representative may examine your financial and other records to ensure funding was used for its intended purpose:

  • funding recipients must return unused portions of their grant to the AFA
  • we may require your organization to return funds if reporting requirements are not met
  • if you do not meet reporting requirements, your organization may be ineligible for further funding from the AFA for a period of three years from the time the delinquency is resolved

The AFA Fair Notice Policy  applies to this funding opportunity:

  • we may cancel, suspend, reduce or demand repayment of your grant in circumstances where we are concerned with the viability of your organization

Funding Acknowledgement

Your organization must credit the AFA for financial support in any publicity prepared in relation to your organization’s activities, including electronic, print or visual material. 

  • if your organization fails to satisfy AFA recognition requirements, it may be subject to a 10% funding reduction in subsequent payments
  • subsequent infractions may result in ineligibility to apply for AFA funding opportunities

Download versions of the AFA logo and guidelines for usage.

Reporting

You are required to complete and submit satisfactory interim and final reports in GATE Front Office that demonstrates that funding awarded for the previous fiscal year was spent on the activities described in the application. If your organization does not intend to continue to seek AFA operating funding, you are still required to submit a final report.

Your organization’s interim and final reports are due November 1 each year of the three-year grant cycle. We must receive your online report through GATE Front Office no later than 11:59 p.m. Mountain Time, unless the deadline falls on a statutory holiday or a weekend when it will be extended until 11:59 p.m. on the next working day. Please give the system time to process your application so we receive notification of your submission before the deadline falls.

Interim Report

GATE Front Office online forms

  • CADAC number for your organization’s financial and statistical data that aligns with your organization’s most recent approved financial statements
  • operations and programming statistical information for the year aligning with your organization’s most recent approved financial statements

Attachments

  • your organization’s most recent annual financial statements including Balance Sheet, Statement of Revenues and Expenditures, and Statement of Cash Flows
    • up to $25,000 requires a financial statement approved and signed by three board members, including the treasurer
    • $25,001 to $50,000 requires a Notice to Reader financial statement provided by an independent, professionally designated accountan
    • $50,001 to $100,000 requires a Review Engagement statement provided by an independent, professionally designated accountant
    • More than $100,000 requires an Audited financial statement provided by an independent, professionally designated accountant
  • a copy of your organization’s confirmation of filing your most recent return from Alberta Corporate Registry
  • copies of related promotional and publicity materials for the previous year, showing compliance with recognition requirements
  • a material change report

Final Report 

Your organization’s final report, due by the three-year cycle application deadline of November 1, must include:

  • operations and programming statistical information for the year aligning with your organization’s most recent approved financial statements
  • listing of completed art activities report aligning with your organization’s most recent approved financial statements
  • sample of promotional and publicity materials for the previous year, showing compliance with AFA recognition requirements
  • your organization’s most recent approved financial statements with Balance Sheet, Statement of Revenue and Expenditures, and Statement of Cash Flows – information must be updated in CADAC
    • up to $25,000 requires a financial statement approved and signed by three board members, including the treasurer 
    • $25,001 to $50,000 requires a Notice to Reader financial statement provided by an independent, professionally designated accountant
    • $50,001 to $100,000 requires a Review Engagement statement provided by an independent, professionally designated accountant
    • More than $100,000 requires an Audited financial statement provided by an independent, professionally designated accountant
  • a material change report
Helpful resources

Visit the Help and Resources section of our website to:

  • download the new Front Office User Guide
  • find additional resources for organizations

Download additional resources

Deadline information
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