The Alberta String Association (ASA), formerly known as the Association of String Teachers and Performers of Alberta (ASTAPA), was founded in 1979 and registered as a non-profit, charitable society. The ASA strives to support and develop programs serving a network of string professionals, string students, and string-interested parties who advocate quality string playing and string education in the province of Alberta. This includes services such as an informational newsletter, educational and academic publications, a website as multi-purpose platform including a directory, a lending music and video library, specialized workshops, advocacy and benefit events and a provincial conference. Members are registered with the ASA upon payment of an annual membership fee.