Visit Alberta.ca for updates and information on actions the government is taking to protect Albertans and prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Arts sector support

The health and well-bring of Alberta artists and arts organizations and the public as a whole is of primary importance to the AFA. As an agency of the Government of Alberta, the AFA supports and adhere to the advice and direction provided by the Government of Alberta with regard to the COVID-19 crisis and any additional actions that may be taken to support Alberta’s arts sector.

Alberta moves to step 3 of phased removal of health restrictions

Alberta will enter Step 3 on June 14 at 11:59 p.m. The following changes will come into effect at that time:

Mandatory masking on public transit lifted.
Mandatory isolation removed (becomes a recommendation only).
Masking in Alberta Health Services and contracted health facilities will shift to organizational policy.

The AFA encourages its stakeholders to consult with measures and restrictions outlined on Alberta.ca at COVID-19 public health actions. Alberta Health may update policies and protocols listed on this page without notifying the AFA.

Frequently Asked Questions

The AFA Board of Directors has approved its 2022-23 spending plan based on the current provincial allocation, which was maintained at $25.6 million this year.

read a message from Mary Rozsa de Coquet, Chair, Alberta Foundation for the Arts.

What AFA programs and services have been impacted?

The AFA’s funding allocation was maintained at $25.6 million; however, we are managing increased funding demand as the sector slowly returns to pre-pandemic levels of arts activities.

Our priorities this year are to continue to provide stable support for Alberta’s arts organizations as much as possible, and to maintain funding levels for programs that support individual artists. The AFA will continue to find efficiencies in its spending to ensure we can meet our priorities, including cancelling suspended funding opportunities for which the activities could be supported through current programs. These include:

the Travel Grant for Individuals and Ensembles
Cultural Relations project grant programs

The Organization Activation Projects grant program will be updated with a focus on pluralism this year and begin accepting applications in fall 2022.

The Public Art Commissions program remains suspended as the AFA determines next steps for the program.

Will my operating grant amount be affected?

The AFA remains committed to providing stable funding to arts organizations as much as possible. While the AFA budget allocation from government was maintained from the previous year at $25.6 million, demand on funding is increasing as we return to pre-pandemic levels of arts activities.

Some operating clients will be impacted by grant reductions, which is unavoidable this year. The AFA is taking steps to limit impact to the number of affected programs and clients.

Will the AFA be updating grant calculation guidelines?

The AFA is addressing the calculation of organizations’ eligible grant requests for future funding on a program-by-program basis.

Has the AFA reduced funding for individual artists?

No. The AFA is prioritizing maintaining funding levels for programs that support individual artists in 2022-23.

Has the AFA Art Collection been impacted?

No. In fact, we are pleased to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the AFA Art Collection in September 2022. This is a significant milestone that the AFA will recognize throughout the year.

The 50th Anniversary of the AFA Art Collection is a major milestone in the history of the AFA and this unique resource that is held in public trust for all Albertans. The AFA Art collection profiles the careers of hundreds of Alberta’s most celebrated and important artists and includes artworks in a variety of mediums reflecting the history and development of the province for more than 100 years.

The AFA is reserving some funding to support activities around the anniversary which include providing direct support to individual artists. More information will be announced later this year.

Why is there a delay on the Public Art Commissions program review?

There is significant complexity embedded in this program, as it serves both as an art acquisition and an extended loans program for the AFA Art Collection, as well as a funding support program to organizations and to individual artists. All potential outcomes must be considered against these contexts.

We will take the time to ensure we make the right decisions for this program.

Useful links

Alberta:

The government has launched the Alberta Biz Connect platform to help businesses and non-profits affected by COVID-19 operate safely and support their recovery.

Funding is available for small- and medium-sized businesses, co-ops and non-profits impacted by COVID-19 to offset a portion of their costs. Learn more about the Small and Medium Enterprise Relaunch Grant.

Alberta has published Pivot Online: A Toolkit for Artists and Non-profit Organizations.

This toolkit captures and shares the insights learned from artists and non-profit organizations who have pivoted their work online. It also provides information, resources and inspiration to help you pivot some – or all – of your operations online.
French Version: Transition numérique : une boîte à outils pour les artistes et les organismes sans but lucratif
There are a series of webinars available to help artists and non-profits move to a virtual work environment. View all the recordings on the Alberta Community Development YouTube Channel.

COVID-19 supports for Albertans – The government provides a list of services available for Albertans to get help, including a list of financial supports available.

Alberta emergency financial assistance – If you are facing an unexpected emergency, visit this page to learn more about applying for emergency financial assistance.

Federal:

Government of Canada COVID-19 information – Learn more about COVID-19 in Canada and the Government of Canada’s response.

Canadian Heritage response to COVID-19 – The Government of Canada is taking immediate action to provide support measures and financial relief for the culture, heritage and sport sectors.

On June 28, 2021, the federal government announced details of its plan for continued support for arts, culture, heritage and sport sector organizations. Read the news release.

Canada Council for the Arts information related to COVID-19 – Information and updates on how the coronavirus outbreak is affecting Canada Council's programs and services, and its response.

Municipal:

City of Calgary's Response to Coronavirus – Learn more about supports available and the city’s ongoing response to the pandemic.

Calgary Arts Development Information about COVID-19 – Information and updates on how the coronavirus outbreak is affecting Calgary Arts Development's programs and services, and its response.

City of Edmonton: Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Learn more about supports available and the city’s ongoing response to the pandemic.

Edmonton Arts Council COVID-19 resources – A list of community resources to help artists, collectives and organizations navigate through this difficult time.

Beware of online COVID-19 scams

Cyber security incidents involving malware and fraudulent activities including identity theft are being reported across Alberta in the wake of COVID-19.

Cybercriminals are sending emails and setting up fake websites designed to trick people into clicking links that install malicious software on their computers or capture credentials and other personal information.

Please exercise caution when clicking on links or providing personal information to people/organizations that request that information, unsolicited.
Some online resources that appear to offer help or information related to COVID-19 might actually install malware on a computer system to disrupt regular operations or steal personal information that is stored in a user’s browser.
- For example, phishing emails claiming to be from trusted organizations are using COVID-19 in the subject line, with malicious links in the email that can damage a computer system or expose personal information.
- Such emails could be claiming to offer links to new information or to buy surgical masks or sanitizers.
Please conduct your own research by relying on trusted sources of information, starting with Alberta.ca/covid19.