AFA News

Full-Time Contract, One Year (September 2025 to September 2026)

Overview:

The Alberta Foundation for the Arts (AFA) is seeking an experienced, passionate and self-motivated individual to be the onsite Gallery Coordinator for an upcoming 6,000 square foot gallery space being set up in downtown Calgary.  The opening of the gallery is being planned for September 2025.

The opportunity is a temporary contract position for one year with the possibility of extension that will utilize the ideal candidate’s experience in collections management, outreach, arts administration and management, logistics, and programming. 

The Alberta Foundation for the Arts is a public agency and provincial corporation with a mandate to support and contribute to the development of the arts in Alberta. It provides arts grants to individuals and organizations, manages a provincial art collection by Albertan artists, and conducts research and communicates about the value of the arts to Alberta. It is governed by a board of directors that reports to the Minister of Arts, Culture and Status of Women.

For more information about the Alberta Foundation for the Arts, please visit: affta.ab.ca.

Role and Responsibilities of the Position:

Reporting to the Director, Art Collections and Initiatives (located in Edmonton), the position will be responsible for managing and completing daily gallery operations including (but not limited to): overseeing the artworks in the gallery, collaborating with the AFA’s Marketing and Communications team to promote upcoming exhibits and events, providing tours, performing related research, supporting partnerships, developing and overseeing programs and supporting events as required.

The position will be working out of an office in the same building during non-gallery hours and will only be required to work in the gallery space while it is open to the public. While hours for the gallery are still being finalized, the gallery space will largely be open during weekdays with limited hours but will include the possibility of additional hours on an occasional weekend or for a special after-hours event. Ample time will be provided where possible to ensure availability for planning purposes.

The position is for 5 days a week (Monday to Friday), with work hours from 8:15 am to 4:30 pm for a total of 36.25 hours a week with a one-hour lunch break included. Total hours per workday are 7.25 hours.

The successful candidate will need to be comfortable with standing for long periods of time while working in the gallery space, lifting or moving objects of up to 20kgs, and possess the ability to work independently. They will also need to be flexible in working occasional weekends and outside normal operating hours in the case of supporting events. Some travel (approximately 5%) within Calgary and to Edmonton for training and research will be required, with the possibility of additional travel to communities outside of Calgary when required to perform outreach as needed. 

As part of the onboarding process, the successful candidate must be available to travel to Edmonton for training prior to the gallery opening in September. 

The primary responsibilities of this position encompass two (2) main categories (but is not limited to):

Collections Care:

• Responsible for proper care of the gallery and its artworks by exercising collections management best practices in ensuring artworks are protected and free from damage and completing daily/regular inspections to ensure works are safe from potential risks such as pests, leaks, and direct light.
• Performing required research to inform future additions to the AFA art collection.
• Overseeing the receival of artworks when needed and completing required documentation (ie. condition reporting).
• Working with and liaising with facility management staff when required to address onsite concerns.
• Performing regular care routines to monitor the gallery space, including checking on environmental controls (ex. Humidity levels) and security systems to ensuring protection of the artworks.

Programming/Visitor Experiences:

• Welcoming visitors, providing exceptional customer service, and providing information on current and future exhibits and upcoming events during gallery hours.
• Overseeing the day-to-day operations of the gallery, including opening and closing the space, and ensuring the gallery is kept clean.
• Coordinating programming and supporting planned events for the gallery space such as live performances, workshops and artist talks.
• Overseeing the gallery’s operations during operating hours and during special events to ensure gallery best practices are followed.
• Engaging with visitors and providing tours when needed.
• Collecting, compiling and reporting visitation statistics to inform future programming and operations.
• Managing and coordinating exhibitions including maintaining a schedule of visual art exhibitions and potentially assisting with installation and curation.

Qualifications:

• University degree in art history, fine arts, museum studies, or a related field.
• Strong project and time management skills with the ability to meet multiple deadlines.
• Experience with arts administration, community engagement, and budget management.
• Previous experience curating and advising on exhibitions.
• Experience in public speaking and comfortable speaking to groups of various sizes.
• Knowledge of museum best practices, including collections management and current curatorial trends.
• Excellent communication (both written and oral), customer service and creative problem-solving skills.
• Detail oriented and organized.
• Highly self-motivated and able to work independently.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office365.
• Valid Alberta Class 5 driver’s license. 

Assets:

• A Master’s degree in a related field including art history, fine arts and/or museum studies.
• Familiarity with Albertan visual art and contemporary topics in visual art trends.
• Fluency in another language.
• Experience with community building and maintaining stakeholder relationships.
• Experience with fine art preparation and handling.
• Current Standard (Intermediate) First Aid and CPR-C Certificate. 

Salary Range:

The salary compensation for this temporary contract position is up to $70,000 based on related experience (inclusive of all expenses).

How to apply:

Application Deadline: July 20, 2025

Applicants should send a resume and cover letter in one file that clearly outlines their qualifications and experience to kara.annett@gov.ab.ca by the application deadline with the subject line Gallery Coordinator (Calgary) Application.

We thank all applicants for their time and effort in applying, however only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.

 The Dance Individual Project Funding | Alberta Foundation for the Arts  approaches on September 1, 2025 and Arts Development Consultant Jodie Vandekerkhove is providing a free webinar for those interested in applying.

AFA Individual Project grants can provide up to $18,000 to support the development of individual Alberta dance artists, students, instructors, choreographers, designers, arts administrators, or an ensemble of artists by providing funding:

• to pursue training, 
• to develop a specific artistic work
• to pursue research, or 
• to pursue marketing activities. 

Jodie will be providing tips and other useful information to apply for all project types, helping you develop your funding application and increase your chances of success.

Tuesday, August 12 at 7pm link below:

 Webinar link

Maternity Leave Coverage: 14-month contract

For seven decades, the Calgary Philharmonic has been bringing communities together through the power of music. A pillar of the Calgary arts scene and one of Canada’s most celebrated live music ensembles, the Calgary Phil presents more than 60 concerts a season across a wide range of programming — epic classics, thrilling collaborations, rockin’ pops, family fun, and much more. The Calgary Phil also engages thousands of children each season through innovative and accessible Education and Outreach initiatives. In addition to 66 full-time orchestra musicians, the Calgary Phil is one of two major symphony orchestras in Canada that has its own chorus of over 140 volunteer singers. In a typical season, the Calgary Phil welcomes over 100,000 visitors, connecting audiences to live music experiences and serving the city of Calgary by fostering creativity and belonging. Your Phil. Your Music. 

The Role

The Calgary Phil seeks a creative, highly analytical, and experienced Digital Marketing Specialist to join its team. The ideal candidate has a strong understanding of content marketing, is data-driven, and is passionate about promoting music and the arts. Previous experience with online lead generation, email marketing, and working with WordPress is required for this role.

The Digital Marketing Specialist reports to the Director, Marketing + Sales, and works collaboratively with the full administrative team and Orchestra musicians. This position is a 14-month contract to cover a maternity leave.

Responsibilities

• Work collaboratively with the Marketing team to execute the digital marketing strategy
• Work with external website developers to ensure effective user experience at calgaryphil.com, including integration with Spektrix CRM system
• Maintain and update content on the website
• Post, monitor, and engage on social media channels daily to build meaningful connections with the online audience
• Monitor, track, evaluate, and optimize social media campaign performance
• Coordinate content for digital advertising in collaboration with the Marketing team
• Work with external Google consultant to execute SEO/SEM strategy
• Design and implement direct email marketing campaigns, including weekly newsletters
• Manage and grow email contact lists
• Analyze and report on digital marketing results and provide insights and recommendations
• Coordinate social media coverage at concerts and events
• Participate in marketing duties at concerts, community events, etc.
• Other duties as assigned

Desired Qualifications

• Post-Secondary Education in Digital Marketing, Communications, or equivalent experience
• Experience working with WordPress — managing information and creating pages
• Proven track record in developing and executing social media campaigns
• Familiarity with email marketing tools (Dot Digital, Mailchimp, etc.)
• Exceptional written communication skills and ability to create professional content
• Strong attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and in a team
• Experience with Adobe Suite an asset
• A sincere interest in arts and culture

Additional Details

• This is a 14-month full-time contract position covering a maternity leave from 11 August 2025 to 16 October 2026. The salary range for this position is $52,000 to $57,000 annually, depending on related job experience.
• The Calgary Phil is trialing a hybrid remote work program. Employees who are eligible for this program can work up to three days/week from an appropriate remote location.
• As part of our full compensation package, Calgary Phil offers three weeks’ vacation, a comprehensive benefits package that includes RRSP contributions, health coverage, an employee assistance program, bonus days off, and other non-cash benefits.
• Office location: Arts Commons, Floor 2, 205 8 Avenue SE Calgary AB T2G 0K9

Application Process

Deadline: 2 July 2024  

Applications will be reviewed on a regular basis, and suitable candidates may be contacted before the deadline. 

Please send cover letter, resume, and salary expectations to:   

Janet Bwititi
Director, Marketing + Strategic Communications
HR@calgaryphil.com   

The Calgary Phil is committed to fostering an anti-racist, equitable, diverse, and inclusive environment and, as such, encourages qualified candidates from a diverse range of backgrounds. 

If you require accommodation for the recruitment/interview process, please let us know so that we can work with you to accommodate your needs. 

We thank you for your interest in the Calgary Phil. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. 

Follow the Calgary Philharmonic @calgaryphil on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn and register for email updates at calgaryphil.com/newsletter.

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.

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  
 

Medicine Hat based artist, Jessica Plattner, was a successful applicant to the AFA’s Art Acquisition by Application (AAA) program in 2022. Listen to her tell the story behind her work and what inspires her artistic practice.

View Jessica's Artist Spotlight

About the artist

Jessica Plattner is an American/Canadian artist living in Alberta. She earned a BFA from Washington University School of Fine Art in St. Louis, and an MFA in painting from Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia and Temple Rome, Italy. She has exhibited her work in the USA, Canada, Mexico, and Italy. Artist residencies include Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture, The Vermont Studio Center, SACI (Studio Art Centers International) and a Fulbright Scholarship in Mexico. Recent exhibition venues include Gallery@501 in Edmonton, Art Center East Main Gallery in Oregon,  the ASA Gallery in Calgary, Art Gallery of St. Albert, the Okotoks Art Gallery, the Esplanade Art Gallery in Medicine Hat, as well as biennial faculty exhibitions at Gallery One on One at Medicine Hat College. Her work is held in the public collections of the Alberta Foundation for the Arts (AFA), The City of Medicine Hat, the City of St. Albert, and several colleges and universities. She currently teaches in the Art & Design Program at Medicine Hat College and lives with her partner, artist/musician Dean Smale, their daughter Sofie, and their dog Caniche.

World Art Day

Each year, on 15 April, World Art Day celebrations help reinforce the links between artistic creations and society, encourage greater awareness of the diversity of artistic expressions and highlight the contribution of artists to sustainable development. It is also an occasion to shine a light on arts education in schools, as culture can pave the way for inclusive and equitable education.

Sharing Alberta's art

With over 9,000 artworks in the AFA Art Collection, there is always a need to find creative ways to share Alberta's art province wide. In any given year, the AFA has an incredible 20-25% of its collection in public circulation. This is achieved through exhibition loans, extended loans, and touring and art placement programs.

Through the TREX Curators/Managers in the TREX program, the AFA has been able to share art throughout the province bringing Albertan creativity to 187 venues in 95 communities, and reaching over 615,000 Albertans!

Publicly accessible art

Throughout the province you can find works from the AFA Art Collection on display in publicly accessible areas. Keep an eye on social media on World Art Day and see if your favourite and recognizable locations are sharing art from the Collection! 

Folk Memoirs

Location: St. John Paul II High School, Grande Prairie (April 17 - May 14)

Featured artwork:

Hazel Litzgus
Canning Peaches, 1970
Watercolour on paper
Collection of the Alberta Foundation for the Arts

About the exhibition:

Folk Memoirs is a collection of visual narratives experienced while growing up on the Alberta prairies. Sourcing these rare historical moments from the Alberta Foundation for the Arts permanent collection, you will see paintings by Hazel Litzgus, Irene McCaugherty, William Panko and Doris Zaharichuk. The works are described as folk art, which is a unique style of art that reflects the cultural life of a community. Inspired by scenes from everyday life including: helping with housework, farm labor, playing outside, going to rodeos and more.

A memoir is a narrative composed from personal experience. The paintings in this show speak for themselves, taking you back in time to recall or learn the history of what life was like in the mid nineteen hundreds. Folk art takes on a very whimsical and colourful style of expression. This genre of artists are typically not concerned with making their subject look realistic. As you can see in William Panko’s paintings, he doesn’t worry about painting the scenes with the exact perspective or proportions – rather, he gives the paintings a more two dimensional or ‘flat’ appearance. More importantly, he depicted the story and what he remembered.

This group exhibition showcases simple everyday work-life balance. Hazel Litzgus’s work is a perfect example of this, from painting scenes of harvesting and cattle round up to dancing in the kitchen and rodeos. Enjoy finding hidden details of Irene McCaugherty and Doris Zaharichuk’s paintings as they draw the viewer in to enjoy how natural and simplistic life was. The works in this exhibition are a memoir of the artist’s life, savoring and reflecting on stories of the past.

About the Artist:

Hazel Litzgus continues to captivate the hearts of Albertans with her charming and nostalgic folk images of early Alberta life. Born on a farm near Lloydminister, Alberta, Hazel, through her paintings give us a glimpse of her early childhood and her many recollections of early rural and small town life on the Alberta Prairies.

Working in the unforgiving medium of watercolour, Hazel Litzgus narrates moments from her past in vivid detail with whimsy, in a naïve painting style. Whether it be the detailed wallpaper and patterned linoleum floor in a country farm house, or a school yard full of excited children playing various games, her art work is very reflective of her as a person. Hazel is a charming, soft spoken lady with a strong and determined character. She is full of life and stories and one feels right at ease as she tells of her experiences on the Prairies. Hazel’s book, Where the Meadow Lark Sang was published in 2003 and received great attention. In a review by CM Magazine, University of Manitoba, wrote: “In her use of bright colours and carefully detailed drawing, Litzgus created illustrations that are reminiscent of William Kurelek.”

About TREX

The AFA's Travelling Exhibition (TREX) program strives to ensure every Albertan is provided with an opportunity to enjoy fully developed exhibitions in schools, libraries, health care centres and smaller rural institutions and galleries throughout the province.

The TREX program assists in making both the AFA's extensive art collection and the work of contemporary Alberta artists available to Albertans.

Four regional organizations now coordinate the program for the Foundation:

• The Art Gallery of Grande Prairie - Northwest Alberta
• Art Gallery of Alberta - Northeast and North Central Alberta
• Alberta Society of Artists - Southwest Alberta
• Esplanade Arts & Heritage Centre - Southeast Alberta

These partners offer a wide range of exhibitions to communities from High Level in the north, to Milk River in the south, and virtually everywhere in between.

In the first video of the Artful Place series, AFA grant recipient Ashley Laurenson, a resident of Fort McMurray/Wood Buffalo, shares insight into the uniqueness of her local arts community.

About the artists

From Whangarei, New Zealand to a fifteen-year creative journey in Canada, Ashley is an award-winning talent recognized for both design and acting. With nine years invested in creating independent films and series, she is the driving force behind M'Guphynn Media's production design, crafting the sets, props, and costumes for projects like the fan film "Miles Behind: A Spider-Man Fan Film." Ashley also showcased her acting chops starring as Ash and Evil Ash in "Nerdvana: the Web Series." More recently, she turned her sights backstage in theatre, designing vibrant costumes and props for Waypoints Dinner Theatre shows ("AHOY! A Pirate's Life for Me!", "Ultimate Reality: 90's Edition!") and lending her skills to set design for Keyano Theatre Company's youth productions ("Disney's Moana Jr.", "Disney's Newsies Jr.").

The Artful Place

The Artful Place is an exploration of Alberta’s unique arts communities through the eyes of the artists that call these communities home. They provide their perspective on what makes their community special and what their communities mean to them.

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