Grant Writing 101 with the Alberta Foundation for the Arts

Call for Proposals- Emerging Curator Fellowship

The Alberta Foundation for the Arts (AFA) has created a new initiative; the AFA Fellowship for Emerging Curators, to support the growth and development of Curatorial talent. The AFA invites individuals and groups of individuals to submit a proposal for an online exhibition of Albertan visual art. The exhibition will be posted on the AFA’s Art House website and is intended to create exposure for the AFA collection, especially for artworks that cannot be used in regular AFA programming. The project is intended to bring a new perspective to the artworks and artists featured in the AFA collection. The AFA will ensure the successful projects are formatted and made available online, through the eMuseum platform.

Funding of up to $10,000 per proposal is available for this project. A maximum of three (3) Fellowships will be awarded.  Please see attached document for full proposal details. 

Timeline: 
Application Deadline: December 22, 2014 at 4:00 PM Alberta Time 
Projected Start Date: January 1, 2015 
Project Completion Deadline: March 20, 2015 


Eligibility Requirements: 
Proposals may be submitted by: 

• Emerging curators; persons with less than 10 years of professional artistic practice or less than 10 years of experience curating exhibitions in Alberta, Canada or abroad (equivalencies and combinations of experience will be considered);
•  Individuals, sole proprietors’, or groups of individuals working in professional partnerships or curatorial collectives as long as all members can be classified as “emerging curators”;
• Individuals enrolled in graduate level, post-secondary education; individuals in undergraduate programs are not eligible to apply; 
• Canadian citizens or permanent residents; Individuals residing outside of Alberta are eligible to apply. 

The following projects and applicants are ineligible: 

• Exhibitions already completed, or due to be completed, before the commencement of the funding period; funding will not be provided retroactively;
• Exhibitions prepared as part of post-secondary programs or where academic credits are given;
• Exhibitions that have been previously published, produced or exhibited; 
• Costs for business start-up and the purchase of basic equipment (e.g. personal computer and software); 
• Proposals submitted by commercial firms or corporations. 

Proposal Requirements: 
Applicants must include the following in their application: 
A curatorial statement outlining the exhibition theme/idea/concept they want to develop; 
The target audience of the exhibition; Suggested artworks from the AFA collection[1] ; 
The suggested timeline for the project; Resumes of all curators involved in the submission; Sample curatorial statements, educational packages and/or interpretive guides to demonstrate the applicants’ experience or to support the proposal; 
A statement outlining their approach to preparing educational or interpretive packages to accompany the exhibition; 
Applicant proposals may also include a maximum of one (1) recommended acquisition for the AFA Collection (note, recommendations should meet AFA Collection Development Plan criteria); 
A suggested minimum of one (1) on-site visit to the AFA collection in Edmonton, AB; 
A proposed budget for the project, including travel costs to view the Collection. 

Application Requirements: 
Curators can include themselves as artists in the proposals;
All artworks included in the exhibition must be from the Alberta Foundation for the Arts Collection; 
Late applications will not be considered; Incomplete applications will not be accepted. 

Applications and inquiries can be mailed or e-mailed to: 
Erin McDonald, Manager, 
Art Collections The Alberta Foundation for the Arts 
10708 105 Avenue Edmonton, AB    T5H 0A1  
erin.mcdonald@gov.ab.ca  

Read more at http://www.affta.ab.ca/Arts-In-Alberta/Arts-Opportunities/AFA-Emerging-Curator-Fellowship---Call-for-Proposals

Request for Proposals- AFA Collection Conservaton Assessment

In response to recommendations received through the development of a Collection Framework and Policy Manual, and feedback from the Canadian Conservation Institute, the AFA is looking to review the current conditions for artworks in the AFA Collection and usage in its programming, and develop a multi-year strategy for preventive and treatment conservation. The AFA is seeking a contractor to complete an on-site conservation review of the AFA’s current artwork holdings, and assist Arts Branch staff through the preparation of a long-term (six year) Conservation Review Report with Recommendations.  We have recently posted a Request for Proposals on Alberta Purchasing Connection for the AFA Artwork Collection Conservation Assessment. Bid information and documents may be found using at http://www.purchasingconnection.ca/ and located using the Reference Number AB-2014-05802. 


The opportunity to submit a proposal is available until November 14, 2014 at 4:00PM MST.

Read more here 

What's Your Art?

We all have our own definition of art. Our own tastes. Our own preferences. What’s yours?

The Alberta Foundation for the Arts (AFA) wants you to share the art in your life at www.whatisyourart.ca. You can create a list of the art in your life and share with your friends, and if you’re looking for inspiration, see what some of Alberta’s best-known & loved public figures had to share.

Art is everywhere and in our busy lives we rarely take the time to recognize it. Take a moment and tell us, what is your art?

Arts Impact Alberta 2014: Ripple Effects from the Arts Sector

In 2012, the AFA was proud to announce the release of Arts Impact Alberta: Ripple Effects from the Arts Sector , a five-year summary of the impacts and activities of the organizations that receive operational funding from the AFA.

Arts Impact: Ripple Effects from the Arts Sector demonstrated the positive and powerful contributions arts organizations make to Albertans’ quality of life. These contributions are reflected in a variety of important ways: simply put, the arts matter to Albertans; the arts matter to volunteers; and, the arts matter to the economy.

The AFA has now updated Arts Impact Alberta with two more years of data.Arts Impact Alberta 2014: Ripple Effects illustrates how the arts sector impacted Alberta through a seven-year lens and how AFA operational funding is contributing to the health of the sector.  The report reveals that:

"The majority (85%) of adult Albertans attended at least one arts event per year, and just over half participate directly in an art form in their home or community. Nonprofit arts organizations in Alberta present an average of 24,000 events per year throughout the province…Each year about 50,000 Albertans, the equivalent of an entire medium sized city such as Medicine Hat or St. Albert, volunteer for arts organizations that receive operational funding from the AFA. These volunteers give an average of 34 hours of their time and talent to the nonprofit arts organization of their choice, and collectively work the equivalent of an estimated 1,075 full-time jobs…Overall, revenues have remained higher than expenditures for nonprofit arts organizations…The direct GDP contribution of the sector to Alberta’s economy is estimated at $110 million, resulting from approximately $203 million in total economic activity generated by nonprofit arts organizations. Arts organizations receiving AFA operational funding employed more than 3,400 people in 2012-13; approximately 700 full-time staff and 2,700 part-time staff worked for the 450 organizations that received operational funding. The nonprofit arts sector creates around 22 full-time equivalent jobs for every one million dollars of expenditure in the sector. The total employment generated by the sector is estimated at 3,008 full-time equivalent jobs (including jobs generated in other sectors)."

Arts and culture funding is an investment with great dividends that reveals itself not only in a bank statement but in the smiles of your children as they participate in their first theatre show, an exhibition by local artists, or a community concert. The Municipality of Wood Buffalo understands that arts and culture not only creates a powerful sense of belonging and community but it also benefits the local economy. The AFA Arts Impact Alberta 2014: Ripple Effects report gives credible evidence to our long held beliefs and our goal of creating a vibrant culture in Wood Buffalo outlined in our Municipal Development Plan. 

Please download the Arts Impact Alberta 2014: Ripple Effects from the Arts Sector report; share the report with the people in your community and in doing so, tell the story of how important the arts sector is to Alberta's cultural fabric!


Read more at http://affta.ab.ca/Arts-In-Alberta/AFA-News/Arts-Impact-Alberta-2014

Alberta Foundation for the Arts Recruiting New Board Members

The Alberta Foundation for the Arts (AFA) acts as the Government of Alberta's arts funding agency. We are currently accepting applications to fill vacancies on the Board of Directors. This recruitment will focus on Calgary and area. 

The AFA Board is responsible for policy and funding decisions concerning the support of Alberta artists and arts organizations. The AFA Board oversees AFA programming and operations that support the implementation of the AFA Strategic Plan. This includes the review and approval of all arts grants, awards and the acquisition of original works of art for the AFA art collection. Applicants should have knowledge and experience in board governance and process. Applicants should also have a background of involvement in the arts as a volunteer, an artist, an arts administrator or in some other professional field of endeavour in Alberta's arts sector. Excellent communication skills are required and experience in policy and program development, financial management and committee leadership would be beneficial. 

Appointment of each member of the AFA Board is typically for a fixed term of up to three years, with the potential for reappointment based on satisfactory performance. Individuals who are Alberta residents may apply for appointment to the AFA Board or may be nominated by another individual, group or organization. Applicants are expected to provide complete resumes including the names of three references. 

Online applications are preferred. To apply online, please visit https://www.jobs.alberta.ca/. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only individuals selected for interviews will be contacted. Applicants who apply online will receive an e-mail acknowledging receipt of their application.

Read more at http://www.affta.ab.ca/Arts-In-Alberta/Arts-Opportunities/Alberta-Foundation-for-the-Arts-Recruiting-New-Board-Members

Arts Impact Alberta From the AFA

ARTS IMPACT ALBERTA - RIPPLE EFFECTS FROM THE ARTS SECTOR

The Alberta Foundation of the Arts (AFA) is proud to announce the release of Arts Impact Alberta: Ripple Effects from the Arts Sector, a five-year summary of the impacts and activities of the organizations that receive operational funding from the AFA. Arts Impact: Ripple Effects from the Arts Sector demonstrates the positive and powerful contributions arts organizations make to Albertans’ quality of life. These contributions are reflected in a variety of important ways: simply put, the arts matter to Albertans; the arts matter to volunteers; and, the arts matter to the economy. The AFA believes the arts sector plays an integral role in Alberta’s cultural fabric; Arts Impact Alberta: Ripple Effects from the Arts Sector begins to tell the story of the passionate, committed and productive nature of the arts sector. Please download the full or teaser versions of the report; share the report with the people in your community and in doing so, tell the story of how important the arts sector is to Alberta's cultural fabric!

Read more at http://affta.ab.ca/Arts-In-Alberta/AFA-News/Arts-Impact-Alberta-Ripple-Effects-from-the-Arts-Sector 

For more information about the AFA and their initiatives, please visit www.affta.ab.ca

Art Scholarships- May 1, 2014 Deadline

The Alberta Foundation for the Arts and Alberta Culture offer four scholarship programs designed to support the development of young Albertans in the film and video, literary, performing (dance for 2014), and visual arts. The deadline for all four scholarship programs is May 1, 2014.

Film and Video Scholarship

Grant MacEwan Creative Writing Scholarship

Queen’s Golden Jubilee Scholarship for the Performing Arts (dance for 2014)

Queen’s Golden Jubilee Scholarship for Visual Arts

Spread the word about these outstanding $5000 scholarships for talented young Albertan artists!

Read more at http://affta.ab.ca/Grants/Awards-and-Scholarships

AFA- Art Acquisition By Application

Alberta Foundation for the Arts- Grant Deadline

Individual Artists Project Grant Deadline - February 3, 2014

The Individual Artists Project Grant program supports the development of individual Alberta artists, Traditional Aboriginal artists, arts administrators, and artist ensembles by providing a grant for a specific project.

More information about the program (be sure to read the guidelines before you complete your application!) is available at http://affta.ab.ca/Grants/Individual-Project-Grants! Please contact the appropriate Arts Development Consultant respective to your artistic discipline well in advance of the February 3 deadline if you have any questions!

Individual Artists Project Grant Deadline – February 1, 2013

Attention individual artists, ensembles and arts administrators! The next deadline for the Alberta Foundation for the Arts' 'Individual Artists Project Grant' is coming up quickly!

With the deadline on Friday, February 1, make sure you give yourself ample opportunity to carefully read the guidelines and complete your application package.

For new applicants, please visit their new Grant Wizard. Returning applicants should visit our Grant Resources section for guidelines, application form and application tip documents.

affta.ab.ca/

Alberta Foundation for the Arts New Website

Visit the new AFA website!

The AFA’s new website offers both the arts sector and Albertan's as a whole new ways to enjoy the arts, find information and share opportunities.

- A grant wizard to help users find the right grant application stream;
- A new classified listing that will share arts opportunities submitted by the community – this includes calls for submissions, volunteer and employment opportunities, available performance and work spaces and training/development opportunities.
- New opportunities to see work from the extensive and amazing from the AFA art collection!
Arts profiles featuring members of Alberta’s talented arts community! 

The AFA will be sharing more new features in the coming days and weeks, but in the mean time, make sure you go explore at www.affta.ab.ca!

AFA Aboriginal Arts Organizations Project Grant Deadline – December 1

Information in this post was retrieved from the AFA Newswire - November 23, 2012

Request for Proposals- Alberta Foundation for the Arts Travelling Exhibition Program Visual Arts and Media Arts (TREX)

The Alberta Foundation for the Arts (AFA) has supported a Visual Arts Travelling Exhibition Program since 1981 and a Media Arts Travelling Exhibition Program since 2000 (the TREX Program). The mandate of the TREX Program is to provide every Albertan with the opportunity to enjoy visual and media art programming in their community.

Three Regional galleries and one arts organization currently coordinate the Visual Arts TREX Program for the AFA:

Northwest Region: The Art Gallery of Grande Prairie, Grande Prairie

Northeast and North Central Region: The Art Gallery of Alberta, Edmonton

Southwest Region: The Alberta Society of Artists, Calgary

Southeast Region: The Esplanade Arts and Heritage Centre, Medicine Hat

The Media Arts TREX Program is currently jointly administered by Metro Theatre and the Alberta Media Arts Alliance (AMAAS).

The existing TREX contracts expire on March 31, 2013.

Request for Proposal Submissions:

The Alberta Foundation for the Arts is requesting proposals from Proponents interested in coordinating the AFA’s Travelling Exhibition Visual Arts and Media Arts Programs (TREX) for a five year term commencing April 1, 2013 and concluding March 31, 2018.

• Proposals may be submitted by any public or institutional arts organization with a mandate to promote Alberta’s visual and media arts.

• The annual funding allotment for the five year period is determined by the Alberta Foundation for the Arts and is subject to the approval by the AFA Board.

• Visual Arts TREX contracts will be awarded to successful Proponents to coordinate the Program in each of the following Regions:

Region I, Northwest: North Western Alberta from High Level to Jasper and from Red Earth Creek to Beaverlodge.

Region II, Northeast and North Central: North Central and North Eastern Alberta from Rimbey to Vermilion and from Athabasca to Fort McMurray.

Region III, Southwest: The Southwest Region of Alberta from Red Deer to Waterton and from Banff to Vulcan.

Region IV, Southeast: The South Eastern Region of Alberta from Lethbridge to Medicine Hat and from Stettler to Cardston.

• One Media Arts TREX contract will be awarded to the successful Proponent who will coordinate the TREX Media Arts Program for all regions of the Province.

The deadline for submissions is November 2, 2012 at 16:00. Please see the Visual Arts and Media Arts Request for Proposal (RFP) documents on the Alberta Purchasing Connection website for more information:

TREX Media Arts Request for Proposal

http://vendor.purchasingconnection.ca/Opportunity.aspx?Guid=E96DA5FD-FD4E-4CF0-B610-F940297EE812

TREX Visual Arts Request for Proposal

http://vendor.purchasingconnection.ca/Opportunity.aspx?Guid=BC391835-BE76-4385-B0BA-C9E7E213D647

or contact Elizabeth Capak in writing at elizabeth.capak@gov.ab.ca.  

Information in this posting was retrieved from: AFA Newswire - October 18, 2012

AFA Contest to Celebrate their New Website!

In celebration of the launch of the New AFA website

AFA wants to know how the arts have impacted your life and community.

How? By submitting a short (one minute) do-it-yourself video. Film it on your smart phone or handheld video camera. It doesn't have to be fancy. Just passionate, engaging and creative.

Upload your entry at afasplash.ca by October 31, 2012. Videos will be shortlisted and up for viewing and voting by November 16, 2012.

New AFA Website coming this October! Visit the new AFA website and discover what the Arts in Alberta has to offer!

The Arts Branch, Alberta Culture seeking Arts Development Consultant

 October 10, 2012

Are you passionate about Alberta's arts community and looking to make a contribution? If yes, this may be the position for you!

Reporting to the Director, Arts Development the Arts Development Consultant is responsible for grant management and policy and development services to the Alberta Foundations for the Arts (AFA) literary arts, film and video grants. The successful candidate will support the growth of Alberta's arts community by providing expert advice to internal and external stakeholders and contacts as it relates to Ministry and AFA policies, services and strategies. S/he will also be responsible for liaising with provincial and national contacts in order to ensure that Ministry and AFA strategies reflect current issues/trends in the arts industry. This position is also responsible for implementing workshops and events in order foster and augment sector growth.

The successful candidate will serve as the AFA's frontline representative when it comes to liaising with literary and media arts communities in Alberta. This involves promoting AFA services across the province and ensuring that all Albertans have access to these services. The position is also responsible for preparing briefings and recommendation for the Ministry and AFA Board and contributing to effective grant delivery by providing advice and guidance to applicants and by providing resources and recommendations to the AFA Grants Committee. Finally, the successful candidate is responsible for ensuring the effective delivery of AFA programs.

The application closing date is October 23, 2012. Go to www.jobs.alberta.ca/jobs-dynamic.html for the full position posting!

Aboriginal Traditional Arts Individual Artists Project Grant Deadline – September 1, 2012

Please note, the information in this posting was retrieved from: AFA Newswire - August 28, 2012, www.affta.ab.ca

As a special notice for Aboriginal artists, the deadline for the Aboriginal Traditional Arts stream of the Individual Artist Project Grant is September 1, 2012.

Support is available for Aboriginal artists interested in an arts project that expresses and shares their culture through an artistic medium. Go to www.affta.ab.ca/individual-project-grant-program.aspx to download and read the Guidelines.

If you have further questions about the grant guidelines or the application or assessment process, please contact Sarah Pocklington, Arts Development Consultant at 780-415-0481 or sarah.pocklington@gov.ab.ca.

Upcoming AFA Individual Artists Project Grant Deadline!

Attention Alberta Artists!
The AFA’s latest deadline for applications for the AFA Individual Artists Project Grant program is September 1, 2012!

Make sure you visit the AFA website and check out grant guidelines before getting your application together!

Alberta Foundation for the Arts Grants deadline Sept 1

Attention Alberta Artists! Upcoming AFA Individual Artists Project Grant Deadline!

The AFA’s latest deadline for applications for the AFA Individual Artists Project Grant program is September 1, 2012! 

The Individual Artists Project Grant program supports the development of individual Alberta artists Traditional Aboriginal artists, arts administrators, and artist ensembles by providing a grant for a specific project.  

Grants are available for;  

• Aboriginal Traditional Arts
• Art Acquisition 
• Cultural Relations (the deadline for this category is ongoing)
• Dance
• File and Video Arts
• Literary Arts
• Music
• Theatre and performing Arts
• Visual and New Media

Each category has specific guidelines and application.  For more information or to apply, please visit www.affta.ab.ca

Call for Applications: Information and Digital Asset Management Work Study

Program dates: September 3, 2012 - December 14, 2012
Application deadline: August 10, 2012
Note: Program dates are flexible depending on availability.

This work study program provides the opportunity to assist in the development of strategic initiatives at The Banff Centre in information management, digital asset management, and digital media research.

Duties include conducting primary research to assist in the cataloguing of The Banff Centre’s digital media assets including digital photographs, animations, videos and sound recordings; analyzing and assessing best practices for content migration and the conversion of various media materials into The Banff Centre’s library and archives system; and assisting in the development of evaluation frameworks for the digital storage, networking, and retrieval of media content to supportThe Banff Centre’s content creation and dissemination strategy.

Information on this post is retrieved from:
AFA Newswire
www.affta.ab.ca
August3, 2012