Music Individual Project Funding Program – Canada

Funding Information

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

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 and production of any music work. Projects should be confined to a distinct phase of a work, such as:
  • composition projects (including commissioned work)
  • demo recording projects not intended for sale, including full production and basic press kit expenses
  • commercial recording projects intended for sale, including support for pre-production and song development (basic recording)
• Alberta individual artists that have been contracted by commissioners to create a specific work (such as a composition) are eligible to apply for project support through this funding opportunity.
• A commercial recording officially begins with pre-production of the album in a recording studio and is completed when the final manufactured recording is submitted to the AFA. If a recording is only intended for digital release, you must clearly state this in your application.
• For any recording project, the AFA gives preference to projects recorded in an Alberta-based recording facility.
• Marketing includes a program of activity for a specific period that promotes, advertises, or disseminates work created by Alberta music artists, and/or develops audiences for the artist’s work.
• Eligible projects include, but are not limited to:
  • marketing and promotion of a commercial release
  • costs associated with performances at special events by invitation
  • promotional tours
• Research includes a program of activity for a specific period of time that supports or results in the development of a music project.
• Training and career development includes a course or program of study to develop an artist’s training in music or arts administrator’s training in music administration.
• Eligible projects include, but are not limited to:
  • workshops
  • master classes
  • retreats
  • mentorship programs
  • professional courses of study in performance, recording arts, or composition

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.

For more information, visit AFA.