Deadline: 27-Oct-20
The Sampson Arts Council is seeking applications for Grassroots Grants Program 2020-21.
Grassroots Arts Project Grants are made possible by the North Carolina Arts Council and dispersed to each county by their local arts council. Non-profit organizations who implement arts projects in Sampson County may apply for the Grassroots Arts Project Grant.
The Sampson Arts Council (SAC) serves as the NC Arts Council’s partner in awarding subgrants to local organizations for arts programs in Sampson County
Priorities
- The first priority of the Grassroots Arts subgrant program is to provide operating or program support to qualified arts organizations including theatres, symphonies, galleries, art guilds, choral societies, dance companies, folk arts societies, writer’s groups and arts festivals, among others. Grassroots funds are not generally awarded to arts organizations that receive funding through N.C. Arts Council’s State Arts Resources.
- The second priority of the Grassroots Arts subgrant program is to support arts learning and arts in education programs conducted by qualified artists. These can be artist residencies in schools, after school summer camps or adult arts learning classes.
- The third priority of Grassroots Arts subgrants is to support community, civic and municipal organizations that provide quality art experiences for the greater community. These programs must be conducted by qualified artists.
Funding Policies
- Tribal organizations that receive grassroots funds must represent the state or federally recognized tribes.
- Colleges, universities and libraries may receive grants for arts programs that are community-based or generate regional arts involvement. Grants may not support their internal programs, administration or operation expenses (library books, band boosters, equipment purchases).
- Subgrants may not be awarded to individuals or to organizations for prizes, including scholarships and financial awards.
- Grassroots funds may not be used for art supplies or equipment.
- Religious organizations or churches may not receive grassroots funds unless the programs are presented outside regular church services, engage the larger community, and do not contain religious content.
- Grassroots funds may not be used for activities associated with a school’s internal arts programs such as in-school student performances, the purchase of art supplies, or student arts competitions and publications.
- Municipalities (city/county government) may receive grants for arts programs which use a qualified artist to conduct programs that involve the greater community. Grants may not support internal programs, administration or operating expenses.
Eligibility Criteria
- All organizations must have been in operation for at least one year. While nonprofit 501(C)(3) status is preferred, organizations that are nonprofit in nature may also apply.
- All organizations must reside and carry out projects within Sampson County.
- Organizations that receive NC Arts Council’s State Arts Resources are not eligible for Grassroots funds.
- Individuals are not eligible to apply for Grassroots Arts funds.
- Applications and support materials must be complete and received, not postmarked, by the due date.
- All projects must take place between July 1, 2020, and June 15, 2021.
Evaluation Criteria
Subgrant applications are reviewed by a diverse panel of community members including artists, county and public officials and board members of the Sampson Arts Council among others. The panel evaluates applications based on the subgrant guidelines and the following criteria:
- The artistic quality of the proposed project or programs;
- Community impact of project or programs;
- The multicultural aspect of the program, if applicable;
- The educational impact of the project;
- Ability to plan and implement a project;
- Stability and fiscal responsibility of the organization;
- Panellists discuss and score the grant using an established rating system. The subgrant panel’s funding decisions are then presented as recommendations to the Sampson Arts Council’s board of directors. The board of directors votes and gives final approval to the subgrant panel’s recommendations.
For more information, visit https://sampsonarts.net/grassroots-grants
