Theatre

We only accept applications through Grant Administration Tracking and Evaluation (GATE) Front Office online application system.

We must receive your online application through GATE Front Office no later than 11:59 p.m. Mountain Time on the deadline date, unless the deadline falls on a statutory holiday or a weekend when it will be extended until the next working day. Please give the system time to process your application so that we receive notification of your submission before the deadline falls. 

Please note:

• applicants may submit only one application to the AFA each deadline across all disciplines
• the AFA does not accept incomplete applications

We do not accept separate applications for the same project.

GATE Front Office username registration

First-time applicants will require a GATE Front Office username and password. Email us at registrationafa@gov.ab.ca to obtain your login information at least five business days prior to the application deadline.

Please include:

1. your legal name
2. the funding opportunity to which you are applying
3. your email address

Your user name and password will be sent to the email address provided.

Application requirements for minors

If an applicant is under the age of 18 years at the time of application, a parent or legal guardian must e-sign the Applicant Agreement in GATE Front Office as the designate for the scholarship.

As the designate, you are responsible for:

• the completeness and accuracy of the application in full
• receipt and use of funding
• serving as contact person for any inquiries relating to the funding

What to include in your application

Your application will include online forms to complete and attachments you must upload to your application.

Please note that applicants may be asked for additional information to determine eligibility or any other program requirements.

GATE Front Office online forms

1. Applicant information: Legal name and confirmation of your status (minor/Albertan).
2. Contact information for the applicant or their designate.
3. Address: street and mailing address for the applicant.
4. Project description: a brief project description (20 words), that includes the name of the educational program, and start and end dates of the training program.
5. Applicant Agreement: this must be e-signed by the applicant or designate.

Attachments

The GATE Front Office attachment section indicates that not all attachments are required for submission. This is because they are only required for certain types of project or scholarship applications.

It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that all attachments listed below are submitted with the application.

Please submit the following attachments:

1. A letter by the applicant of no more than two pages in length that:
   • introduces the applicant and outlines their previous experience in the performing arts
   • outlines the applicant's interest in the performing arts
   • describes how the applicant will use the scholarship to develop their performing arts practice should the application be successful
   • introduces the applicant's performing arts submission
2. A resume or curriculum vitae of no more than two pages in length that focuses on the applicant's artistic activity.
3. A detailed description of the applicant's chosen performing arts educational or training program(s). Please note:
   • applicants who have been accepted into a specific course must provide proof of acceptance and a detailed description and schedule for the training program or course of study
     -OR-
   • applicants who have not already been accepted into a course must submit a detailed description and schedule for the preferred choice, with two alternate program choices, including detailed descriptions and schedules for each choice
4. A scanned copy of one of the following to provide legal proof of age:
   • certificate of birth
   • driver’s license
   • passport
   • certificate of Canadian citizenship
5. A current and signed letter of reference, preferably from one of the following:
   • a high school, college or university instructor
   • a professionally produced or presented film or video artist
   • another professional working in film and video arts 
6. A sample submission or audition of performing works. See "Format" below or submission guidelines.

MUSIC

•  two musical selections of contrasting styles that are appropriate to the applicant's proposed program of study

THEATRE

• two monologues of contrasting styles appropriate to the program of study
• musical theatre applicants must submit one monologue and one song
• the two pieces combined must not run longer than 10 minutes.

DANCE

•  a maximum of three dance pieces of which:
  • at least two of the pieces are solos of contrasting styles
  • the third recorded piece may be from a stage, TV, film or video performance
  • at least one audition piece should be appropriate to the applicant's proposed program of study
• the three dance pieces combined must not run longer than 8 minutes.

RELATED PERFORMING ARTS DISCIPLINES

The following applicants must submit a resume, portfolio, and/or audio recordings containing work samples:

• audio designers
• audio engineers
• choreographers
• composers
• dance, drama, and music instructors
• designers
• directors
• playwrights

Format

Wherever possible, support material should be uploaded as an attachment into GATE Front Office (up to 4 MB)

For files too large to include as attachments in GATE Front Office, they may be submitted via email as attachments or downloadable links to:

• Dance scholarships: danceAFA@gov.ab.ca
• Music scholarships: musicAFA@gov.ab.ca
• Theatre scholarships: theatreAFA@gov.ab.ca 
• please format your subject line: <your first initial, last name and project number>, e.g. "H.Lee MIPG-56-172631" 
• please ensure link contains downloadable files (MP3 or MP4 preferred)

Alternatively, please mail a hard copy CD or USB to 10708 – 105 Ave, Edmonton, AB, T5H 0A1:

• please include your first initial, last name and project number on the CD or USB
• support material must be submitted or postmarked no later than 11:59 p.m. Mountain Time on the deadline date
• if you require return of hard copy materials, please also include a self-addressed stamped envelope

We only accept applications through the Grant Administration Tracking and Evaluation (GATE) Front Office online application system. We must receive your online application through GATE Front Office no later than 11:59 p.m. Mountain Time on the deadline date, unless the deadline falls on a statutory holiday or a weekend when it will be extended until the next working day. Please give the system time to process your application so that we receive notification of your submission before the deadline falls. 

• applicants may submit only one application to the AFA each deadline across all disciplines
• the AFA does not accept incomplete applications
• applications must be received prior to the commencement of the project
• projects involving more than one artist must be submitted by one individual on behalf of the ensemble or group

We do not accept separate applications for the same project.

GATE Front Office username registration

First-time applicants will require a GATE Front Office username and password. Email us at registrationafa@gov.ab.ca to get your login information at least five business days prior to the application deadline.

Please include:

1. your legal name
2. the funding opportunity to which you are applying
3. your email address

Your username and password will be sent to the email address provided.

What to include in your application

For detailed step-by-step instructions, please download the GATE Front Office user guide.

GATE Front Office online formlets:

• applicant information: Legal name and confirmation of your status (minor/Albertan)
• if you are under the age of 18 years at the time of application, a parent or legal guardian must e-sign the Applicant Agreement as the designate for the funding and be responsible for:
  • the completeness and accuracy of the application in full
  • receipt and use of funding
  • reporting on the use of funds
  • serving as contact person for any inquiries relating to the funding
• contact information for primary applicant
  • ensembles must designate one contact person for all requirements of the grant as the primary applicant
  • this designated individual must e-sign the Applicant Agreement
• address: Street and mailing address for the primary applicant
• general information: Confirmation of the application category (art production, marketing, research, or training/career development) and applicant status (individual/ensemble)
• project description: A brief project description (20 words) and project start and end dates
• project co-owners: A listing of the project co-owners involved in the project, their position or role, and confirmation of Alberta Residence
• individual applicant agreement: A declaration of agreement with the statement of conditions e-signed by the primary applicant or designate
• project expenses: A listing of project expenditures in Canadian dollars
• project revenue: A listing of non-AFA revenues in Canadian dollars
  • the difference between expenditures and revenues will comprise the grant request to the AFA with the funding not exceeding $18,000

Attachments:

The GATE Front Office attachment section indicates that not all attachments are required for submission. This is because they are only required for certain types of projects (e.g. marketing plan for a marketing project). It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that all attachments noted in the guidelines are submitted with their application according to project type.

Please submit the following attachments:

• an artistic resume of no more than four pages that includes a current list of theatre and performing arts work completed and presented, identifying the role of the primary applicant in each work 
  • emerging artists may submit a description of their theatre arts background, including level of training, theatre and performing arts activities and other relevant arts activity history
  • resumes of all project co-owners involved in the project
• Detailed project description, including an outline of the objectives, planned activities, timelines, and expected results and impact on the applicantʼs artistic development
  • in keeping with oral traditions, Indigenous project descriptions are welcome as oral submissions no longer than 3 minutes in length
  • for more information on how to submit oral project descriptions, contact the Arts Development Consultant for this program, prior to the application deadline, at the contact information below.
• applicants are encouraged to submit a recorded presentation of previous productions of their work, or of the work-in-progress
• for acting training programs: 
  • theatre artists must submit two contrasting monologues. 
  • musical theatre applicants must submit one monologue and one song, and may include a dance piece
  • performance arts artists must submit two pieces that permit an expert panel to evaluate skill level
• non-performing artists must provide a resume, portfolio, or DVD of their work
• the two required audition pieces together must not exceed 10 minutes in length, and must duplicate the experience of a live audition, including full body shot composition, without props or costume
  • all video and audio files must be Windows compatible, MP3 and MP4 files are preferred
• commission applicants are encouraged to submit a completed and signed contract with the commissioner and a plan for the workshop, exhibition, presentation, display, publication, screening or performance of the commissioned work
• official invitations, confirmations or itineraries
• a detailed marketing plan
• applicants who have been accepted into a specific course must provide proof of acceptance and a detailed description and schedule for the training program or course of study
• applicants who have not already been accepted into a course must submit a detailed description and schedule for the preferred choice
  • two alternate program choices should be submitted, with detailed descriptions, schedules and budgets for each choice
• additional support materials that may assist in the assessment proess
  • all support material should be scanned into a single file and attached to the online application

Applicants may be asked for additional information.

Format

• wherever possible, support material should be uploaded as an attachment into GATE (up to 4 MB)
• for files too large to include as attachments in GATE, they may be submitted via email to theatreAFA@gov.ab.ca as email attachments or downloadable links
  • please format your subject line: <your first initial, last name and project number>, eg. "H.Lee TIPG-56-172631" 
  • please ensure link contains downloadable files (MP3 or MP4 preferred)
• alternatively, please mail a hard copy CD or USB to 10708 – 105 Ave, Edmonton, AB, T5H 0A1
  • please include your first initial, last name and project number on the CD or USB
  • support material must be submitted or postmarked no later than 11:59 p.m. Mountain Time on the deadline date