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NOFO: Creative Arts Exchange 2023 in the US

Deadline: 31-May-23

The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational Cultural Affairs announces the Creative Arts Exchange (CAE) open competition for up to three cooperative agreements to support thematic projects in film, music, and musical collaboration as civic engagement.

Thematic projects under the Creative Arts Exchange (CAE) are arts-based, international people-to-people exchanges that create partnerships through artistic collaboration and professional development activities, encourage inclusive economic opportunities, demonstrate the power of free expression to strengthen democratic values, and support U.S. Department of State foreign policy objectives.

Themes

In FY 2023, CAE will focus on the following themes:

  • Theme One: Film (American Film Showcase)
    • Theme 1: Film (American Film Showcase) The Bureau intends to award one Cooperative Agreement for approximately $3,550,000, to fund the FY 2023 American Film Showcase (AFS), a program which sends approximately 70-100 American envoys to approximately 35-50 ECA-designated countries worldwide to showcase approximately 35-45 relevant feature length and short documentaries, independent narrative films, television, and digital episodic programs organized by strategic themes to offer a broad overview of the best in current American independent filmmaking and content creation. Additionally, AFS will bring approximately 20-30 international participants to the United States for program activities.
  • Theme Two: Music (American Music Abroad)
    • Theme 2: Music (American Music Abroad) The Bureau intends to award one Cooperative Agreement for approximately $1,840,000 to fund the FY2023 season of American Music Abroad (AMA). AMA showcases the excellence and diversity of America and American music to audiences abroad in a way that supports the foreign policy objectives of U.S. embassies. The program will tour 10-15 American musical ensembles of three to five musicians (up to 70 participants) specializing in a wide variety of traditional U.S. musical forms, selected through open, U.S.-wide auditions, to approximately one-three countries each.
  • Theme Three: Musical Collaboration as Civic Engagement (OneBeat)
    • Theme 3: Musical Collaboration as Civic Engagement (OneBeat) The Bureau intends to award one Cooperative Agreement for approximately $2,414,000 to fund the FY2023 cycle of OneBeat which will include virtual and in-person exchanges held in the United States and abroad, a micro-grant program and an alumni summit. OneBeat is a music-based initiative that will bring together up to 100 musicians (ages 19-35) from the United States and every world region to participate in multi-national musical collaborations, professional development workshops, youth educational classes, and public performances which engage diverse communities in the practice of musical collaboration as civic engagement. The collaborative music making activities will focus on key foreign policy priorities.

Only one proposal will be considered by ECA from each applicant organization. In cases where more than one submission from an applicant appears in grants.gov, ECA will only consider the submission made closest in time to the NOFO deadline; that submission would constitute the one and only proposal ECA would review from that applicant.

Purpose

Cultural diplomacy enhances cross-cultural understanding and opens new avenues of dialogue and collaboration between individuals and nations. The Cultural Programs Division in the Office of Citizen Exchanges conducts global cultural exchanges with diverse artists and arts experts designed to engage communities at home and abroad; educate and share cultural and professional expertise; and elevate voices of emerging and established cultural leaders to build inclusive professional and social networks that position the United States as a partner for peace and prosperity.

The goals of the CAE are to:

  • Foster mutual understanding and deepen trust between the people of the U.S. and abroad to counter negative stereotypes and advance safety and security;
  • Advance and complement U.S. foreign policy objectives;
  • Build the capacity of creative leaders and institutions to develop new skills, partnerships, and opportunities, which promote creative industries and entrepreneurship;
  • Advance America’s global competitiveness and create networks and opportunities for artists and institutions that endure beyond the program duration;
  • Provide unique opportunities for artistic collaboration and engagement between American artists, foreign artists, and audiences;
  • Convey the diversity and high artistic merit of the arts in the U.S. and increase awareness and understanding of U.S. art, culture, values, and society among international participants and audiences; and
  • Foster opportunities for educational outreach and community engagement with diverse and underserved communities, especially youth (ages 12-25), women, and persons with disabilities.
  • Support and increase opportunities for diversity, inclusion, equity, and accessibility.
Funding Information

Approximate Total Funding: $7,804,000 Approximate Number of Awards: Three

  • Approximate Average Award:
    • Theme One: Film – $3,550,000 (American Film Showcase);
    • Theme Two: Music – $1,840,000 (American Music Awards);
    • Theme Three: Musical Collaboration as Civic Engagement – $2,414,000 (OneBeat)
  • Ceiling of Award Range:
    • Theme One: $3,550,000 (American Film Showcase);
    • Theme Two: $1,840,000 (American Music Abroad);
    • Theme Three: $2,414,000 (OneBeat).
Eligibility Criteria
  • Eligible Applicants U.S. public and private academic and cultural institutions, exchange-of-persons, and other notfor-profit organizations meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 USC 501(c)(3) may submit applications for this competition. Applicants must have nonprofit status with the IRS at the time of application. Please see the Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI) for additional information.
  • Other Eligibility Requirements
    • The following additional eligibility requirements apply to this NOFO announcement:
    • Bureau grant guidelines require that organizations with less than four years of experience in conducting international exchanges be limited to $130,000 in Bureau funding. ECA anticipates making three awards all in excess of that amount. Therefore, organizations with less than four years of experience in conducting international exchanges are ineligible to apply under this competition.
    • Technical Eligibility: All proposals must comply with the requirements stated in the NOFO, POGI, and the Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI); non-compliance will result in your proposal being declared technically ineligible and given no further consideration in the review process.
    • Only one proposal will be considered by ECA from each applicant organization. In cases where more than one submission from an applicant appears in grants.gov, ECA will only consider the submission made closest in time to the NOFO deadline; that submission would constitute the one and only proposal ECA would review from that applicant.
    • Please note: Applicant organizations are defined by their legal name, and EIN number as stated on their completed SF-424 and additional supporting documentation outlined in the Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI) document.

For more information, visit ECA.