Frequently
Asked Questions: |
Frequently
Asked Questions About the
Community Arts Grant Program
What kind of projects will a Community Arts Grant fund?
The Community Arts Grant Program will fund a variety of artistic and cultural projects such as plays, arts festivals, concerts, etc. In recent years there have been programs such as historical characterizations (storytellers), photography classes, and creative writing classes. Further details may be reviewed in the Application Instructions, below. A list of recently funded programs is available from the Arts Council for Wyoming County, and below (Funded Community Arts Grant Programs).
All projects funded in the 2008 cycle must take place between January 1 and December 31, 2008.
Community
Arts Grants are available to residents of Wyoming County who
meet the criteria described in these guidelines, without regard
to race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, age,
sexual orientation, or disability.
The Arts Council for Wyoming County is committed to assisting all interested parties to complete applications. You are encouraged to ask questions at any time during the application process.
To
be eligible to apply for a Community Arts Grant or to be a
sponsor for an artist or artist group, organizations in Wyoming
County must:
-
Have been established for at least one year with an active Board of Directors meeting on a regular basis;
-
Have not-for-profit status with proof of same based on IRS 501(c)(3) status, registered with NYS Charities Registration, chartered by the NYS Board of Regents, or incorporated under Section 402 of the Not-for-Profit Law;
-OR -
-
Have official authorization as an arm of a local government (i.e., a formal letter on official stationery signed by the appropriate county, town or village executive.
Organizations
which are INELIGIBLE include:
-
DEC sites;
-
Organizations applying directly to the New York State Council on the Arts, regardless of the application's status;
-
Past sub-grantees that have failed to submit final reports or have failed to comply with any other contractual obligations;
-
Public school districts, private or parochial schools, their affiliates or components, or activities exclusively meant to serve a student audience (although Parent-Teacher Organizations/Associations ARE eligible; include copy of charter from NYS Board of Regents with application);
-
Four-year public universities and colleges;
-
Individuals, unless formally sponsored by a not-for-profit organization meeting all other qualifications;
-
New York State agencies and departments.
May I apply as an Individual Artist?
An Individual Artist may apply for a Community Arts Grant if the artist is sponsored by an organization meeting the requirements described above. See "What information do I need to supply to the Arts Council" for a list of further requirements of individual artists.
I've never applied for a grant before; how do I start?
-
Go to a Community Arts Grant Workshop. Workshops are scheduled in August. Attendance is required of first-time applicants, or repeat applicants who have not attended for two years.
-
Get an application Applications are available on the ACWC website, from the Arts Council for Wyoming County, at local libraries, and at Community Arts Grants workshops.
Application:
MS Word application form (click "cancel" if pop-up window appears requesting password); Guidelines in MS Word; Applicaiton .pdf; Guidelines .pdf .
Plain text document - Email the Arts Council for Wyoming County to request. -
Complete the application by the deadline stated. Applications must be postmarked or delivered to ACWC, including all required copies and attachments, by the deadline.
-
Contact ACWC’s Community Arts Grants Program Director for assistance, as necessary. Do not hesitate to ask for help with your application. Ours is an “open door” policy when it comes to assistance with grant-writing.
Generally, the application processes starts in August and applications are due in September, annually, but at any time during the year the Outreach Director is willing to discuss your ideas for future projects with you. For 2008 projects, the deadline is September 28, 2007. For more information contact The Arts Council for Wyoming County at: foote@artswyco.org or 585-237-3517.
What information will I need to supply to the Arts Council?
1.
Applicants will need to provide one of the following as proof
of your non-profit
status:
-
Copy of letter granting 501 (c) (3) status
-
Copy of form BBW 189 from New York state Charities Registration
-
Copy of charter issued by the Board of Regents, Sect. 216 of NYS Ed. Law
-
Letter of acceptance of incorporation under section 42 of the Not-for-Profit Law.
-
Formal letter on official stationery signed by the appropriate county, town or village executive.
2. Individual artists or collaborating artists are eligible if sponsored by an organization meeting the requirements described on this page, and the following is provided with application:
-
A letter of commitment from the sponsoring organization stating its willingness to fulfill all obligations and duties as a fiscal and administrative agent for a grant award.
-
Indication in the application narrative that funds will be used for cultural or artistic programs or services in Wyoming County.
-
An artistic resume and sample(s) of work.
-
Proof of Wyoming County Residency.
In addition, an artist group, such as a writer's group, musical group, or collaborating artists must be based in Wyoming County to be eligible.
Who can help me if I decide to apply?
The Arts Council for Wyoming County provides workshops and individual assistance to help you apply for a grant. For more information contact the Arts Council for Wyoming County at: foote@artswyco.org or 585-237-3517.
How much funding may I receive?
-
An organization which is a first, second, or third-year applicant may receive up to $3,000 for artistic programs in Wyoming county.
-
Those who have received funding for at least three years and plan to take a substantial step in growth, or present a new and unique project, may apply to receive up to $5000 in funds.
-
An individual artist sponsored by a not-for-profit organization my receive up to $5000 in funds for an artistic project in Wyoming County.
-
An organization, whether the applicant or the sponsor, can apply up to three times annually for a total amount not in excess of the above limits.
-
Minimum request is $300.
Are there any funding
restrictions?
Community
Arts Grants does have a few funding restrictions. You may not use these
grants for:
-
Non-arts
related projects;
-
Equipment
or capital expenditures;
-
Expenditures
for the establishment of new organizations;
-
Operating
expenses;
-
Scholarships;
-
Fellowships;
-
Cultural
activities restricted only to an organization's membership;
-
In-school
activities and programs, or activities exclusively meant to
serve a student audience.
-
Arts
programs which are essentially recreational, rehabilitative
or therapeutic.
-
Non-incorporated
chapters of organizations located outside of Wyoming County;
-
Operating
expenses of privately owned facilities (e.g. homes and
studios);
-
Budget
requests which are greater than an applicant organization's
project expenses minus total project income;
-
Entertainment
costs (e.g. theatre parties, museum opening receptions and
fund-raising benefits);
-
Contingency
funds;
-
Textbooks;
-
Fees
to children (other than professional youth artists);
-
Lobbying;
-
Re-grants;
-
Contests,
cash prizes, awards, or juried shows;
-
Purchase
of artwork;
-
Fundraising
Events
As a Grantee, what will be my responsibilities?
All
grant recipients enter into a contractual agreement with the Arts Council
for Wyoming County before receiving funds.
Grantees agree:
-
To file a final report by the required deadline;
-
To provide ACWC with copies of publications and promotional materials related to the funded project;
-
To provide ACWC advance schedules/announcements of funded events;
-
To credit ACWC in the following manner: "This (event, project, program) is made possible in part with public funds from the NYS Council on the Arts' Decentralization Program, which is administered in Wyoming County by the Arts Council for Wyoming County."
-
To use the funds as stated in the application.
Non-Compliance may affect future funding
How are applications reviewed?
All
Community Arts Grant Applications are screened by ACWC staff for
eligibility and fulfillment of application requirements.
Final responsibility for completeness of application
remains with the applicant. Applications
are reviewed by an independent panel of Wyoming County residents.
This group, comprised of community leaders, artists and
educators, makes funding recommendations to ACWC's Board of
Directors.
Upon final approval by the board, the recipient enters
into a contractual agreement with ACWC, with payment to follow
within 60 days.
Equal consideration will be given to applications from
ORGANIZATIONS, INDIVIDUAL ARTISTS AND ARTIST GROUPS.
Review
Criteria
-
Quality
and merit of the proposed project.
-
Credentials
of artist/scholars in the project. (Priority will be given
to applications utilizing Wyoming County artists.)
-
Community
interest and benefit.
-
Non-duplication
of existing programs/services taking place in the same
geographic area and time.
-
Clearly
defined objectives.
-
Stability
of applicant or conduit organization.
-
Evidence
of fiscal & managerial competence.
-
Demonstrated
need for funding.
- Level of detail in the application, appropriate to the proposed program. (Ex. a performance series should include names of artists and dates of performance(s). Ex. a traveling musical group's plan should include dates & locations.)
Questions? Email Contact the Arts Council for Wyoming County.
Arts Council for Wyoming County Home Page
Check the ACWC Home Page and follow the the Arts News links for information about upcoming special events such as concerts and exhibit openings.