As the primary arts resource and grant funding body in Alberta, the Alberta Foundation for the Arts helps to unleash the potential of every artist through funding, arts promotion, and capacity-building services. We provide behind-the-scenes support to artists and arts organizations, giving them the power to inspire minds, encourage expression, foster creativity, and contribute to Alberta’s economy.

From story time at local libraries to annual festivals on neighbourhood streets, the arts are active in your community. Albertans celebrate and support the arts as artists, volunteers, donors, and attendees at local arts events and activities.

Experience, celebrate, and take pride in the arts—they’re all around you!

FAST FACT:
81% of Albertans attended an arts event or activity in 2014. (Source: Culture and Community Services Annual Survey of Albertans on Culture, Leger Marketing, 2015)

FAST FACT:
89% of Albertans feel arts activities are important in contributing to the overall quality of life in their community. (Source: Culture and Community Services Annual Survey of Albertans on Culture, Leger Marketing, 2015)

FAST FACT:
86% of Albertans feel it is important that the Government of Alberta continues to fund and support the arts. (Source: Culture and Community Services Annual Survey of Albertans on Culture, Leger Marketing, 2015)

FAST FACT:
54% of Albertans actively participated or performedin an arts activity or program at least once in 2014. (Source: Culture and Community Services Annual Survey of Albertans on Culture, Leger Marketing, 2015)

FAST FACT:
In 2012-13, total attendance at arts events hosted by AFA funded organizations reached 6.8 million—around 3.9 million paid attendees and 2.9 million unpaid attendees. (Source: Arts Impact Alberta 2014: Ripple Effects from the Arts Sector, Alberta Foundation for the Arts)

FAST FACT:
Each year, about 50,000 Albertans volunteer for the arts organizations that receive operational funding from the AFA. (Source: Arts Impact Alberta 2014: Ripple Effects from the Arts Sector, Alberta Foundation for the Arts)

FAST FACT:
Albertans’ cultural spending is the highest of all provinces at $963 per resident, 15% higher than the Canadian average of $841. (Source: Consumer Spending on Culture in Canada, the Provinces and 12 Metropolitan Areas in 2008)