50th Anniversary Micro-Grants for Visual Artists
In recognition of the 50th Anniversary of the AFA Art Collection (established in 1972), this program supports individual Alberta artists, ensembles, or independent curators with one-time funding of up to $2,500. This program supports specific visual arts projects that explore or engage with the history and diversity of visual arts in Alberta, or respond to our province’s visual culture and identity.
This funding opportunity is a subsection of our Visual Arts and New Media funding opportunity.
Who can apply
To be eligible for individual project funding, you must be a resident of Alberta. This means you:
- are legally entitled to be or remain in Canada
- are legally entitled to work in Canada
- have had your primary residence in Alberta for at least one full year before applying
You must be in good standing with the AFA to apply.
Applicants, including ensembles or collectives, cannot be incorporated under either provincial or federal legislation.
Ensembles, collectives, and collaborations
Ensembles, collectives, and collaborations are eligible to apply to this program and must list all principal artists involved in the project activities as part of their application. All members of an ensemble, collective, or collaboration must meet the individual eligibility criteria.
What does this grant support
Please note, AFA funding is not assured for any project.
For the purposes of this funding opportunity, eligible visual arts projects include, but are not limited to, works of art in drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, fibre arts, ceramics, photography, mixed media, installation arts, and media or computer-assisted art. Eligible works also include Indigenous traditional arts such as beading, jewellery making, and quilling.
Funding is for creation and art production. This is not a purchase program. Ownership and copyright of works supported through this program remain the sole property of the artist. Artists interested in having their work acquired by the AFA Art Collection may submit completed works to the Art Acquisition by Application program.
Types of projects
You may apply for one-time project funding to support artistic activities that respond to, or engage in dialogue on:
- the history and diversity of visual arts in Alberta
- what it means to be an Albertan artist
- the role of visual culture and identity in our province
- Indigenous traditional cultural and customary arts
- recognition, respect, and value of culturally-diverse artistic practices
- representation of historically underserved communities within the visual arts, including Indigenous populations, racialized communities, women, artists who are Deaf and/or have a disability, and 2SLGBTQ+
Eligible expenses
You can receive up to $2,500 to support your project. You may apply for up to 100% of eligible expenses that are directly related to carrying out your proposed project.
These expenses may include, but are not limited to:
- contracted artist and technician fees
- commission fees
- production, including materials and supplies that are appropriate for the development of the project
- promotion and publicity
- transportation and accommodation
- royalties
- administration and contract fees
- basic living/subsistence expenses (housing, local transportation, food, childcare, dependent care)
- other expenses and supplies considered by the AFA to be reasonable and necessary
Ineligible Projects
Additional expenses and activities that are ineligible for AFA project funding include:
- Capital expenditures for the purchase of buildings or property or for capital development such as construction or renovations
- Capital expenditures for purchase of studio furniture and/or equipment such as computers, technology, lighting, audio, etc. that can otherwise be rented and/or has a use beyond the life of your project
- Career training, post-secondary study, or recreational training projects
- Thesis exhibitions, graduate films, and other activities undertaken as part of a course of study
- Applied arts such as gaming, architecture, interior design, commercial photography, graphic and commercial arts and/or fashion design
- Media works produced for commercial and/or broadcast purposes
- Expenses already incurred prior to the application submission, including grant writer fees
