Funding

The Alberta Foundation for the Arts (AFA) is pleased to announce a series of free webinar workshops for those interested in applying to the Visual Arts and New Media Individual Project Grant or the Indigenous Arts Individual Project Grant funding streams taking place during the month of August 2025.

These funding opportunities are available to independent artists or collectives only. The deadline to apply for both of these programs is September 2, 2025.

Our consultant Kari McQueen will provide a free webinar for those interested in applying. She will be providing tips and other useful information to apply for all project types, helping applicants develop their funding application and increasing their chances of success.

Dates and times for these workshops are listed below. To register for these workshops, please click on the registration links for your preferred date below.

Workshops for the Visual Arts and New Media Individual Grant

Tuesday, August 5, 2025 at 6-7:30 pm
Thursday, August 14, 2025 at 6-7:30 pm

Workshops for the Indigenous Arts Individual Grant

Wednesday, August 13, 2025 at 6-7:30 pm
Monday, August 18, 2025 at 6-7:30 pm

Pre-deadline Q&A Informal Webinars

In addition to the workshops above, Kari McQueen will also be offering free informal webinars for both grant programs being held just prior to the September 2, 2025 deadline to answer specific questions that may arise as applicants are working on and finishing up their applications. 

Applicants can register for those workshops at the links below.

Visual Art and New Media Individual Project: Monday, August 25, 2025
Indigenous Arts Individual Project: Tuesday, August 26, 2025

Registrants of these workshops are encouraged to take a look at the funding guidelines for the Visual Arts and New Media Project Funding and the Indigenous Arts Individual Project Funding streams, respectively.

Friday, August 15 at 6 pm

The AFA's Film and Video Individual Grant deadline approaches on September 2, 2025 and Arts Development Consultant Nick Haywood is providing a free webinar for those interested in applying. 

Please note that these funding opportunities are available to independent artists or collectives only. Incorporated companies cannot apply.

AFA Individual Project grants can provide up to $18,000 to support the development of individual Alberta artists, arts administrators, or an ensemble of artists by providing funding for:

• the development of a specific artistic work
• to pursue training,
• to pursue research, or
• to pursue marketing activities. 

Nick will be providing tips and other useful information to apply for all project types, helping you develop your funding application and increase your chances of success.

Take a look at the Film and Video Individual Project grant guidelines ahead of the webinar and come with any questions. Nick will be happy to answer them!

Questions? Email nick.haywood@gov.ab.ca 

 The Dance Individual Project Funding | Alberta Foundation for the Arts  approaches on September 1, 2025 and Arts Development Consultant Jodie Vandekerkhove is providing a free webinar for those interested in applying.

AFA Individual Project grants can provide up to $18,000 to support the development of individual Alberta dance artists, students, instructors, choreographers, designers, arts administrators, or an ensemble of artists by providing funding:

• to pursue training, 
• to develop a specific artistic work
• to pursue research, or 
• to pursue marketing activities. 

Jodie will be providing tips and other useful information to apply for all project types, helping you develop your funding application and increase your chances of success.

Tuesday, August 12 at 7pm link below:

 Webinar link

A Message from AFA Board Chair Cynthia P. Moore

On February 27, 2025, the Alberta government announced Budget 2025. I am pleased to share that funding for the Alberta Foundation for the Arts (AFA) was again increased by $4.5 million or by 15 percent to $34.6 million for 2025-26.

This is the second year that the AFA’s funding has been increased by $4.5 million. This is part of the Alberta Government’s commitment to increase the AFA’s funding to nearly $40 million by 2026. The AFA board is pleased to build on the work that was started last year in increasing support for the arts community.

Our results thus far this year have been very positive. As of December 31, 2024, the AFA has provided 726 grants totalling approximately $21.2 million – nearly a 40 per cent increase in the number of grants at this time in 2023.

There is more work to do. Soon, the AFA board will approve a 2025-26 spending plan. In line with the AFA’s mandate, this plan will continue to prioritize and invest in artists, art, and cultural materials, and will adhere to the priorities outlined in the 2024-2027 Strategic Plan.

I am also pleased to share that in the upcoming fiscal year, we will begin to implement new and refreshed funding programs that have been in development since we began reviewing our grant programs in 2022.

The AFA is modernizing its grant programs to provide more targeted funding support to arts organizations and individual artists. More information will be made available on our website at affta.ab.ca. The AFA will communicate directly with clients as changes start to take effect.

It is exciting times for the AFA and the arts community!

Cynthia P. Moore
Chair, Alberta Foundation for the Arts

Budget 2025 information

• Budget 2025
• Alberta Arts, Culture and Status of Women 2024-25Business Plan (PDF) – English | French
• 2025-26 Government Estimates (PDF) – Expense Vote by Program: Operating Expense 4.2 Assistance to the Alberta Foundation for the Arts on page 54

Image: Calgary Opera performers Alessia Vitali (singer) and Jonathan Brandani (pianist) perform at the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium.

On January 23, the Honourable Tanya Fir, Minister of Arts, Culture and Status of Women was joined by AFA Chair Cynthia P. Moore to announce how increased provincial arts funding this year is supporting Alberta artists and arts organizations. Watch:

So far this fiscal year, Alberta’s government has provided $21.2 million in grant funding for 304 arts-based organizations and 422 individual artists, with more funding to be approved before the fiscal year is over. This represents a 40 per cent increase in the number of grants provided compared to this time in 2023.  

“Alberta is proud to be home to talented artists in every corner of the province, and the arts sector remains a significant contributor to Alberta’s economy and quality of life. Each year, the arts sector contributes more than $1.2 billion in GDP and keeps more than 17,000 Albertans employed. When the arts thrive, Alberta thrives.”   

Tanya Fir, Minister of Arts, Culture and Status of Women 

This additional funding commitment has already had an impact on how the AFA has been able to distribute dollars to local artists, with an increase to the maximum eligible grant amount for individual artists from $15,000 to $18,000. 

“The AFA is thrilled by the funding commitment made by Alberta’s government to increase support for the arts community. This has allowed us to support even more Alberta artists this year and providing important support for arts organizations across the province. The AFA will continue to prioritize and invest in artists, art, and cultural materials in line with our mandate and government’s priorities.” 

Cynthia Moore, board chair, Alberta Foundation for the Arts 

Read the full news release on Alberta.ca. 

Apply for a grant

Artists, the next deadline for Individual Project Grants is March 3, 2025. Find funding to support your next art project. 

AFA Individual Project Grants can provide funding through four broad categories:

• art production (art creation)
• research
• marketing
• training and career development

Explore our resources to help you develop you AFA grant application.