Acquisitions

How the AFA acquires artwork to support steady and diverse art collection growth.

Our vision for acquiring artwork for the AFA collection is to build an internationally respected art collection which reflects the development and achievements of Alberta's visual arts.

Application for purchase

We operate two competitive programs dedicated to the purchase of new Alberta artwork

  • the art acquisitions by application program for individual artists
  • the public art commission program for eligible not-for-profit organizations (currently paused)

Curatorial purchase

The AFA sets aside funding annually to strategically purchase works of art that address specific gaps in the collection that could not otherwise be acquired through other acquisitions programs.

Donations

The AFA Art Collection's distinguished reputation, combined with our adherence to national standards for maintaining and managing art collections, prompts artists, individual collectors, organizations and corporations to donate works of art.