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Alberta Foundation for the Arts is currently accepting applications for its Public Art Galleries Operating Funding Program 2026. Interested applicants are encouraged to click here to learn more about this opportunity and apply for it.
The Public Art Galleries Operating Funding Program provides three-year operating support to eligible not-for-profit public art galleries in Alberta. Funding supports administration, salaries, programming, equipment maintenance, promotion, and other core operational costs. Applicants must meet strict governance, professional standards, public access, and artist compensation requirements.
Strengthens Alberta’s professional visual arts infrastructure.
Ensures public access to high-quality exhibitions.
Promotes fair compensation for artists.
Reinforces governance and financial sustainability.
Builds long-term institutional stability.
To qualify, organizations must meet all of the following criteria:
1. Legal and Organizational Status
Must be a not-for-profit organization
Must be legally registered and in good standing under applicable legislation
Must have at least three years of operational history in Alberta
2. Mandate and Programming
Primary mandate must be to present visual arts exhibitions and related programming
Must demonstrate a sustained commitment to visual arts development, presentation, and promotion
Must operate an annual public exhibition program
3. Public Access Requirements
Must operate a gallery or exhibition space
Space must be accessible to the public for at least 1,000 hours per year
Must meet basic standards for the security and presentation of exhibited works
4. Staffing Requirements
Must employ at least one full-time equivalent (FTE) administrative or artistic staff member
This staff member must be responsible for planning and directing gallery programs
5. Governance Requirements
At least half of board members must reside in Alberta
Must operate at arm’s length from municipalities and other publicly funded institutions
Must demonstrate:
Sound governance practices
Strong administrative systems
Fiscal responsibility
A clear artistic mandate
6. Professional Standards and Compliance
Organizations must:
Contract with exhibiting artists
Pay artist fees in accordance with:
Canadian copyright legislation
Fee schedules recommended by the Canadian Artist Representation Copyright Collective
Comply with Canadian Arts Database financial and statistical reporting requirements
Maintain a board-approved cash reserve policy
All criteria must be met to qualify.
Apply for Alberta Foundation for the Arts - Public Art Galleries Operating Funding Program
