AFA Program Evaluation
In an effort to ensure AFA programming continues to meet the needs of the province's Arts communities, in 2006 the AFA undertook a three-year evaluation of its programming structure.
Feedback from over 2000 stakeholders representing Alberta’s artists and arts organizations was received and helped to inform the AFA about programming successes, opportunities and challenges to stakeholders.
During the three-year process, both the AFA and the Government of Alberta were active in recognizing and enhancing both the role and benefits of arts and culture in Alberta, addressing many of the recommendations identified as part of the three‑year evaluation process. Visit this action list to see how the Government of Alberta responded to the needs of the arts and culture sectors during the evaluation process.
Feedback gathered through the evaluation has led to the formation of a new structure for grant programming. April 2, 2010, will see the launch of four umbrella grant programs.
This new structure will provide a number of grant options, called streams, under each of these umbrella grant programs. These programs are tailored to meet the needs of the arts community but will not change existing application deadlines or directly affect program funding.
Changes to AFA Grant Program Structure
1) Arts Organizations - Operating:
| Stream | Current Application Deadline(s) |
| Community Support Organizations | March 1 |
| Provincial Arts Service Organizations | February 1 |
| Community Performing Arts Organizations | October 1 |
| Professional Performing Arts Organizations | February 1 |
| Alberta Major Performing Arts Organizations | October 1 |
| Public Galleries | April 1 (2010) |
| Arts Festivals | November 15 |
| Community Presenting | July 15 |
| Summer School Operations | November 1 (2011) |
2) Arts Organizations - Projects:
| Stream | Current Application Deadline(s) |
| Aboriginal Arts Organizations | December 1 |
| Arts Partnership | Ongoing |
| Community Support Organizations | September 1 |
| Cultural Relations | Ongoing |
| Artists and Education | April 1 |
| Post Secondary Institutions | March 1 |
| Projects Development | Ongoing |
| Designated Arts Organizations | June 1 |
3) Individual Artists - Projects:
| Stream | Current Application Deadline(s) |
| Theatre | February 15 & September 1 |
| Visual Arts | February 15 & September 1 |
| Music | February 15 & September 1 |
| Literary Arts | February 15 & September 1 |
| Film and Video | February 15 & September 1 |
| Dance | February 15 & September 1 |
| Traditional Aboriginal Arts | February 15 & September 1 |
| Multidisciplinary and New Media | February 15 & September 1 |
| Cultural Relations | Ongoing |
4) Cultural Industries (Operating & Projects):
Stream |
Current Application Deadline(s) |
| Cultural Industries Organizations Projects | September 1 |
| Book Publishers Operating | April 1 |
| Magazine Publishers Operating | April 1 |
| Sound Recording Companies Operating | April 1 |
Note: Information about the Art Acquisition by Application and Travelling Exhibition (TREX) programs will be found under the Provincial Art Collections and (TREX) pages respectively.
New grant application forms are under development to reflect these changes. These application forms are scheduled to be made available on the AFA website, April 2, 2010, and are to be used for any applications made after that date. The current application forms are to be used when applying for funding on any programs with an April 1, 2010 deadline.
The new structure is intended to streamline the application process and increase the efficiency of program administration.
Work will continue to minimize the number of streams in the four program areas. This work is intended to further simplify the application process and create programs that are more transparent and accessible without impacting the eligibility of applicants.
These changes will not impact existing grant commitments; nor will they exclude any individual artists or arts organizations from applying for funding.
