NEVADA ARTS COUNCIL
A DIVISION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS
To apply for Grants online:
nac.culturegrants.org
Folklife Program, Nevada Arts Council, 716 North Carson Street, Suite A, Carson City, NV 89701, nac.nevadaculture.org
New for FY2016
Living Traditions Grants
FY16 GO™ Submission Deadline: March 27,
2015, 5:00 p.m. PST. Grant Application
Packet postmark deadline: April 3, 2015.
LIVING TRADITIONS GRANTS PROGRAM
T
he Living Traditions Grants Program funds individual master folk artists
and eligible organizations to support exemplary traditional arts projects in
Nevada. Grants up to $2,500 are awarded to projects that demonstrate
significant impact within a particular tradition or cultural community. Applications
are accepted on an annual basis and each proposal will be evaluated by a panel of
traditional arts and culture specialists.
WHAT WE FUND
z Cultural continuity of traditional art forms practices
z Sustaining traditional arts practices with needed purchases or acquiring new
skills
z Engaging and strengthening cultural communities
Examples of eligible projects include, but are not limited to, the following:
z Traditional arts mentorships, apprenticeships, or small group learning activities.
z Workshops and gatherings that bring together traditional artists, cultural
specialists, and/or community leaders to share skills and information.
z Equipment and materials purchases related to traditional arts creation or
practice such as musical instruments, media equipment, costumes or regalia,
and tools. Individual item cost may not exceed $500. Receipts required with
final report.
z Conservation, creation, or acquisition of important traditional cultural items for
public display or use in outreach activities.
z Intergenerational classes or other educational programs within a cultural
community (such as after-school youth programs, dance ensemble classes,
summer programs, etc.). z Documentation of traditional arts, skills, ceremonies, beliefs, or performances
for the benefit of an individual traditional artist or a cultural community, or for
the purpose of public education.
z Other activities supporting Nevada traditional arts and artists.
FOLKLIFE LIVING TRADITIONS GRANTS PROGRAM | NEVADA ARTS COUNCIL | PAGE 2
WHO CAN APPLY
Individuals
z Master folk/traditional artists (those who have not previously participated in
NAC programs should talk with Folklife Program staff prior to applying).
z Intermediate- or advanced-level folk/traditional artists who wish to work with
master artists.
Traditional artists may receive NAC funding for one project during a fiscal year and
are generally limited to three consecutive years of Living Traditions funding.
Individuals may apply either for a Living Traditions Grant or a Jackpot Grant during
a fiscal year, but not both.
Organizations
z
Only organizations operating under the IRS 501(c)3 exemption, or federallyrecognized tribal entities, are eligible to receive funds. For a group or
organization that does not have 501(c)3 status, an application can be
submitted by an individual folk or traditional artist who is a member of the
group and who will act as the project coordinator. These individual grant
recipients will be liable for any personal income taxes associated with receipt
of grant award since it is considered personal income. Talk with Folklife
Program staff if you need further clarification.
z
Eligible organizations must work to maintain, present, or document traditional
art forms of their own cultural heritage.
z
Applicant organizations must have an annual budget of $250,000 or less. Tribal
entities must have cultural programs budgets of less than $250,000.
Organizations may receive Living Traditions funding for one project during a fiscal
year, and are generally limited to three consecutive years of Living Traditions
funding.
Organizations are encouraged to build upon their Living Traditions grant
experience in successive years through Project, Arts Learning, or Partners in
Excellence grants administered by the NAC’s Grants Program.
Organizations applying for NAC Jackpot, Project, Arts Learning, or Partners in
Excellence grants are not eligible for Living Traditions funds in the same fiscal year.
WHAT WE DO NOT FUND
•
General operating support
•
Projects whose main purpose is fundraising
•
Commercial (for profit) enterprises
•
Projects limited to an historical emphasis including programs presenting the
re-creation of past lifestyles or re-enactments of historic events
•
More than one proposal per individual or organization
FOLKLIFE LIVING TRADITIONS GRANTS PROGRAM | NEVADA ARTS COUNCIL | PAGE 3
LIVING TRADITIONS GRANT
PROGRAM GUIDELINES AND
INSTRUCTIONS
HOW TO APPLY
Prepare and submit the application on the GO™
website by March 27, 2015. The website includes
a “Help” section with resources to help you to
create and submit your online application and
upload required Support Materials. Contact Folklife
Program staff if you need assistance. If you
need to submit a paper application and support
materials by mail, you must arrange this with
Folklife Program staff well in advance.
Appointments for help with uploading materials
must be made in advance; none will be available
March 25–27, 2015. Submission deadlines will be
strictly enforced, NO EXCEPTIONS. Be sure to print
and keep a copy of your application.
SUPPORT MATERIALS
NO applications for Living Traditions Grants will be
accepted without Support Materials. Panelists will
evaluate the level of artistic excellence for the project
based on the materials that you submit.
Assemble your required Support Materials. These
must be available in electronic/digital format, and
uploaded to the GO™ website. Please call or email
Folklife Program staff if you have questions. Use
the list below to ensure that your application is
complete before you submit it.
1. We require two Letters of Support for the project.
These must be written by non-family members
of your community, other master artists, or by
representatives of cultural organizations with
which you have worked in the past. The original
letters must be scanned and uploaded to the
GO™ website. Support letters should explain and
describe:
a. Why the project is important or significant in your cultural community;
Proposal Narrative
Please address each of the following items in
your proposal. All nine must be included for your
application to be complete and competitive.
1. What is your proposed project (who, what, where,
how, when)?
2. Outline your work plan and timeline for the
project.
3. List participating folk/traditional artists or culture
bearers and describe their qualifications.
4. What specific folk/traditional arts will be the focus
of your project?
5. Why are folk/traditional arts important in your
cultural community?
6. Will your project share folk/traditional arts with the
public? If so, how?
7. How will your project make a difference to the
participants?
8. Will your project make a difference in your
community? If so, how?
9. How will you know if the project is successful?
b. The participant’s level of artistic excellence and experience with the art form;
c. How the cultural community will benefit from the apprenticeship project.
Each letter must clearly identify the writer, their
relationship to the artist(s) or project, and their
position in, or relationship to, the community.
2. Confirmation of Collaboration. If you are
working with other artists or organizations, you
must submit letters from project partners or
copies of correspondence (letters, email, etc.)
describing their project roles and commitment to
work on the project.
3. Artistic Work Samples. Evidence of artistic
excellence that has been achieved by the
participating artist(s). Choose one or more
that are appropriate for the art form and/or the
project. You must upload these via the Internet to
accompany the online grant application. Contact
Folklife Program staff if your photos, videos and/
or audio materials are not in digital format or you
need help converting them to digital files.
FOLKLIFE LIVING TRADITIONS GRANTS PROGRAM | NEVADA ARTS COUNCIL | PAGE 4
a. Photographs of art or of performance – No
more than 10 photographs. Choose only
recent (within the last few years) photographs
that clearly show the artistic excellence of
the work. The descriptions should identify the
people pictured and tell what they are doing.
For pictures of objects, please identify the art
form, its maker, materials used, and when it
was made.
b. Video that presents demonstration or
performance – No more than 6 minutes. If
the project involves performing artists, the
evaluation panel needs to see performance
in order to judge artistic excellence. Video is
the best way to show this. Video is also an
effective way to show mastery of a process
that will be taught. The description field for
each item you upload to GO™ should identify
the people pictured and tell what they are
doing. The description field for each video
clip that you upload to GO™ must describe
who and what the panelists will see or hear.
The video(s) uploaded must not exceed six
minutes total, no exceptions. However, you
may specify in the description field which
specific portion(s) (i.e. minute 1:30 to 2:30;
minute 5.23 to end) of a particular clip that
you want the panelists to view.
c. Audio (musicians, storytellers) – No more than 6 minutes. The description field for each audio clip should identify the performer(s), the piece, and where/when it was recorded.
4. You may include brochures, flyers, or news
articles from programs, demonstrations,
performances, or exhibitions that have relevant
performances or artwork. This is not required.
No more than 4 pieces.
All materials must be submitted online no later
than 5:00 p.m. on March 27, 2015.
ONCE YOU HAVE APPLIED: Written notification of
grant awards will occur in July 2015.
REVIEW PROCESS
Review Panels
The Nevada Arts Council invites folklorists and other
cultural specialists to serve as the Living Traditions
Grant review panel. They will review applications
during a public meeting held in May or June, 2015.
Contact Folklife Program staff for details. Folklife
Program staff oversees the panel process and an NAC
Board member serves as panel chair to facilitate the
review and enforce agency policy. Only the panelists
participate in the discussion, review, and scoring of
the applications. The panel’s recommendations are
presented to the full Board of the Nevada Arts Council
to discuss and approve at an open public meeting in
June, 2015.
Attendance at Panel Meetings
The Nevada Arts Council encourages applicants to
attend but your absence will NOT prejudice your
application review. Applicants may not address
the panel during the review process, but are given
an opportunity at the end of the meeting to make
comments. This ensures that applicants attending the
meeting as observers do not have any advantage over
those not in attendance.
EVALUATION CRITERIA
Successful applications will:
1. Explain the significance of folk and/or traditional
arts in the family and/or cultural community that is
represented;
2. Establish the viability of the project with a realistic
work plan, appropriate budget, and qualifications
of project personnel;
3. Provide compelling evidence of community
support and strong potential for community
impact;
4. Describe the potential for long-term benefit to
traditional artists or tradition bearers.
FOLKLIFE LIVING TRADITIONS GRANTS PROGRAM | NEVADA ARTS COUNCIL | PAGE 5
SUBMITTING A
GRANT APPLICATION
GRANTS ONLINETM
REQUIRED SUPPORT MATERIAL
Support Material must be submitted through
GOTM. For exceptions, please contact the NAC at
775.687.6680. Support Material required for Living
Traditions Grants is listed on pages 4–5.
All NAC grant applications must be submitted
through Grants OnlineTM (GOTM). Please visit:
nac.culturegrants.org.
GRANT APPLICATION DEADLINES
The Two-Part Application Process
All NAC grant applications must be submitted through
GOTM by the stated online submission deadline for the
specific grant category.
A. GOTM Grant Application – Applicant Profile,
Narrative, Budget and Support Material must be
submitted through GOTM by the online submission
deadline as stated for each grants category. The
system will not accept late submissions.
B. Grant Application Signature Page – May be:
If you mail your Application Signature Page and/or
Support Material, remember that mail pick-up in your
community may occur before 6 p.m. We encourage you
to send your materials with return receipt or by other
means that will provide documentation that you have
met the postmark deadline.
•
Uploaded through Grants Online™ as part of Support Material.
•
Faxed or emailed within one week of submission
deadline.
Please ensure your hard copy application materials are
submitted on or before the postmark deadline to:
•
Submitted through U.S. mail, the Signature Page
must be postmarked no later than one week
after the online submission deadline.
Nevada Arts Council
Grant Management Team
716 North Carson Street, Suite A
Carson City, NV 89701
C. Support Material that cannot be uploaded and
has been approved by staff for U.S. mail submittal must be postmarked no later than one week
after the online submission deadline.
USING GRANTS ONLINETM
Step 1: Go to GOTM at: nac.culturegrants.org. The site
will guide you through the application process by a
combination of help screens, links to instructions,
and checks for math and other errors.
Step 2: If you have not previously registered, please
register and create your user name, password and
applicant profile.
Fax: 775.687.6688
Email: [email protected]
DUNS NUMBER–
ORGANIZATIONS ONLY
All applicants (except individuals) must have a DUNS
number, which can be obtained for free at dnb.com.
The DUNS number and organization must also be registered with the System for Award Management (SAM)
at sam.gov and maintain an active SAM registration
throughout the life of the grant.
Step 3: If you have previously registered, do not
“sign up” again. Contact NAC staff for assistance
with forgotten user names or passwords.
Step 4: Follow GOTM instructions to select your grant
category.
Step 5: Follow GOTM instructions to submit your completed application. Do not mail in a hard copy of
your application.
FOLKLIFE LIVING TRADITIONS GRANTS PROGRAM | NEVADA ARTS COUNCIL | PAGE 6
IF YOUR PROJECT IS FUNDED
Grants Management Packet
If your project is chosen for funding, you will receive a
Grants Management Packet in July.
Applicants who accept Living Traditions Grants must
agree to the contractual responsibilities of the Grants
Management Packet by signing, dating, and returning
documents in a timely fashion.
The first payment of the grant award (90%) will be
provided on receipt of the signed Terms & Conditions,
Vendor Registration Form (with cancelled check for
electronic funds transfer), and the first Cash Request
Form.
The final payment (10%) occurs after the project has
been successfully completed, upon receipt of the final
report and second Cash Request Form, which are due
no later than June 15, 2016.
PROJECT RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Provide the Folklife Program staff with copies of
“thank you” letters or emails you are required
to send to your legislators, acknowledging your
grant from NAC and thanking them for their
support.
2. Keep a written record – a journal or log of your
project meetings and activities. Folklife Program
staff will review these at the end of your project/
apprenticeship period.
3. If possible, take photographs; if you are working
with music or spoken word, record your session.
4. The Folklife Program staff will contact you to
arrange for site visits during and after the Living
Traditions project. We will document your work
through recorded interviews and photographs
or video recordings. This material will be added
to NAC’s Nevada Folklife Archives and may be
used for educational purposes such as exhibits,
publications, reports, and the Nevada Arts
Council website.
The Nevada Arts Council (NAC) is a division of the Nevada Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, and is charged with ensuring that
state and national funds support cultural activity and encourage participation in the arts throughout Nevada. The NAC is funded by the
Nevada State Legislature, the National Endowment for the Arts, and other private and public sources.
Brian Sandoval
Governor, State of Nevada
Claudia Vecchio
Director, Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs
Susan Boskoff
Executive Director, Nevada Arts Council
Patricia Atkinson, Folklife Program Coordinator — 775.687.7103; [email protected]
Rebecca Snetselaar, Folklife Program Associate — 702.486.3739; [email protected]
716 North Carson Street, Suite A, Carson City, NV 89701 | nac.nevadaculture.org
FOLKLIFE LIVING TRADITIONS GRANTS PROGRAM | NEVADA ARTS COUNCIL | PAGE 7
716 N. Carson St., Suite A
Carson City, NV 89701
Change Service Requested
2979
New!
PRSRT STD
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
PERMIT NO. 15
CARSON CITY, NV
Living Traditions Grants FY2016
T
his annual grant is open to individual folk artists, Native American tribes, and non-profit (501(c)3)
cultural organizations. Grants of $2,500 will be awarded to projects that demonstrate the highest
regard for artistic excellence and traditional knowledge. Master artists can still apply for funding
to support an apprenticeship project – but the application will be made to the new Living Traditions
Grant program.
Successful applications will:
z explain the significance of folk and/or traditional arts in the family and/or cultural community that is
represented;
z establish the viability of the project with a realistic work plan, appropriate budget, and qualifications
of project personnel;
z provide compelling evidence of community support and strong potential for community impact; and
z express the potential for long-term benefit to traditional artists or tradition bearers.
This change accommodates more flexible scheduling, master classes, and master-to-master exchanges in
specific traditional arts. The final report portion of the grant requirement will incorporate documentation of
the projects for the Nevada Folklife Archive and will be a prerequisite for the final cash draw.