Literary Individual Project Funding Program – Canada

Deadline: 3 September 2024

The Alberta Foundation for the Arts is seeking applications to support the development of individual Alberta artists, arts administrators, or an ensemble of artists by providing funding for a specific literary arts project.

Funding Information

You can receive up to $15,000 to support your project.

What does this grant support?

To be eligible for project funding:
- the applicant must own the copyright of a proposed work
- a proposed publication must be available and accessible to the general public
Please note, AFA funding is not assured for any project.
Eligible literary genres
- For the purposes of this funding opportunity, eligible projects include the below list of genres. Literary arts translation and anthology projects in any of the below genres are also eligible:
  - novels
  - short fiction
  - poetry
  - graphic novels
  - plays
  - young adult fiction
  - picture books
  - literary non-fiction
- The AFA defines literary non-fiction as a genre that uses inventive or literary techniques to produce work that is factually true and artistically elegant, and is written in a personal, identifiable voice. It can include:
  - biography
  - cultural, political or social commentary
  - history
  - literary journalism
  - memoir
  - personal essays
  - travel writing
Types of Projects
- Through this opportunity, you may apply for project funding to support artistic activities in:
  - art production
  - marketing
  - research
  - training and career development
- Art production includes the development, creation, of a work in literary arts.
- Projects should be confined to a distinct phase of a work, such as a first or final draft, in one of the eligible literary genres listed above.
- Marketing includes a program of activity for a specific period of time to disseminate a completed literary work and/or to develop audiences and markets for the artist’s work.
- Eligible projects include, but are not limited to:
  - promotional reading tours and book launches
  - on-line marketing initiatives such as book trailers
  - attendance at literary festivals, non-academic conferences, or award presentations by invitation
- Research includes a program of activity for a specific period of time that supports or results in the development of new work in the literary arts.
- Eligible projects include, but are not limited to:
  - experimentation
  - exploration
  - research of primary materials
- Training and career development includes a course or program of study to develop a writer’s training in literary arts, including translation.
- Eligible projects include, but are not limited to:
  - workshops
  - master classes
  - retreats
  - mentorship programs
  - professional development
  - professional courses of study in literary arts

Eligibility Criteria

Individual
- The AFA celebrates and supports diversity and is committed to creating equitable, inclusive, and accessible programs for all, free of barriers and discrimination. They recognize the unique contributions all artists make towards the community, and encourage applicants representing diverse communities, including Indigenous peoples, racialized communities, women, people with disabilities, and the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
- To be eligible for individual project funding, you must be a resident of Alberta. This means you:
  - are a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or Protected Person with an open work or study permit from inside Canada
  - have had your primary residence in Alberta for at least one full year before applying
  - ordinarily live in Alberta for a least six months of each year with the exception of attending a formal program of study
- You must be in good standing with the AFA with no open or outstanding projects or reporting to apply. Previous grant recipients must ensure all final reporting has been approved by the AFA before new applications are accepted.
- Applicants, including ensembles or collectives, must not 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.
- Principal artists cannot apply and/or receive funding for multiple projects at the same time, whether as an individual or a member of various ensembles, collectives, or collaborations.