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New England Foundation for The Arts (NEFA):

For Information on all NEFA Programs:
For further information and to request application forms please contact the listed granting organizations. 
(For your convenience, we have also included sample application forms) 
Please contact:

 

New England Foundation for the Arts
330 Congress Street, 6th Floor
Boston, MA 02210 -1216
617-951-0010 telephone/TTY
617-951-0016 fax

You may check their web site at: www.nefa.org
(It includes all application forms and allows for online applications as well)

NEFA has been a significant cultural force since 1975.  It was created as one of seven regional arts agencies nationwide, funded primarily through the National Endowment for the Arts and state arts agencies. NEFA soon began to stand out as a leader in identifying opportunities to advance the arts regionally and influence them nationally, and as a developer of initiatives that attracted private philanthropic support.  The broadly based thinking that has characterized NEFA throughout its history has combined regional perspectives with national and international aspirations, emphasized collaboration, and opened doors to new resources. Today's NEFA bears little resemblance to the original regional model, which focused on a limited palette of programs, and served primarily as a mechanism for distributing NEA and state funding on a regional basis. Today's NEFA features three funds - Creation and Presentation, Culture in Community, and Connections - that support the creation and distribution of new work in the arts, the linking of culture with community development, and the advancement of the cultural field through research and technology. NEFA supports both the visual and performing arts, such as dance and music. NEFA, with an annual budget of $5 million, is a regional, national, and international 501c3 developer and manager of initiatives of enormous scope and impact.

Deadlines:

The quarterly receipt deadline is:

For events/projects beginning on or after:

December 1, 2007

March 1, 2008

March 1, 2007

June 1, 2008

June 1, 2007

September 1, 2008


Each quarterly deadline date represents the final day that applications will be accepted for that given quarter. Organizations are encouraged to submit their applications as early as possible. Applications submitted on-line must also be received by the above dates

Funding Guidelines:
Applicable to all of the following funding programs:
New England States Touring Program-
Massachusetts Touring Program-
Meet the Composer/New England-

Grants & Award Levels
            Grants are intended to subsidize contractual artists' fees ONLY, which are inclusive of honoraria, travel, and per diem. In-kind contributions, while always encouraged, cannot be counted toward artist fees. Presenting organizations may request up to 50% of the artist's contractual fee. Due to the volume of applications received and competition for limited grant funds, grant levels generally range between 20% and 40%. Minimum grants are $100 for engagements of individual artists and $200 for companies or ensembles. Grants are always contingent upon the availability of funds

 

Review Criteria
NEFA will not fund:
1. Activities and programs which take place in schools during class time
2. Events that are not open to the public and advertised accordingly
3. Fundraisers

Grant review includes a panel review and consideration of the criteria listed below. Particular attention is given to projects that include the following:

  • Community residencies, including workshops, lecture-demonstrations, and multiple performances
  • Outreach efforts to special needs, economically disadvantaged, and/or minority populations
  • Presentation of minority or disabled artists
  • Projects in geographically isolated communities or in towns with a population of 10,000 people or fewer
  • Projects in inner-city neighborhoods or economically disadvantaged communities
  • Project budgets that reflect cash revenue from business, corporations, civic organizations, and/or private foundations
  • Commitment to varied programming which annually includes at least three engagements with artists from outside the local community
  • New presenters and/or first-time presenters of the artists for whom funding is being requested
  • Cross-disciplinary projects and collaborations between artists
  • Projects block-booked with other presenters
  • New or unfamiliar artwork for the community

Things to Avoid
NEFA discourages the following.  Award levels could be reduced for the following reasons:

  • Applications that do not include a project marketing plan. NEFA encourages presenters to engage in marketing efforts to reach the broadest audience possible.
  • Repeat performances of a program or group. NEFA encourages diverse program offerings.
  • Events/performances where no admission is charged (distribution of free or lower-priced tickets to the economically disadvantaged or other underserved populations is in no way precluded). NEFA strongly encourages charging admission for the following reasons:
    • Admissions are a vital source of income to help pay artist fees and other event expenses.
    • Admissions remind audiences that the work of artists has face value and that the professionals involved, in order to continue, must make a living from their endeavors. Admissions purchased through advance ticket sales help ensure attendance.

Massachusetts Touring Program
Provides support and services specifically within Massachusetts for Massachusetts-based roster artists.
Massachusetts Presenters may choose from over 650 different Massachusetts performing artists and ensembles listed on the NEST roster. The NEST roster is a combination of the state touring rosters of the state arts agencies of New England (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont). As a companion program to NEST, the program is funded by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, and administered by NEFA.
Performing artists on the rosters represent a range of disciplines, such as music, dance, opera/musical theater, interdisciplinary work and the folk arts. Performing artists who are interested in joining the roster should contact their state arts agency.
A list and/or mailing labels of artists and ensembles on NEFA's touring roster is available from NEFA for a nominal charge of only $15.00. Roster lists include more than 650 artists and ensembles with a brief description of activities, artistic disciplines, fees, and contact information. Customized lists are also available. Presenters also have the option of contacting state arts agencies individually to request separate statewide roster booklets.

New England States Touring (NEST)
a cooperative program with the state arts agencies of New England, provides artist fee support to presenters for performances and related community activities by artists on the New England States Touring list, or "roster." Presenters may choose from over 650 different New England performing artists and ensembles listed on the NEST roster that are based outside the presenter's home state. The NEST roster is a combination of the state touring rosters of the state arts agencies of New England (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont).
Performing artists on the rosters represent a range of disciplines, such as music, dance, opera/musical theater, interdisciplinary work and the folk arts. Performing artists who are interested in joining the roster should contact their state arts agency.
A list and/or mailing labels of artists and ensembles on NEFA's touring roster is available from NEFA for a nominal charge of only $15.00. Roster lists include more than 650 artists and ensembles with a brief description of activities, artistic disciplines, fees, and contact information. Customized lists are also available. Presenters have the option of contacting state arts agencies individually to request separate statewide roster booklets.

Massachusetts Cultural Council:
For information regarding all Mass Cultural Council Programs please contact:
120 Boylston Street
Boston, MA 02116-4600
617-727-3668
800-232-0960 Toll free in Massachusetts
617-338-9153 TTY
617-727-0044 Fax
You may also visit their web site at: www.massculturalcouncil.org

Mass Cultural Council Mission Statement

The mission of the Massachusetts Cultural Council is to promote excellence, access, education, and diversity in the arts, humanities, and interpretive sciences in order to improve the quality of life for all Massachusetts residents and to contribute to the economic vitality of our communities.

Local Cultural Council Program:

Local cultural councils offer project grants to artists to work in schools and other community settings. There are 335 local cultural councils (LCCs) serving every city and town across the state. LCCs receive an annual distribution from the MCC, and then decide how to re-grant these funds in their own communities.

Description:

The Local Cultural Council Program, the MCC's second largest grant program, provides a grassroots complement to the agency's centralized grant programs. Allocations are made to all of Massachusetts' 351 cities and towns to support community cultural activities. This is the largest decentralized program of its kind in the United States. Volunteer boards - Local Cultural Councils - in each community review applications from individuals and organizations for arts, humanities, and interpretive science projects that provide a local public benefit. Local Cultural Councils also accept and review applications from schools and youth groups for a ticket subsidy program, called the PASS Program. Please note that grants from LCCs are reimbursement-based. (The applicant expends their own money, and if approved for a grant, then submits paperwork for reimbursement. State funds are provided to every Massachusetts community to support grassroots cultural activities - that's 335 LCCs serving 351 cities and towns. LCCs give approximately 7,000 grants annually, totaling over $3.9 million, 2,600 private citizen volunteers donate countless hours to administer the LCC Program in their communities.
51% of LCC funds support educational activities for children in the arts, humanities and sciences.

Sample Projects:

School Applicant
The Adams Intermediate School received a $324 grant from the Weymouth Cultural Council to help fund four performances of Mpeti Ole Surum, a member of the Maasai tribe in Kenya. Through dance, music and discussion, over 500 children had the opportunity to learn about some of Kenya's cultural traditions -- the traditional nomadic lifestyle of the Maasai, tending cattle, and learning the rites and rituals of becoming a warrior.
Organization Applicant
The Lynn Cultural Council gave a $700 grant to the Handel & Haydn Society for a yearlong series of presentations in four Lynn public schools. The series is designed to complement the schools' vocal music programs and make classical music accessible to young audiences. Each school may select from a variety of H&H programs, including a vocal quartet and vocal master classes.
Artist Applicant
The Pittsfield Cultural Council provided a $1,700 grant to support "Live Literature: Poetry On Site." Developed by two local poets, Barry Steinlieb and David Raffeld, the program exposes new audiences to poetry through tailored readings and follow-up workshops offered in atypical community settings (Boys Club, nursing homes, The Women's Service Center). Participants have an opportunity to write creatively about their own experiences and to discuss ideas -- learning to transform personal experiences into art and to create dialogues with their families and the larger community.

Meet The Composer Fund and National Affiliate Network

The Meet The Composer Fund, the founding program of Meet The Composer, awards grants that enable composers to participate actively in performances of their work. Participation may include performing, conducting, speaking with the audience, presenting workshops, giving interviews, and coaching rehearsals. For over twenty years, the Meet The Composer Fund has been enhancing audience receptivity to new work by bringing composers, audiences and performers together. The Meet The Composer Fund is administered by Meet The Composer in New York, and by the five regional offices that comprise the National Affiliate Network. Deadlines and application procedures vary from region to region. Please contact the appropriate office directly for information. (Note that the National Affiliate Network applies only to the Meet The Composer Fund. For all other programs, please contact Meet The Composer in New York.)  

Meet The Composer Fund Guidelines

The Meet The Composer Fund offers financial assistance to composers actively participating in events featuring the performance of their music. Participation might include activities such as conducting, performing, presenting workshops, or holding discussions with the audience. The applicant sponsor selects the composer, arranges date, time, and location of the event, and applies to Meet The Composer on the composer's behalf. These guidelines and application apply only to the following states: the Mid-Atlantic states (Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, District of Columbia), the Western states (Alaska, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming), Hawaii, Puerto Rico and all U.S. territories. To apply to this program in other states, please contact the affiliate in your area (detailed phone and address information are listed under the program description for the Meet The Composer Fund).

COMPOSER ELIGIBILITY
1) Composers working in any musical genre or style who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents are eligible for funding. Foreign composers may be eligible depending on the availability of funding.
2) Composers are limited to ONE Meet The Composer Fund grant per funding cycle.
3) A full year must elapse before Meet The Composer will fund the same composer-sponsor     combination. Meet The Composer encourages composers to work with different sponsors to
expand their listening audience.
4) Composers who have failed to submit final reports in a timely manner for any previous grant will not be considered for funding.

SPONSOR ELIGIBILITY
1) Sponsoring organizations must be not-for-profit, tax-exempt and provide proof of not-for-profit status. An individual may apply through a fiscal conduit (see "How to Apply").
2) Meet The Composer will fund up to 10 composers per organization per fiscal year (July - June).
3) Organizations that have failed to submit timely final reports for any previous Meet The Composer grant will not be considered for funding.
4) Organizations that have failed to acknowledge properly Meet The Composer’s support in programs and press materials will not be considered for funding.
5) Primary and secondary schools are not eligible to sponsor Meet The Composer Fund events unless they are aimed at outside audiences and held after school hours or at outside facilities.

EVENT ELIGIBILITY
1) Events must feature the music and active  participation of a composer. Participation must include at least performing or conducting, or another planned direct interaction with the audience such as pre- or  post-concert discussions.
NOTE: Attendance at receptions does not constitute sufficient participation, nor does a composer who simply introduces his/her music at a concert.
2) Events MUST include the live performance of the composer’s work.
3) Events must be open to the public and dedicated to serving wide audiences.
4) The Meet The Composer Fund does not fund benefits.
5) Priority for the May 1 deadline is given to events held in rural areas.

HOW TO APPLY
A complete application MUST include the following materials:
1) Application Form: Please submit the completed application form-taking note of the following special instructions. Shaded areas on the form do not apply to all applicants.
Parts I & ll - The form refers to each composer by the letter assigned at the beginning of Section II. Since there is only space on the form for detailed information about one composer, attach an extra sheet to list required information as in Section I. For each composer, sponsors may request up to $250. The Meet The Composer Fund only contributes to composers’ participation fees, not to commission fees, performers fees, rehearsal costs, travel expenses, or other production expenses.
Part III - The sponsor’s federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a nine-digit number found on tax forms like "W2" and "1099". If the organization is applying through a fiscal conduit, fill in the appropriate fiscal conduit information section. If the sponsor is located in New York City,
you MUST indicate the community board.
Part IV - A separate application MUST be filed for each event. Multiple composers participating on the same date are considered on the same application. Multiple activities by one composer over several dates are also considered on the same application; enter all the dates.
2) Composer Biography: You must enclose a ONE-PAGE biography and a selected list of works. Please do not send a biography that only lists performance credits. Do not send tapes or scores.
3) Proof of Not-for-profit Status: The preferred proof of not-for-profit status is a copy of the IRS letter determining the sponsor’s status as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the tax code. A state charities registration or tax-exemption letter is also acceptable. If you are applying through
a fiscal conduit, that organization’s not-for-profit documentation must be included.
4) Additional Information: If the organization is applying to the Meet The Composer Fund for the first time, please include a one page description of the organization. If you are applying through a fiscal conduit, you must include a letter from the fiscal conduit organization stating its willingness to be responsible for the grant and for the submission of final reports.

Applications must be postmarked (not meter-stamped) by the following deadline dates:

FEBRUARY 1 Events from April 1 to June 30
MAY 1 Events from July 1 to August 31 Funding for this deadline is limited. Please call regarding availability
JULY 1 Events from Sept. 1 to Dec. 31
NOVEMBER 1 Events from Jan. 1 to March 31

If a deadline falls on a postal holiday, the deadline will be the next business day. If the application is hand-delivered, it must arrive by 5 p.m. on the deadline day. If a deadline falls on a weekend, hand-delivered applications must arrive by 5 p.m. on the next business day. Meet The Composer adheres strictly to application deadlines. Meet The Composer will NOT accept faxed applications, or applications that are late or incomplete.

ADDITIONAL GUIDELINES ON THE FUNDING PROCESS

Applicants will be notified of funding decisions in writing within 8 weeks of deadline. Contracts are sent to sponsors. They must be signed and returned within 2 weeks of their receipt. Composers receive copies of grant contracts. Meet The Composer Fund grants are NOT transferable to other composers. All changes in an event must be submitted in writing to Meet The Composer before the event date. Awards may be revised or revoked in light of such changes. Sponsors MUST print the proper Meet The Composer Fund credit as stated in the contract in all materials related to the event. Checks are made payable to composers and mailed to the sponsor prior to events. Composers are to be paid at the time of the event. Sponsor and composer final report forms are sent with checks. These must be completed and returned within two weeks of the performance along with programs, press materials, and reviews.

REMINDER
You must hold the appropriate performing rights licenses to perform the musical works planned, not only the music of composers on the application, but any music under copyright. Many composers license concert performances of their work through ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC. In some cases, however, you must go directly to the composers or to their publishers. For more information, please call Meet The Composer.

CHECK LIST
__Did you complete all sections?
__Did you include bio(s) of composer(s)?
__Did you include sponsor’s proof of not-for-profit status
__If sponsor is applying for the first time, please include a one-page description of the organization.
__If you are applying through a fiscal conduit, please include a letter of agreement from the fiscal conduit.

Meet The Composer - New York
William Towns
Meet The Composer, Inc. 2112 Broadway, Suite 505, New York, NY 10023
Tel: (212) 787-3601, ext. 107, Fax: (212) 787-3745, email: wtowns@meetthecomposer.org
Serving: Mid-Atlantic States: Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and Washington D.C.
Mid-West States: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin.
Western States: Alaska, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming, Utah, and Hawaii.

National Affiliate Network
Meet The Composer/Arizona
Claire West
Arizona Commission on the Arts
417 West Roosevelt, Phoenix, AZ 85003
Tel: (602) 255-5882, Fax: (602) 255-0282
Serving:  Arizona

Meet The Composer/Mid-America
Gail Milton - Dir. Perf. Arts Div. (ext. 226)
Mid-America Arts Alliance, Kansas City, MO 64105
Tel:(816) 421-1388, Fax: (816) 421-3918, email: gail@maaa.org
Serving:  Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas

Meet The Composer/New England
Stephanie Ancona - Dir. Creations & Presentations Program
New England Foundation for the Arts
330 Congress St., 6th floor, Boston, MA 02210-1216
Tel: (617) 951-0010, Fax: (617) 951-0016, email: sancona@nefa.org
Serving: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont

Meet The Composer/South
Nancy Fernandez - Grants Department  (ext. 16)
Southern Arts Federation
1401 Peachtree Street, Suite 460
Atlanta, GA 30309
Tel: (404) 874-7244, Fax: (404) 873-2148, email: nfernandez@southarts.org
Serving: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Mississippi and Tennessee
The Meet The Composer Fund is made possible with support from ASCAP, The Mary Duke Biddle Foundation, the Mary Flagler Cary Charitable Trust, The Chase Manhattan Foundation, the James A. MacDonald Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, and the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts912 Baltimore Ave., Suite 700

 

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