Indigenous arts

A Message from AFA Chair Cynthia Moore

The Alberta Foundation for the Arts (AFA) Board of Directors is pleased to have approved its 2025-26 annual budget based on the increased provincial allocation of $34.6 million. I am pleased to share highlights of our plan with Alberta’s arts community. We are grateful for the government’s continued commitment to increase funding for the arts and its second consecutive increase of $4.5 million to the AFA in Budget 2025. 

This year, the AFA will focus on increasing support for arts organizations. Total spending allocated to operational and project grants for organizations will increase by 10 per cent. At the same time, I am pleased to share that increased support for individual artists announced last year will be maintained. The AFA will be sharing information with operational clients about how their funding may be impacted through its regular grant notifications.  

The AFA will begin rolling out new and updated grant programs this year based on the findings of our program review begun in 2022. This year AFA is beginning the process of modernizing its grant programs to provide more targeted and appropriate funding support to arts organizations and individual artists. While the grant review is unrelated to the AFA’s 2025-26 budget, increased funding from Alberta’s government has well-positioned the AFA to effectively update its programs to reflect today’s provincial arts sector.

We will continue to make the AFA Art Collection more accessible to more Albertans, including through additional support for the Travelling Exhibition (TREX) program. TREX providers will be curating additional AFA artworks into more exhibitions, expand their outreach and increase opportunities for new communities to book exhibitions.

I want to express our appreciation for the government’s continued commitment to increase funding for the arts with the second consecutive increase of our budget. Our commitment is to prioritize and invest in artists, art and cultural materials. This work is in line with the AFA’s 2024-2027 Strategic Plan, which is available to read in both English and French on our website. 

We look forward to continuing to support and contribute to the growth of Alberta’s arts sector.

Cynthia P. Moore, Chair
Contact the Chair at afacontact@gov.ab.ca  
 

Application intake for the Alberta Artist in Residence/Arts Ambassador grant is now open. The deadline to apply is June 16. The maximum eligible amount you can apply for is $50,000. This opportunity is open to individual artists from all disciplines.

Program guidelines and application materials can be downloaded from the Artist in Residence website at www.alberta.ca/alberta-artist-residence-apply.

This program seeks to inspire innovation in the arts and to promote a wider understanding and appreciation of the arts and artists in Alberta.

Artists are encouraged to apply for this grant to become Alberta’s Artist in Residence / Arts Ambassador for a one-year term.

Through this grant, the successful artist will:

• work with communities across Alberta as an Arts Ambassador to promote the importance of Alberta artists and the arts
• communicate and share personal perspectives on the artistic process, the role of artists, and the contributions that artists make to Alberta
• act as an advocate for greater understanding of the realities of artists and the communities in which they work
• complete an art project that promotes the value of the arts in Alberta

TREX Southwest Program Manager & Curator
Location: Calgary, AB - (Hybrid with regional travel)
Salary: $66,000/year 
Term: 5-year contract (until March 31, 2030, with potential for renewal)
Hours: Full-time, minimum 37.5 hours/week with flexible scheduling
Start Date: June 2, 2025

About the Role:

The Alberta Society of Artists (ASA) is seeking a passionate and highly organized TREX Southwest Program Manager & Curator to manage and curate exhibitions for Region 3 (Southwestern Alberta). This role is a unique opportunity to bring visual art to communities across the province, curate thought-provoking exhibitions, and foster community engagement through the Alberta Foundation for the Arts (AFA) Travelling Exhibition Program (TREX).

You will lead the development of three major exhibitions annually, manage exhibition tours, and engage with artists, venues, and communities, ensuring equitable access to visual art across rural and underserved regions.

What We’re Looking For:

We need someone with a blend of creative vision, organizational skill, and community-focused values. If you have experience in curatorial work, arts programming, project management, and a passion for making the arts accessible to all communities, we’d love to hear from you.

To More Information and to Apply:

For more information go to The Alberta Society of Artist website: www.albertasocietyofartists.com/careers-2024-procoor

Please submit a single PDF with your cover letter, CV, and two examples of curatorial writing materials to president@albertasocietyofartists.com. 

Applications will be accepted until May 24 or until a candidate is selected. 

The Allied Arts Council of Pincher Creek is a non-profit community arts organization that makes our home in the beautiful historic Lebel Mansion in Southern Alberta. 

We are currently accepting submissions for our 2026 season. We invite solo and group artists to apply for the 2026 exhibition season.

​Please visit our website for all the details, including an updated gallery submission information packet which will guide you through the process. 

We strive to host thought-provoking exhibitions that appeal to a diverse audience in order to expand understanding of the visual arts in the community. Our art gallery exhibits working artists at all levels of their artistic careers and curates dynamic exhibitions that showcase strong, current Canadian art. We provide a yearly exhibition schedule balancing local artists and artists from throughout Canada working in all mediums.

The Allied Arts Council of Pincher Creek’s preference is for exhibitions that are for sale, however we will consider submissions that do not include works for sale. The AAC has a commission rate of 30% on all sales in addition to paying artist fees. All exhibitions will be curated and installed by the AAC's Executive Director, Kassandra Chancey and/or experienced volunteers in coordination with the artist or group. 

If you are applying as a solo artist and we see potential for a group show collaboration amongst submissions will be in contact with you. 

​The 2026 exhibitions run for 6-8 consecutive weeks and artists are paid $1000 for showcasing their work. 

Deadline for submissions: 11:59 pm, Friday August 1, 2025 
 

En ce dernier jour du Mois de la francophonie albertaine, l'AFA est heureuse de partager la version française de son plan stratégique triennal. Instauré en 2018, le Mois de la francophonie nous donne l'occasion de souligner le dynamisme et l'énergie de la francophonie en l'Alberta. 

Le plan affirme l'engagement de la Fondation envers la communauté artistique diversifiée de l'Alberta, y compris les artistes francophones et francophiles de la province. Le français est la langue maternelle d'un Canadien et d’une Canadienne sur cinq et d'environ 88 000 Albertaines et Albertains, et l'AFA est heureuse de rendre son plan stratégique accessible à ces communautés dans leur langue. 

Pour découvrir comment nous soutenons les arts, visitez : affta.ab.ca/about-afa/mission-and-mandate

English

On this last day of the annual Mois de la francophonie albertaine (Alberta Francophonie Month), the AFA is pleased to share its three-year Strategic Plan en français. Established in 2018, the month of March provides an opportunity to highlight the vibrancy and energy the Francophonie brings to Alberta. 

The plan affirms the foundation’s commitment to Alberta's diverse arts community, including French-speaking and Francophone artists across the province. French is the mother tongue of 1 in 5 Canadians and approximately 88,000 Albertans, and the AFA is pleased to make its Strategic Plan accessible to these communities in their language. 

 See how we are supporting the arts: affta.ab.ca/about-afa/mission-and-mandate

Application Deadline June 25, 2025

Program Dates Nov 17, 2025 - Dec 05, 2025

Overview  

The three-week Indigenous Fashion Runway Residency offers four Indigenous fashion designers the opportunity to build their portfolios and showcase their runway work in a professional setting.

Participants will be supported by the faculty and Banff Centre’s production team as they explore working with models, photography, and fashion show preparation. This residency is a balance of exploration and self-directed preparation for the runway to showcase 6-8 looks.

Designers may apply with up to 2 collaborators. 

Description

This program offers four Indigenous designers and their collaborators will have the opportunity to work together on coordinating their segment of the fashion showcase runway. The program provides mentorship and professional development, fostering learning through hands-on experience, including:

• Developing portfolios and showcasing work in a professional setting
• Working with faculty and Banff Centre’s production team
• Exploring modeling, photography, and runway preparation.

Program Highlights:

• Collaborate on a fashion showcase runway, which will be professionally photographed and recorded with B-roll for your portfolio
• Workshops on lighting, projection, staging, sound design, and special effects.
• Faculty led sessions on: Fashion as a Career, Marketing and Promotion of Products, Preparing for the Runway, and working with models and industry professions. 

The residency will take place in Banff Centre’s Performing Arts Facilities, where each design team will have access to Lazlo Funtek Dance Studios, The Wardrobe Facility and the Margaret Greenham Theatre. 

Requirements

Indigenous designers are invited to apply with a newly featured design line that is either complete or near completion at the time of application, ensuring it is ready for showcase during the program.

• Open to regional, national, and global Indigenous fashion makers, designers, and design companies.
• Applicants will submit a portfolio, along with the theme and background of their work.

Lead Designers can apply with a co-designer (adornment & jewelry), and/or a designer’s assistant to support their design line. Their contributions will be recognized as designers in collaboration. All participants will take part in program sessions.

• Scholarship: covers 100% of tuition fees and meals and accommodation costs

Apply Online