Provincial Arts Service Organizations Operating Funding

This grant provides funding in three-year cycles to eligible member-based arts organizations that provide educational, resource-based, promotional and advocacy services as the umbrella organization for an artistic discipline or sector in the province. The funding is designed to support organizational operations specific to the organization's mandate, strategic and/or business plan and activities. Operating funding typically supports expenses such as administration, programming, salaries and fees, maintenance of equipment and fixed assets, promotion, and other expenses required to fulfill the organization's mandate. Funding awarded through this opportunity is calculated through two components: a base amount of up to $50,000 for operating expenses, and an additional amount of up to 50 percent of eligible expenses. The additional amounts are determined within the context of total available funds within the allocated Provincial Arts Service Organizations program budget. Funding is established by the AFA Board of Directors based upon the annual AFA Budget allocated by the Government of Alberta. Eligible organizations must have the promotion of an artistic discipline or sector as their principal mandate, engage in ongoing development and advocacy on behalf of that discipline or sector, serve a province-wide membership of both individuals and organizations, and maintain a provincial office with staff accessible to the membership. Organizations must be not-for-profit, registered and in good standing under the appropriate legislation, and have been in operation in Alberta for at least two years. An Expert Panel makes funding recommendations over and above the base amount, comprised of representatives from the arts and/or not-for-profit community. Expert Panel assessment is based on the organization's governance practices, fiscal responsibility and arts mandate, demonstrated successes in providing ongoing development of, support for, and advocacy on behalf of the identified arts discipline or sector, and strategies for the future.