March 3, 2025 deadline
General Expert Panel comments
Comments made by the panel during the assessment of applications are outlined below. Please note that these comments provide a summary of the panel's assessment and do not necessarily relate to every application submitted to this deadline. The panel does not provide individual comments.
General comments
- The panel recognizes there were more worthy applications than may receive funds and would extend encouragement to unsuccessful applicants to apply again.
- The panel found it helpful when a project description began with a clear and concise opening summary of the project, e.g., “I am applying for funds for five months to research and create the first stage of a new work (name of work) or for ten months of training at (name of program and school).
- The panel appreciated a clear understanding of why the project is important to the applicant’s development and artistic vision and how the project would impact them as an artist going forward.
- It was helpful when training applicants provide a well-articulated rationale for the choice of study program with a clear explanation of how program, workshop or mentorship is critical at this stage of their development leading towards stated artistic goals.
- Project proposal should not be a cut and paste brochure from the place of training, it should be written by the applicant.
- Art production and/or creation-based projects should have a concise timeline.
- A well-written and concise grant proposal allows the panel to gain a full understanding of the nature of the project, the purpose and expected benefits and identifiable impact on the applicant. Applicants should include the following:
- Details about the applicant, their background and present situation and future goals;
- Project description that includes a plan of action the applicant now wishes to pursue progressing the applicant towards fulfilling their stated goals;
- In addition to the artist’s “vision”, a clear sequence of steps explaining the creative approach and/ or process on how the applicant will be successful in realizing project objectives and impact; and,
- Expected outcomes from the project.
- Large scale art creation projects that rely on multiple resources or unconfirmed revenue, such as box office, sponsorship, donated services and other granting agencies should be noted in the application. As part of their proposal, applicants are encouraged to provide a “Plan B” on how the project may be realized should such funding or other resources not be forthcoming.
- Applicable to training applicants, if no proof of acceptance, please have a “PLAN B”.
- The panel encourages future applicants to make use of writing tip sheet material available on the AFA web site. Applicants are encouraged to have an objective third party proofread application content to ensure that it is concise and accurate.
Budget
The panel noted that it was important that project budgets:
- Are as accurate and realistic as possible. The scope of project should be accurately reflected in the expense and revenue details to allow the panel to understand how the project will be executed.
- The panel looked favourably on projects where artists and major collaborators were properly remunerated, both in the context of industry standards, as well as the context of the project as a whole. Creation and production projects are encouraged to follow artist fees established by the professional community, i.e., CADA, and/or an explanation on how fees are calculated.
- It is highly recommended to make use of the budget notes boxes to provide the panel a clear understanding of project expense and revenue line items and how expenses or revenues are calculated.
- The panel appreciated clarification and details in terms of substantiating subsistence costs that coincided with the amount of time per week dedicated to the project. A breakdown of accommodation locally or internationally, food and other basic living costs was additionally helpful.
Support material
- Several applications lacked video that would allow the panel to better appreciate the applicant’s creative ability and provide them insight into proposed new work.
- It is preferable to have all support videos combined as one file of no more than 4 minutes length.
- Choice of video support material should allow for a comprehensive assessment of an applicant’s creative, artistic and technical ability and should have a connection to the proposed activity or genre.
- Applicants should indicate if the submission is video material of their own work, that of a collaborator, the name of the piece, year of creation and if they are dancing in the video.
- Choreographers need to have a video or support material representing their own choreography.
- Most types of projects are greatly strengthened with the inclusion current reference letters that provide greater insight into the project’s impact and value to either the applicant and/or the applicant’s community.
- Participant bios or CVs strengthen project credibility and viability of project outcomes, but should be maximum 2 pages.