Indigenous Arts Individual Project Funding Program (Canada)

Funding Information

• This funding provides up to $18,000

Eligible Projects

• Through this opportunity, you may apply for project funding to support artistic and cultural activities:
  • artistic and cultural production
  • marketing
  • research
  • training and career development

Eligible Expenses

• These expenses may include, but are not limited to:
  • contracted artist and/or technician fees
  • commission fees
  • production
  • promotion and publicity
  • transportation and accommodation
  • mentorship costs, such as honoraria and protocol, or fees for mentors or Elders, as well associated travel and accommodation and living costs for mentors

Ineligible Expenses

• Expenses and activities that are ineligible for AFA project funding include:
  • expenses for capital purchases, such as buildings or property, or for capital development, and studio construction or renovations
  • recreational training projects
  • specific component activities undertaken as part of a course of study
  • contracts for ongoing activities or artists pursuing projects similar in scope to usual activities with commissioner

Eligibility Criteria

• 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.
• Collaborating artists, ensembles, and collectives:
  • Collaborating artists, ensembles, and collectives are eligible to apply to this program if all project co-owners meet the individual eligibility criteria as defined above.
• The AFA defines project co-owners as:
  • those who share in the ownership or copyright of the created work
  • those who have a significant financial stake in the project
• For the purposes of this funding opportunity, in addition to the lead applicant, co-owners include, but may not be limited to, the following:
  • Dance projects: choreographers and producers
  • Film and Video projects: writers, directors, and producers
  • Literary Arts projects: writers and writers/illustrators
  • Music projects: ensemble and band members, and song writers
  • Theatre projects: directors, playwrights, choreographers, lyricists, and composers
  • Visual Arts and New Media projects: visual artists, curators, directors (time-based or performative media), and composers or writers (audio or text-based work)
• 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 their community, and encourage applicants representing diverse communities, including Indigenous peoples, racialized communities, women, people with disabilities, and the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

Assessment Criteria

• Assessment of a project is based on the following general criteria:
  • the impact of the project on both the applicant and the artistic genre in Alberta
  • the artistic, educational or promotional merit of the project
  • the appropriateness of the project budget showing commitment from all partners as applicable
  • the ability of the applicant to carry out the proposed project
  • the project and individual’s connection to Indigenous culture and community.

For more information, visit Alberta Foundation for the Arts.