ABOUT THE ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE
The Alliance Française of Calgary is one of nine language and cultural centres in Canada, and is part of an international network of 1075 Alliance Française in 135 countries. Since its creation in 1947, the Alliance Française of Calgary has contributed to the development of French language education and cultural events in Calgary.
Mission
The Alliance Française of Calgary’s mission is to promote the French language, the Francophone cultures and diverse intercultural exchanges through the following:
• Providing French language courses for children, adolescents, adults, individuals, groups, corporate clients and federal agents to support second language acquisitions and to contribute to multilingualism.
• Granting internationally recognized French Language Diplomas as a means to increase the recognition and value of life-long language learning.
• Hosting workshops and training for French teachers as well as extra-curricular activities for students to support the work of language teachers and administrators in Calgary.
• Establishing and maintaining a Bilingual Media Library of books and multi-media materials for children, adults, teachers and students to bring life French-language literature and to stimulate debate.
• Hosting artistic and cultural events to promote diversity and multiculturalism, including cinema, theatre, music, readings and more.
Vision
The vision of the Alliance Française of Calgary is to create a space for exchange and dialogue between different linguistic communities to promote cultural diversity and discovery of Francophone cultures, and to support life-long language learning and multilingualism.
Quick Facts
• The Alliance Française of Calgary is a not-for-profit organization with an annual operating budget of $600,000.
• The Alliance Française of Calgary employs 25 Calgarians, including 20 French language teachers.
• The Alliance Française of Calgary provides more than 6,000 hours of French language education a year to more than 1,000 adult, youth and specialized French language learners.
• The Alliance Française of Calgary hosts more than 30 artistic and cultural events each year, including film screenings, concerts, theatre, storytelling, lectures and conferences.
• More than 200 Calgarians provide approximately 3,000 volunteer hours to supporting the work of the Alliance Française of Calgary.
• The French language Media Library / Mediathèque provides users with access to a collection of more than 7,000 French language books and multi-media materials for children, adults, teachers and students.
Partnerships
The Alliance Française of Calgary has more than 25 cultural and educational community partners, including:
• WordFest: Banff-Calgary International Writers Festival
• Calgary International Film Festival
• Calgary International Children’s Festival
• One Yellow Rabbit High Performance Rodeo
• Calgary International Spoken Word Festival
• Cantos Music Foundation
• Calgary Cinématheque
• Calgary Board of Education
• Calgary Catholic Separate School District
• University of Calgary
• Canadian Parents for French
• Second Language and Intercultural Council, Alberta Teachers Association
• Association Canadienne des Professeurs de Langue Seconde
• Aula Cervantes de Calgary
Funding
• Income from the French classes represents 80% of the budget
• Institutional Funding:
- Casino – Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission
- The Calgary Foundation
- Alberta Foundation for the Arts
- Secrétariat Francophone de l’Alberta
- French Ministry of Foreign Affairs*, French Embassy, General Consulate of France
- Calgary Arts Development Authority
• Corporate Funding: Total E&P Canada
• Members and donors
