Apply to MCAF
The deadline for 2010 Manhattan Community Arts Fund has passed.
Applicants will be notified by mail in late January 2010 whether their projects have been funded.
If you have questions regarding your application, please contact Prachi Patankar, Program Associate, Grants & Services at ppatankar [at] lmcc.net.
Each year we update our guidelines. Please check back in early summer of 2010 for 2011 guidelines. The following 2010 guidelines are listed for reference only.
Applicant Eligibility
Applications will be accepted from Manhattan-based individual artists or nonprofit organizations such as arts organizations, social service agencies, senior centers, faith-based organizations, folk societies and cultural centers. Applicants must meet the following criteria to apply:
- Organizations must be based in Manhattan
- Organizations must have operating budgets under $100,000 for two of the last three fiscal years
- Individual artists must live in Manhattan
- First-time applicants and returning applicants who have not attended an information session in the past three years are required to attend before applying
- Unincorporated and collaborative groups must show a minimum of a three-year working relationship, and an artistic lead residing in Manhattan must apply on behalf of the group.
- Individuals cannot apply or receive funds on behalf of a non-profit organization or a for-profit entity
Project Eligibility
- Ongoing or new projects in any artistic discipline for which activities will take place between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2010
- Applicants may only submit one (1) proposal requesting support for one (1) project.
- Organizations must show at least 25% of the project income from other sources.
- Projects must be implemented in Manhattan
Funding Restrictions
Under this program funding is not available for:
- Organizations receiving institutional support or program support (including council member items) from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA)
- Public school districts, affiliates or components exclusively serving student audiences such as in-school and after school programs
- Organizations requesting support for in-school Arts In Education programs
- New York State agencies and departments
- Any organization previously funded with outstanding final reports to LMCC
- Cultural activities restricted to an organization's membership; eligible projects must be promoted, and remain available, to the general public
- Proposals from educational, health or welfare institutions unless they can demonstrate a history of providing arts programs
- Arts programs that are solely socio-economic, recreational, rehabilitative or therapeutic in nature
- Purchase of equipment, fundraising events or administrative expenses not related to the specific project for which funds are requested
- General operating support
- Work-in-progress showings, solely for the development of new work
- Humanities projects
- Proposals requesting support solely for educational workshops; eligible projects must have a culminating event that is promoted, and available, to the general public
Review Process
A panel of artists and arts professionals will review projects using the following four criteria:
- Artistic merit of the proposed project
- Clarity of project proposal
- Project feasibility, taking into consideration the budget, timeline, and stated goals
- Appropriateness of the outreach plan to reach the proposed community
The criteria are not listed in order of priority; each is equally important.
In addition, funding priority will be given to artists and arts organizations that have applied but not received funding from MCAF for three consecutive years.
Proposals should accurately describe the project, the target audience, and the project's impact. Project budgets and budget narratives should be precise, reflect actual needs, and demonstrate the ability to raise funds from additional sources.
Grant Requirements
The grant award is a contract for arts services; grantees are required to provide the following during the grant period:
- Sign and return grant contract to LMCC
- Include funding credit and logos on all marketing and event materials, print and electronic
- Submit event notification form six weeks before your event (an auditor may be present to monitor your project)
- Submit final report, no later than 30 days after completion of all project activities
Grantees who do not comply with the above requirements will jeopardize their funding status and future grant consideration. LMCC may also require grantees to submit interim reports and/or attend an LMCC Grant Clinic (one-on-one grant assistance) to maintain eligibility to apply.
Appeals Process
Applicants may appeal decisions in writing within 10 days of funding notifications. Applicants must request an appeal in writing, effectively arguing the case for appeals based on the criteria below. Dissatisfaction with either an unfavorable decision or the recommended level of support cannot be used as an appeal.
Grounds for appeals are limited to the following:
- Misrepresentation of information: an applicant's information was improperly presented by the Fund staff in a way that may have adversely affected the review process
- Non-presentation of information: the applicant's information was not presented by the Fund staff prior to or as part of the panel's decision-making process
- Improper procedure: conflict of interest on part of a panelist
Application Instructions
A complete application includes:
- Eight (8) sets, including one original, of the following documents:
Each set consists of: - Application form, completed and signed
- Brochure or one-page fact sheet outlining the mission and activities of the organization
- Resumes or brief biographies of key artistic personnel involved in your project (maximum 3 pages)
- If applicant is an individual artist, one (1) copy of one of the following as proof of Manhattan address:
- Utility bill (could include cable, gas, etc)
- Driver’s license (address on the Driver’s license must be same as contact/mailing address. Otherwise utility bill must be provided.)
- Proof of non-profit status in one of the following forms:
- Form: BSM 189 from the Department of State
- Certificate from the NY State Office of Charity Registration
- Certificate of Incorporation under NY State Section 402 (Non-profit)
- Charter issued by Board of Regents under NY State Section 216 (Education)
- Letter of determination of 501(c)(3) status from U.S. Internal Revenue Service (letter must show the same address as the organization. Otherwise updated IRS letter acknowledging current address must be provided)
- Audited financial statement for the most recent fiscal year or, if unavailable, a copy of the most recently filed IRS Form 990, signed by your treasurer, bookkeeper or accountant.
- Projected organizational budget for the next fiscal year (FY10)
- Work samples in an appropriate format. See Work Sample Instructions below for more details. Label each with:
- Applicant's name
- Sample number (e.g. Work Sample #1)
- One set of support materials. Examples include press clippings or printed promotional materials.
(Maximum: 5 pages or 5 five printed pieces) - Self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE) for the return of work samples (stamps only). If no SASE is included with the application, work samples will not be returned after review.
If applicant is an organization, one (1) copy of the following items:
All documents must be on 8.5" x 11" paper. Do not staple, package or bind materials. Incomplete, illegible, emailed, or faxed applications will not be reviewed. Please type your application. To save paper, double-sided copies of your application are encouraged.
Work Sample Instructions
Work samples are a critical element of your application. Prepare a well-organized presentation that best represents your work and/or the proposed project. The grant review panel will have approximately five minutes to review your work samples.
- Submit samples of work created and/or presented in the last three years.
- Do not submit edited promotional or interview materials. You may include cue times in longer works if indicated clearly on your submission materials.
- Include cue times for longer works, indicated clearly on your submission materials.
- Do not submit original artwork.
- Do not submit WMV files.
- Do not submit QuickTime files unless optimized for full screen projection.
- Do not submit stickers on DVDs or CDs as these can jam equipment.
Work Sample Formats
Submit your work samples in one of the following formats. Please contact our staff for guidance if you wish to combine formats.
- Performing Arts, Film Or Media Projects
- Submit recordings (2 maximum): Audiotapes, CDs, DVDs, Videotapes:
- Recordings must be cued to play or must include a cue time. Please cue to a portion of the recording best represents your work and your proposed project. Do not send marketing clips - send actual work or work in progress.
- Literary Projects
- Submit manuscripts (10 pages maximum): Journal Entries, Scripts, Poetry, Prose:
- The sample may be no longer than ten (10) pages of writing. Unless the sample represents student-created writing samples, the manuscript must be typewritten, double-spaced on 8 1/2” x 11” white paper.
- Visual Arts Projects
- Submit images (8 maximum): Printed Reproductions, CD of Images:
- A maximum of eight (8) images may be submitted. Printed images should be no larger than 8 1/2” x 11”. Digital images must be in a JPEG format, no larger than 1000 x 1000 pixels. Each filename should be saved as “Applicant Name #” (e.g. ArtsOrg01.jpg, ArtsOrg02.jpg, etc.). CDs must be labeled with applicant name. Please do not send original artwork.
Submit Application & Materials To:
Manhattan Community Arts Fund
Lower Manhattan Cultural Council
125 Maiden Lane, Second Floor
New York, New York 10038
Questions?
Check out our Frequently Asked Questions page.
Contact:
Prachi Patankar, Program Associate, Grants & Services at 212-219-9401, ext. 117 or ppatankar [at] lmcc.net
Public funds provided by:
