The Alberta Foundation for the Arts (AFA) has expanded a number of its grant programs and added a new Aboriginal program using the additional funding received through Alberta’s cultural policy - The Spirit of Alberta.

The following grant programs are helping to achieve the policy’s goals and strategies:

Community Presenting Project Grant - deadline July 15

To provide increased access and opportunities for Albertans to experience culture, the Community Presenting Project Grant assists Alberta presenters that feature artists in the community. The grant now offers additional support to present Alberta or Western Canadian artists as well as has an added focus on dance and theatre. This program received an additional $250,000, raising its total budget to $1,800,000.

Community Support Organizations Project Grant - deadline September 1

To help ensure Alberta’s communities have the resources and the capacity to support culture, the Community Support Organizations Project Grant provides non-profit organizations with funding for specific arts projects. This grant has been expanded to provide assistance with leadership development and capacity building in culturally diverse groups. The program received an additional $90,000, raising its total budget to $250,000.

Individual Project Grants: Aboriginal Traditional Arts Projects -deadline September 15

To encourage excellence amongst our artists and enhance community capacity, the new Aboriginal Traditional Arts Projects Grant will provide funding to Aboriginal artists and help raise the profile of their work. Eligible applicants include Aboriginal artists who work primarily in traditional cultural arts media. This grant program will support the creation of traditional art that is passed from one generation to the next. The program will receive $93,000.

Arts Partnership Project Grant - ongoing deadline

The Arts Partnership Project Grant helps to provide increased access to Alberta culture. This grant provides financial support for innovative partnerships between Alberta arts organizations. To provide additional opportunities and encourage greater participation and understanding of the arts amongst Alberta’s youth; the grant now specifically includes funding for youth-focused projects. This program received an additional $100,000, raising its total budget to $250,000.

Cultural Relations Fund Project Grant - ongoing deadline

To help showcase Alberta culture to the rest of the world and encourage excellence amongst our artistic community, the Cultural Relations Fund Project Grant offers support to artists or organizations that will represent Alberta at a national or international level. The program now also includes a community residencies component, which supports communities in creative collaboration with established and professional artists throughout Western Canada. This program received an additional $183,000, raising its total budget to $383,000.

To download application forms for these or any other AFA grants, visit www.affta.ab.ca. Additional information is also available by calling 780-427-9968 (dial 310-0000 for toll-free access). For more information on The Spirit of Alberta - Alberta’s cultural policy, visit www.culturalpolicy.alberta.ca.

The AFA is the Government of Alberta’s principal arts funding agency.

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Media inquiries may be directed to:

Al Chapman, Arts Branch - Culture and Community Spirit

780-415-0307 To call toll free within Alberta dial 310-0000.