AFA 2026-27 annual budget

Artist opportunity type

DATE : June 25, 2026

DEADLINE: February 1, 2027 - 5:00 pm

A Message from AFA Chair Cynthia P. Moore

In response to the AFA’s highest-ever funding allocation of $38.1 million through Budget 2026, our Board of Directors is pleased to announce it has approved its 2026-27 budget. We are grateful for government’s record-breaking investment in the arts. This support allows the AFA to continue to be a champion for artists and arts organizations in Alberta. I am pleased to share highlights of our plan with Alberta’s arts community.

This year, the AFA is increasing its spending to support arts organizations as we continue to focus on the ongoing transformation of our grant programs to better serve the arts community. Total spending to support arts organizations will be increased by 14% over last year. We will also continue to roll out new grant programs to transform and modernize how we support Alberta’s arts community. To date, we are proud to have introduced the new Volunteer Based Arts Organizations and the Community Based Arts Organizations operating grants. You can learn more about this work on our website.

This September will mark one year since we launched AFA art house in Calgary. In the last nine months, we have presented three exhibitions and multiple arts events featuring Alberta artists. We will continue to build on this momentum to grow our home for Alberta art in the heart of Downtown Calgary.

On April 30, I was pleased to attend the launch of Alberta’s new music action plan. We will work with our government colleagues to support this plan and continue to support the musicians and music organizations of our province.

Our goal throughout the coming year is to help ensure every Albertan understands the crucial role our arts sector plays in driving economic growth and in enriching the lives of Albertans and their communities.

Thank you for the work you do and please reach out any time to share your stories and ideas with us.