Grant Application Process

1. Grant Application Process Cattaraugus County Arts Council (CCAC)

2. Overview This power-point will assist in the application process and required information for each grant application. Please feel free to contact the Programs and Grants Manager with any questions, 716-372-7455 or courtney@myartscouncil.net

3. NYSCA and Decentralization Program The Decentralization Program (DEC) is funded by the New York State Council on the Arts and is administered locally by Courtney (Blackmon) Mealy at the Cattaraugus County Arts Council. The DEC Program’s purpose is to foster the continued development of local cultural resources responsive to the needs of the community. DEC helps to ensure access to the arts & culture in all 62 counties of New York State, including areas that are geographically isolated, economically disadvantaged and ethnically diverse.

4. Available Grants Community Arts | Artist in Community | Arts Education Deadline: October 11th by 5:00pm

5. Informational Workshops If you have never applied before, or have not applied since 2012 you are required to attend a free informational workshop. While returning applicants are not required to attend a workshop, they are encouraged to read the “New for 2014 document” and contact Courtney with any questions or concerns. New applicants please RSVP for the workshop you would like to attend. If you can not attend a meeting please contact CCAC as soon as possible to schedule a one-on-one meeting with Courtney

6. Information Grant Workshops 8.22 | CCAC, Allegany | 10am-12pm 8.26 | Memorial Library, Little Valley | 6-8pm 8.30 | Box of Books Library, Alfred | 10am-12pm 9.06 | CCAC, Allegany | 10am-12pm 9.09 | King Memorial Library, Machias | 6:30-8:30pm 10.01 | CCAC, Allegany | 10am-12pm Jamestown, mayville, belfast,

7. Technical Workshops These workshops are designed to help with the application process as well as using the online application 8.31 | CCAC, Allegany | 9-11am 9.14 | Memorial Library, Ellicottville | 1-3pm 10.5 | David Howe Public Library, Wellsville | 12-2pm 10.5 | SUNY Technology Incubator, Dunkirk | Please RSVP for these workshops by calling CCAC at 716.372.7455

8. One-on-one office hours Sept 28 | CCAC | 11-5pm | please RSVP Do you want a one-on-one meeting with the Programs and Grants Manager? This is your weekend opportunity. During Allegany’s Bonagany festival stop into CCAC during a one hour slot to discuss available grants, eligibility and how to apply. You must RSVP for these meetings.

9. Guidelines Guidelines are available for download as a PDF or Word document. It is important that anyone interested in applying for any grant programs to review guidelines and eligibility first.

10. Application Each applicant will complete an online application using SUBMITTABLE. The application includes an application form, narrative, budget and documentation. Applications links can be found under the “Grant” section at myartscouncil.net. Each program will also have a list of application questions available for download.

11. Online Form All grants employ an online application form. Our suggestion is to complete the application questions in a word document (that is provided) then when you are ready to complete the application simply copy and paste the information into the correct fields. If you create an account with Submittable, it will allow applicants to save and return to their application.

12. Documentation includes: non-profit paperwork, financial reports, board of directors list, letter from partners, schools and other artists, resume, work samples and much more. All required documentation must be uploaded as a PDF. Documentation

13. Narrative Courtney will be happy to review a copy of your narrative up to 2 weeks prior to the deadline. They must be submitted to Courtney@myartscouncil.net

14. Budget Each grant program has a corresponding budget form that must be filled out and submitted with the application. Depending on the grant program you are applying for, please note the matching amount that is required. Please make sure your math is correct- panelists will review this and may deny your application based on errors.

15. Certification and Release Applicants for the Community Arts and Arts Education programs must sign a Certification and Release form. The form must be mailed to CCAC no later than October 18 (1 week after the deadline) If this form is not received, your grant will not go to the panel for review.

16. Evaluation A diverse panel of artists, art professional, educators and local civic, business, and community leaders will review all applications. The panel recommends a level of funding based on the degree to which the applicant meets or exceeds the evaluative criteria. Successful grant applications often have the following characteristics: clean and succinct answersto the narrative points, correct math, high artistic value, and creative programs. Following a thorough collective review and discussion, the panel will make recommendations to fund a proposed project at a certain level of funding or to deny funding.

17. Need Help? Courtney (Blackmon) Mealy Cattaraugus County Arts Council courtney@myartscouncil.net | 372-7455