Request for Proposals

Deadline to apply July 2.

Are you passionate about the arts?

Are you well connected within your regional or cultural community?

The AFA’s Community Connector program is looking for passionate well-connected Albertans to act as a bridge between the AFA and their regional or cultural community.

This year long contract gives the selected Community Connectors the opportunity to help improve their community’s access to the province’s primary arts funder. 

This program is an innovative new way to connect with artists and organizations, particularly in geographic regions and with cultural communities in which awareness of AFA resources may be limited, by working with trusted community leaders to support our outreach efforts.

What we are looking for

We are seeking individuals who:

• Have strong connections within their local arts community.
• Have strong connection within their cultural or regional community.
• Are passionate about promoting opportunities for artists.
• Are passionate about the arts.
• Have an active online presence and familiar with content creation.
• Can organize and host a community networking event.

Community Connectors will:

• Act as liaisons between the AFA and their local communities.
• Help raise awareness about AFA resources, encourage artists to connect with the AFA and organize a community engagement event.
• Serve as ambassadors of the arts, sharing the benefits of engagement with the AFA.

What you will need to provide

To apply for the role, please submit:

• A bio - tell us about yourself
• Tell us about your community
• A project proposal that includes:
  • A description of your ideal audience and the local arts networks you are connected to.
  • A detailed strategy for engaging your community to promote AFA programs.
• A Networking/engagement event concept/design:
  • This should outline your vision for a community event that introduces local artists to the AFA, with AFA staff and/or board members in attendance.
• A communications/marketing plan:
  • Include the communication channels you use, your following, and examples of the type of content you intend to create and share.
• An estimated budget for event-related costs (up to $5,000).
  • Include details on potential event rentals, invitations, promotional materials, etc.

Please submit these materials by July 2, 2025, to be considered. Materials should total 10 or less pages. 

Program details

Selected Community Connectors will receive:

• Compensation: $2,500 for the term
• Event and promotion costs: Up to $5,000 will be available for approved expenses related to organizing your networking event (such as venue rentals, invitations, and promotions).

Deliverables during the program

As part of the program, you will be responsible for:

• Attending training meetings with AFA staff to learn about the programs and resources you’ll be promoting.
• Organizing one community engagement event with a Q&A panel for local artists and connects them with the AFA.
• Posting a minimum of four promotional content pieces per month for use on your preferred communications channel (negotiable based on complexity) to raise awareness of AFA resources and promote your event.
• Meeting with AFA staff every two weeks to provide updates and report on your progress.
• Delivering additional marketing deliverables as outlined in your project proposal (e.g., meetings with artists, sharing contacts, etc.).

Program guidelines

• You will not be providing grant advice or presenting yourself as an AFA grant expert. Instead, your role is to encourage artists to explore the resources and connect with AFA staff.
• You will not act on behalf of the AFA but rather as a community liaison contracted to promote outreach activities.
• You are responsible for organizing local promotional efforts, which may include creating digital or physical posters for your event (with the AFA logo included), but you will not design or print materials that specifically represent the AFA.

Key dates

• July 2, 2025: Project proposals and applications due.
• July 16, 2024: Program begins.
• August 2025 – March 2026: Social media engagement, bi-weekly meetings with AFA staff, planning, and executing your networking event.
• Late March 2026: Final evaluation and report on outcomes.

How to apply

To apply, please submit your proposal and supporting documents by July 2, 2025 to afacontact@gov.ab.ca subject line “Community Connector”. If you have any questions about the application process or program details, please contact Mike Ameyaw, Communications and Marketing Strategist.