AFA News

_{Dr. Joane Cardinal-Schubert
Crowsnest Mountain and the Seven Sisters, 1989
oil on paper
Collection of the Alberta Foundation for the Arts}

The holiday season is a wonderful time to reflect with family and friends. At the Alberta Foundation for the Arts, we are forging a deeper understanding of our role and responsibilities as Alberta’s provincial arts funder and principal supporter. We are in a period of renewal as we look forward to new opportunities. Whether it is the performing arts, literary, visual, film or video, the AFA’s job is to help individual artists and organizations explore, practice, create and promote their exceptional work.

We have a profound sense of optimism for the years ahead that is buoyed by the Alberta government’s commitment to increase AFA funding to a record-level $39.1 million by 2027. 
We look forward to continuing our work with government for the betterment of Alberta’s arts sector.

Art and Alberta’s artists are at the heart of everything that we do. In that vein, I’m proud to continue the AFA’s tradition of highlighting an artwork from our collection. This year, I’m pleased to feature Crowsnest Mountain and the Seven Sisters by Dr. Joane Cardinal-Schubert. 
This beautiful Indigenous work is representative of the mountain landscape in Southern Alberta. Cardinal-Schubert’s use of color is so appropriate during the holiday season.

On behalf of the AFA Board of Directors and staff, please accept my best wishes for a safe and restful holiday season, Merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year.

Cynthia P. Moore, Chair

Alberta Foundation for the Arts

The AFA is supporting a two-year research project conducted by Stone-Olafson on current engagement of arts audiences in Alberta. We are pleased to share the third set of results ("Wave 3").

This work was developed for the arts sector exclusively and is designed to provide specific, relevant, and reliable facts to support the leaders in the arts sector as they seek to understand their audiences and grow attendance.

Key topic areas for Wave 3 include:

• Assess interest and engagement with arts related education opportunities
• Understand spending habits and how they’ve altered
• Identify current barriers to last minute engagement
• Understand ad hoc decision variables

Results

Watch the video of the results on YouTube.

Watch the team from Stone-Olafson report on the findings from the second wave of research in the Spotlight on Arts Audiences project.

Download the reports:

• Alberta Report
• Calgary Report
• Edmonton Report
• Regional Alberta Report

About the project

The AFA has partnered with the Rozsa Foundation (www.rozsafoundation.com), Calgary Arts Development(calgaryartsdevelopment.com), Calgary Foundation (calgaryfoundation.org), Edmonton Arts Council (www.edmontonarts.ca), and Edmonton Community Foundation(www.ecfoundation.org), to support the Spotlight on Arts Audiences research project. The work will survey arts-inclined audiences in Calgary, Edmonton, and across the province to provide data that is useful and timely for arts leaders and organizations three times per year over the next two years.

Test YULCOM Louis

Both workshops are full. Thank you for your interest. 

Free live tutorial workshops:

• Friday, February 4 @ 1:30 – 2:30 pm; or
• Thursday, February 10 @ 1:30 – 2:30 pm
• Please note that this workshop is intended for current applicants (i.e. already undergone eligibility assessment)

The workshop will focus on how to navigate through the new GATE Front Office online application system by going through each of the steps and required documents to submit your final report and complete a new application.

• The GATE online application system went through a significant version upgrade, which includes a new design and look of the Front Office portal. Front Office is the name of the GATE portal you use to apply for an AFA grant or submit a final report.

The workshop will help you prepare for Community Support Organizations Operating Funding (March 1, 2022 grant deadline).

Space is limited and seats will be reserved on a first come, first serve basis.

To register for a session, please email your attendance request to Cynthia.Enzenhofer@gov.ab.ca.

Giving Tuesday is a worldwide movement that encourages community contributions to charities, community causes and initiatives. Arts organizations in Alberta greatly benefit from continued support and donations from the community.

If you plan to participate during Giving Tuesday, consider an arts organization in your community to support.

You can also contribute to the AFA's Arts Sector Donation program. Qualifying cash donations of $50 or more are eligible to receive an official donation receipt.

Hundreds of nominations poured in for the 25 Influential Alberta Artists. Here's the full list of all who were nominated.