Grants to Alberta government agencies, IHEs, and First Nations to host public cultural events as part of a province-wide happening. Funding is intended to provide communities with the opportunity to experience and participate in cultural life. Events and programs will take place throughout September, making it easier for community organizations to host online or small in-person events (depending on federal or provincial health guidelines). All grant-funded events/activities must be free to the public.

Alberta Culture Days funding assistance is designed to support Alberta Culture Days activities, events, and promotions that engage public participation and inspire future involvement.

There are three distinct funding streams within the program:

• Feature Celebration Site: Provides funding support to eligible nonprofit organizations that program three days of events;
• Host Celebration Site: Provides funding support to eligible nonprofit organizations that program two days of events;
• Pop Up Celebration Site: Provides funding support to eligible nonprofit organizations that program one day of events.

The program outcomes are to:

• Ensure Alberta’s artists and community groups have the opportunity to engage new audiences and showcase their talents and programming on a provincial scale;
• Promote the importance of culture as part of a prosperous and vibrant province; and
• Ensure Albertans and visitors have access to a wide range of cultural experiences.

Selected applicants must allocate funding in one or more of the categories listed below:

• Artists fees/workshop fees/performance fees (funds can only be used to compensate Albertan artists)
• Event/workshop materials (for example, paintbrushes, paper, costume rentals, etc.)
• Marketing and communications (for example, newspaper ads, graphic design fees, etc.)
• Volunteer expenses (for example, t-shirts [for identification purposes only], refreshments, etc.)
• Food and beverage (note: alcoholic beverages and bar services are not eligible)
• Honorariums, wages, and contract wages agreements with cultural workers and artists who are not already employed as staff by the applicant organization (for example, ushers, stage managers, technicians, etc.)
• Technology costs (for example Zoom, WebEx, audio/visual technician services); equipment rental (for example, lighting, sound)
• Venue rental (for example, any identified programming space)
• Equipment rental (for example, lighting, sound, etc.)