FEDERAL AGENCY:

NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS, NATIONAL FOUNDATION ON THE ARTS AND THE HUMANITIES

AUTHORIZATION:

National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities Act of 1965, as amended, Public Law 89-209, 20 U.S.C. 951 et seq.

OBJECTIVES:

The National Endowment for the Arts provides national recognition and support to significant projects of artistic excellence in the visual, literary, media, design, and performing arts, thus preserving and enhancing our Nation's diverse cultural heritage. This mission will be accomplished through grants to nonprofit arts organizations and to individual literary artists in fiscal years (FY) 2002 and 2003. Organizations will be supported through the following categories: 1) Grants to Organizations (aligned with the four agency program goals of Creativity, Organizational Capacity, Access, and Heritage and Preservation); 2) Arts Learning, formerly Education (a fifth program goal); and 3) The Arts on Radio and Television (significant arts programs for national distribution on radio or television). Projects addressing the Access goal will be funded as 45.027 Challenge America Grants beginning in fiscal year 2003. The Endowment also may undertake short-term, targeted funding initiatives in support of a program goal, e.g., Resources for Change: Technology, which addresses Organizational Capacity. Grants to individuals are awarded through Fellowships for Creative Writers, awards to published creative writers and literary translators of exceptional talent.

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:

Project Grants. Place Cursor Here for Definition

USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:

Grants to Organizations: All grants will be awarded for specific projects that address the four program goals. The applicant must designate the goal most relevant to the purpose of the project. Arts Learning focuses on the advancement of learning in the arts for children and youth, targeting early childhood, school- or community-based projects. The Arts on Radio and Television supports development, production, and national distribution of arts programs demonstrating artistic excellence and merit in content and use of the medium. Resources for Change: Technology supports a small number of model projects that demonstrate technological advances to benefit the entire arts field. Grants to Individuals: Fellowships for Creative Writers are awarded to writers of poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction to allow them to devote time to writing, research, travel, and to advance their writing careers. Fellowships for Translation Projects are awarded to writers for specific projects to translate into English works by creative writers insufficiently represented in the language. Awards in the genres of prose and poetry alternate each year. In fiscal years 2002 and 2004, fellowships will be awarded to writers and translators of prose and in fiscal years 2003 and 2005, to writers and translators of poetry. (For complete information, consult the guidelines for the area of interest.)

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:   Awards to organizations: Nonprofit tax- exempt organizations meeting the following conditions may apply: 1) No part of any earnings may benefit a private stockholder or individual, and 2) donations to the organization qualify as charitable deductions under Section 170(c) of the Internal Revenue Code. Examples of eligible organizations are arts institutions, arts service organizations, local arts agencies, official units of State and local governments, federally recognized tribal communities and Indian tribes. Consortia of such organizations also may apply. Grants to Organizations: Generally an organization may submit, on its own behalf, one application for a single project under one of the four goal deadlines each year. Arts Learning: Requirements are basically the same as for Grants to Organizations. An organization generally may not apply under both Arts Learning and Grants to Organizations in the same fiscal year. The Arts on Radio and Television: Requirements are basically the same as for Grants to Organizations. An organization may submit, or be a consortium member in, no more than a total of two applications for funding under these guidelines and the Grants to Organizations or Arts Learning Guidelines. Each request must be for a distinctly different media project. Resources for Change: Technology: The project must be completely different from all other projects for which an applicant has received or is seeking Endowment funding. For Individuals: Literature fellowship applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents and, according to Public Law 89-209, Section 5(c), must demonstrate exceptional talent. They also must be published creative writers. (See respective guidelines for specific eligibility information.)

Beneficiary Eligibility:   Awards to organizations: Nonprofit organizations, local governments, and local arts agencies, federally recognized tribal communities and Indian tribes. Through activities and services supported, beneficiaries include artists and the general public. Awards to individuals: Individual literary artists.

Credentials/Documentation:   Awards to organizations: Nonprofit organizations are required to submit a copy of their Internal Revenue Service tax exemption determination letter with their applications. For institutions of higher education, allowable costs will be determined according to OMB Circular No. A-21; for other nonprofit organizations making application, allowable costs will be determined according to OMB Circular No. A-122. For local governments, costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87. Awards to individuals: Literature fellowship applicants must be published writers.

Pre-application Coordination:   This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." Applicants should consult current guidelines for the funding area under which they intend to apply. Resources for Change: Technology: Interested organizations must submit a letter of interest; following Endowment review, applications will be invited from the most competitive candidates.

Application Procedure:   Applicants must adhere to instructions and use standard application forms in current guidelines. Awards to organizations: This program is subject to provisions of OMB Circular No. A-110, "Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other Nonprofit Organizations." It is also subject to the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-102, "Grants and Cooperative Agreements with State and Local Governments." Applicants must adhere to instructions in current funding guidelines. (See appropriate guidelines for special requirements and information about supplemental materials.) Awards to individuals: Literature fellowships: A manuscript of the applicant's own work in the genre in which eligibility is established must be submitted as part of the application.

Award Procedure:   Awards to organizations: Applications are reviewed in closed session by advisory panelists. Each panel comprises a diverse group of arts experts and other individuals with broad knowledge in related areas, including at least one knowledgeable layperson. Panel funding recommendations are reviewed in open session by the National Council on the Arts, the advisory body to the Endowment. The Council's decision not to fund an application is final. All applications the Council has recommended for funding are then considered by the Endowment's Chairman, who makes the final award decisions. Awards to individuals: Literature fellowships: The process is the same as for organizations, except the panelists are from the literature field.

Deadlines:   Applications must be received by following dates: FY 2003 Grants to Organizations: Creativity - March 25, 2002; organizational Capacity - March 25, 2002; Access - August 12, 2002; Heritage and reservation - August 12, 2002. Arts Learning - August 12, 2002. The Arts on Radio and Television - September 13, 2002. Resources for Change: Technology - letters of interest by 11/5/02, invited applications by 2/28/03. Literature Fellowships: Creative Writing Fellowships for Poetry and Translation Projects in Poetry - March 11, 2002. Creative Writing Fellowships for Fiction and Creative Nonfiction and for Translation Projects in Prose - March 2003 (tentative).

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:   Dependent on meetings of the National Council on the Arts.

Appeals:   Information on requests for reconsideration may be obtained from the headquarters office.

Renewals:   None.

ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:   Awards to organizations: Require match of at least 1:1. All matches must be made with nonfederal funds. Awards to individuals: None.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:   Grants to Organizations and Arts Learning: Grant period is generally up to two years. Resources for Change: Technology and the Arts on Radio and Television: Projects may extend up to three years. Literature Fellowships: Projects may extend up to two years. (See pertinent guidelines for details about start date/period of support.) Timing of fund disbursements will vary according to the project. Requests for payment to cover immediate project expenses generally may be received at any time.

POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:   Awards to organizations: Progress reports are required for all grants, and must be submitted at the time the cumulative amount requested exceeds two-thirds of the grant amount. Final reports, comprising financial and narrative components, are required for all grants within 90 days of the end of the grant period. In some instances, products of grant projects also may be required as part of the final report. Grantees also must report on geographic location of grant activity within 30 days of award receipt. Awards to individuals: Literature Fellowships: Progress reports are required for all grants, and must be submitted at the time the cumulative amount requested exceeds two-thirds of the grant amount. Final reports, comprising financial and narrative components, are required from all literature fellowship recipients within 90 days of the end of the grant period.

Audits:   Awards to organizations: Regarding applicant and grantee-initiated audits: All grantees must comply with audit requirements mandated by OMB Circular No. A-133, "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations." Nonprofit institutions expending $300,000 or more a year in Federal awards shall have an audit made in accordance with A-133's provisions. Local governments expending $300,000 or more in Federal awards within the State's fiscal year shall have an audit made for that year in accordance with A-133's provisions. Awards to individuals: None.

Records:   Grant-related records must be retained by grantee for three years following submission of the final financial status report.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

Account Identification:   59-0100-0-1-503.

Obligations:   (Grants) Grants to Organizations (includes Arts Learning and Resources for Change: Technology): FY 01 $35,473,500; FY 02 est $32,242,000; and FY 03 est Not separately identifiable. The Arts on Radio and Television: FY 01 $3,020,000; FY 02 est $3,815,000; and FY 03 est Not separately identifiable. Literature Fellowships: FY 01 $800,000; FY 02 est $820,000; and FY 03 est Not separately identifiable.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:   Most of the National Endowment for the Arts' regular grants range from $10,000 to $100,000. Grants of $100,000 or more are made only in rare instances, and only for projects that the National Endowment for the Arts determines demonstrate exceptional national or regional significance and impact. In the past few years, well over half of our grants have been for amounts less than $25,000.

Grants to Organizations: Fiscal year 2001 applications: 433 in Access, 1,236 in Creativity, 533 in Education, 315 in Heritage and Preservation, 141 in Organizational Capacity. Fiscal year 2001 grants awarded: 236 in Access, 717 in Creation and Presentation, 259 in Education, 179 in Heritage and Preservation, 89 in Organizational Capacity. Arts on Radio and Television: Fiscal year 2001 applications: 99; grants awarded: 43. Resources for Change: Technology: over 350 letters of interest, yielding 52 applications; 25 grants awarded. Literature Fellowships: Fiscal year 2001 (poetry) 1,264 applications received, 40 awards made; fiscal year 2002 (prose), 1,311 applications received and 45 awards made.

REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:

Contact the Public Information office, National Endowment for the Arts, Washington, DC 20506-0001, or visit the Endowment Web site at http://www.arts.gov for guidelines in downloadable format. Contact the Endowment to inquire about the availability of guidelines for future funding cycles.

INFORMATION CONTACTS:

Regional or Local Office:   Not applicable.

Headquarters Office:   Carol Walton National Endowment for the Arts, 400 7th Street, SW, Washington, District of Columbia 20506 Email: waltonc@arts.gov Phone: 202-682-5635

Web Site Address:  
http://www.arts.gov

EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:

In 2001-2002: Grants to Organizations: Access: Art ConText program of residencies, exhibitions, and educational activities conducted by Rhode Island School of Design's Museum of Art in collaboration with the Providence Public Library System; David Taylor Dance Theatre tour of 12 rural communities in Colorado, presenting its multimedia work "A Children's Rainforest Odyssey." Creativity: Bates Dance Festival in Lewiston, ME, featuring new work by four dance artists; Facets Multi-Media's production of the annual Chicago International Children's Film Festival and related media arts programs for children; Houston Museum of Fine Arts' touring exhibition on the history of Japanese photography. Organizational Capacity: An arts leadership program in Madison conducted by the Wisconsin Assembly for Local Arts; continuation and expansion of services to emerging Humboldt County arts organizations by Ink People (Eureka, CA). Education: professional development training for teachers, artists, and administrators by the Cultural Education Collaborative in Charlotte, NC; development by El Puente of an arts curriculum for Williamsburg neighborhood youth in Brooklyn, NY. Heritage/Preservation: Touring exhibition and catalogue "In My Country: A Gathering of Refugee and Immigrant Fiber Traditions," produced by the International Refugee Center of Oregon; development of Vasulkas Electronic Art Archive and Server (Santa Fe, NM), making video art works and related materials available online. Arts on Radio and Television: "Art for the Twenty-First Century," a four-year public television series about contemporary visual arts in the U.S. Resources for Change: Technology: New World Symphony (Miami, FL) distance-learning project, using the Internet to hold master classes, auditions, and rehearsals with participants across the country without time delays or diminished sound quality; Contemporary American Theater Festival (Shepherdstown, WV) will use integrated software to link its administrative, marketing, and fundraising operations.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:

Primary criteria by which all applications are assessed are artistic excellence and artistic merit. (See Grants to Organizations Guidelines, Arts Learning, Resources for Change: Technology, and The Arts on Radio and Television Guidelines for the full list of review criteria.) For Literature Fellowships, the applicant's manuscript is the sole indicator of artistic excellence and artistic merit considered by the panel. (See the Literature Fellowships Guidelines for specifications to meet additional criteria for translation projects).