Alberta Foundation for the Arts

An agency of the Alberta Government, the Alberta Foundation for the Arts (AFA) was established in 1991 in order to promote, encourage and support the arts within the province. As a beneficiary of lottery funds, the AFA distributes funding in the form of grants and prizes to artists and organizations involved in performing, visual, literary and film and new media arts ventures. The Alberta Film Development Program is offered through the Film Development Office, on behalf of the AFA. Supporting film projects financially, the program endeavours to promote autonomy within the Alberta filmmaking community.

	When the Alberta Foundation for the Arts was first established, it helped to bring together several arts departments including the Alberta Art Foundation, the Alberta Foundation for the Performing Arts, the Alberta Foundation for the Literary arts and Alberta Culture and Multiculturalism grant programs. Listen as Doug Main, Minister of Culture and Multiculturalism speaks about the development of the AFA. Listen Now

The film and video arts project grants allow for the dispersal of funds in order to aid the development of artists within the film and video industry. Funding is available for art production, career development, research and travel. The grants are geared towards promoting the arts within the province and therefore, applicants must be Alberta residents.

In September of 2001, the Alberta Film Review Committee released a report that proposed an increase of funding for film and video production and the development of a centralized office. This proposal was realized in July of 2002 when Alberta Film was founded. Alberta Film provides local, national and international filmmakers with assistance and brings together Alberta Economic Development and Alberta Community Development under one organization. As a part of Alberta Film, the Film Development Office supports film industry and administers the Alberta Film Development Program on behalf of the AFA. The Film Development Program provides funding for film companies working on a project that develops talent, services and/or facilities within Alberta.

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