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Application Calendar
OMB No. 3135-0112
Expires 07/31/2003
Challenge America Endowment-
Fast Track Grants Application Earliest Project Supported
Priority Area Receipt Dvadline Beginning Date Project Period
Positive Alternatives February 1, 2002 June 1, 2002 June I, 2002 through
for Youth May 31, 2003
Community Arts May I, 2002 Sept. I, 2002 Sept. I, 2002 through
Development Aug. 31, 2003
Organizations will be notified whether they are recipients of a grant approximately four months after they
apply.
Note: These are receipt, not postmark deadlines. If you have questions:
Complete application packages must be received at
the Endowment no later than 5:30 p.m., Eastern Write: | Challenge America
Time, on the dates listed above. No materials will National Endowment for the Arts
be accepted after the deadline. The Arts Endow- Nancy Hanks Center
ment will not accept any application material by 1100 Peansylvania Avenue, NW
electronic transmission (e.g., FAX or e-mail) unless Washington, DC 20506-0001
requested by Arts Endowment staff.
Visit: Our Web site at www.arts.gov for az
Make sure that your project corresponds with the on-line version of these guidelines and
appropriate priority area and deadline date listed further information about the agency
above. and funding opportunities.
Late, ineligible, and incomplete applications will Call. 202/682-5700
be returned.
=
202/682-5496 Voice/T.T. (Texi-Tele-
Previous Challenge America, ArtsREACH, and phone, a device for individuals who are
Creative Links grantees, see page 7. deaf or hard-of-hearing)
Individuals who do not use conven-
tional print may access these guidelines
on the Web site or contact the Ans
Endowment’s Office for AccessAbility
at 202/682-5532 for help in acquiring
an audio recording of these guidelines.
NOVEMBER 20901
Contents
4 INTRODUCTION
4 Partnerships
4 Communities
4 Fast Track Grants
Challenge America Components
5
6 CHALLENGE AMERICA FAST
TRACK GRANTS
Eligibility
We Do Not Fund
Review Criteria
Grant Amounts and Matching
cDoNo m
Funds
Deadline Dates
Period of Support
Application Review
How to Apply
Application Forms
12 Fast Track Basic Information
16 Fast Track Application
Nurrative
18 Fast Track Project Budget
20 Fast Track Organization &
Project Profile
24 STATE ARTS AGENCIES LISTING
26 APPENDIX
26 Legal Requirements
26 Assurance of Compliance
Inside back cover: Application Acknowledgment
Card
MISSION
The National Endowment for the Arts, an investment in America’s living cultural heritage, serves the pub-
lic good by nurturing the expression of human creativity, supporting the cultivation of community spirit,
and fostering the recognition and appreciation of the excellence and diversity of our nation’s artistic
accomplishments.
GOALS
To fulfill its mission, the Arts Endowment has established the following goals:
a To broaden public access to the excellence and diversity of the arts.
a To foster opportunities for the creation and presentation of artistically excellent work.
a To strengthen the role of the arts in our nation’s educational system and encourage lifelong learning in
the arts.
s To preserve our nation’s cultural heritage for the 21st century.
s To strengthen the organizational and financial capabilities of America’s arts organizations.
es To help address the concerns of America’s communities through the arts.
s lo strengthen the Endowment’s partnerships with the public and private sectors.
CHALLEN® AGMEERI CA FAST TRACK GRANTS FY 2002 3
Introduction
Developing and integrating the arts fully into the life organizations, schools and educational organiza-
of communities nationwide is central to the Endow- tions, businesses, government agencies, faith-based
ment’s Challenge America initiative. This program organizations, and civic and community groups. The
is designed to strengthen families, communities, and Endowment encourages applicants to think as
our nation through the arts. It challenges America’s broadly as possible about potential partners. A fun-
communities to forge partnerships that will 1) build der, venue, or project beneficiary should be con-
a healthy and active arts community, and 2) expand sidered a partner only if it actively participates in
understanding about the vital role of the arts in the planning and implementation of the project.
enhancing national creativity, community spirit, and
the preservation of our living artistic cultural her-
COMMUNITIES
itage. Its goals are:
Communities also are central to the Challenge
America concept. While a community is most com-
w To foster arts education and community-wide
monly defined in terms of geography, the Endow-
arts outreach initiatives that serve rural areas and
ment considers communities of common interests as
underserved communities.
well. Examples of communities include, but are not
we To engage artists, arts organizations, and Amer- limited to:
ican Communities in partnerships to make the arts
e A neighborhood.
central to community life.
e A town or other municipality.
For the purposes of these guidelines, an underserved
area or community is defined by geographic isola- e A county or multi-county area, within or across
tion and/or limited access to quality arts resources State lines.
and programs due to: economic conditions, ethnic
e A group of individuals and organizations that
background, language, disability, or age. Within this
share a common heritage.
definition, applicants are asked to describe their
specific underserved area(s) or community(ies).
e Aconstituency that shares certain common issues
(e.g., an artistic discipline, individuals with disabil-
PARTNERSHIPS ities, etc.).
Partnerships, particularly those that involve both arts
organizations and sectors outside of the arts, are key
FAST TRACK GRANTS
to the success of Challenge America projects and
The Arts Endowment will use a simplified applica-
niust be reflected in every application. A partnership
tion and expedited application review for Fast Track
should represent a group that is committed to work-
grants. Building on the success of the Creative Links
ing together and sharing and providing resources
and ArtsREACH pilot initiatives, Challenge Amer-
toward specific goals. Effective partnerships com-
ica Fast Track Grants will address the priority areas
bine existing resources in innovative ways and
of Positive Alternatives for Youth and Community
enable individual partners to advance their own pri-
Arts Development. In subsequent years, the Endow-
orities while working <oward common goals.
ment may include other priority areas in Challenge
Partnerships may be new or they may have
America Fast Track Grants.
existed before this program. They may include arts
4 CHALLE®N AMGEREICA FAST TRACK GRANTS FY 2002
CHALLENGE AMERICA COMPONENTS
The Challenge America initiative includes other
components that are not covered by these guidelines.
Through the Partnership Agreements guidelines, the
Endowment will assist the state arts agencies and
their regional arts organizations in supporting Chal-
lenge America activities that complement this initia-
tive. Through Leadership Initiatives, the Arts
Endowment will work in partnership with other
nationally-recognized organizations and federal
agencies to meet the goals of Challenge America.
CHALLEN® AGMEERIC A FAST TRACK GRANTS FY 2002
Challenge America Fast Track Grants
The Arts Endowment will award approximately 400 tricts. Such projects should be designed to create a
grants of $5,000 or $10,000 each for projects that positive impact on local economic development or
serve rural areas or underserved communities. All to unify cultural public relations efforts. This may
grants must be matched I-to-1 (see page 8 for fur- include, but is not limited to, marketing, documen-
ther information). The Arts Endowment is using a tation, and/or programming efforts that are coordi-
simplified application and expedited application nated with relevant governmental and private
review for Fast Track Grants. Organizations will be resources (e.g., convention and visitor bureaus,
notified whether they are recipients of a grant chambers of commerce, historic preservation organ-
approximately four months after they apply: projects izations, etc.).
may start shortly thereafter (see the Application Cal-
b) Efforts to make a community more livable by
endar on the inside front cover).
addressing civic design issues, such as the prelimi-
Eligible organizations may apply for existing or
nary planning for the design of buildings or public
new projects that address only one of the priority
spaces, as well as the design stages for the renova-
areas that are listed below:
Positive Alternatives for Youth: To support tion of cultural facilities or the restoration of historic
structures. This may include, but is noi limited to,
partnerships between arts organizations and com-
charettes (design workshops) or the engagement of
munity groups for artists’ residencies that provide
professional design services.
positive alternatives for youth. Each project must
have only one of the project types below as its
c) The development of community cultural plans.
primary emphasis. Projects are limited to:
Cultural planning involves a series of facilitated
meetings that result in a written report that assesses
a) Artist-led programs during non-school hours
cultural resources and community needs, and offers
that provide adequate space, project materials,
policies and actions in response to those needs.
equipment, and guidance in locations such as arts
organizations, Community centers, schools, low-
income public housing, tribal communities, or juve- ELIGIBILITY
nile facilities. Every application must be submitted on behalf of a
partnership. While the Endowment encourages part-
b) Job training for youth that involves artists.
nerships that involve arts and non-arts sectors, part-
nerships that involve arts organizations working
c) Artist-teacher collaborations that support resi-
only with other arts organizations also are eligible.
dencies for artists in schools during school hours.
Each partnership must have a lead organization
(also referred to as the “applicant’’) that submits the
CommuArtns Dievetlopymen t: To support part-
application and assumes full responsibility for the
nerships between arts organizations and community
grant. This lead organization may be an arts organi-
groups that highlight the potential of the arts to
zation or some other nonprofit or governmental
address key community concerns. Each project
entity that can help advance the goals of Challenge
must have only one of the project types below as
America. When a non-arts organization is the lead
its primary emphasis. Projects are limited to:
organization, the partnership must include at least
a) Activities that use the arts as a focus for cul- one arts or arts-active organization. Note: “Arts-
tural tourism or the development of cultural dis- active” refers to those organizations that may not be
a CHALLENR AGMEERIC A FAST TRACK GRANTS FY 2002
identified as arts organizations (such as park and A state arts agency (SAA) or regional arts organ-
recreation centers, social service agencies, tribul ization (RAO) may participate as a partner, but not
organizations, etc.), but consistently include cultural as a lead organization, in a Fast Track Grants pro-
activities as part of their regular programming. ject. Wherever a SAA or RAO is involved as a part-
An eligible organimayz searvte ais tohen le ad ner organization, there must be a minimum of two
organization for only one application under these other partner organizations. SAAs and RAQOs
Challenge America guidelines (i.e., it may submit receive separate funding under Challenge America
only one Positive Alternatives for Youth or one through the Partnership Agreements guidelines.
Community Arts Development grant application).
However, an organization may participate as a part-
WE DO NCT FUND
ner in other applications, as appropriate.
Under these guidelines, funding is not available for:
Nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3), U.S. organ-
izations; units of state or local governmeonrt f;ed - ® Costs for the creation of new organizations.
erally recognized tribal communities or tribes
s Individva! elementary or secondary schools
may serve as lead organiz(aInetliigioblen sorg.an -
directly. (Schools may participate as partners in
izationmasy not use afi scal agent for the purpose
Challenge America projects, but may not serve as
of application.)
lead organization applicants. School districts are
To be eligible for a Fast Track Grant, the lead
eligible lead organization applicants.)
organization:
e Direct grants to individuals. (While individual
s Must meet the “Legal Requirements” on page 26.
artists may not submit an application, they should
® Must have staff, paid or volunteer, who can be involved in Challenge America projects and com:
devote the time and effort that are required to pensated for their participation.)
accomplish the project.
s Commercial (for-profit) enterprises or activities.
s If a previous Challenge America, ArtsREACH,
® Construction, purchase, or renovation of facili-
or Creative Links grantee, must have completed their
ties. (Predevelopment, design fees, and community
Challenge America, ArtsREACH, or Creative Links
planning are eligible. However, no Arts Endowment
grant project and have submitted the required final
or matching funds may be directed to the costs of
reports and products by the application deadline.
physical construction or renovation or toward the
® For any other categories, must have submitted purchase cost of facilities or land.)
acceptable Final Report packages on any completed
® Cash reserves and endowments.
Arts Endowment grant(s) by the Final Report due
date(s).
® Fund raising.
Do not submit any final reports/preducts with your ® Subgranting or regranting.
application.
® The purchase of major equipment (defined for
If eligible, a lead organization that applies for a
the purposes of these guidelines as equipment that
Challenge America grant also may apply under
costs $5,000 or niore and that has an estimated use-
other Arts Endowment guidelines, including Grants
ful life of more than one year).
to Organizations. In each case, the request must be
for a distinctly different project.
CHALLENR AGMEERI CA FAST TRACK GRANTS FY 2002 7
REVIEW CRITERIA All Arts Endowment grants must be matched at
The following criteria are considered during the least dollar-for-dollar by the grant recipient. For
review of applications: example, if you receive a $5,000 grant, your total
project costs must be at least $10,000 and you must
The artistic excellence of the project, which includes provide at least $5,000 toward the project from other
the: nonfederal sources. These matching funds may be all
cash or a combination of cash and non-cash (in-kind)
s Potential of the project to advance the quality and
contributions. See page 19 for more information.
availability of the arts jn the community.
s Quality of the arts organizations, artists, and/or
DEADLINE DATES
services that the project will involve, as appropriate.
An organization may apply under only one of the
deadlines that are listed on the Application Calen-
The merit «{ the project and its partnership, which
dar on the inside front cover. Complete application
includes the:
packages must be received (not postmarked) at the
= Potentia) of the project to further the Challenge
Endowment no later than the dates listed.
America priority area Under which funds are
requested.
PERIOD OF SUPPORT
s Potential of the project to reach rural areas or
The Endowment's period of support corresponds to
underserved communities and make the arts central
the application deadline under which you apply. See
to community life.
the “Endowment-Supported Project Period” listed
e Quality of the proposed interaction among the on the Application Calendar on the inside front
partner organizations. cover of these guidelines. Your project does not need
to span the entire 12 months. Any planning costs
s Potential impact of the project on its targeted
that you want to include as part of the project must
audience ana/or the community.
be incurred during the established period of support.
s Feasibility of the plan and the ability of the part-
No pre-award costs are allowable in the Project
ners to carry out the project.
Budget on page 18.
GRANT AMOUNTS AND MATCHING FUNDS
APPLICATION REVIEW
Applicants may request either $5,000 or $10,000.
Applications are reviewed by a diverse group of
(Grants will be awarded for the amount requested or
individuals with expertise and broad knowledge that
not at all.
are related to the Fast Track Grant priority areas.
Applicants should be aware that there are 2dmin-
The Arts Endowment Chairman makes the final
istrative responsibilities associated with federal
decision on all grant awards.
grants management, and in some cases it might be
The Arts Endowment is using a simplified appli-
inappropriate for new and/or small-budgeted organ-
cation and expedited application review for Fast
izations to serve as lead organizations. Applicants are
Track Grants. Applicants will be notified whether
advised against grant amount requests that exceed
they are recipients of a grant approximately four
20% of the lead crganization’s total organizational
months after they apply; projects may begin shortly
operating expenses for the most recently completed
thereafter (see the Application Calendar on the
fiscal year.
inside front cover).
t CHALL@ EAMENRICGA EFA ST TRACK GRANIS FY 2002
GENERAL TERMS & CONDITIONS STANDARDS FOR SERVICE
Federal and agency requirements that relate to The Arts Endowment has set the following stan-
grants awarded by the National Endowment for the dards for serving applicants. We pledge to:
Arts are highlighted in our General Terms & Con-
a treat you with courtesy and efficiency.
ditions, which is sent to all grantees in the grant
a Respond to inquiries and correspondence promptly.
award package. It also is available from the Arts
Endowment’s Web site at www.arts.gov. Included s Provide clear and accurate information about our
is information on U.S. Office of Management and policies and procedures.
Budget (OMB) requirements, matching funds,
s Provide timely information about funding oppor-
reporting requirements, and lobbying prohibitions.
tunities and mail available guidelines promptly.
In addition, organizations that receive a grant
as Promptly acknowledge the receipt of your appli-
will be required to submit a final report, which will
cation.
include an overall evaluation of their project, to the
Arts Endowment. es Ensure that all eligible applications are reviewed
thoughtfully and fairly.
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
We welcome your comments on how we are meet-
In developing an application, all applicants are
ing these standards. Please address them to: Stan-
urged to review the lists of Challenge America,
dards for Service Coordinator; Room 628;
ArtsREACH, and Creative Links grants on the
National Endowment for the Arts; Nancy Hanks
Endowment’s Web site at www.arts.gov to get a
Center; 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washing-
sense of recent project types and grant sizes. An
ton, DC 20506-0001; phone: 202/682-5408; e-mail:
additional resource for cultural planning projects is
webmgr @arts.endow.gov, attention: Standards for
the new publication, ArtsReach: Strengthening
Service.
Communities Through the Arts, also available on
For questions about these guidelines or your
the Web site or by calling 202/682-5400.
application, contact the Arts Endowment staff for
s State Arts Agency Resources. You also may Challenge America at 202/682-5700.
want to contact your state arts agency for informa-
tion on in-state artists and other professional
resources within your state. A listing of these agen-
cies can be found on page 24.
es Other Federal Programs. Of particular interest
is the NEA on-line publication Cultural Funding:
Federal Opportunities, a research tool for those
seeking funding at the federal level for cultural pro-
gramming. The publication lists other agencies,
examples of programs, and agency-specific tips.
LENCE @AMERI AF AST TRACK GRANT 'y 200? J
