Dance

Artist profile - Paul Reich

Paul Reich, seen above with the Atlantic Ocean in the background, on tour with Les Ballet Jazz de Montréal in 1984. Photo supplied from Paul Reich's personal collection.

After 28 years of service with the Alberta Foundation for the Arts, Paul Reich has retired from his position as Arts Development Consultant – Dance.

Paul’s remarkable career with the AFA has been defined by his unwavering dedication and deep commitment to the arts community across Alberta. His impact has been especially felt in the dance sector, where his support and mentorship have helped countless individuals and organizations benefit from access to AFA supports and services. Paul’s extensive knowledge and passion for the arts have shaped the AFA in meaningful ways, and his legacy will continue to inspire us.

Paul Reich performing in the Alberta Ballet production of Coppelia in 1985.
Paul Reich performing in the Alberta Ballet production of "Coppelia" in 1985 at the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium. Photo supplied from Paul Reich's personal collection.

In the lead up to his retirement, we sat down with Paul for a brief Q&A interview below.

Tell us about your career as a dancer: What type of dance was your primary discipline, where did you train, where did you typically perform, and do you have any performances that were highlights that you would like to share? 

Like many dance kids, I started in jazz where there was maybe two boys in the class. As I progressed, I was told that if you want to become “professional” I must take ballet. This guidance was not received with much understanding or enthusiasm. Regardless, my teacher shipped me off to an audition at the School of Les Grands Ballet Canadiens where I was accepted into a class with 25 other boys. A bit of a change for a kid from a small town. The intense physical demands of daily training in a French language environment felt like I had landed on the moon. 

Paul Reich performing for the Alberta Ballet (1986) at the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium.
Paul Reich performing for the Alberta Ballet in 1986 at the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium. Photo supplied from Paul Reich's personal collection.

Turns out it was the best thing that ever happened to me. I had the opportunity of going on to become a member of Ballets Jazz Montréal and later the Alberta Ballet and Ballet North. Touring and performing for audiences in many parts of the world was the most rewarding part of the job. I am grateful to my first teacher for mentoring me in the right direction.

Through my years as Ballet North’s General Manager and here at the Arts Branch, I have tried to follow this example of supporting young dancers and all artists when they needed it the most. I always felt that I owed a debt of gratitude, and I hope I have repaid in some small way the opportunities created for me through the efforts of my teachers and the dance community pioneers in Canada.

Looking back on your AFA career, what moments stand out as the most personally meaningful?

Having the opportunity of working with a like minded team that have a passion for the arts has been a real privilege. I have been very lucky in that regard.

Paul Reich performing with Ballet North in 1987 with dance partner Sandy Croft.
Paul Reich performing with Ballet North in 1987 with dance partner Sandy Croft. Croft went on to become Artistic Director of Cirque du Soleil's production of Mystère and Oh in Las Vegas. Photo supplied from Paul Reich's personal collection.

How have you seen the arts sector evolve during your time, and what changes have been most surprising or inspiring to you? 

I continued to be so impressed by how organizations continually adapt to very challenging circumstances. COVID-19, the post-pandemic period has had such a significant impact on the arts community. How artists and organizations come up with creative structural shifts in operations and program delivery is nothing short of amazing and I have the upmost respect for arts administrators, in particular, that shoulder much of this responsibility. 

What advice would you give to emerging artists or arts professionals entering the field today? 

For young artists, search out the best training you can find and learn from anyone and everyone that is more advanced. Young professionals can be successful if they stay open-minded to any opportunity and seek collaborations that help them grow. Improving technically and artistically is a one step at a time process. Madame Ludmilla Chiaraff, OC, founder of Les Grands Ballet Canadiens gave me the best advice, “Everyone is on their own schedule.” This advice proved very helpful over the years both in my professional and personal life.

Can you share a project or initiative you’re especially proud of, and what made it so significant to you?

It was a very satisfying experience to increase the number of participating schools in the Artists & Education program from 120 to 320 with many schools located in very rural areas. This meant an additional 60,000 students could partake annually in hands-on arts workshops across a range of arts disciplines. As a kid from a small town, that felt good.

Paul Reich performing in the Alberta Ballet's production of Spanish Pas de Deux - Nutcracker with dance partner Barbara Moore in 1986.
Paul Reich performing in the Alberta Ballet production of Spanish Pas de Deux - Nutcracker with dance partner Barbara Moore in 1986. Photo supplied from Paul Reich's personal collection.
Paul Reich at his retirement party on October 3, 2025.
Paul Reich at his retirement party on October 3, 2025.
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Paul Reich performing an arabesque with the Atlantic Ocean in the background,
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After 28 years of service with the Alberta Foundation for the Arts, Paul Reich will officially retire from his position as Arts Development Consultant - Dance.

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Paul Reich, seen here with the Atlantic Ocean in the background, on tour with Les Ballet Jazz de Montréal in 1984.
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Voluntary Based Arts Organizations Operating Funding

Grant subtitle
Annual funding for arts-based organizations that foster community connections and primarily rely on volunteers to operate.
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Annual funding for arts-based organizations that foster community connections and primarily rely on volunteers to operate.
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Annual funding for arts-based organizations that foster community connections and primarily rely on volunteers to operate.
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Overview

This grant provides annual funding to arts-based organizations that foster community connections and primarily rely on volunteers to carry out their mission and mandates.

Who can apply

Eligible Applicants

To be eligible for Volunteer Based Arts Organizations operating funding, organizations must:

  • have public programming and participation in the film and video, literary, visual arts, and/or performing arts (dance, music, theatre) as their primary purpose and principal mandate, as stated in their incorporation documents.
  • be legally registered and operating in Alberta for a minimum of one full fiscal year, and in good standing, under one of the following Acts:
    Provincial Legislation:
    - Societies Act of Alberta
    - Companies Act of Alberta, Part 9 (Nonprofit companies)
    Federal Legislation:
    - Canada Not-for-Profit Corporations Act and registered in Alberta under Part 21 of the Business Corporations Act
    - Special Act of the Parliament of Canada
    - Income Tax Act of Canada, operating in the Province of Alberta as a charity

Eligible organizations must also:

  • have an Alberta-based address
  • have 50% or more of their board members living in Alberta
  • demonstrate good governance principles, effective administration practices, and a commitment to fiscal responsibility
  • operate as a stand-alone arts organization, at arms-length from municipalities, commercial enterprises, or organizations and institutions receiving annual operating funding from other Government of Alberta sources or their affiliates

First-time applicants:

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

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

Ineligible Organizations:

The following applicants are not eligible for AFA operating funding:

  • municipalities
  • for-profit organizations
  • funding agencies or other funders
  • organizations not registered under one of the above-mentioned Acts
  • organizations  that primarily benefit those outside of Alberta
  • organizations engaged primarily in competition-based activities or events
  • organizations  focused on the applied arts including, but not limited to, gaming, architecture, interior design, commercial photography, graphic arts, and fashion design
  • organizations that are eligible for operating funding under another AFA funding opportunity
  • organizations  with overdue or incomplete accounting/reporting related to any grant previously awarded by the AFA or Alberta Arts, Culture and Status of Women
  • individual and collectives 
     
What does this funding support?

This program supports arts organizations that foster a strong sense of community in the arts through the engagement of the voluntary sector. Funding supports a broad range of artistic activities, including the production, presentation, and dissemination of artistic works and/or providing artists with support in alignment with an organization’s mission and mandate.

This funding supports organizations that rely primarily on volunteers to foster a strong sense of community participation and shared purpose with minimal or no paid staff.

Acceptable use of funds:

AFA operating funding supports expenses including, but not limited to:

  • fees for artists, curators, and technicians
  • cultural protocol, including honoraria, tobacco offering and fees for Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and Cultural Advisors
  • production and programming
  • marketing, communications, and promotion
  • salaries and professional fees
  • rent, utilities, and insurance
  • maintenance of equipment, fixed assets, and costs for facility operations
  • other expenses as required to fulfill your organization's mandate

Unacceptable use of funds:

AFA operating funding cannot be used for expenses including, but not limited to:

  • scholarships, prizes, gratuities, and awards and payments for individual benefit
  • endowment funds
  • third-party funding to another organization, including donations, grants, scholarships, or prizes
  • consignment fees
  • capital costs for renovations or facility improvements, land or facility purchase, and major equipment and/or vehicle purchase
  • bad debt or debt reduction
  • other expenses deemed unreasonable by the AFA
How to apply

The AFA only accepts applications through Alberta’s Digital Grants Service (DGS). To access DGS and apply for funding, applicants must first register an Alberta.ca Account for Organizations, which enables you to conduct business with the Alberta government on behalf of your organization.

Full details on how to create and manage your Alberta.ca account are available at Alberta.ca Account for Business Use. Once your account has been created, use your Alberta.ca log-in credentials to sign in directly to DGS and submit your application.

Applications must be received through DGS no later than 11:59 p.m. Mountain Standard Time on the deadline date. If the deadline falls on a statutory holiday or a weekend, it will be extended until the next working day. Late applications will not be accepted. 

Applications will be ineligible for consideration if incomplete, or the applicant has overdue or incomplete accounting/reporting related to any grant previously awarded by the AFA or Alberta Arts, Culture and Status of Women.

What to include in your application:

  • Contacts: Includes a primary contact for your application that will be the point of contact for any communications regarding your application or application status.
  • Board of Directors: Includes a list of all board members for the applying organization, as well as their position titles, cities, term start dates, phone numbers and emails.
  • People: Includes a tallied summary of staff and volunteers engaged by your organization. Does not include artists or artist groups paid for performances, presentations, exhibitions, workshops, etc.
  • Artistic Programming: Includes a tallied summary of public programming and events, participating artists and artists fees paid, attendees and program participants, and event revenue (when applicable). Also includes samples of promotional material demonstrating AFA logo recognition requirements.
  • Revenue and Expenditures: 
      - Includes a summary of revenues according to earned revenue, net investment income (when applicable), public funding, private sector/fundraising/donations, and other revenues. Revenues must match total revenues as reported on your included financial statements.
      - Includes a summary of expenditures according to artistic programming, facilities, marketing and communications, fundraising, and administration expenses. Expenses must match total expenditures as reported on your included financial statements.
     - Includes a summary of ineligible expenses that will be deducted from your total expenses used to determine your eligible grant request, as outlined in the How will my application be assessed section of the program guidelines.
     - Your organization’s most recent, board-approved annual financial statements. See note below on Acceptable Financial Statements.
  • Diligence Questionnaire: Includes brief questions on successes, changes to finances, programming objectives, and changes to banking information (when applicable).
  • Planned Activities: Includes a summary of upcoming artistic programming and activities
  • Applicant Agreement: All sections of the application must be completed before the agreement can be signed. A user with signing authority for the applying organization must log into DGS to complete this task.

Acceptable financial statements:

For returning applicants, the level of financial statements required are determined by an organization’s prior year AFA grant. Financial statements must include a Balance Sheet, Statement of Revenues and Expenditures, and Statement of Cash Flows. If the prior year grant was:

  • $25,000 or less include, at minimum, a financial statement approved and signed by the treasurer and two additional board members
  • $25,001 to $50,000 include, at minimum, a Notice to Reader or Compilation Engagement financial statement provided by an independent, professionally designated accountant
  • $50,000 to $100,000 include, at minimum, a Review Engagement financial statement provided by an independent, professionally designated accountant
  • $100,001 or higher include a full Audited financial statement provided by an independent, professional designated accountant

For first-time applicants, board-approved financial statements should comprise a Balance Sheet, Statement of Revenues and Expenditures, and Statement of Cash Flows. The level of financial statement is determined by your organization, but future applications must meet the conditions outlined above.

How will my application be assessed?

Funding awarded through this program is determined based on an organization’s most recent, board-approved financial statements and according to:

  • total eligible expenses to a maximum of 10 per cent
    - organizations located outside the Calgary and Edmonton metropolitan regions may be eligible for an additional 2 per cent subject to available funds
  • equitable distribution of available funds to all eligible applicants

For the purposes of your grant request, total eligible expenses exclude any costs associated with:

  • amortization or depreciation expenses
  • capital expenses
  • third-party funding
  • consignment fees paid to artists
  • public sector in-kind or non-cash contributions

Funding for Volunteer Based 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, which reviews and approves all funding.

All decisions are final and no appeals will be considered.

When will I hear?

Applicants will receive email notification upon AFA board approval, generally between four to six months from the application deadline.

Conditions

Organizations are only eligible to receive support from one AFA operating grant stream at any given time. Multiple applications to the Volunteer Based Arts Organizations program or to other AFA operating grant programs will not be accepted.

Funding is intended for the activities planned for your organization’s current or next fiscal year, based on information provided in your application, and in accordance with the acceptable use of funds. 

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

  • Recipients must return unused portions of the grant to the AFA

The AFA Fair Notice Policy  applies to this grant program. The AFA may cancel, suspend, reduce, or demand repayment of the grant in circumstances where the AFA is concerned with the viability of the organization.

Funding Acknowledgement:

Organizations that receive operating funding must credit the AFA for financial support in any publicity prepared in relation to their activities, including in electronic, print, or visual materials.

  • If your organization fails to satisfy AFA recognition requirements, it may be subject to a 10 per cent funding reduction in subsequent grant applications.
  • Continued failure to meet recognition requirements may result in ineligibility to apply for future AFA funding.

Download versions of the AFA logo and guidelines for usage.

Reporting

Reporting is not required for Volunteer Based Arts Organizations funding.

Helpful resources

Visit the Help and Resources section of our website to find additional resources for organizations.

Deadline information

Apply Now | Independent Studio Residency: Performing Arts & Music 26/27

Independent Residencies in dance studios, rehearsal spaces or music studios

Application Deadline October 29, 2025

Program Dates Apr 06, 2026 - Mar 26, 2027

Program Durations: Residencies can be 1 or 2 weeks in length. Longer residencies may be considered on a case-by-case basis subject to availability

Proposed dates must start on a Monday and end on a Friday, with arrival on the Sunday before and departure on the Saturday after.

Heather Edwards Theatre Space Available

At Contemporary Calgary, we believe that art sparks conversation, inspires critical thinking, and invites the exploration of new ideas. Guided by this vision, we strive to be a resource for our community while also welcoming new voices and expanding our reach.

Thanks to the generous support of Heather Edwards, we are proud to offer our space at an accessible rate—supporting the presentation of work that is relevant, meaningful, and thought-provoking.

Are you an arts and culture organization, collective, or individual hoping to bring your work to the stage? Do you want to realize your projects with all the equipment of a modern theatre? Contemporary Calgary is seeking community partners to bring engaging cultural experiences to the Heather Edwards Theatre as well as to contribute to the development of Calgary’s performing arts community.

We invite you to share your ideas for this space as we continue to build bridges across communities through shared experiences of contemporary art. If you have an idea and are interested in developing a partnership with us, please visit us at our website at https://www.contemporarycalgary.com/heather-edwards-theatre



 

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Rising Tour: New Canadian Choreographers Triple Bill | Ballet Edmonton

November 7th, 7:00pm - 9:00pm

November 8th, 7:00pm - 9:00pm

Step into an electrifying evening of dance featuring the 10 Dancer Ensemble of Ballet Edmonton in three bold new works by Canadian rising star choreographers Kirsten Wicklund, Ethan Colangelo, and Béatrice Larrivée. This triple bill offers a powerful blend of physical risk, emotional depth, and choreographic innovation, showcasing the future of contemporary ballet in Canada.

Afrique en Cirque | Cirque Kalabanté

Montréal-based Cirque Kalabanté combines breathtaking acrobatics with live music played on the traditional instruments of their native Guinea, This large-scale presentation of dazzling circus showcases the diversity of African arts with traditional West African instruments from soul-stirring percussion to the enchanting sounds of the kora. The talented performers paint vivid pictures of life in Guinea from start to finish, capturing the strength, agility and joy of life held by African youth.

Springboard Performance's Fluid Fest 2025 - BODIES OF WONDER

This year's Fluid Fest offers a thirst for wonder. Wonder that expands our field of sensing. Wonder as the pre-condition. Wonder as a vibrant, direct connection to the moment.

Featuring Ballet Edmonton, Cirque Kalabante, Mayday Danse, Action at a Distance and many more.

Immerse yourself in the possibility of performance.

Ten shows, endless curiosity, BODIES of WONDER.


Oct 17 - Nov 8, 2025

Tickets for all shows are now available on Springboardperformance.com and Showpass!

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