29 Dec Funding Alert! Grants for Arts Projects – National Endowment for the Arts
Is your organization looking for project-based funding to support activities that further the arts? The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) recently opened applications for its Grants for Arts Projects program. This program supports public engagement with – and access to – various art forms across a variety of disciplines (dance, folk and traditional, media arts, music, visual arts, etc.), artwork creation, arts education, and integration of the arts into community life.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants are city/township, special district, county, or state governments; nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS; public, state-controlled, or private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; and independent school districts. Designated state and jurisdictional arts agencies (SAAs) and regional arts organizations (RAOs) are not eligible for this program, though they may serve as partners in arts projects.
The NEA encourages applications from a variety of eligible organizations, e.g., with small, medium, or large budgets, and from rural to urban communities. Similarly, projects may be large or small, existing or new, and may take place in any part of the nation’s 50 states, the District of Columbia, or U.S. territories.
What do the arts projects look like?
Grants for Arts Projects applicants can request cost share/matching grants that range from $10,000 to $100,000 (most funded projects request $25,000 or less). The NEA’s contribution cannot be more than 50% of the total project cost; in other words, the project must include a nonfederal match of at least 1 to 1. Organizations that are designated as Local Arts Agencies (LAAs) may be eligible to request up to $150,000 for subgranting.
Applicants can request support for projects in the following disciplines:
- Artist Communities
- Arts Education
- Dance
- Design
- Folk & Traditional Arts
- Literary Arts
- Local Arts Agencies
- Media Arts
- Museums
- Music
- Musical Theater
- Opera
- Presenting & Multidisciplinary Works
- Theater
- Visual Arts
This covers a wide range of possible projects that further the arts in communities across the country. The program solicitation website provides additional details and examples of the types of work that the Grants for Arts Projects program may fund.
This application process is divided into two parts, with initial applicant and general project information due to Grants.gov by February 11, 2021. The full application narrative and supporting materials are due to the NEA applicant portal by February 23, 2021.
What makes a project a good fit?
The NEA is interested in proposals that recognize artistic excellence, including high-quality artists, arts organizations, arts education providers, works of art, and/or services that the project will involve. The NEA also prioritizes artistic merit, including the project’s correlation to the applicant organization’s mission and existing programs; its evidence of direct compensation to artists, art collectives, and/or art workers; the project’s ability to improve access to the arts for underserved individuals and regions; and the applicant’s experience and capacity to carry out the proposed activities.
The NEA also encourages projects that use the arts to unite and heal in response to current events, as well as celebrate America’s creativity and/or cultural heritage; foster respect for diversity in beliefs and values; and include constituencies, such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), American Indian and Alaska Native tribes, African American serving institutions, Hispanic Serving Institutions, or organizations that support the independence and inclusion of people with disabilities.
What if I am ready to apply?
To move your application forward, take the following action steps ASAP:
- Read through the program description for more detail regarding the various disciplines and potential projects.
- Check out the various applicant resources available for this program, including online tutorials, sample narratives, and checklists.
- Mark your calendar for a live webinar on Wednesday, January 6, 2021 to learn more information and ask questions. You can register to attend here.
- Make sure your System for Award Management (SAM) registration is active and that you have agov profile. You can check your SAM status here: https://www.sam.gov/SAM/pages/public/searchRecords/search.jsf.
What if I need help with this application?
Contact Assel Grant Services today! Our team can help with all aspects of preparing the application and managing the grant if you are awarded. If you would like to discuss this possibility, please contact AGS as soon as possible. Rosie Brennan, Community Engagement Specialist will be happy to talk with you about this opportunity and provide you a quote for grant services.
What if I am not ready to apply this year?
Check out other opportunities to work with the NEA. The agency website provides resources regarding other upcoming grant programs, partnerships, and funding opportunities, as well as examples of previously funded projects.
How do I learn more about federal grant opportunities?
AGS is excited to offer a new Federal Grants Training Series coming in 2021! The series is designed to support nonprofit professionals before and during their first federal grant. AGS also offers several on demand webinars on a variety of topics to support the full grant cycle. Check out our website to learn more and sign up for our training newsletter.
AGS blogs, funding alerts, and trainings are aligned with the Grant Professional Certification Institute’s Competencies and Skills
Competency #1: Knowledge of how to research, identify, and match funding resources to meet specific needs
Skill 1.2: Identify major trends in public funding and public policy
Skill 1.6: Identify fundable programs and projects for specific organization
Skill 1.7: Determine best matches between funders and specific programs