Blanket Justification for Arts Endowment Funding Application Guidelines and Requirements for Nonprofit Organizations

Blanket Justification for Arts Endowment Funding Application Guidelines and Requirements

Grants for Arts Projects Instructions (Part 1)

Blanket Justification for Arts Endowment Funding Application Guidelines and Requirements for Nonprofit Organizations

OMB: 3135-0112

⚠️ Notice: This form may be outdated. More recent filings and information on OMB 3135-0112 can be found here:

2022-09-01 - Revision of a currently approved collection

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Grants for Arts Projects, FY 2021

Apply for a Grant
The National Endowment for the Arts continues to operate as usual and will do so until a new
budget is enacted by Congress. The Arts Endowment continues to make FY 2019 grant awards
and will continue to honor all obligated grant funds made to date. Additionally, the agency will
continue to accept grant applications for FY 2020 at our usual deadlines.
The National Endowment for the Arts awards cost share/matching grants to nonprofit
organizations, literature fellowships for published creative writers and translators, and
partnership agreements for state arts agencies and regional arts organizations in support of arts
projects in thousands of communities across the country.
Guidelines and application instructions are available here:
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Grants for Organizations (for a wide variety of arts projects)
Grants for Individuals (for literature fellowships in creative writing and translation only)
Partnership Agreements (for state and jurisdictional arts agencies and regional arts
organizations)

Grants for Organizations
Grants for organizations support exemplary projects in artist communities, arts education, dance,
design, folk and traditional arts, literary arts, local arts agencies, media arts, museums, music,
musical theater, opera, presenting and multidisciplinary works, theater, and visuals arts.
We fund projects only. Projects may be large or small, existing or new, and may take place in
any part of the nation’s 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories. Projects may
consist of one or more specific events or activities.
Funding is available through four categories:
Grants for Arts Projects | Challenge America | Our Town | Research Grants in the Arts
KEY INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS
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Categories
Eligibility
Application Restrictions
Grant Review Process
Contacts

Application Restrictions
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Generally, an organization is limited to one application per year under the Grants for Arts
Projects OR the Challenge America categories. There are limited exceptions for parent
organizations, such as universities or cultural complexes that apply on behalf of separately
identifiable and independent components, and certain Media Arts projects.

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You may apply to other National Endowment for the Arts funding opportunities, including
Our Town and Research: Grants in the Arts, in addition to Grants for Arts Projects or
Challenge America. In each case, the request must be for a distinctly different project.

Grant Review Process
Ever wanted to know what happens to your application once you submit it to the National
Endowment for the Arts? Below we break down the steps in the journey that your application
takes.
LIFECYCLE OF AN APPLICATION
GUIDELINES AVAILABLE
Application guidelines are made available on the Arts Endowment website and through
Grants.gov.
APPLICATION SUBMITTED
Applications that meet the deadline are assigned an application number. Applicant receives
acknowledgment of application receipt. Applications are forwarded to Program staff.
STAFF REVIEW
Staff reviews applications for eligibility and completeness and may contact applicants if
questions arise. Application materials are made available to panelists several weeks before the
panel meeting.
PANEL REVIEW
Panels are made up of experts with knowledge and experience in the area under review. Each
application is reviewed and rated in accordance with the published review criteria.
NATIONAL COUNCIL/CHAIRMAN REVIEW
The staff reconciles the panel recommendations with available funds and forwards them to the
National Council on the Arts, where they are reviewed in open session. The Council makes
recommendations on which applications to fund and which applications to reject. The Chairman
makes the final decision on all grant awards.
NOTIFICATION
Applicants not recommended for funding are notified soon after the final decisions are made.
Applicants who are recommended for funding will have the opportunity to provide updated
information about their project, including changes to the project’s scope or budget as needed,
based on the recommended funding amount. Grantees later receive an official grant award
notification with information about legal and reporting requirements. Any applicant may ask for
a summary of comments on their application within 30 days after official notification.
Introduction
Applications generally receive three levels of review. First, they are reviewed by independent,
national panels of artists and other arts experts. Following panel review, applications are
forwarded to the National Council on the Arts, the National Endowment for the Arts' advisory
body. The Council comprises nationally and internationally renowned artists, distinguished

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scholars, and arts patrons appointed by the President, and members of Congress (who serve ex
officio). The Council reviews and makes recommendations on the applications. Those
recommendations for funding are sent to the National Endowment for the Arts Chairman. The
Chairman reviews those applications recommended by the Council and makes the final decision
on all grant awards.
Level I: Panel Review
Our application review process relies upon the assistance of panelists from around the country
who are experts in their fields. Annually, we conduct more than 75 review panels, involving 500600 panelists, in the evaluation of approximately 5,000 applications. To review the applications,
we assemble different panels every year, each diverse with regard to geography, race and
ethnicity, and artistic points of view.
Our staff manages the process. Staff reviews applications for completeness and eligibility and
assigns them to panels. Typically, approximately 40 applications are assigned to a panel of up to
six panelists with knowledge and experience in the areas under review, including at least one
knowledgeable layperson. Our legislation requires that all our panels be conflict free.
We provide our panelists with online access to the applications about a month in advance of the
panel meeting. At this stage the panelists read the applications and review work samples, enter
their preliminary comments, and assign initial ratings. All applications must be evaluated
according to the review criteria listed in the application guidelines. Artistic excellence and
artistic merit are the two primary criteria specified by Congress in our authorizing legislation;
there are several elements under each. (Since the review criteria may vary from category to
category, applicants should consult the criteria of the category to which they are applying.)
Panelists later meet as a group to discuss applications in closed session. Informed by the panel
discussion, they may change their initial ratings.
Level II: The National Council on the Arts
The staff reconciles the panel recommendations with available funds and forwards them to the
National Council on the Arts, where they are reviewed in open session. The Council makes
recommendations on which applications to fund and which applications to reject.
In addition to making recommendations on applications for grants, the Council also makes
recommendations to the Chairman on agency policies and programs, such as funding guidelines
and leadership initiatives.
The National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities Act of 1965 established the National
Endowment for the Arts and provided for citizens to serve as advisors to the agency as members
of the National Council on the Arts. Members are appointed by the President and approved by
the Senate for six-year, staggered terms. Currently, the Council has 18 voting members and an
additional six members of Congress who serve in an ex officio, non-voting capacity for two-year
terms.
The Presidential appointees, by law, are selected for their widely recognized knowledge of the
arts or their expertise or profound interest in the arts. They have records of distinguished service
or achieved eminence in the arts and are chosen to represent equitably all geographical areas of

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the country. Congressional members are appointed in the following manner: two by the Speaker
of the House, one by the Minority Leader of the House, two by the Majority Leader of the
Senate, and one by the Minority Leader of the Senate.
Level III: The National Endowment for the Arts Chairman
The Chairman reviews the recommendations for grants in all funding categories and makes the
final decision on all grant awards. Applicants are then notified of funding decisions.
Transparency and Confidentiality at the National Endowment for the Arts
We seek to make our review process as transparent as possible, while protecting the
confidentiality of applicants, panelists, staff, and Council members. Our advisory panel meetings
are announced in the Federal Register and panelists’ names are listed on our website once grants
are announced. The public may not, however, attend panel meetings or Council sessions in
which confidential application information is discussed. The names of applicants are kept
confidential except for those who receive grants. We announce the names of grantees on our
website. Sample application narratives from some grantees also may be viewed on our website.
Applicants not recommended for funding are notified. After notification, any applicant may ask
for a summary of the panel’s comments on their application. In such instances, we must be
contacted no later than 30 days after the official notification.
We're always looking for individuals with experience and/or expertise in one or more of the arts
to serve as panelists. If you’re interested in becoming a panelist, fill out the Volunteer to be a
Panelist form.

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Grants for Arts Projects
These grants support artistically excellent projects that celebrate our creativity and cultural
heritage, invite mutual respect for differing beliefs and values, and enrich humanity. Cost
share/matching grants generally range from $10,000 to $100,000. A minimum cost share/match
equal to the grant amount is required.
Grant applications previously submitted to the Art Works category will now be submitted to the
Grants for Arts Projects category.

Deadlines:
First Grants for Arts Projects Deadline:
Part 1 - Submit to Grants.gov

February 13, 2020 at 11:59
p.m., Eastern Time

Prepare application material so that it’s ready to upload when the Applicant Portal opens
Part 2 - Submit to Applicant Portal

February 18-25, 2020 at 11:59
p.m., Eastern Time

Earliest Announcement of Grant Award or
Rejection

November 2020

Earliest Beginning Date for National Endowment for
the Arts Period of Performance

January 1, 2021

July 9, 2020 at 11:59 p.m.,
Eastern Time

Prepare application material so that it’s ready to upload when the Applicant Portal opens
Part 2 - Submit to Applicant Portal

July 14-21, 2020 at 11:59
p.m., Eastern Time

Earliest Announcement of Grant Award or Rejection

April 2021

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Earliest Beginning Date for National Endowment for
the Arts Period of Performance

June 1, 2021

Note: To allow time to resolve any problems you might encounter, finalize your
Grants.gov/SAM registration by at least June 17, 2020 and submit to Grants.gov by at least June
30, 2020.

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GRANTS FOR ARTS PROJECTS Guidelines: Grant Program Description
Grant applications previously submitted to the Art Works category will now be submitted to
the Grants for Arts Projects category.

“The Arts . . . belong to all the people of the United States” *
Grants for Arts Projects is the National Endowment for the Arts’ principal grants program.
Through project-based funding, we support public engagement with, and access to, various
forms of excellent art across the nation, the creation of art that meets the highest standards of
excellence, learning in the arts at all stages of life, and the integration of the arts into the
fabric of community life. Projects may be large or small, existing or new, and may take place
in any part of the nation’s 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories.
The National Endowment for the Arts is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and
fostering mutual respect for the diverse beliefs and values of all individuals and groups.

While we welcome applications for a variety of artistically excellent projects, we encourage
projects that address any of the following activities below:
Celebrate America’s creativity and/or cultural heritage.
 Invite a dialogue that fosters a mutual respect for the diverse beliefs and values of all
persons and groups.
 Enrich our humanity by broadening our understanding of ourselves as individuals and as a
society.
 In the spirit of White House Executive Orders that encourage federal agencies to engage
with typically underserved constituencies, the National Endowment for the Arts
encourages applications from:
– Historically Black Colleges and Universities,
– Tribal Colleges and Universities,
– American Indian and Alaska Native tribes,
– African American Serving Institutions,
– Hispanic Serving Institutions,
– Asian American and Pacific Islander communities, and
– Organizations that support the independence and lifelong inclusion of people with
disabilities.
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*1965 Enabling Legislation for the National Endowment for the Arts in the National
Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities Act of 1965
Cost share/matching grants generally will range from $10,000 to $100,000. No grants will be
made below $10,000. Grants of $100,000 or more will be made only in rare instances, and only
for projects that we determine demonstrate exceptional national or regional significance and

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impact. In the past few years, well over half of the agency's grants have been for amounts less
than $25,000.
For more information about what we fund, see “We Fund/We Do Not Fund” in the box on the
right.
NOTE: MAKE THIS LIST A SIDEBAR
To apply, choose a discipline:
 Artist Communities
 Arts Education
 Dance
 Design
 Folk & Traditional Arts
 Literary Arts
 Local Arts Agencies
 Media Arts
 Museums
 Music
 Musical Theater
 Opera
 Presenting & Multidisciplinary Works
 Theater
 Visual Arts
If you have questions, contact the staff for the field/discipline that is most appropriate for your
project.

GRANTS FOR ARTS PROJECTS BASICS
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Grant Program Description
We Fund/We Do Not Fund
Application Calendar
Award Information
Applicant Eligibility
Application Review
Award Administration
Other Information
FAQs
Contacts
Disciplines

TO APPLY: ARTIST COMMUNITIES (SAME FOR ALL DISCIPLINES)
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Artist Communities
 How to Prepare and Submit an Application
 Part 1: Submit to Grants.gov

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Grants for Arts Projects, FY 2021

Part 2: Submit Materials to the Applicant Portal (PDF)

GRANTS FOR ARTS PROJECTS RESOURCES NOTE: ONLY WILL APPEAR ON
DISCIPLINE PAGES
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Grants for Arts Projects Guidelines Webinar (TBD)
Webinar for Challenge America Applicants Interested in Applying to Grants for Arts
Projects (TBD)
Online Tutorial: Using the Grant Application Form (GAF)
Grants.gov Support
SAM.gov Help
Sample Application Narratives
Application Checklist
Accessibility Checklist
Accessibility Questions for Recommended Applicants
Recent Grants
Program Evaluation Resources
National Endowment for the Arts Historic Preservation Review Process

GRANTS FOR ARTS PROJECTS Guidelines: We Fund/We Do Not Fund
We Fund
We fund nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3), U.S. organizations; units of state or local government;
or federally recognized tribal communities or tribes.
We fund projects only.
 A project may consist of one or more specific events or activities; it may be a part of an
applicant's regular season or activities. Organizations that undertake a single short-term
project in a year -- a ten-day jazz festival, for example -- could apply for that event, or they
could identify certain components (such as the presentation of a key artist and the associated
activities) as their project. Describe the activities for which our support is requested, and
provide specific information on the artists, productions, venues, distribution plans, etc., that
will be involved.
 Organizations may apply for any or all phases of a project, from its planning through its
implementation.
 A project does not have to be new. Excellent existing projects can be just as competitive as
new activities.
 Projects do not need to be large. We welcome small projects that can make a difference in a
community or field.
 Projects may be in any of the Arts Endowment’s artistic disciplines.
We Do Not Fund
Under these guidelines, funding is not available for:

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Direct grants to individuals. (We encourage applicant organizations to involve individual
artists in all possible ways.)
Awards to individuals or organizations to honor or recognize achievement.
General operating or seasonal support.
Cash reserves and endowments.
Costs for the creation of new organizations.
Construction, purchase, or renovation of facilities. (Design fees, preparing space for an
exhibit, installation or de-installation of art, and community planning are eligible. However,
no National Endowment for the Arts or cost share/matching funds may be directed to the
costs of physical construction or renovation or toward the purchase costs of facilities or
land.)
Commercial (for-profit) enterprises or activities, including concessions, food, T-shirts, or
other items for resale.
Subgranting or regranting, except for state arts agencies, regional arts organizations, or local
arts agencies that are designated to operate on behalf of their local governments or are
operating units of city or county government. (See more information on subgranting.)
Costs to bring a project into compliance with federal grant requirements. This includes
environmental or historical assessments or reviews and the hiring of individuals to write
assessments or reviews or to otherwise comply with the National Environmental Policy Act
and/or the National Historic Preservation Act.
Individual elementary or secondary schools -- charter, private, or public -- directly. Schools
may participate as partners in projects for which another eligible organization applies. Local
education agencies, school districts, and state and regional education agencies are eligible. If
a single school also is a local education agency, as is the case with some charter schools, the
school may apply with documentation that supports its status as a local education agency.
Projects that replace arts instruction provided by an arts specialist.
Generally, courses in degree-granting institutions.
Literary publishing that does not focus on contemporary literature and/or writers.
Generally, publication of books, exhibition of works, or other projects by the applicant
organization's board members, faculty, or trustees.
Generally, exhibitions of, and other projects that primarily involve, single, individuallyowned, private collections.
Projects for which the selection of artists or art works is based upon criteria other than artistic
excellence and merit. Examples include festivals, exhibitions, or publications for which no
jury/editorial/curatorial judgment has been applied.
Expenditures related to compensation to foreign nationals and/or travel to or from foreign
countries when those expenditures are not in compliance with regulations issued by the U.S.
Treasury Department Office of Foreign Assets Control. For further information,
see http://www.treas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/ or contact our Office of Grants
Management at [email protected].
Project costs supported by any other federal funding. This includes federal funding received
either directly from a federal agency (e.g., National Endowment for the Humanities, Housing

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Grants for Arts Projects, FY 2021

and Urban Development, National Science Foundation, or an entity that receives federal
appropriations such as the Corporation for Public Broadcasting or Amtrak); or indirectly
from a pass-through organization such as a state arts agency, regional arts organization, or a
grant made to another entity.
Social activities such as receptions, parties, galas.
Alcoholic beverages.
Gifts and prizes, including cash prizes as well as other items (e.g., electronic devices, gift
certificates) with monetary value.
Contributions and donations to other entities.
General miscellaneous or contingency costs.
Fines and penalties, bad debt costs, deficit reduction.
Lobbying, including activities intended to influence the outcome of elections or influence
government officials regarding pending legislation, either directly or through specific
lobbying appeals to the public.
Voter registration drives and related activities.
Marketing expenses that are not directly related to the project.
Audit costs that are not directly related to a single audit (formerly known as an A-133 audit).
Rental costs for home office workspace owned by individuals or entities affiliated with the
applicant organization.
Visa costs paid to the U.S. government.
Costs incurred before the beginning or after the completion of the official period of
performance.

All applicants should carefully review the Assurance of Compliance and Appendix A of
our General Terms and Conditions (GTC) which detail other requirements that govern awards.

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GRANTS FOR ARTS PROJECTS Guidelines: Application Calendar
There are two Grants for Arts Projects application deadlines. Note that some disciplines only
accept certain project types at each deadline; see the guidelines for your project’s discipline for
more information.
First Grants for Arts Projects Deadline:
Part 1 - Submit to Grants.gov

February 13, 2020 at 11:59
p.m., Eastern Time

Prepare application material so that it’s ready to upload when the Applicant Portal opens
Part 2 - Submit to Applicant Portal

February 18-25, 2020 at 11:59
p.m., Eastern Time

Earliest Announcement of Grant Award or
Rejection

November 2020

Earliest Beginning Date for National Endowment for
the Arts Period of Performance

January 1, 2021

July 9, 2020 at 11:59 p.m.,
Eastern Time

Prepare application material so that it’s ready to upload when the Applicant Portal opens
Part 2 - Submit to Applicant Portal

July 14-21, 2020 at 11:59
p.m., Eastern Time

Earliest Announcement of Grant Award or Rejection

April 2021

Earliest Beginning Date for National Endowment for
the Arts Period of Performance

June 1, 2021

Note: To allow time to resolve any problems you might encounter, finalize your
Grants.gov/SAM registration by at least June 17, 2020 and submit to Grants.gov by at least June
30, 2020.

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Grants for Arts Projects, FY 2021

NOTE: All Artist Communities and Design applicants must apply at the February 13,
2020, deadline.
See "How to Prepare and Submit an Application" for application instructions.
An organization may submit only one application under these FY 2021 Grants for Arts Projects
guidelines (see "Application Limits" for the few exceptions to this rule).
Late, ineligible, and incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
In the event of a major emergency (e.g., a hurricane or Grants.gov technological failure), the
National Endowment for the Arts Chairman may adjust application deadlines for affected
applicants. If a deadline is extended for any reason, an announcement will be posted on our
website.
Do not seek information on the status of your application before the announcement date that is
listed above.
If you have questions:
Call or email: see "Agency Contacts."
If you have a question about access for individuals with disabilities:
202-682-5496 Voice/T.T.Y. (Text-Telephone, a device for individuals who are deaf or
hard-of-hearing.)
Individuals who do not use conventional print should contact the Arts Endowment's
Accessibility Office at 202-682-5532 for help in acquiring an audio recording of these
guidelines.
CFDA No. 45.024
OMB No. 3135-0112 Expires TBD
December 2019

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Agency Contacts
If you have questions about your application, use the list below to determine your appropriate
staff contact. We also encourage you to check the "Frequently Asked Questions" for a
particular category for information.
For Grants for Arts Projects, contact the staff for the field/discipline that is most
appropriate for your project:
Artist Communities:
Jennie Terman, [email protected] or 202-682-5566
Arts Education (pre-K through 12 curriculum-based direct learning projects that align with
either national or state arts education standards, professional development projects, or collective
impact projects):
Direct Learning Projects:
Denise Brandenburg, [email protected] or 202-682-5044: Music, Opera
Nancy Daugherty, [email protected] or 202-682-5521: Dance, Literary Arts, Musical
Theater, Theater
Lakita Edwards, [email protected] or 202-682-5704: Design, Folk & Traditional Arts,
Local Arts Agencies, Media Arts, Museums, Presenting & Multidisciplinary Works, Visual
Arts
Professional Development Projects:
Nancy Daugherty, [email protected] or 202-682-5521
Collective Impact Projects:
Denise Brandenburg, [email protected] or 202-682-5044
Dance (including dance presentation):
Kate Folsom, [email protected] or 202-682-5764
Juliana Mascelli, [email protected] or 202-682-5656
Design (including architecture, communications and graphic design, fashion design, historic
preservation, industrial and product design, interior design, landscape architecture, inclusive
design, rural design, social impact design, and urban design):
Courtney Spearman, [email protected] or 202-682-5603
Folk & Traditional Arts (including folk & traditional arts projects in any art form):
William Mansfield, [email protected] or 202-682-5678
Literary Arts:
Jessica Flynn, [email protected] or 202-682-5011

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Local Arts Agencies Local arts agencies (LAAs) generally are referred to as arts councils,
departments of cultural affairs, or arts commissions. LAAs can be nonprofit entities or public
sector municipal, county, or regional agencies that operate in cooperation with mayors and city
managers. LAAs may present and/or produce arts programming, commission and manage public
art, administer grant programs, provide technical assistance to artists and arts organizations, and
guide cultural planning efforts. Still others may own, manage, and/or operate cultural facilities
and be actively engaged in community development, and partner with entities in tourism, social
services, public education, housing, economic development, and public safety. All strive to
enhance the quality of life in their communities by working to increase public access to the
arts. You will also find national and statewide arts service organizations in the LAA portfolio
that work primarily with a network of LAAs. LAAs should submit applications through Local
Arts Agencies regardless of project discipline, unless the project’s primary discipline is either
Arts Education or Folk & Traditional Arts. Please consult with staff prior to submission:
Lara Holman Garritano, [email protected] or 202-682-5586
Media Arts:
Sarah Burford, [email protected] or 202-682-5591
Avril Claytor, [email protected] 202-682-5028
Museums (including projects in any discipline that are submitted by a museum):
Organizations with names that begin A through N: Toniqua Lindsay, [email protected] or
202-682-5529
Organizations with names that begin O through Z: Tamika Shingler, [email protected] or
202-682-5577
Music (including music presentation):
Organizations with names that begin A through L: Court Burns, [email protected] or 202682-5590
Organizations with names that begin M through Z: Anya Nykyforiak, [email protected] or
202-682-5487
Jazz Projects: Katja von Schuttenbach, [email protected] or 202-682-5711
Musical Theater (including musical theater presentation):
Organizations with names that begin A through M: Ouida Maedel, [email protected] or
202-682-5509
Organizations with names that begin N through Z: Ian-Julian Williams, [email protected] or
202-682-TBD
Opera (including opera presentation):

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Georgianna Paul Schuetz, [email protected] or 202-682-5600
Presenting & Multidisciplinary Works (projects that involve multiple arts disciplines
including multidisciplinary arts presenting and other types of multidisciplinary activities):
Organizations with names that begin A through E: Jennie Terman, [email protected] or
202-682-5566
Organizations with names that begin F through Z: Lara Allee, [email protected] or 202-6825698
Theater (including theater presentation):
Organizations with names that begin A through M: Ouida Maedel, [email protected] or
202-682-5509
Organizations with names that begin N through Z: Ian-Julian Williams, [email protected] or
202-682-TBD
Visual Arts:
Organizations with names that begin A through K: Tamika Shingler, [email protected] or
202-682-5577
Organizations with names that begin L through Z: Meg Brennan, [email protected], or
202-682-5703
Challenge America: [email protected]
Our Town: [email protected]
Research Grants in the Arts: [email protected]

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GRANTS FOR ARTS PROJECTS Guidelines: Award Information
Grant Amounts, Cost Share, and Matching Funds
Our grants cannot exceed 50% of the total cost of the project. All grants require a nonfederal cost
share/match of at least 1 to 1. For example, if an organization receives a $10,000 grant, the total
eligible project costs must be at least $20,000 and the organization must provide at least $10,000
toward the project from nonfederal sources.
Grants generally will range from $10,000 to $100,000. No grant will be made below $10,000.
Grants of $100,000 or more will be made only in rare instances, and only for projects that we
determine demonstrate exceptional national or regional significance and impact.
In developing an application, we urge all applicants to consider the level of recent awards and to
request a realistic grant amount. Applicants should review the lists of grants on our website to
see recent grant award levels and project types. In the past few years, well over half of the
agency's grants have been for amounts less than $25,000.
Applicants whose grants are recommended for less than the amount that is requested will have
the opportunity to revise the project budget to reflect any necessary changes to the project, based
on the recommended funding amount. We reserve the right to limit support of a project to a
particular portion(s) or cost(s).
Period of Performance
The National Endowment for the Arts’ support of a project can start no sooner than the "Earliest
Beginning Date for National Endowment for the Arts Period of Performance" listed on
the Application Calendar. Grants awarded under these guidelines generally may cover a period
of performance of up to two years. The two-year period is intended to allow an applicant
sufficient time to plan, execute, and close out its project, not to repeat a one-year project
for a second year.
Any planning costs that are included as part of the project must be incurred during the
established period of performance. No pre-award costs are allowable in the Project Budget.
Project costs that are incurred before the "Earliest Beginning Date for National Endowment for
the Arts Period of Performance" will be removed from the Project Budget.
A grantee may not receive more than one National Endowment for the Arts grant for the same
project during the same period of performance.

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GRANTS FOR ARTS PROJECTS Guidelines: Applicant Eligibility
Nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3), U.S. organizations; units of state or local government; or
federally recognized tribal communities or tribes may apply. Applicants may be arts
organizations, local arts agencies, arts service organizations, local education agencies (school
districts), and other organizations that can help advance the goals of the National Endowment for
the Arts.
To be eligible, the applicant organization must:
 Meet the National Endowment for the Arts’ "Legal Requirements" including nonprofit, taxexempt status at the time of application. (All organizations must apply directly on their own
behalf. Applications through a fiscal sponsor/agent are not allowed. See more information
on fiscal sponsors/agents.)
 Have completed a three-year history of arts programming prior to the application deadline.
For the purpose of defining eligibility, "three-year history" refers to when an organization
began its programming and not when it incorporated or received nonprofit, tax-exempt status.
 Have submitted acceptable Final Report packages by the due date(s) for all National
Endowment for the Arts grant(s) previously received.
An organization whose primary purpose is to channel resources (financial, human, or other) to an
affiliated organization is not eligible to apply if the affiliated organization submits its own
application. This prohibition applies even if each organization has its own 501(c)(3) status. For
example, the "Friends of ABC Museum" may not apply if the ABC Museum applies.
All applicants must have a DUNS number (www.dnb.com) and be registered with the System
for Award Management (SAM, www.sam.gov) and maintain an active SAM registration until
the application process is complete, and should a grant be made, throughout the life of the award.
See "How to Prepare and Submit an Application" for the documentation that is required to
demonstrate eligibility.
The designated state and jurisdictional arts agencies (SAAs) and their regional arts
organizations (RAOs) are not eligible to apply under the Grants for Arts Projects
guidelines. SAAs and RAOs may serve as partners in projects. However, they may not receive
National Endowment for the Arts funds (except as provided through their designated grant
programs), and SAA/RAO costs may not be included as part of the required cost share/match.
SAAs and RAOs are eligible to apply through the Partnership Agreements guidelines.
Ineligible applications will not be reviewed.
Application Limits
An organization may submit only one application under these FY 2021 Grants for Arts Projects
guidelines, with few exceptions as listed below.
For this category, exceptions to the one-application rule are made only for:

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Parent (and Related) Organizations
A parent organization that comprises separately identifiable and independent components (e.g., a
university campus that has a presenting organization and a radio station) may submit an
application for each such component. In addition, a parent organization also may submit one
application on its own behalf for a distinctly different project. The parent organization must
meet the eligibility requirements for all applicants. NOTE: A related organization that performs
grant administration duties for a parent organization (e.g., a college foundation that administers
grants awarded to a college and its components) may submit applications for components and the
parent organization in lieu of such applications being submitted by the parent. The related
organization must meet the eligibility requirements for all applicants.
An independent component must be a unit that is both programmatically and administratively
distinct from the parent organization, have its own staff and budget, and generally have an
independent board that has substantial responsibility for oversight and management. To qualify
as independent, a component should be equivalent to a stand-alone institution with a separate
mission.
The following do not qualify as independent components:
 Academic departments of colleges and universities.
 Programs and projects of organizations.
For example:


An art museum on a university campus serves the general public and does not grant degrees.
The museum board, not the university trustees, manages the museum's budget, staff, and
programming. In this example, the art museum essentially is a stand-alone organization and
qualifies as an independent component.
 A symphony association sponsors a youth orchestra in addition to its professional orchestra.
Some symphony musicians serve as faculty for the youth orchestra; there is some overlap of
membership between the symphony trustees and the youth orchestra's advisory board; and
the executive director for the symphony association serves as CEO for both the professional
and youth orchestras. In this case, while the youth orchestra may be an important program of
the symphony association, it is not equivalent to a separate institution and therefore does not
qualify as an independent component.
A parent organization should consult with our staff to verify the eligibility of its component
before preparing an application.
Applicants to the Media Arts discipline at the July 9, 2020, deadline
An organization may submit more than one application in the Grants for Arts Projects category
through the Media Arts discipline at the July 9, 2020, deadline.

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If an organization applies to the Challenge America category, it may not also apply to the Grants
for Arts Projects category.
You may apply to other National Endowment for the Arts funding opportunities, including Our
Town, in addition to Grants for Arts Projects. In each case, the request must be for a distinctly
different project or a distinctly different phase of the same project, with a different period of
performance and costs.
Fiscal Sponsorship
We do not fund unincorporated or for-profit entities or individuals that engage nonprofit, taxexempt 501(c)3 U.S. organizations; units of state or local government; or federally recognized
tribal communities or tribes to apply for grants on their behalf. An ineligible organization (i.e.,
one without its own nonprofit status) may not use a fiscal sponsor/agent for the purpose of
submitting an application.
What is a fiscal sponsor/agent?
A fiscal sponsor/agent is an entity that oversees the fiscal activities of another organization,
company, or group of independent artists or projects. These activities may include bookkeeping,
filing of W2s or 1099s, daily banking, or grant preparation.
The key to avoiding the appearance of fiscal sponsorship is the involvement of your
organization. This might include:


Producing or co-producing.
 Partnering on creative direction or development.
 Organizing workshops, public showings, or distribution of work.
 Providing social networking strategies or web implementation.
You can provide evidence of your organization's involvement in your application, on your
website, through announcements and evaluations of public events, and with archival
documentation.
We may review your website and other materials in addition to your application to determine the
appropriate nature of the project.
If your organization does not have its own nonprofit status, you may still participate in a project
submitted by another organization that meets our eligibility criteria.
While an organization that serves as a fiscal sponsor/agent may not apply for projects on behalf
of the entities or individuals that it may sponsor as part of its mission and programs, it may apply
for its own programs and productions. In this case, the organization must clearly demonstrate
that it is applying only for its own programmatic activities.

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GRANTS FOR ARTS PROJECTS Guidelines: Application Review
Applications will be reviewed on the basis of the following criteria:
The artistic excellence of the project, which includes the:
 Quality of the artists, arts organizations, arts education providers, works of art, or services
that the project will involve, as appropriate.
The artistic merit of the project, which includes the:
 Importance of the project to the artistic field, artists, audience, community, and/or
constituency.
 Ability to carry out the project based on such factors as the appropriateness of the budget
(including evidence of direct payment to artists), the quality and clarity of the project
activities and goals, the resources involved, and the qualifications of the project's personnel.
 Potential to:
Celebrate America’s creativity and/or cultural heritage,
 Invite mutual respect for differing beliefs and values, or
 Enrich humanity by broadening our understanding of ourselves as individuals and as a
society.
Appropriateness of the project to the organization's mission, audience, community, and/or
constituency.
Appropriateness of any proposed performance measurements. This includes, where relevant,
measures to assess student and/or teacher learning in arts education.
Plans for documentation and dissemination of the project results, as appropriate.
Where appropriate, potential to reach underserved populations such as those whose
opportunities to experience the arts are limited. In the spirit of White House Executive
Orders that encourage federal agencies to engage with typically underserved constituencies,
this includes, where appropriate, the potential to engage with:
– Historically Black Colleges and Universities,
– Tribal Colleges and Universities,
– American Indian and Alaska Native tribes,
– African American Serving Institutions,
– Hispanic Serving Institutions,
– Asian American and Pacific Islander communities, and
– Organizations that support the independence and lifelong inclusion of people with
disabilities.







NOTE: We fund arts projects, and make grants only for specific, definable activities. Your
application may be rejected if it does not sufficiently describe the project activities.

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What Happens to Your Application
Applications are evaluated according to the "Review Criteria" for their category.
After processing by our staff, applications are reviewed, in closed session, by advisory panelists.
Each panel comprises a diverse group of arts experts and other individuals, including at least one
knowledgeable layperson, with broad knowledge in the areas under review. Panels are convened
remotely by discipline. Panel membership changes regularly. The panel recommends the projects
to be supported, and the staff reconciles panel recommendations with the funds that are available.
These recommendations are forwarded to the National Council on the Arts, where they are
reviewed in open session.
The Council makes recommendations to the Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts.
The Chairman reviews the recommendations for grants in all funding categories and makes the
final decision on all grant awards. Applicants are then notified of funding decisions.
After notification of funding decisions, applicants with questions may contact the staff. Any
applicant whose request for funding has not been recommended may ask for an
explanation of the basis for denial. In such instances, the National Endowment for the
Arts must be contacted no later than 30 calendar days after the official notification.
See the "Application Calendar" for information on when we expect to announce grant awards
and rejections, and the earliest dates by which projects may begin.
Risk Assessment: All recommended applications undergo a review to evaluate risk posed by the
applicant prior to making a federal award. This may include past performance on grants, meeting
reporting deadlines, compliance with terms and conditions, audit findings, etc.

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GRANTS FOR ARTS PROJECTS Guidelines: Award Administration
Award Notices
The "Earliest Announcement of Grant Award or Rejection" date for your category on
the Application Calendar tells you when we expect to announce grant decisions.
Note that the "announcement" is likely to take the form of a preliminary congratulatory message,
a request for project/budget revisions, or a rejection notification. The official grant award
notification (i.e., a notice of action authorized by the National Endowment for the Arts Office of
Grants Management) is the only legal and valid confirmation of award. Receipt of your official
award notification can take several months depending on a number of factors such as whether
additional information is needed for your project, the number of awards to be processed, whether
the agency has its appropriation from Congress, etc.
National Historic Preservation Act and/or the National Environmental Policy Act Review
If you are recommended for a grant, your project may be subject to the the National Historic
Preservation Act (NHPA) and/or the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the
National Endowment for the Arts will conduct a review of your project to ensure that it is in
compliance NHPA/NEPA.
Some of the common project types that garner a NHPA review are:


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Accessibility
Federal regulations require that all National Endowment for the Arts-funded projects be
accessible to people with disabilities. Funded activities must be held in a physically accessible
venue and program access and effective communication must be provided for participants and
audience members with disabilities. If your project is recommended for funding, you will be
asked to provide detailed information describing how you will make your project physically and
programmatically accessible to people with disabilities:




Buildings and facilities (including projects held in historic facilities) should be physically
accessible. This includes, but is not limited to: ground-level entry, ramped access, and/or
elevators to the venue; integrated and dispersed wheelchair seating in assembly areas;
wheelchair-accessible box office, stage, and dressing rooms; wheelchair-accessible display
cases, exhibit areas, and counters; and wheelchair-accessible restrooms and water fountains.
The programmatic offering should be accessible either as part of the funded activity or upon
request, where relevant. This can include, but is not limited to: contact information for
requesting accommodations; electronic materials and websites; print materials in alternative
formats, such as large-print brochures/labels, Braille, and electronic/digital formats;
accommodations for performances, tours, and lectures, such as audio description, tactile
opportunities, sign language interpretation, and real-time captioning; closed/open captioning
of video and film; and assistive listening devices.

See the Nondiscrimination Statutes in our "Assurance of Compliance" for additional
information. For technical assistance on how to make your project fully accessible, contact the
Accessibility Office at [email protected], 202-682-5532 Voice or the Civil Rights Office at
202-682-5454 or 202-682-5082 Voice/T.T.Y., or see our online Accessibility Resources.
Changes in Projects
Applicants must notify the National Endowment for the Arts immediately of any significant
changes in their project that occur after they have submitted their application. If the project or the
organization's capacity changes significantly before an award is made, the Arts Endowment may
revise or withdraw the funding recommendation.
Grantees are expected to carry out a project that is consistent with the proposal that was
approved for funding by the National Endowment for the Arts. If changes in the project are
required, the grantee must submit a request with justification for the change(s) through a proper
REACH account for the award for review by the Office of Grants Management. Approval is not
guaranteed. Detailed information is included the National Endowment for the Arts General
Terms & Conditions for Grants to Organizations.
Project Reporting and Evaluation
We ask all applicants to define what they would like to achieve, how they will evaluate the
degree to which it is achieved, and, upon completion of the project, what they have learned from
their experiences. Such feedback need not entail large-scale or expensive evaluation efforts. You
should do what is feasible and appropriate for your organization and project. When a grant is
completed, you must submit a final report and answer questions detailing your accomplishments,

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who benefited, and the resulting impact of your project as well as list the involvement of key
partners, funders, and artists. Arts Education grantees who apply for a Direct Learning Grant will
be required to describe the assessment methods used to assess learning,.
The Arts Endowment staff will assign one of the agency’s objectives to your project: Creation,
Engagement, Learning (all Arts Education grantees will be assigned the Learning objective), or
Our Town. Before applying, review the reporting requirements for the agency’s
objectives: Standard -- for Creation, Engagement, Learning; Arts Education, for all Arts
Education grantees; or Our Town. Reporting requirements for Our Town are different from -and more extensive than -- the reporting requirements for the other objectives. If you have any
questions about the agency’s objectives or the associated reporting requirements that may be
required if you receive a grant, contact the staff before applying.
Beyond the reporting requirements for all grantees, selected Grants for Arts Projects grantees
will be asked to assist in the collection of additional information that can help the Arts
Endowment determine the degree to which agency objectives were achieved. You may be
required to provide evidence of project accomplishments including, but not limited to, work
samples, community action plans, cultural asset studies, programs, reviews, relevant news
clippings, and playbills. Remember that you are required to maintain project documentation for
three years following submission of your final reports.
Implementation of Title 2 CFR Part 200 Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost
Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards
This guidance from the federal government's Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
establishes clarity and consistency of the pre- and post-award requirements applicable to federal
grantees. Under the authority listed above, the National Endowment for the Arts adopts the OMB
Guidance in 2 CFR part 200 under §3255.1 Adoption of 2 CFR Part 200. This part gives
regulatory effect to the OMB guidance and supplements the guidance as needed for the National
Endowment for the Arts.
General Terms & Conditions
Federal and agency requirements that relate to grants awarded by the National Endowment for
the Arts are highlighted in our General Terms & Conditions (GTC). The GTC incorporates the
adoption of 2 CFR Part 200 by reference. The document also explicitly identifies where the
National Endowment for the Arts has selected options offered in the regulation, such as budget
waivers and requirements for use of program income. It also includes agency requirements for
cost share/matching funds reporting requirements, amendment processes, and termination
actions.
Legal Requirements:
NOTE: This list highlights some of the significant legal requirements that may apply to an
applicant or grantee however, it is not exhaustive. More information regarding these and
other legal requirements may be found at Appendix A of our General Terms &

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Conditions which sets forth the National Policy and Other Legal Requirements, Statutes,
and Regulations that Govern Your Award. There may be other applicable legal
requirements that are not listed here.
1. By law, the National Endowment for the Arts may support only those organizations that:


Are tax-exempt. Organizations qualifying for this status must meet the following
criteria:
1. No part of net earnings may benefit a private stockholder or individual.
2. Donations to the organization must be allowable as a charitable contribution under
Section 170(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as amended.

For further information, go to the Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) website.
Organizations who have had their IRS status revoked are not eligible for National
Endowment for the Arts support. It is your responsibility to ensure that your status is current
at the time of the application and throughout the life of your award.




Compensate all professional performers and related or supporting professional
personnel on National Endowment for the Arts-supported projects at no less than
the prevailing minimum compensation. (This requirement is in accordance with
regulations that have been issued by the Secretary of Labor in 29 C.F.R. Part 505. This
part does not provide information on specific compensation levels.)
Ensure that no part of any National Endowment for the Arts-supported project will
be performed or engaged in under working conditions which are unsanitary or
hazardous or dangerous to the health and safety of the employees involved.

2. Some legal requirements apply to every applicant, for example:
 Compliance with the federal requirements that are outlined in the "Assurance of
Compliance" below.
 Debarment and Suspension procedures. The applicant must comply with the record
keeping and other requirements set forth in Subpart C of 2 CFR 180, as adopted by the
Arts Endowment in 2 CFR 32.3254. Failure to comply may result in the debarment or
suspension of the grantee and the National Endowment for the Arts suspending,
terminating and/or recovering funds.
 Federal Debt Status (OMB Circular A-129). Processing of applications will be
suspended when applicants are delinquent on federal tax or non-tax debts, including
judgment liens against property for a debt to the federal government. An organization's
debt status is displayed in the System for Award Management (SAM). New awards will
not be made if an applicant is still in debt status as of September 1.
 Labor Standards (29 C.F.R. pt 505). If a grant is awarded, the grantee must comply
with the standards set out in Labor Standards on Projects or Productions Assisted by
Grants from the National Endowments for the Arts and Humanities.
 The Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 (41 U.S.C. 701 et seq. and 2 C.F.R. Part 3256).
The grantee is required to publish a statement regarding its drug-free workplace program
as well as comply with other requirements.
3. Some legal requirements apply depending upon what the grant is funding, for example:

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

If your project activities have the potential to impact any structure that is eligible for or
on the National Register of Historic Places, adjacent to a structure that is eligible for or
on the National Register of Historic Places, or located in an historic district, you will be
asked to provide additional information about your project or take additional action so
that the agency can review and comply with the National Historic Preservation
Act (NHPA). NHPA also applies to any planning activities that may affect historic
properties or districts. The additional agency review must be completed prior to any
agency funds being released.
 If your project activities have the potential to impact the environment or environmentally
sensitive resources, you will be required to provide information in accordance with
the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The additional agency review must be
completed prior to any agency funds being released.
 If your contract is over $2,000 and involves the construction, alteration, or repair of
public buildings or public works, it must contain a clause setting forth the minimum
wages to be paid to laborers and mechanics employed under the contract in accordance
with The Davis-Bacon and Related Acts(DBRA).
4. Some legal requirements apply depending upon who the Applicant is, for example:
The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act of 1990 (25 U.S.C. 3001
et seq.) – which applies to any organization that controls or possesses Native American
human remains and associated funerary objects and receives Federal funding, even for a
purpose unrelated to the Act (25 USC 3001 et seq.)
Assurance of Compliance
By signing and submitting its application form on Grants.gov, the Applicant certifies that it
is in compliance with the statutes outlined below and all related National Endowment for
the Arts regulations and will maintain records and submit the reports that are necessary to
determine compliance.
We may conduct a review of your organization to ensure that it is in compliance with these
statutes. If the Arts Endowment determines that a grantee has failed to comply with these
statutes, it may suspend or terminate the award, and/or recover funds. This assurance is subject to
judicial enforcement.
The Applicant certifies that it does not discriminate:




On the grounds of race, color, or national origin, in accordance with Title VI of the Civil
Rights Act of 1964, as amended (42 U.S.C. 2000d et seq.), implemented by the National
Endowment for the Arts at 45 U.S.C.1110.
On the grounds of disability, in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of
1973 (29 U.S.C. 794) and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 ("ADA"), as
amended, (42 U.S.C. 12101-12213), implemented by the National Endowment for the Arts at
45 U.S.C. 1151. The ADA's requirements apply regardless of whether you receive federal
funds.
On the basis of age, in accordance with the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 (42 U.S.C.
6101 et seq.) implemented by the National Endowment for the Arts at 45 U.S.C.1156.

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On the basis of sex, in any education program or activity, in accordance with Title IX of the
Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. 1681 et seq.).

Applicant will inform the public that persons who believe they have been discriminated against
on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, sex, or age may file a complaint with the
Director of Civil Rights at the National Endowment for the Arts.
Applicant will forward all complaints for investigation and any finding issued by a Federal or
state court or by a Federal or state administrative agency to:
Director, Office of Civil Rights
National Endowment for the Arts
400 7th Street, SW
Washington, DC 20506
Applicant shall maintain records of its compliance and submission for three (3) years. The
Applicant will compile, maintain and permit access to records as required by applicable
regulations, guidelines or other directives.
The Applicant must also certify that it will obtain assurances of compliance from all
subrecipients and will require all subrecipients of National Endowment for the Arts funds to
comply with these requirements.
The United States has the right to seek judicial or administrative enforcement of this assurance.
For further information and copies of the nondiscrimination regulations identified above, contact
the Office of Civil Rights at 202-682-5454 or 202-682-5082 Voice/T.T.Y. For inquiries about
limited English proficiency, go to http://www.lep.gov, the FOIA Reading Room, or contact the
Office of General Counsel at [email protected] or 202-682-5418.

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GRANTS FOR ARTS PROJECTS Guidelines: Other Information
Access for Individuals with Disabilities
The Accessibility Office assists applicants in making accessibility an integral part of their
planning so that organizations and activities are inclusive for staff, panelists, artists, and
audiences. For more information, resources, and technical assistance, contact the Accessibility
Office at 202-682-5532 Voice or see the Accessibility section of the website. The Office of
Civil Rights at 202-682-5454 or 202-682-5082 Voice/T.T.Y. also provides technical assistance
on how to make projects fully accessible.
Civil Rights
The Office of Civil Rights at 202-682-5454 or 202-682-5082 Voice/T.T.Y. is available to
investigate complaints about compliance with accessibility standards as well as other federal
civil rights statutes. For inquiries about limited English proficiency, go to http://www.lep.gov,
the FOIA Reading Room, or contact the Office of General Counsel
at [email protected] or 202-682-5418.
Standards for Service
We have set the following standards for serving applicants. We pledge to:


Treat you with courtesy and efficiency.
 Respond to inquiries and correspondence promptly.
 Provide clear and accurate information about our policies and procedures.
 Provide timely information about funding opportunities and make guidelines available
promptly.
 Promptly acknowledge the receipt of your application.
 Ensure that all eligible applications are reviewed thoughtfully and fairly.
We welcome your comments on how we are meeting these standards.
Email: [email protected], attention: Standards for Service. For questions about these guidelines
or your application, see "Agency Contacts." In addition, applicants may receive an invitation to
participate in a voluntary survey to provide feedback on the grant application guidelines on our
website and any experiences consulting with our staff.
Paperwork Reduction Act Statement
The public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated at an average of 27
hours per response. This includes the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data
sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection
of information. We welcome any suggestions that you might have on improving the guidelines
and making them as easy to use as possible. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or
any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden,
to: [email protected], attention: Reporting Burden. Note: Applicants are not required to

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respond to the collection of information unless it displays a currently valid U.S. Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) control number.

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GRANTS FOR ARTS PROJECTS Guidelines: Artist Communities
This area provides assistance to artist communities for projects that encourage and nurture the
development of individual artists and foster and inspire their creative processes. We define an
artist community as an organization, whether focused on a single discipline or multidisciplinary,
whose primary mission is to provide artist residencies.
Support is available for artist communities that:




Provide space, time, and resources to artists for incubation, thought, or creativity in a retreat
setting in an urban or rural location.
Foster and support the creative process of art making by providing studio facilities and
assistance with living accommodations to enable artists to live and work concurrently.
Utilize a competitive application process to recruit and select participants, and rotate a wide
range of artists in order to encourage the highest standards of creativity.

While we welcome applications for a variety of artistically excellent projects, we encourage
projects that address any of the following activities below:





Celebrate America’s creativity and/or cultural heritage.
Invite a dialogue that fosters a mutual respect for the diverse beliefs and values of all persons
and groups.
Enrich our humanity by broadening our understanding of ourselves as individuals and as
a society.
In the spirit of White House Executive Orders that encourage federal agencies to engage with
typically underserved constituencies, the National Endowment for the Arts encourages
applications from:
– Historically Black Colleges and Universities,
– Tribal Colleges and Universities,
– American Indian and Alaska Native tribes,
– African American Serving Institutions,
– Hispanic Serving Institutions,
– Asian American and Pacific Islander communities, and
– Organizations that support the independence and lifelong inclusion of people with
disabilities.

Cost share/matching grants generally will range from $10,000 to $100,000.

Deadline
The application deadline for all projects is February 13, 2020. (Artist Communities does not
accept applications at the July deadline..)

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First Grants for Arts Projects Deadline:
Part 1 - Submit to Grants.gov

February 13, 2020 at 11:59
p.m., Eastern Time

Prepare application material so that it’s ready to upload when the Applicant Portal opens
Part 2 - Submit to Applicant Portal

February 18-25, 2020 at 11:59
p.m., Eastern Time

Earliest Announcement of Grant Award or
Rejection

November 2020

Earliest Beginning Date for National Endowment for
the Arts Period of Performance

January 1, 2021










Stipends and temporary living accommodations for professional artists where the primary
purpose is determined by the artist.
The expansion of the pool of artists that encourages the participation of artists from a wide
variety of aesthetic viewpoints, racial and ethnic backgrounds, cultures, disability
perspectives, and/or geographic areas.
Access to facilities or technology to meet the needs of interdisciplinary or new genre artists.
Innovative collaborations between artists and those from sectors outside of the arts.
Support for residencies that place artists in non-traditional settings such as, but not limited to,
businesses, hospitals, schools, prisons, military branches, municipal offices, or firstresponder organizations.
Innovative approaches to collaboration with outside organizations and disciplines where the
primary purpose is public engagement with art and/or the enhancement of public spaces.
Support for artist residencies that utilize artistically excellent art in civic and social practice,
conflict transformation, and collaborative work with community partners.
Activities with the surrounding community that provide educational and related activities for
youth, adults, intergenerational groups, and schools.
Residency exchange programs with artists and artist communities in other countries.

Artist residences must be accessible, including sleeping rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, and work
spaces.

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For information on how to apply, see the “To Apply” box on the right.
National Historic Preservation Act and/or the National Environmental Policy Act Review
If you are recommended for a grant, your project may be subject to the the National Historic
Preservation Act (NHPA) and/or the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the
National Endowment for the Arts will conduct a review of your project to ensure that it is in
compliance NHPA/NEPA.
Some of the common project types that garner a NHPA review are:


A project involving or occurring near a district, site, building, landscape, structure or object
that is 50 years old and therefore potentially eligible for inclusion in the National Register of
Historic Places (note that in some instances, buildings or structures may be included in or
eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places that are less than 50 years
old).
 The commissioning and installation of temporary or permanent outdoor furnishings such as
benches or market structures, or art such as a sculpture or mural.
 An outdoor arts festival.
 Design planning and services for projects that may involve a historic site, structure, or
district.
This review and approval process may take up to several months to complete and may delay your
project's start date and our ability to make a grant award/our ability to release grant funds. If you
are recommended for an award which may have historic preservation or environmental concerns
(NHPA/NEPA), you will be notified and asked to provide additional information. Thorough and
complete information for all project activities and locations will expedite the review. The Arts
Endowment cannot release an award and/or grant funds until the NHPA/NEPA review is
complete.
To learn more about the questions you will need to answer for the review of a project impacted
by the National Historic Preservation Act and/or the National Environmental Policy Act ,
see here.
Accessibility
Federal regulations require that all National Endowment for the Arts-funded projects be
accessible to people with disabilities. Funded activities must be held in a physically accessible
venue and program access and effective communication must be provided for participants and
audience members with disabilities. If your project is recommended for funding, you will be
asked to provide detailed information describing how you will make your project physically and
programmatically accessible to people with disabilities:

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Grants for Arts Projects, FY 2021

GRANTS FOR ARTS PROJECTS Guidelines: Arts Education
The National Endowment for the Arts envisions a nation where every student is engaged and
empowered through an excellent arts education. Arts education is vital to developing America's
next generation of creative and innovative thinkers. Students who participate in the arts are better
prepared to be fulfilled, responsible citizens who can make a profound impact on this
world. National Endowment for the Arts -supported research has shown that students from low
socioeconomic backgrounds who have arts-rich experiences are more likely to achieve key
positive outcomes—academically, socially, and civically—compared with their peers who lack
access to arts experiences.
Our Arts Education funding is focused on students. Projects are for pre-K-12 students (Direct
Learning), the educators and artists who support them (Professional Development), and the
schools and communities that serve them (Collective Impact). All students are served when
each level of the system is supported. Applicants should consider what role their proposed
project plays within this system, and the impact their project has on students.
Competitive projects will:


Increase access to arts education through the use of innovative strategies or scaled up
proven methodologies.



Have national, regional, or field-wide significance. This includes local projects that can
have significant impact within communities or are likely to demonstrate best practices for
the field.

Arts Education projects may be in any artistic discipline. Projects for short-term arts exposure,
arts appreciation, or intergenerational activity should not be submitted under Arts Education;
rather, they should be submitted under the appropriate artistic discipline. If you have questions
about whether you should apply under Arts Education or some other discipline, read "Choosing
the Right Discipline for Youth Projects."
While we welcome applications for a variety of artistically excellent projects, we encourage
projects that address any of the following activities below:





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–
–
–

Grants for Arts Projects, FY 2021

Hispanic Serving Institutions,
Asian American and Pacific Islander communities, and
Organizations that support the independence and lifelong inclusion of people with
disabilities.

Cost share/matching grants generally will range from $10,000 to $100,000.
Deadlines
Grants for Arts Projects applications will be accepted at two deadlines. All project types
(described below) are accepted at both deadlines. Apply at the deadline that most closely fits the
schedule of activities or timeline of your proposed project. Generally, an organization is limited
to one application per year in the Grants for Arts Projects category.
First Grants for Arts Projects Deadline:
Part 1 - Submit to Grants.gov

February 13, 2020 at 11:59
p.m., Eastern Time

Prepare application material so that it’s ready to upload when the Applicant Portal opens
Part 2 - Submit to Applicant Portal

February 18-25, 2020 at 11:59
p.m., Eastern Time

Earliest Announcement of Grant Award or
Rejection

November 2020

Earliest Beginning Date for National Endowment for
the Arts Period of Performance

January 1, 2021

July 9, 2020 at 11:59 p.m.,
Eastern Time

Prepare application material so that it’s ready to upload when the Applicant Portal opens
Part 2 - Submit to Applicant Portal

July 14-21, 2020 at 11:59
p.m., Eastern Time

Earliest Announcement of Grant Award or Rejection

April 2021

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Grants for Arts Projects, FY 2021

Earliest Beginning Date for National Endowment for
the Arts Period of Performance

June 1, 2021

Note: To allow time to resolve any problems you might encounter, finalize your
Grants.gov/SAM registration by at least June 17, 2020 and submit to Grants.gov by at least June
30, 2020.
Projects
Direct Learning Grants
Projects support arts instruction for students, generally pre-K through 12th grade, that result in
increased knowledge and skills in the arts and occur inside or outside the school system. Projects
should engage students over an extended period of time; short-term projects will not be
competitive. Activities may be offered during or outside the regular school day schedule by
school districts, arts organizations, or non-arts organizations or agencies in partnership with
artists and/or arts groups. Projects could take place in locations such as schools, arts
organizations, community centers, faith-based organizations, makerspaces, public housing, tribal
community centers, and/or juvenile justice facilities.
Applicants applying in Direct Learning should convey how their projects are distinctive and
deepen the arts learning experience for students by offering fresh insights and adding new value
to the field. Applicants may provide examples of how they are using data to inform
programmatic decision making, scaling up or expanding existing arts education services,
incorporating effective community partnerships, or working within a larger system or community
effort to benefit students in that system.
Direct Learning projects should address each of the following elements:
Experience: Participants experience exemplary works of art -- in live form where possible -- to
gain increased knowledge and skills in the art form.
Create: Informed by their experience in an art form, participants will create or perform art.
Assess: Student learning is measured and assessed in alignment with national or state arts
education standards. At the conclusion of the project, grantees will be required to describe the
assessment methods used to assess learning, and may submit tools used to assess learning with
their Final Report. Where appropriate, applicants also may describe project outcomes that use the
arts to address youth development, college, career, or citizen readiness or affect change in school
or community culture such as school attendance, graduation or recidivism rates. Explain how
you plan to measure those outcomes. Before applying, review the reporting requirements for
Arts Education.
Professional Development Grants

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Grants for Arts Projects, FY 2021

Projects equip classroom teachers, arts specialists, teaching artists, school/district administrators,
other educators, and community leaders with the knowledge, skills and confidence to effectively
engage students in high quality, curriculum-based arts learning, and improve instruction.
Applicants applying for a Professional Development project should convey how their project is
distinctive and offers fresh insights and new value to the field.
Applicants may provide examples of how they are using data to inform programmatic decision
making, scaling up or expanding existing professional development projects, utilizing
technology, establishing communities of practice, incorporating effective community
partnerships, or working within a larger system or community effort to benefit students in that
system, as appropriate.
Professional Development projects should include all of the following elements:
Experience: Participants have an experience in or through the arts.
Study: Participants are engaged in a sustained, in-depth course of study.
Evaluate: Participant learning is evaluated and the impact of the professional development on
practice is measured. Before applying, review the reporting requirements for Arts
Education.
Collective Impact Grants
Projects increase student access to arts education through collective, systemic approaches.
Projects should aim to ensure that all students across entire neighborhoods, schools, school
districts, and/or states – in communities of all sizes – participate in the arts over time. We
anticipate making a limited number of grants at higher award levels for longer term, large-scale
projects that use a collective, systemic approach to provide arts education to students. Projects
should have significant potential to be shared and customized in communities across the country.
For further details about this project type, click here. Applicants considering submission of a
Collective Impact application are strongly encouraged to contact Arts Education Specialist
Denise Brandenburg at [email protected].
GRANTS FOR ARTS PROJECTS: Arts Education Collective Impact Grants
The following information relates to the Grants for Arts Projects: Arts Education
Collective Impact project type. Click here to read the full Arts Education guidelines.
Projects increase student access to arts education through collective, systemic approaches.
Projects should aim to ensure that all students across entire neighborhoods, schools, school
districts, and/or states – in communities of all sizes – participate in the arts over time. We
anticipate making a limited number of grants at higher award levels for longer term, large-scale
projects that use a collective, systemic approach to provide arts education to students. Projects
should have significant potential to be shared and customized in communities across the country.

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Grants for Arts Projects, FY 2021

These projects should embrace the following principles, which may be ongoing and occur at any
point during the project:






Partnership: Cross-sector partners work to determine a common vision, define goals, develop
strategies, and identify measurable objectives for arts education. Priority will be given to
projects that include a managing partner or group of partners that acts as the coordinating
entity, and involve at least three cross-sector organizations, one of which is an arts/cultural
organization. Partners may include arts councils, units of state or local government, school
systems, funders, businesses, community service organizations, economic development
organizations, trade associations, parent/student networks, social service organizations, or
institutions of higher education.
Data: Data informs decision making. This may include asset mapping of community
resources, collection and evaluation of student data, or creating new data collection tools.
Planning: A plan outlines system-wide arts education implementation. This should include a
description of each partner's role in achieving the common vision, as well as plans for
communication among the partners and sustainability.
Programming: Activities support the plan. Programming may include services to students,
professional development, curriculum design, or convening stakeholders.
Shared Measurement: A shared measurement system is an evaluation system that assesses the
progress of each project partner's work towards common outcomes—increasing student
participation in arts education and, as appropriate, societal well-being for students.

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Grants for Arts Projects, FY 2021

Collective Impact projects are multi-year, ongoing, systemic initiatives. Specify in the
application which phase(s) of the project are included in the request for National Endowment for
the Arts funding. All phases of a project -- building partnerships, data collection, planning,
programming, and shared measurement -- are eligible for support.
If the collective impact project is part of a larger, ongoing, system-wide effort to benefit students
and communities, indicate that in your application.
All project costs for the project phase included in the Project Budget must be incurred within the
period of performance.
Identify the project as either Emerging or Sustaining.
Emerging projects are in the initial phase of work to establish an arts education plan. Projects
may include cultivation of partners, convenings, collection of data, or creation of an arts
education plan.
Sustaining projects have an arts education plan in place. These projects may continue work from
the emerging phase, be in the programming and evaluation stage, or scaling up proven efforts to
increase arts education access. These projects must demonstrate how they are disseminating
project information to the fields of arts education, public education, and beyond.
Collective Impact Resources:
See a list of National Endowment for the Arts Arts Education Collective Impact grants:
https://www.arts.gov/sites/default/files/collective-impact-grants-updated-6.5.2019.pdf
National Endowment for the Arts webinars about Collective Impact:
https://www.arts.gov/video/nea-arts-education-webinar-collective-impact-part-1
https://www.arts.gov/video/nea-arts-education-webinar-collective-impact-part-2
https://www.arts.gov/video/arts-education-september-2014-webinar-0
https://www.arts.gov/video/nea-arts-education-webinar-collective-impact-trends
https://www.arts.gov/video/leveraging-change%E2%80%94increasing-access-artseducation-rural-areas
For information on how to apply, see the “To Apply” box on the right.
Before applying, review the reporting requirements for Arts Education.
National Historic Preservation Act and/or the National Environmental Policy Act Review
If you are recommended for a grant, your project may be subject to the the National Historic
Preservation Act (NHPA) and/or the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the
National Endowment for the Arts will conduct a review of your project to ensure that it is in
compliance NHPA/NEPA.

08/29/19

Grants for Arts Projects, FY 2021

Some of the common project types that garner a NHPA review are:


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Grants for Arts Projects, FY 2021

If the target audience is intergenerational, submit your application directly to one of the artistic
disciplines rather than to Arts Education. Applications for projects for youth where the focus is
exposure to or appreciation of the arts -- whether activities take place in school, after school,
during the summer, or in community settings -- should be submitted directly to the appropriate
artistic discipline in the Grants for Arts Projects category. Such projects may include
performances by or exhibitions of professional artists. Arts events may be accompanied by
ancillary learning activities (e.g., study guides for teachers and students, artists' visits prior to or
following the event, workshops, lecture-demonstrations, or master classes).

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Grants for Arts Projects, FY 2021

GRANTS FOR ARTS PROJECTS Guidelines: Dance
The National Endowment for the Arts advances the nation's full range of dance artistry to further
artistic development, exploration, and dialogue between artists and the public. The National
Endowment for the Arts supports all forms of professional dance by funding dance companies,
including physically integrated and disabled dance companies, presenters, service organizations,
festivals, and more. We encourage projects of all sizes by a variety of organizations—from large
and small, rural and urban, new and established, that are working to strengthen the field of dance
in their communities and throughout the country. Projects can be at any stage of the artistic
process including creation, commissioning, presentation, touring, training, residencies, and
access to the arts. The National Endowment for the Arts encourages projects that document and
preserve choreography, performance, and other aspects of dance history and heritage. Dance
projects funded by the Arts Endowment represent a multiplicity of forms, styles, techniques, and
histories that stem from all over the world and include many different styles -- such as but not
limited to aerial, African diasporic dance forms, ballet, , Bharatanatyam, butoh, capoeira, dance
film, dance theater, folkloric, hip-hop, jazz, Kathak, Kuchipudi, modern dance, and percussive
dance.
While we welcome applications for a variety of artistically excellent projects, we encourage
projects that address any of the following activities below:






08/29/19

Grants for Arts Projects, FY 2021

First Grants for Arts Projects Deadline:
Part 1 - Submit to Grants.gov

February 13, 2020 at 11:59
p.m., Eastern Time

Prepare application material so that it’s ready to upload when the Applicant Portal opens
Part 2 - Submit to Applicant Portal

February 18-25, 2020 at 11:59
p.m., Eastern Time

Earliest Announcement of Grant Award or
Rejection

November 2020

Earliest Beginning Date for National Endowment for
the Arts Period of Performance

January 1, 2021

July 9, 2020 at 11:59 p.m.,
Eastern Time

Prepare application material so that it’s ready to upload when the Applicant Portal opens
Part 2 - Submit to Applicant Portal

July 14-21, 2020 at 11:59
p.m., Eastern Time

Earliest Announcement of Grant Award or Rejection

April 2021

Earliest Beginning Date for National Endowment for
the Arts Period of Performance

June 1, 2021

Note: To allow time to resolve any problems you might encounter, finalize your
Grants.gov/SAM registration by at least June 17, 2020 and submit to Grants.gov by at least June
30, 2020.
Project Types
Eligible project types for dance include the following:
Creation, development, or restaging of new, existing, or historically significant works

08/29/19

Grants for Arts Projects, FY 2021



Residencies that primarily support artistic research and/or creation of new works and
technical/production residencies leading up to a premiere, presentation, or tour.
Residencies may include individual dance artists, dance companies,
collaborations/collectives, and cohorts.



The restaging and rehearsal of repertory, including works of historical significance.



Commissioning and development of new dance works, including dance films and works
that use technology, media, or involve community engagement in the creation of the work.

Presentation and Touring:


Performances at home, and local, regional, and national presentations and tours.



The presentation of dance artists, companies, and/or dance films, as part of a presentation
season, special public event, or festival.



Touring and performance activities that intentionally engage youth, students, or specific
communities including but not limited to those identified above (If your project is for
youth, see "Choosing the Right Discipline for Youth Projects" to help you in your
discipline selection.)

Preservation and Archives:


Documentation, preservation, and conservation of America's many diverse dance forms,
traditions, aesthetics, cultures, techniques, and histories, including creation or development
of archival projects. These projects may use technology and media, and should connect
with or be made accessible to dance communities and/or the general public.

Professional Development and Services:


Projects that advance and/or sustain the creative work and/or careers for people with
disabilities through employment, industry training, technical assistance, organization
capacity-building, and infrastructure.



Dance publications, including digital or other media that provide resources and
information to dance artists or communities.



Professional training including classes, guest artist residencies, workshops, and mentorship
or leadership development.



Services to dancers, choreographers, companies, and administrators. This may include
activities such as convening, data collection and evaluation, development and production
of marketing and publicity materials or other documentation, information sharing, and
technical assistance.

Education and Community Engagement:

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Grants for Arts Projects, FY 2021



Dance projects that employ effective methods of engaging audiences, including
collaborations with other organizations and the implementation of new models that have
the potential to expand or deepen the impact on artists, audiences, communities or the
dance field.



Dance education projects including classes, workshops, and other training opportunities
that may or may not include performances or other public events or activities. (If your
project is for youth, see "Choosing the Right Discipline for Youth Projects" to help you
in your discipline selection.)

08/29/19

Grants for Arts Projects, FY 2021

Federal regulations require that all National Endowment for the Arts-funded projects be
accessible to people with disabilities. Funded activities must be held in a physically accessible
venue and program access and effective communication must be provided for participants and
audience members with disabilities. If your project is recommended for funding, you will be
asked to provide detailed information describing how you will make your project physically and
programmatically accessible to people with disabilities:

08/29/19

Grants for Arts Projects, FY 2021

GRANTS FOR ARTS PROJECTS Guidelines: Design
From the typeface on this page to the neighborhood in which you live, every object and place is
the result of design. Design surrounds us and has a direct impact on the quality of our lives. The
National Endowment for the Arts supports design projects that have a public benefit and advance
the field of design. Funding can support various design disciplines including architecture,
communications and graphic design, fashion design, historic preservation, industrial and product
design, interior design, landscape architecture, inclusive design, rural design, social impact
design, and urban design.
Applicants should be aware that we do not fund capital campaigns, construction costs, or the
purchase or leasing of sites or structures, although we can support the design process all the way
through construction documentation. We also do not fund design thinking projects that are not
related to or in service of promoting the arts or design as a field. Museums and visual arts venues
presenting a design exhibition or installation should contact staff to determine whether to apply
under Design or under Museums or Visual Arts. Contact us if you have further questions.
While we welcome applications for a variety of artistically excellent projects, we encourage
projects that address any of the following activities below:





Cost share/matching grants generally will range from $10,000 to $100,000.
Deadline
The application deadline for all projects is February 13, 2020. (Design does not accept
applications at the July deadline.)

08/29/19

Grants for Arts Projects, FY 2021

First Grants for Arts Projects Deadline:
Part 1 - Submit to Grants.gov

February 13, 2020 at 11:59
p.m., Eastern Time

Prepare application material so that it’s ready to upload when the Applicant Portal opens
Part 2 - Submit to Applicant Portal

February 18-25, 2020 at 11:59
p.m., Eastern Time

Earliest Announcement of Grant Award or
Rejection

November 2020

Earliest Beginning Date for National Endowment for
the Arts Period of Performance

January 1, 2021

Note: To allow time to resolve any problems you might encounter, finalize your
Grants.gov/SAM registration by at least January 22, 2020 and submit to Grants.gov by at least
February 4, 2020.
The Design program supports projects across a wide array of design types, in two main
areas of work.
Projects that have a public benefit, including:
 Design competitions.
 Commissions and production of new work.
 Exhibitions, tours, publications, or websites that provide new insights about specific designed
objects, places, designers, or design history or movements.
 Historic and community preservation projects that promote awareness of cultural and historic
assets, or adaptive reuse of historic properties for cultural and arts uses.
 Design and community planning for new arts/cultural buildings, districts, neighborhoods,
public spaces, landscapes, or housing for artists or designers.
 Community planning, charrettes, and design-related activities that promote economic and
cultural vitality; involve community-based partnerships; foster community interaction;
enhance the unique characteristics of a place; and/or assist underserved communities or
neighborhoods.
 Artistically excellent design projects that foster positive social impact, employ inclusive
design concepts, or foster collaboration between design and non-arts disciplines.
Projects that advance or support the design field, including:
 Conferences, symposia, and other gatherings that promote innovation in design practice or
design education, or facilitate collaborations between design and non-arts disciplines.

08/29/19










Grants for Arts Projects, FY 2021

Workshops or residencies for designers.
Documentation and preservation of historic design work.
Design research or collaboration projects that examine current practice, propose design
solutions for pressing problems, or advance understanding of the design field.
Innovative technology projects or new media projects meant to advance the design field or
design theory.
Education, mentorship, apprenticeship, and outreach activities that teach design practices to
American communities.
Education initiatives that prepare designers for careers in the emerging fields of design.
Projects that support emerging fields of design.
Innovative festivals, tours, or programming that raise awareness of design.

08/29/19

Grants for Arts Projects, FY 2021

To learn more about the questions you will need to answer for the review of a project impacted
by the National Historic Preservation Act and/or the National Environmental Policy Act ,
see here.
Accessibility
Federal regulations require that all National Endowment for the Arts-funded projects be
accessible to people with disabilities. Funded activities must be held in a physically accessible
venue and program access and effective communication must be provided for participants and
audience members with disabilities. If your project is recommended for funding, you will be
asked to provide detailed information describing how you will make your project physically and
programmatically accessible to people with disabilities:

08/29/19

Grants for Arts Projects, FY 2021

GRANTS FOR ARTS PROJECTS Guidelines: Folk & Traditional Arts
The folk and traditional arts are rooted in and reflective of the cultural life of a community.
Community members may share a common ethnic heritage, cultural mores, language, religion,
occupation, or geographic region. These vital and constantly reinvigorated artistic traditions are
shaped by values and standards of excellence that are passed from generation to generation, most
often within family and community, through demonstration, conversation, and practice. Genres
of artistic activity include, but are not limited to, music, dance, crafts, and oral expression.
While we welcome applications for a variety of artistically excellent projects, we encourage
projects that address any of the following activities below:





Cost share/matching grants generally will range from $10,000 to $100,000.
Projects
Grants for Arts Projects applications will be accepted at two deadlines. All project types
(described below) are accepted at both deadlines. Generally, an organization is limited to one
application per year in the Grants for Arts Projects category.
Deadlines
First Grants for Arts Projects Deadline:
Part 1 - Submit to Grants.gov

February 13, 2020 at 11:59
p.m., Eastern Time

Prepare application material so that it’s ready to upload when the Applicant Portal opens

08/29/19

Grants for Arts Projects, FY 2021

Part 2 - Submit to Applicant Portal

February 18-25, 2020 at 11:59
p.m., Eastern Time

Earliest Announcement of Grant Award or
Rejection

November 2020

Earliest Beginning Date for National Endowment for
the Arts Period of Performance

January 1, 2021

July 9, 2020 at 11:59 p.m.,
Eastern Time

Prepare application material so that it’s ready to upload when the Applicant Portal opens
Part 2 - Submit to Applicant Portal

July 14-21, 2020 at 11:59
p.m., Eastern Time

Earliest Announcement of Grant Award or Rejection

April 2021

Earliest Beginning Date for National Endowment for
the Arts Period of Performance

June 1, 2021

Note: To allow time to resolve any problems you might encounter, finalize your
Grants.gov/SAM registration by at least June 17, 2020 and submit to Grants.gov by at least June
30, 2020.
Project Types
Presentations
 Festivals.
 Concerts/performances/plays.
 Screenings.
 Broadcasts.
 Films.
 Websites (this includes creating, maintaining, and upgrading the sites).
 Exhibits (this includes research, construction, touring, catalogs, and ancillary events, such as
lectures, concerts, screenings, panel discussions, workshops, and demonstrations).

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




Grants for Arts Projects, FY 2021

Cultural heritage projects reaching postsecondary minority serving institutions, which
include historically black colleges and universities, tribal colleges and universities, African
American serving institutions, Hispanic serving institutions, and Asian American and Pacific
Islander serving institutions.
Creation of programs and partnerships that identify, document, and celebrate folklife and
cultural heritage of the applicant’s metropolitan area.
Creation of programs and partnerships that identify, document, and celebrate folklife and
cultural heritage of the country’s rural regions of Great Plains, Rocky Mountain West, and
Alaska.

Education
 Apprenticeship programs.
 Workshops/classes offering instruction in various folk arts to the general public.
 Folk Arts in Education programs (folk arts are used to augment regular curriculum).
 Training for teachers and/or folk artists and the creation of educational material to
incorporate folk arts into the classroom.
 Publications (both hard copy and digital).
Research
 Archival research and fieldwork to identify and document folk arts and artists.
 Marketing research to identify audiences for folk & traditional arts.
Services to the Field
 Training and support to folklorists, folk artists, and folk arts organizations.
For information on how to apply, see the “To Apply” box on the right.
National Historic Preservation Act and/or the National Environmental Policy Act Review
If you are recommended for a grant, your project may be subject to the the National Historic
Preservation Act (NHPA) and/or the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the
National Endowment for the Arts will conduct a review of your project to ensure that it is in
compliance NHPA/NEPA.
Some of the common project types that garner a NHPA review are:




08/29/19

Grants for Arts Projects, FY 2021



An outdoor arts festival.
 Design planning and services for projects that may involve a historic site, structure, or
district.
This review and approval process may take up to several months to complete and may delay your
project's start date and our ability to make a grant award/our ability to release grant funds. If you
are recommended for an award which may have historic preservation or environmental concerns
(NHPA/NEPA), you will be notified and asked to provide additional information. Thorough and
complete information for all project activities and locations will expedite the review. The Arts
Endowment cannot release an award and/or grant funds until the NHPA/NEPA review is
complete.
To learn more about the questions you will need to answer for the review of a project impacted
by the National Historic Preservation Act and/or the National Environmental Policy Act ,
see here.
Accessibility
Federal regulations require that all National Endowment for the Arts-funded projects be
accessible to people with disabilities. Funded activities must be held in a physically accessible
venue and program access and effective communication must be provided for participants and
audience members with disabilities. If your project is recommended for funding, you will be
asked to provide detailed information describing how you will make your project physically and
programmatically accessible to people with disabilities:

08/29/19

Grants for Arts Projects, FY 2021

GRANTS FOR ARTS PROJECTS Guidelines: Literary Arts
The National Endowment for the Arts seeks to sustain and nurture a multiplicity of American
literary traditions, including, but not limited to:






Ensuring that literary presses and magazines, community-based centers, and national literary
organizations complement the trade publishing sector in the shaping of contemporary
literature.
Supporting organizations that nurture emerging and mid-career writers.
Supporting endeavors to provide America's readers with direct access to contemporary
writers.
Supporting the use of new technology and innovative projects.

In addition to offering Grants for Arts Projects grant opportunities for organizations, the National
Endowment for the Arts offers fellowships to published creative writers and translators in the
areas of prose and poetry.
While we welcome applications for a variety of artistically excellent projects, we encourage
projects that address any of the following activities below:





Cost share/matching grants generally will range from $10,000 to $100,000.
Deadlines
The National Endowment for the Arts supports two general project types under Grants for Arts
Projects Literary Arts:


Literary publishing projects (February Grants for Arts Projects Deadline)

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

Grants for Arts Projects, FY 2021

Audience and professional development projects (July Grants for Arts Projects Deadline)

Apply under the project type and associated deadline that most closely corresponds to the
primary focus of your proposed project. Generally, an organization is limited to one application
per year in the Grants for Arts Projects category.
Literary Publishing Projects
Deadlines:
Part 1 - Submit to Grants.gov

February 13, 2020 at 11:59
p.m., Eastern Time

Part 2 - Submit to Applicant Portal

February 18-25, 2020 at 11:59
p.m., Eastern Time

Earliest Announcement of Grant Award or
Rejection

November 2020

Earliest Beginning Date for National Endowment for January 1, 2021
the Arts Period of Performance
Note: To allow time to resolve any problems you might encounter, finalize your
Grants.gov/SAM registration by at least January 22, 2020 and submit to Grants.gov by at least
February 4, 2020.
These projects focus on print and/or digital literary magazines and independent and university
presses that publish poetry, fiction, drama, and/or creative nonfiction by contemporary writers
and translators.
Projects may include but are not limited to:







Publication and distribution of books and magazine issues.
Payments to writers.
Marketing and promotion efforts to increase book sales or magazine circulation and expand
readership.
Digitization of publishers' backlists and other endeavors to make work available in new and
emerging markets.
Technologies and/or experiments that strive to deepen audiences' engagement with literature
and/or provide writers with new platforms and tools to create work.
Collaboration within and/or across fields to advance literary publishing in the digital age,
reach new audiences, and encourage dialogue.

NOTE: Literary publishing projects must focus primarily on contemporary literature and/or
writers.
Audience and Professional Development Projects

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Grants for Arts Projects, FY 2021

Deadlines:
Part 1 - Submit to Grants.gov

July 9, 2020 at 11:59 p.m.,
Eastern Time

Part 2 - Submit to Applicant Portal

July 14-21, 2020 at 11:59
p.m., Eastern Time

Earliest Announcement of Grant Award or Rejection

April 2021

Earliest Beginning Date for National Endowment for
the Arts Period of Performance

June 1, 2021

Note: To allow time to resolve any problems you might encounter, finalize your
Grants.gov/SAM registration by at least June 17, 2020 and submit to Grants.gov by at least June
30, 2020.
These projects focus on local and/or national activities designed to promote and develop
practitioners of, and audiences for, the literary arts. (Projects that are primarily focused on
publishing and/or distributing books or journals should be submitted at the other Grants for Arts
Projects deadline.)
Projects may include but are not limited to:






Residencies, readings, author tours, writing workshops, conferences, and literary festivals.
Podcasts, radio, video, and/or media endeavors that promote the literary arts.
Innovative uses of technology, media, or new models to provide readers with access to
writers and the literary arts.
Efforts to maintain or augment America's literary infrastructure and provide services, advice,
and technical support to writers, translators, and literary organizations.
Collaboration within and/or across fields to reach new audiences and encourage dialogue.

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Grants for Arts Projects, FY 2021



The commissioning and installation of temporary or permanent outdoor furnishings such as
benches or market structures, or art such as a sculpture or mural.
 An outdoor arts festival.
 Design planning and services for projects that may involve a historic site, structure, or
district.
This review and approval process may take up to several months to complete and may delay your
project's start date and our ability to make a grant award/our ability to release grant funds. If you
are recommended for an award which may have historic preservation or environmental concerns
(NHPA/NEPA), you will be notified and asked to provide additional information. Thorough and
complete information for all project activities and locations will expedite the review. The Arts
Endowment cannot release an award and/or grant funds until the NHPA/NEPA review is
complete.
To learn more about the questions you will need to answer for the review of a project impacted
by the National Historic Preservation Act and/or the National Environmental Policy Act ,
see here.
Accessibility
Federal regulations require that all National Endowment for the Arts-funded projects be
accessible to people with disabilities. Funded activities must be held in a physically accessible
venue and program access and effective communication must be provided for participants and
audience members with disabilities. If your project is recommended for funding, you will be
asked to provide detailed information describing how you will make your project physically and
programmatically accessible to people with disabilities:

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Grants for Arts Projects, FY 2021

GRANTS FOR ARTS PROJECTS Guidelines: Local Arts Agencies
Across the United States, more than 4,500 Local Arts Agencies (LAAs) provide a wide range of
programs and services to help support and enable arts and culture at the local level. LAAs are
intermediaries, serving artists and arts organizations, local residents, visitors, and other
community partners. No two LAAs are alike ─ whether they serve a single village or town, a
large city, county, or a multi-county or multi-state region. Some LAAs are departments of local
government, others are nonprofit organizations, and still others are hybrids of the two.
Characteristics: LAAs may present and/or produce arts programming, commission and manage
public art, administer grant programs, provide technical assistance to artists and arts
organizations, and guide cultural planning efforts. Still others may own, manage, and/or operate
cultural facilities and be actively engaged in community development, and partner with entities
in tourism, social services, public education, housing, economic development, and public safety.
All strive to enhance the quality of life in their communities by working to increase public access
to the arts. You will also find national and statewide arts service organizations in the LAA
portfolio that work primarily with a network of LAAs, as well as Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts
and Arts and Business Council organizations.
All Grants for Arts Projects applications submitted by LAAs will be reviewed with other Local
Arts Agencies. There are only two exceptions: Projects that have a Folk & Traditional Arts focus
will be reviewed under Folk & Traditional Arts, and projects with a K-12 standards-based arts
education, professional development, or collective impact focus will be reviewed under Arts
Education.
While we welcome applications for a variety of artistically excellent projects, we encourage
projects that address any of the following activities below:





Cost share/matching grants generally will range from $10,000 to $100,000.

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Grants for Arts Projects, FY 2021

Projects
Grants for Arts Projects applications will be accepted at two deadlines. All project types
(described below) are accepted at both deadlines. Generally, an organization is limited to one
application per year in the Grants for Arts Projects category.
The work of Local Arts Agencies can cover a wide range of activity, depending on the dynamics
of the community. Project types eligible for support include Programming and Services to the
Field, both of which are described in detail below. Subgranting proposals by a Local Arts
Agency to support programming or services to the field by its constituents are also eligible, with
additional applicant requirements.
Deadlines
First Grants for Arts Projects Deadline:
Part 1 - Submit to Grants.gov

February 13, 2020 at 11:59
p.m., Eastern Time

Prepare application material so that it’s ready to upload when the Applicant Portal opens
Part 2 - Submit to Applicant Portal

February 18-25, 2020 at 11:59
p.m., Eastern Time

Earliest Announcement of Grant Award or
Rejection

November 2020

Earliest Beginning Date for National Endowment for
the Arts Period of Performance

January 1, 2021

July 9, 2020 at 11:59 p.m.,
Eastern Time

Prepare application material so that it’s ready to upload when the Applicant Portal opens
Part 2 - Submit to Applicant Portal

July 14-21, 2020 at 11:59
p.m., Eastern Time

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Grants for Arts Projects, FY 2021

Earliest Announcement of Grant Award or Rejection

April 2021

Earliest Beginning Date for National Endowment for
the Arts Period of Performance

June 1, 2021

Note: To allow time to resolve any problems you might encounter, finalize your
Grants.gov/SAM registration by at least June 17, 2020 and submit to Grants.gov by at least June
30, 2020.
Project Types
Programming, for example:
 Artist commissions, including the enhancement of public spaces through commissioning
and/or installation of art works. Please see “Public Art Resources” for additional
information.
 Artist residencies.
 Creation and presentation of new work, including those that use technology, media, or other
new models or strategies.
 Creation and presentation of work that honors the 2020 centennial of women’s voting rights
in the United States.
 Festivals and other community events, which may include performances, exhibitions, lecturedemonstrations, and workshops.
 Performing arts events, readings, screenings, broadcasts, and visual arts exhibitions.
 Programming projects and initiatives that extend the reach of the arts to communities that
have been historically underserved.
 Education and related activities for youth, adults, intergenerational groups, and schools.
However, if your project is for youth, see "Choosing the Right Discipline for Youth
Projects" to help you select between the Local Arts Agencies and Arts Education disciplines.
We encourage you to also review Arts Education guidelines for Collective Impact awards for
projects that are collaborations with school districts with a focus on systemic change.
Services to the Field, for example:


Coordinated arts services, including community-wide marketing campaigns, online services, and
community-wide arts engagement activities designed to increase public access to the arts.



Services to advance the professional skills of artists and arts organizations. This may include
conferences, convenings, workshops, technical assistance, board development, leadership
training, and professional development opportunities for artists and arts administrators.
Cultural planning, which may include the development of plans for cultural and/or creative
sector growth, cultural assessments and mapping, community-wide cultural planning,
specific-issue cultural plans, public art master plans, and the integration of arts and culture
into broader community planning efforts.



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


Grants for Arts Projects, FY 2021

The planning and development of artist live/work spaces, as well as studio, production,
rehearsal, and performance spaces.
Documentation and conservation of public and monumental art. Please see “Public Art
Resources” for additional information.

Subgranting
 Subgranting for programming and services to the field activities on behalf of a Local Arts
Agency's constituents.
To be eligible, a Local Arts Agency must be a unit of city or county government or officially
designated to operate on behalf of its local government. In addition to the "Applicant
Eligibility" section for all Grants for Arts Projects applicants, applicants for subgranting
projects must have completed a three-year history of subgranting in the arts prior to the
application deadline. Organizations without a three-year history of grantmaking are
encouraged to contact Arts Endowment staff to discuss alternative project types.


Designated Local Arts Agencies that will subgrant must:
o
o
o

Require their grantees to provide DUNS numbers before a grant can be made.
Report subgrants of $25,000 or more in federal funds to the Federal Funding
Accountability and Transparency Act Subaward Reporting System (FSRS).
Ensure that all subawards made with federal or cost share/matching funds are in
compliance with the General Terms and Conditions for an award from the National
Endowment for the Arts, including requirements for pass-through entities as provided
for under 2 CFR 200.331 and the NHPA/NEPA and accessibility requirements
described below.
Note: Local Arts Agencies that have been officially designated to operate on behalf of
local government are the only entities allowed to apply to Grants for Arts Projects for
subgranting.

Public Art Resources
The following resources have been compiled to help applicants and grantees in their research as
they establish public art policies and implement public art processes.
The list is not comprehensive, but is offered for research and consideration as administrators
develop public art programs in ways that make sense for each individual community.
National Endowment for the Arts
https://www.arts.gov/artistic-fields/creative-placemaking/creative-placemaking-resources
The National Endowment for the Arts has several resources available on our website around the
topic of creative placemaking, including the publication How to Do Creative Placemaking: An
Action-Oriented Guide to Arts in Community Development. The book is intended as a primer
for those interested in bringing the arts to the community development table as a tool—along

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Grants for Arts Projects, FY 2021

with housing, transportation, public health, and other sectors—to advance revitalization efforts in
an authentic way. You can find additional case studies and insights at Exploring Our Town on
the National Endowment for the Arts website, including some specific resources for public art
planning and implementation.
Americans for the Arts
http://www.americansforthearts.org/by-program/networks-and-councils/public-artnetwork
A “professional network dedicated to advancing public art”, AFTA’s Public Art Network
offers an online home for a variety of public art tools and resources, including funding models,
public art evaluation, contracts and legal issues, and the annual Year in Review
database(http://www.americansforthearts.org/by-program/networks-and-councils/publicart-network/pan-year-in-review-database ), an annual compilation of notable national and
international public art works.
Citizens’ Institute on Rural Design
http://rural-design.org/webinars
Find archived articles and resources related to the role of the arts in rural design. New additions
include the Creative Placemaking: Economic Development for the Next Generation webinar
(March 2017).
Transportation for America
http://creativeplacemaking.t4america.org/
A publication and accompanying website, The Scenic Route: Getting Started with Creative
Placemaking and Transportation, is available through Transportation for America, “an alliance
of elected, business, and civic leaders” dedicated to investing in “locally-driven transportation
solutions.” The resource was developed with support from the Kresge Foundation.
WESTAF
https://www.publicartarchive.org/
An online searchable database of public art installed in collections across the United States.
For information on how to apply, see the “To Apply” box on the right.
National Historic Preservation Act and/or the National Environmental Policy Act Review
If you are recommended for a grant, your project may be subject to the the National Historic
Preservation Act (NHPA) and/or the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the
National Endowment for the Arts will conduct a review of your project to ensure that it is in
compliance NHPA/NEPA.
Some of the common project types that garner a NHPA review are:


A project involving or occurring near a district, site, building, landscape, structure or object
that is 50 years old and therefore potentially eligible for inclusion in the National Register of

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Grants for Arts Projects, FY 2021

Historic Places (note that in some instances, buildings or structures may be included in or
eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places that are less than 50 years
old).
 The commissioning and installation of temporary or permanent outdoor furnishings such as
benches or market structures, or art such as a sculpture or mural.
 An outdoor arts festival.
 Design planning and services for projects that may involve a historic site, structure, or
district.
This review and approval process may take up to several months to complete and may delay your
project's start date and our ability to make a grant award/our ability to release grant funds. If you
are recommended for an award which may have historic preservation or environmental concerns
(NHPA/NEPA), you will be notified and asked to provide additional information. Thorough and
complete information for all project activities and locations will expedite the review. The Arts
Endowment cannot release an award and/or grant funds until the NHPA/NEPA review is
complete.
To learn more about the questions you will need to answer for the review of a project impacted
by the National Historic Preservation Act and/or the National Environmental Policy Act ,
see here.
Accessibility
Federal regulations require that all National Endowment for the Arts-funded projects be
accessible to people with disabilities. Funded activities must be held in a physically accessible
venue and program access and effective communication must be provided for participants and
audience members with disabilities. If your project is recommended for funding, you will be
asked to provide detailed information describing how you will make your project physically and
programmatically accessible to people with disabilities:

08/29/19

Grants for Arts Projects, FY 2021

GRANTS FOR ARTS PROJECTS Guidelines: Media Arts
The National Endowment for the Arts is committed to supporting activities that reflect the
dynamic, diverse, and evolving nature of the media arts field. Applicants may apply in this
Grants for Arts Projects category for media arts projects that support creation, exhibition,
education, and distribution of historic and contemporary artworks in all genres and forms that
use electronic media, film, and technology (analog & digital; old and new) as an artistic medium
or a medium to broaden arts appreciation and awareness (of any discipline). All genres are
welcome to apply; all phases of project support are eligible.
While we welcome applications for a variety of artistically excellent projects, we encourage
projects that address any of the following activities below:





Cost share/matching grants generally will range from $10,000 to $100,000.
Deadlines
Grants for Arts Projects applications will be accepted at two deadlines; project types vary
for each deadline. Apply at the deadline with the project type that most closely corresponds to
the primary activities within your proposed project (see below for more details). All
organizations must apply directly on their own behalf; applications through a fiscal
sponsor/agent are not allowed.
An organization may submit only one application in the Grants for Arts Projects category, with
the following exception: Any organization may submit more than one application in the Grants
for Arts Projects category through the Media Arts discipline for the July deadline only.
See Applicant Eligibility for more details.

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Grants for Arts Projects, FY 2021

First Grants for Arts Projects: Media Arts Deadline:
Part 1 - Submit to Grants.gov

February 13, 2020 at 11:59
p.m., Eastern Time

Prepare application material so that it’s ready to upload when the Applicant Portal opens
Part 2 - Submit to Applicant Portal

February 18-25, 2020 at 11:59
p.m., Eastern Time

Earliest Announcement of Grant Award or Rejection

November 2020

Earliest Beginning Date for National Endowment for
the Arts Period of Performance

January 1, 2021

Eligible projects types include exhibition, presentation, distribution, and preservation
activities:
 Film/video/audio/new-media festivals and associated public programming that include
artists, critics, and/or scholars, and are open to the general public and demonstrate
meaningful community engagement.
 Preservation, restoration, or archiving of media art works, and services that support
preservation, restoration, or archiving efforts with a distribution plan to engage public
audiences with the newly available work. Priority will be given to short or feature-length
films and videos (any genre), audio and digital art works, and time-based performances
residing on audio or visual formats. If you are looking to support the digitization of arts
and cultural humanities collections (all sizes), you may wish to contact the National
Endowment for the Humanities at [email protected].
 Curated series, screenings, exhibitions, installations, and/or touring programs and
associated programming featuring all genres of historic and contemporary art that uses
electronic media, film and technology (old and new) as an artistic medium and
demonstrate meaningful community engagement.
 Regional, national, or international distribution of electronic media, film, and technology
as art.
Note: We recognize that projects may include a range of media arts-related activities.
Contact staff if it is unclear which deadline will be most suitable.
Note: To allow time to resolve any problems you might encounter, finalize your
Grants.gov/SAM registration by at least January 22, 2020 and submit to Grants.gov by at least
February 4, 2020.
Second Grants for Arts Projects: Media Arts Deadline:
Part 1 - Submit to Grants.gov

July 9, 2020 at 11:59 p.m.,
Eastern Time

Prepare application material so that it’s ready to upload when the Applicant Portal opens

08/29/19

Grants for Arts Projects, FY 2021

Part 2 - Submit to Applicant Portal

July 14-21, 2020 at 11:59
p.m., Eastern Time

Earliest Announcement of Grant Award or Rejection

April 2021

Earliest Beginning Date for National Endowment for
the Arts Period of Performance

June 1, 2021

Eligible project types include creation, education, and resources for artistic and
professional development:
 Commission, creation, and/or production of all genres and forms of media art that use
electronic media, film, and technology (old and new) as an artistic medium or a medium to
broaden arts appreciation and awareness of any discipline. High-profile multi-part or
single television, radio, and multi-platform programs are also acceptable. Genres include,
but are not limited to, documentary, experimental, narrative, interactive, transmedia
storytelling, game design, immersive, audio, internet, and other new technologies. All
phases of a project are eligible for support including research and development,
production, and completion costs.
 Projects that enable the production of analog and digital tools, hardware and/or software
that engage the process of hacking, circuit bending, creative coding, development of open
source code, robotics, and audio or visual instrument building to produce new media art
works.
 Projects providing resources to artists and organizations, workspace and facilities access to
equipment and related technologies, and artist residencies that are available to artists
and/or the general public that assist in any phase of media arts production.
 Educational activities and workshop series that engage groups of all ages and skill levels to
learn, participate, or engage in the process of using electronic media, film, and technology
as an art form. Artist-led activities are encouraged. If these activities are directly aligned
with festival or exhibition projects, the first Grants for Arts Projects deadline may be more
appropriate. If your project intends to serve pre-K-12 youth audiences, see "Choosing the
Right Discipline for Youth Projects" to help you in your discipline selection.
 Services to the national field, including conferences, field studies, convenings, or
workshops intended for media artists, critics, and scholars, and that are publicly accessible.
 Widely distributed publications on issues pertinent to the media arts field, both practical
and aesthetic, and both digital and in print.
 Project activities that advance and/or sustain the creative work and careers for people with
disabilities through employment, industry training, technical assistance, organization
capacity-building, and infrastructure.
Note: We recognize that projects may include a range of media arts-related activities.
Contact staff if it is unclear which deadline will be most suitable.
Note: To allow time to resolve any problems you might encounter, finalize your
Grants.gov/SAM registration by at least June 17, 2020 and submit to Grants.gov by at least June
30, 2020.
For information on how to apply, see the “To Apply” box on the right.

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Grants for Arts Projects, FY 2021

National Historic Preservation Act and/or the National Environmental Policy Act Review
If you are recommended for a grant, your project may be subject to the the National Historic
Preservation Act (NHPA) and/or the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the
National Endowment for the Arts will conduct a review of your project to ensure that it is in
compliance NHPA/NEPA.
Some of the common project types that garner a NHPA review are:


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Grants for Arts Projects, FY 2021

GRANTS FOR ARTS PROJECTS Guidelines: Museums
The nation's museums face a tall and challenging order, increasingly called upon to be civic
anchors, community gathering places, and stewards of our most prized artistic and cultural
heritage. Museums are visited by millions of people each year -- more than those that attend all
major sporting events and theme parks combined.
The National Endowment for the Arts is committed to supporting museum activity that
demonstrates exceptional aesthetic investigation and meaningful community engagement.
Specifically, the National Endowment for the Arts assists museums through the support of
exhibitions, care of collections, conservation, commissions, public art works, community
engagement, education activities, and other museum work. Museum projects funded by the
National Endowment for the Arts demonstrate artistic excellence in and across a variety of
mediums, movements, eras, and cultures.
While we welcome applications for a variety of artistically excellent projects, we encourage
projects that address any of the following activities below:





Cost share/matching grants generally will range from $10,000 to $100,000.
Deadlines
Grants for Arts Projects applications will be accepted at two deadlines. All project types
(described below) are accepted at both deadlines. Generally, an organization is limited to one
application per year in the Grants for Arts Projects category.

08/29/19

Grants for Arts Projects, FY 2021

First Grants for Arts Projects Deadline:
Part 1 - Submit to Grants.gov

February 13, 2020 at 11:59
p.m., Eastern Time

Prepare application material so that it’s ready to upload when the Applicant Portal opens
Part 2 - Submit to Applicant Portal

February 18-25, 2020 at 11:59
p.m., Eastern Time

Earliest Announcement of Grant Award or
Rejection

November 2020

Earliest Beginning Date for National Endowment for
the Arts Period of Performance

January 1, 2021

July 9, 2020 at 11:59 p.m.,
Eastern Time

Prepare application material so that it’s ready to upload when the Applicant Portal opens
Part 2 - Submit to Applicant Portal

July 14-21, 2020 at 11:59
p.m., Eastern Time

Earliest Announcement of Grant Award or Rejection

April 2021

Earliest Beginning Date for National Endowment for
the Arts Period of Performance

June 1, 2021

Note: To allow time to resolve any problems you might encounter, finalize your
Grants.gov/SAM registration by at least June 17, 2020 and submit to Grants.gov by at least June
30, 2020.
Project Types:
 Exhibitions and related activities.
 Conservation, preservation, and/or restoration.
 Commissions or public art.
 Residencies.

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









Grants for Arts Projects, FY 2021

Provenance research.
Collections management.
Reinstallation of collections.
Public programming such as workshops, lectures and symposia, or other outreach activities.
Periodicals, publications, or catalogues.
Education and related activities for youth, adults, intergenerational groups, and schools. (If
your project is for youth, see "Choosing the Right Discipline for Youth Projects" to help
you in your discipline selection.)
Innovative uses of technology.
Services to the field.

08/29/19

Grants for Arts Projects, FY 2021

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Grants for Arts Projects, FY 2021

GRANTS FOR ARTS PROJECTS Guidelines: Music
The National Endowment for the Arts is committed to advancing a wide range of music, from
classical and contemporary to jazz. We support projects by performing ensembles and music
presenting organizations including but not limited to chamber music ensembles, choruses, early
music programs, jazz ensembles, music festivals, and symphony orchestras. In addition, the
National Endowment for the Arts accepts applications from professional artist development
programs, artist residencies, and service organizations.
Organizations of all types and sizes may apply for a variety of music production, presentation,
professional development, engagement, and service projects. The National Endowment for the
Arts is particularly interested in collaborations, innovative presentation strategies, and initiatives
that help organizations engage audiences in new and meaningful ways. In addition to projects
that focus on the standard repertoire, the National Endowment for the Arts encourages the
commissioning and performance of new American works.
While we welcome applications for a variety of artistically excellent projects, we encourage
projects that address any of the following activities below:





Cost share/matching grants generally will range from $10,000 to $100,000.
Projects
Grants for Arts Projects applications will be accepted at two deadlines. All project types
(described below) are accepted at both deadlines. Generally, an organization is limited to one
application per year in the Grants for Arts Projects category.
Applications must be for projects only. A project may consist of one or more specific events
or activities, and should not cover an entire season of programming. We do not fund
seasonal or general operating support.

08/29/19

Grants for Arts Projects, FY 2021

Deadlines
First Grants for Arts Projects Deadline:
Part 1 - Submit to Grants.gov

February 13, 2020 at 11:59
p.m., Eastern Time

Prepare application material so that it’s ready to upload when the Applicant Portal opens
Part 2 - Submit to Applicant Portal

February 18-25, 2020 at 11:59
p.m., Eastern Time

Earliest Announcement of Grant Award or
Rejection

November 2020

Earliest Beginning Date for National Endowment for
the Arts Period of Performance

January 1, 2021

July 9, 2020 at 11:59 p.m.,
Eastern Time

Prepare application material so that it’s ready to upload when the Applicant Portal opens
Part 2 - Submit to Applicant Portal

July 14-21, 2020 at 11:59
p.m., Eastern Time

Earliest Announcement of Grant Award or Rejection

April 2021

Earliest Beginning Date for National Endowment for
the Arts Period of Performance

June 1, 2021

Note: To allow time to resolve any problems you might encounter, finalize your
Grants.gov/SAM registration by at least June 17, 2020 and submit to Grants.gov by at least June
30, 2020.
Project Types

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Grants for Arts Projects, FY 2021

Performances, presentations, and commissions
 Public presentations of musical works.
 Commissions and/or co-commissions.
 Development and performances of new musical compositions and innovative works.
 Performances and educational engagements by NEA Jazz Masters that honor their work,
history, style, and/or significance to jazz; and broaden public awareness of the art form.
 Domestic touring.
 Festivals and other events (may include performances, lecture-demonstrations, audience
talkbacks, master classes, and workshops).
Professional artistic development
 Professional artistic development and training programs for musicians such as conducting
skills, mentorship, and career development.
 Residencies and workshops with artists.
Engagement, education, recordings, and technology
 Community engagement projects that involve diverse communities and/or reach new
audiences.
 Innovative methods of engaging audiences (may include collaborations with other
organizations, new approaches that have the potential to increase the impact on audiences,
artists, communities, or the field).
 Recordings of works by American composers.
 Technology projects such as local broadcasts, online resources, and libraries that provide
public access to musical works.
 Archival, documentation, and preservation projects.
 Education and related activities for youth, adults, and intergenerational groups. If your
project is for youth, see "Choosing the Right Discipline for Youth Projects."
Services to the field
 Services that reach a broad constituency of musicians, music educators, administrators, and
music organizations (may include workshops, conferences, publications, professional
leadership development, technical assistance, or online resources).
For information on how to apply, see the “To Apply” box on the right.
National Historic Preservation Act and/or the National Environmental Policy Act Review
If you are recommended for a grant, your project may be subject to the the National Historic
Preservation Act (NHPA) and/or the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the
National Endowment for the Arts will conduct a review of your project to ensure that it is in
compliance NHPA/NEPA.

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Grants for Arts Projects, FY 2021

Some of the common project types that garner a NHPA review are:


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Grants for Arts Projects, FY 2021

GRANTS FOR ARTS PROJECTS Guidelines: Musical Theater
The National Endowment for the Arts nurtures the nonprofit musical theater field, as one of
America’s unique art forms, by funding the work of established musical theater organizations as
well as musical theater projects by companies known primarily for non-musical work. The
National Endowment for the Arts awards grants for the production or presentation of traditional
repertoire, new musicals, development laboratories, showcases, artist residencies, work for
young audiences, experimental work, and community-based work. Projects funded by the
National Endowment for the Arts should help to fully realize an organization's mission and may
provide support for organizations and artists in the creation and refinement of work, the public
presentation of musicals from all cultures and periods, and opportunities for professional
development. Supported projects will reflect the breadth of the musical theater genre and its
artistic, historical, and cultural significance.
While we welcome applications for a variety of artistically excellent projects, we encourage
projects that address any of the following activities below:





Cost share/matching grants generally will range from $10,000 to $100,000.
Projects
Grants for Arts Projects applications will be accepted at two deadlines. All project types
(described below) are accepted at both deadlines. Generally, an organization is limited to one
application per year in the Grants for Arts Projects category.
Applications must be for projects only. A project may consist of one or more specific events
or activities, and should not cover an entire season of programming. We do not fund
seasonal or general operating support.

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Grants for Arts Projects, FY 2021

Deadlines:
First Grants for Arts Projects Deadline:
Part 1 - Submit to Grants.gov

February 13, 2020 at 11:59
p.m., Eastern Time

Prepare application material so that it’s ready to upload when the Applicant Portal opens
Part 2 - Submit to Applicant Portal

February 18-25, 2020 at 11:59
p.m., Eastern Time

Earliest Announcement of Grant Award or
Rejection

November 2020

Earliest Beginning Date for National Endowment for
the Arts Period of Performance

January 1, 2021

July 9, 2020 at 11:59 p.m.,
Eastern Time

Prepare application material so that it’s ready to upload when the Applicant Portal opens
Part 2 - Submit to Applicant Portal

July 14-21, 2020 at 11:59
p.m., Eastern Time

Earliest Announcement of Grant Award or Rejection

April 2021

Earliest Beginning Date for National Endowment for
the Arts Period of Performance

June 1, 2021

Commissioning, development, and production of new musicals.

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Grants for Arts Projects, FY 2021

Production of existing contemporary musicals or masterworks from the musical theater
canon that are re-imagined or speak to today's audiences in new and original ways.
Development, production, or presentation of musical theater work for young audiences.
Development programs and labs for new musicals, which may include the hosting of artist
residencies, showcase productions of new work, development workshops, and festivals of
new works or works in progress. (The National Endowment for the Arts does not fund
festivals for which no curatorial judgment has been applied, or development programs in
which participants must pay a fee to participate.)
Local, regional, and national touring of musicals.
Documentation, preservation, conservation, and dissemination of America's musical theater
heritage.
Community-based projects that involve the creation and/or production of musical theater
with community members.
Services to the musical theater field that assist organizations or artists in administrative,
developmental, technical, and related areas.
Professional training including classes, guest artist residencies, workshops, and mentorship
of musical theater artists.
Musical theater exposure and enrichment projects, including projects for youth, adults, and
intergenerational groups. (If your project is for youth, see "Choosing the Right Discipline
for Youth Projects" to help you in your discipline selection.)

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This review and approval process may take up to several months to complete and may delay your
project's start date and our ability to make a grant award/our ability to release grant funds. If you
are recommended for an award which may have historic preservation or environmental concerns
(NHPA/NEPA), you will be notified and asked to provide additional information. Thorough and
complete information for all project activities and locations will expedite the review. The Arts
Endowment cannot release an award and/or grant funds until the NHPA/NEPA review is
complete.
To learn more about the questions you will need to answer for the review of a project impacted
by the National Historic Preservation Act and/or the National Environmental Policy Act ,
see here.
Accessibility
Federal regulations require that all National Endowment for the Arts-funded projects be
accessible to people with disabilities. Funded activities must be held in a physically accessible
venue and program access and effective communication must be provided for participants and
audience members with disabilities. If your project is recommended for funding, you will be
asked to provide detailed information describing how you will make your project physically and
programmatically accessible to people with disabilities:

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Grants for Arts Projects, FY 2021

GRANTS FOR ARTS PROJECTS Guidelines: Opera
The National Endowment for the Arts is committed to nurturing and advancing the highest levels
of operatic artistry to enrich communities across the nation. Opera is a multifaceted art form that
can involve singing, acting, orchestral playing, scenic artistry, costume design, lighting, and
dance to convey a story or dramatic concept.
Organizations of all types and sizes are welcome to apply, including professional opera
companies, opera festivals, presenting organizations, training programs, and other organizations
that commission, develop, or produce fully-staged operatic works and/or concert opera.
The National Endowment for the Arts supports the commissioning, development, presentation,
and professional recordings of new or existing operatic works; professional artist development
programs and artist residencies; and projects by service organizations. Applications for
collaborations and innovative projects that engage audiences in new and meaningful ways are
encouraged.
While we welcome applications for a variety of artistically excellent projects, we encourage
projects that address any of the following activities below:





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Grants for Arts Projects, FY 2021

Applications must be for projects only. A project may consist of one or more specific events
or activities, and should not cover an entire season of programming. We do not fund
seasonal or general operating support.
Deadlines
First Grants for Arts Projects Deadline:
Part 1 - Submit to Grants.gov

February 13, 2020 at 11:59
p.m., Eastern Time

Prepare application material so that it’s ready to upload when the Applicant Portal opens
Part 2 - Submit to Applicant Portal

February 18-25, 2020 at 11:59
p.m., Eastern Time

Earliest Announcement of Grant Award or
Rejection

November 2020

Earliest Beginning Date for National Endowment for
the Arts Period of Performance

January 1, 2021

July 9, 2020 at 11:59 p.m.,
Eastern Time

Prepare application material so that it’s ready to upload when the Applicant Portal opens
Part 2 - Submit to Applicant Portal

July 14-21, 2020 at 11:59
p.m., Eastern Time

Earliest Announcement of Grant Award or Rejection

April 2021

Earliest Beginning Date for National Endowment for
the Arts Period of Performance

June 1, 2021

Note: To allow time to resolve any problems you might encounter, finalize your
Grants.gov/SAM registration by at least June 17, 2020 and submit to Grants.gov by at least June
30, 2020.

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Grants for Arts Projects, FY 2021

Project Types
Performances, presentations, and commissions
 Creation of new operatic works, especially those that are innovative or that cross genres
(including commissions, residencies, and workshops with artists).
 Premieres.
 Repeat productions of newly-premiered works.
 New productions of traditional and contemporary operas.
 Remounting of existing productions.
 Concert opera (performances that are not fully staged). Contact the Opera staff before
preparing a concert opera application.
 Domestic touring.
 Opera festivals and other events (may include performances, lecture-demonstrations,
audience talk-backs, master classes, and workshops).
Professional artistic development
 Artist residencies.
 Post-conservatory professional development programs for artists including coaching,
conducting, acting, stage movement, diction, language, mentorship, and career development.
 Projects that advance and/or sustain the creative work and/or careers for people with
disabilities through employment, industry training, technical assistance, organization
capacity-building, and infrastructure.
Engagement, education, recordings, and technology
 Community engagement projects that involve diverse communities and/or reach new
audiences.
 Education and related activities for youth, adults, and intergenerational groups.
 Audience engagement initiatives (including collaborations with other organizations).
 Opera performances and activities in public spaces intended to foster community interaction
and/or enhance the unique characteristics of a community.
 Recordings of opera works (by international or American composers).
 Technology projects (including simulcast performances and online resources that provide
public access to opera).
 Archival, documentation, and preservation projects.
Services to the opera field
 Services to the opera field (for organizations, singers, composers, librettists, administrators,
and/or volunteers).

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Grants for Arts Projects, FY 2021

For information on how to apply, see the “To Apply” box on the right.
National Historic Preservation Act and/or the National Environmental Policy Act Review
If you are recommended for a grant, your project may be subject to the National Historic
Preservation Act (NHPA) and/or the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the
National Endowment for the Arts will conduct a review of your project to ensure that it is in
compliance NHPA/NEPA.
Some of the common project types that garner a NHPA review are:


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Grants for Arts Projects, FY 2021

GRANTS FOR ARTS PROJECTS Guidelines: Presenting & Multidisciplinary Works
Through this funding area, the National Endowment for the Arts supports artistic works and
events that present multiple disciplines, combine and/or integrate art forms, explore boundaries
between art disciplines, fuse or transcend disciplines, and look to new forms of expression.
Projects should be multi- or cross-disciplinary in nature and may include work from the
performing, visual, media, design, and literary arts. These projects can be for any stage of the
artistic process including creation, commissioning, presentations, touring, training, residencies,
and access to the arts. In addition, we also fund projects that provide services to artists and arts
organizations. Projects that present or otherwise feature a single artistic discipline
(including but not limited to dance, literary arts, media arts, music, musical theater,
theater, visual arts) should apply through that discipline.
While we welcome applications for a variety of artistically excellent projects, we encourage
projects that address any of the following activities below:





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Grants for Arts Projects, FY 2021

If you are unsure whether Presenting & Multidisciplinary Works is the right discipline for your
project, or if you have never applied before, we encourage you to contact staff prior to
submitting your application.
Deadlines
First Grants for Arts Projects Deadline:
Part 1 - Submit to Grants.gov

February 13, 2020 at 11:59
p.m., Eastern Time

Prepare application material so that it’s ready to upload when the Applicant Portal opens
Part 2 - Submit to Applicant Portal

February 18-25, 2020 at 11:59
p.m., Eastern Time

Earliest Announcement of Grant Award or
Rejection

November 2020

Earliest Beginning Date for National Endowment for
the Arts Period of Performance

January 1, 2021

July 9, 2020 at 11:59 p.m.,
Eastern Time

Prepare application material so that it’s ready to upload when the Applicant Portal opens
Part 2 - Submit to Applicant Portal

July 14-21, 2020 at 11:59
p.m., Eastern Time

Earliest Announcement of Grant Award or Rejection

April 2021

Earliest Beginning Date for National Endowment for
the Arts Period of Performance

June 1, 2021

Note: To allow time to resolve any problems you might encounter, finalize your
Grants.gov/SAM registration by at least June 17, 2020 and submit to Grants.gov by at least June
30, 2020.

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Grants for Arts Projects, FY 2021

Project Types
Applications must be for projects only. A project may consist of one or more specific events
or activities, and should not cover an entire season of programming. We do not fund
seasonal or general operating support.











The presentation and/or touring of new or existing works. This may include, but is not
limited to, performances, exhibitions, festivals, and guest artist residencies.
The creation and commissioning of new works.
Artist residency programs.
Participatory art works, community-based work, and projects with a distinct focus on
community engagement.
Projects that utilize artistically excellent art in civic and social practice, conflict
transformation, and collaborative work with community partners.
Festivals and other activities in public spaces that are intended to foster community
interaction and/or enhance the unique characteristics of a community.
Circus arts, site-specific work, and outdoor spectacles.
Exposure and enrichment projects for youth, adults, and intergenerational groups. (If your
project is for youth, see "Choosing the Right Discipline for Youth Projects" to help you in
your discipline selection.)
Services to artists and arts organizations. (Service projects that focus on a single discipline
should apply through that discipline.) This may include, but is not limited to:




Arts and arts-related conferences and convenings.
Leadership training and other professional development opportunities for artists and arts
administrators.
Archiving, preservation, and documentation projects.

A project involving or occurring near a district, site, building, landscape, structure or object
that is 50 years old and therefore potentially eligible for inclusion in the National Register of

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Grants for Arts Projects, FY 2021

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Grants for Arts Projects, FY 2021

GRANTS FOR ARTS PROJECTS Guidelines: Theater
The National Endowment for the Arts awards grants to the nonprofit theater field for the
production or presentation of traditional or classical repertoire, new plays, development
laboratories, showcases, artist residencies, work for young audiences, experimental work,
community-based work, outdoor historical dramas, and puppetry. Projects funded by the
National Endowment for the Arts should help to fully realize an organization's mission and may
provide support for organizations and artists in the creation and refinement of work, the public
presentation of plays from all cultures and periods, and opportunities for professional
development.
While we welcome applications for a variety of artistically excellent projects, we encourage
projects that address any of the following activities below:





Cost share/matching grants generally will range from $10,000 to $100,000.
Projects
Grants for Arts Projects applications will be accepted at two deadlines. All project types
(described below) are accepted at both deadlines. Generally, an organization is limited to one
application per year in the Grants for Arts Projects category.
Applications must be for projects only. A project may consist of one or more specific events
or activities, and should not cover an entire season of programming. We do not fund
seasonal or general operating support.

08/29/19

Grants for Arts Projects, FY 2021

Deadlines
First Grants for Arts Projects Deadline:
Part 1 - Submit to Grants.gov

February 13, 2020 at 11:59
p.m., Eastern Time

Prepare application material so that it’s ready to upload when the Applicant Portal opens
Part 2 - Submit to Applicant Portal

February 18-25, 2020 at 11:59
p.m., Eastern Time

Earliest Announcement of Grant Award or
Rejection

November 2020

Earliest Beginning Date for National Endowment for
the Arts Period of Performance

January 1, 2021

July 9, 2020 at 11:59 p.m.,
Eastern Time

Prepare application material so that it’s ready to upload when the Applicant Portal opens
Part 2 - Submit to Applicant Portal

July 14-21, 2020 at 11:59
p.m., Eastern Time

Earliest Announcement of Grant Award or Rejection

April 2021

Earliest Beginning Date for National Endowment for
the Arts Period of Performance

June 1, 2021

Commissioning, development, and production of new work, translations, and adaptations.

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Grants for Arts Projects, FY 2021

Production or presentation of existing contemporary or classical work.
Development, production, or presentation of theater work for young audiences.
Development programs and labs for new work, which may include the hosting of artist
residencies, showcase productions of new work, development workshops, and festivals of
new works or works in progress. (The National Endowment for the Arts does not fund
festivals for which no curatorial judgment has been applied, or development programs in
which participants must pay a fee to participate).
Local, regional, and national touring of theater productions.
Documentation, preservation, conservation, and dissemination of America's theater heritage.
Community-based projects that involve the creation and/or production of theater with
community members.
Services to the field that assist organizations or artists in administrative, developmental,
technical, and related areas.
Professional training including classes, guest artist residencies, workshops, and mentorship
of theater artists.
Exposure and enrichment projects, including arts/science/technology projects, for youth,
adults, and intergenerational groups. (If your project is for youth, see "Choosing the Right
Discipline for Youth Projects" to help you in your discipline selection.)

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Grants for Arts Projects, FY 2021

(NHPA/NEPA), you will be notified and asked to provide additional information. Thorough and
complete information for all project activities and locations will expedite the review. The Arts
Endowment cannot release an award and/or grant funds until the NHPA/NEPA review is
complete.
To learn more about the questions you will need to answer for the review of a project impacted
by the National Historic Preservation Act and/or the National Environmental Policy Act ,
see here.
Accessibility
Federal regulations require that all National Endowment for the Arts-funded projects be
accessible to people with disabilities. Funded activities must be held in a physically accessible
venue and program access and effective communication must be provided for participants and
audience members with disabilities. If your project is recommended for funding, you will be
asked to provide detailed information describing how you will make your project physically and
programmatically accessible to people with disabilities:

08/29/19

Grants for Arts Projects, FY 2021

GRANTS FOR ARTS PROJECTS Guidelines: Visual Arts
Visual Arts activity in the nation is undertaken by a variety of organizations and institutions—
including large and small, rural and urban, emerging and established, public or private nonprofit—many of which have solely artistic missions. Others are community-based organizations
whose portfolios may, on occasion, include the visual arts.
The National Endowment for the Arts is committed to supporting visual arts activity—painting,
sculpture, photography, printmaking, drawing, craft, and public art—that demonstrates
exceptional aesthetic investigation and meaningful community engagement.
Specifically, the National Endowment for the Arts is interested in supporting contemporary
artists and the projects they undertake, such as exhibitions, residencies, publications,
commissions, public art works, conservation, documentation, services to the field, and public
programs. The National Endowment for the Arts is committed to encouraging individual artistic
development, experimentation, and dialogue between artists and the public.
While we welcome applications for a variety of artistically excellent projects, we encourage
projects that address any of the following activities below:





Cost share/matching grants generally will range from $10,000 to $100,000.
Deadlines
Grants for Arts Projects applications will be accepted at two deadlines. All project types
(described below) are accepted at both deadlines. Generally, an organization is limited to one
application per year in the Grants for Arts Projects category.

08/29/19

Grants for Arts Projects, FY 2021

First Grants for Arts Projects Deadline:
Part 1 - Submit to Grants.gov

February 13, 2020 at 11:59
p.m., Eastern Time

Prepare application material so that it’s ready to upload when the Applicant Portal opens
Part 2 - Submit to Applicant Portal

February 18-25, 2020 at 11:59
p.m., Eastern Time

Earliest Announcement of Grant Award or
Rejection

November 2020

Earliest Beginning Date for National Endowment for
the Arts Period of Performance

January 1, 2021

July 9, 2020 at 11:59 p.m.,
Eastern Time

Prepare application material so that it’s ready to upload when the Applicant Portal opens
Part 2 - Submit to Applicant Portal

July 14-21, 2020 at 11:59
p.m., Eastern Time

Earliest Announcement of Grant Award or Rejection

April 2021

Earliest Beginning Date for National Endowment for
the Arts Period of Performance

June 1, 2021

Exhibitions and related activities.
Conservation, preservation, and/or restoration.
Commissions or public art.
Residencies.

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Grants for Arts Projects, FY 2021

Periodicals, publications, or catalogues.
Public programming such as workshops, lectures and symposia, or other outreach activities.
Education and related activities for youth, adults, intergenerational groups, and schools. (If
your project is for youth, see "Choosing the Right Discipline for Youth Projects" to help
you in your discipline selection.)
Innovative uses of technology.
Services to the field.

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Grants for Arts Projects, FY 2021

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GRANTS FOR ARTS PROJECTS Guidelines: How to Prepare and Submit an Application
We urge you to read these instructions in their entirety before you begin the application process.
Submitting an application is a multi-step process:


Part 1: Submit to Grants.gov the “Application for Federal Domestic Assistance/Short
Organization Form.” Refer to the Part 1 instructions for important information and
deadlines.



Part 2: Complete the “Grant Application Form (GAF)” and upload items through the
Arts Endowment’s Applicant Portal. Refer to the Part 2 instructions to learn more about
how and when to access the Applicant Portal.

Tips
View a Guidelines Webinar:




We will conduct a live Grants for Arts Projects webinar on TBD, at 3:00 p.m., Eastern
Time featuring an overview of this funding category and a Q&A session. Register
here for this webinar or go here for an archive after it is concluded.
We’ll also hold a webinar for previous Challenge America applicants who are interested
in applying to Grants for Arts Projects on TBD, at 3:00 p.m., Eastern Time. Register
here for this webinar or go here for an archive after it is concluded.

View the Grant Application Form (GAF) Tutorial:
This tutorial provides an overview of the Grant Application Form (GAF) to assist you during
Part 2 of the application process: Online Tutorial: Using the Grant Application Form
Ensure that your application is complete with this checklist:


Grants for Arts Projects Application Checklist

Application updates after submission:
Send new information that significantly affects your application (such as changes in artists or
confirmed funding commitments) as soon as possible to the specialist for the field/discipline of
your project. Remember to include your organization’s name and Arts Endowment application
number.
If you have questions, use this list to determine your Arts Endowment staff contact.

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Grants for Arts Projects, FY 2021

GRANTS FOR ARTS PROJECTS Guidelines: Part 1: Submit Grants.gov
Complete and submit the Application for Federal Domestic Assistance/Short Organizational
Form to Grants.gov.
Register or renew/verify Grants.gov and SAM.gov registration | Go to the Grant
Opportunity Package | Fill out the Application for Federal Domestic Assistance/Short
Organizational Form | Submit your application to Grants.gov | Track Your Application
First Grants for Arts Projects Deadline:
Part 1 - Submit to
Grants.gov

February 13, 2020 by 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time

Prepare application material so that it’s ready to upload when the Applicant Portal opens
Part 2 - Submit to
Applicant Portal

February 18, 2020 at 9:00 a.m., Eastern Time to February
25, 2020 at 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time

July 9, 2020 by 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time

Prepare application material so that it’s ready to upload when the Applicant Portal opens
Part 2 - Submit to
Applicant Portal

July 14, 2020 at 9:00 a.m., Eastern Time to July 21, 2020
at 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time

Note: To allow time to resolve any problems you might encounter, finalize your
Grants.gov/SAM registration by at least June 17, 2020 and submit to Grants.gov by at least June
30, 2020.
1. Register or renew/verify Grants.gov and SAM.gov registration:
 Before submitting to Grants.gov, your organization must register or renew/verify its
current registration with both Grants.gov and the System for Award Management
(SAM). Registrations with Grants.gov and SAM must be active for you to be able to
submit your application. Failure to comply with these requirements will result in your
inability to submit to Grants.gov.
 Go to Grants.gov's Organization Registration to create a new organization registration.
 Grants.gov Contact Center: Call 1-800-518-4726, e-mail [email protected], or
consult the information posted on the Grants.gov website at Support. The Grants.gov
Contact Center is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. NOTE: You must contact

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•

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Grants for Arts Projects, FY 2021

Grants.gov for help. Grants.gov is not a National Endowment for the Arts system and is
outside of our control.
SAM Federal Service Desk: Call 1-866-606-8220 or see the information posted on the
SAM website at SAM Help. NOTE: You must contact SAM.gov for help. SAM.gov is
not a National Endowment for the Arts system and is outside of our control.
Registration in SAM.gov and Grants.gov can take several weeks. Exceptions to the
deadline will be considered only for registration or renewal issues that are the result of
failures on the part of DUNS, SAM, or Grants.gov as determined by the National
Endowment for the Arts. To be considered for this exception, you must provide
documentation of a DUNS, SAM, or Grants.gov failure dating from at least January 22
for the February 13 deadline or June 17 for the July 9 deadline.
In addition to these instructions, you should periodically check the Grants.gov blog or
the Grants.gov homepage for tips, updates, and alerts.

2. Go to the Grant Opportunity Package:
Access the Grant Opportunity Package with the Application for Federal Domestic
Assistance/Short Organizational Form on Grants.gov by clicking on the link for your
deadline:
CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE GRANT OPPORTUNITY PACKAGE ON
GRANTS.GOV
For applications at the February 13, 2020, deadline:

[Funding Opportunity Number 2020NEA01AW1]
When you go to Grants.gov through the link above, the Grants.gov “View Grant
Opportunity” screen will open. Choose “Apply” in the “Action” area. On the next screen,
choose “Apply” again. You will be prompted to enter your Grants.gov Username and
Password.
You will apply using a Grants.gov Workspace. To create a Workspace, look for the
“Application Filing Name” field above the “Create Workspace” button (you must be logged
in as the Authorized Organization Representative or AOR to be able to see this button and
create the Workspace). Enter the legal name of your organization, click the “Create
Workspace” button, and follow the screens from there. If you want to learn more about
using Grants.gov’s Workspace, see here.
For detailed instructions on how to complete and submit the required forms through
Workspace, see here.
You will submit the substantial part of your application during Part 2.

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Grants for Arts Projects, FY 2021

100

The Grant Opportunity Package for the July 9, 2020, deadline will be available mid-June
2020.

3. Fill out the Application for Federal Domestic Assistance/Short Organizational Form
NOTE: All asterisked (*) items and yellow fields on this form are required and must be
completed before you will be able to submit the form. Do not type in all capital letters when
completing the form. Enter information directly into the form. Do not copy from an old
Application for Federal Domestic Assistance/Short Organizational Form or another document
and paste into the form.
1. Name of Federal Agency: Pre-populated.
2. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: Pre-populated.
3. Date Received: This will be filled automatically with the date that you submit your
application; leave blank.
4. Funding Opportunity Number: Pre-populated.
5. Applicant Information:
a. Legal Name: The name provided here must be the applicant's legal name as it appears in the
current IRS 501(c)(3) status letter or in the official document that identifies the organization as a
unit of state or local government, or as a federally recognized tribal community or tribe. (Do not
use your organization's popular name, if different.)
If you are a parent organization that is applying on behalf of an eligible independent
component, do not list the name of the independent component here. You will be asked for that
information later.
b. Address: Use Street 1 for your organization’s physical street address. This address should
agree with the address that you used with the SAM (System for Award Management). In
addition, use Street 2 for your organization’s mailing address if it differs from the physical street
address.
In the Zip/Postal Code box, organizations in the United States should enter the full 9-digit zip
code that was assigned by the U.S. Postal Service. If you do not know your full zip code, you
may look it up at www.usps.com/zip4/.
d. Type of Applicant: Select the item that best characterizes your organization from the menu in
the first drop down box. Additional choices are optional.
e. Employer/Taxpayer Identification Number (EIN/TIN): Enter the 9-digit number that was
assigned by the Internal Revenue Service; do not use a Social Security Number.
f. Organizational DUNS: All organizational applicants for federal funds must have a DUNS
number, which is recognized as the universal standard for identifying organizations
worldwide. The number that you enter here must agree with the number (either 9 or 13
digits) that you used with the SAM (System for Award Management) as part of the

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Grants.gov registration. Otherwise, your application will not be validated by Grants.gov
and will be rejected. Confirm your DUNS with SAM.gov before filling out this form.
g. Congressional District: Enter the number of the Congressional District where the applicant
organization is located. The Congressional District that you enter here must agree with the
Congressional District that you used with the SAM (System for Award Management) as part of
the Grants.gov registration. Use the following format: 2 character State Abbreviation-3 character
District Number. For example, if your organization is located in the 5th Congressional District of
California, enter "CA-005." If your state has a single At-Large Representative or your territory
has a single Delegate, enter your 2 character state/territory abbreviation and "-000." If you need
help determining your district, go to www.house.gov and use the "Find Your Representative"
tool.
6. Project Information:
a. Project Title: Enter “N/A.” You will provide a project title in the Arts Endowment’s Applicant
Portal during Part 2 of the application process, not in Grants.gov. Anything you enter in
Grants.gov will not be used in the review of your application.
b. Project Description: Enter “N/A.” You will provide a project description in the Arts
Endowment’s Applicant Portal during Part 2 of the application process, not in Grants.gov.
Anything you enter in Grants.gov will not be used in the review of your application.
c. Proposed Project Start Date/End Date: Enter the beginning and ending dates for your
requested period of performance, i.e., the span of time necessary to plan, execute, and close out
your proposed project. The start date should be the first day of the month, and the end date
should be the last day of the month. Our support of a project may start on or after: 1) For
applicants at the February 14 deadline, January 1, 2021; or 2) For applicants at the July 11
deadline, June 1, 2021. Generally, a period of performance of up to two years is allowed. The
two-year period is intended to allow an applicant sufficient time to plan, execute, and close
out its project, not to repeat a one-year project for a second year. Your budget should
include only the activities and costs incurred during the requested period of performance.
7. Project Director:
Provide the requested information for the Project Director. Select a Prefix (e.g., Ms., Mr.) even
though this is not a required field.
Provide contact information, including an e-mail address that will be valid through the
announcement date for your category. Due to restrictions from the Department of Homeland
Security we are not able to send emails to alias addresses that forward to another email account.
Do not enter this type of email address.
8. Primary Contact/Grant Administrator:
Provide the requested information for the individual who should be contacted on all matters
involving this application and the administration of any grant that may be awarded. For colleges
and universities, this person is often a Sponsored Research, Sponsored Programs, or Contracts

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and Grants Officer. Select a Prefix even though this is not a required field. For the Telephone
number field, use the following format: 000-000-0000. Due to restrictions from the Department
of Homeland Security we are not able to send emails to alias addresses that forward to another
email account. Do not enter this type of email address.
In some organizations, particularly smaller ones, this individual may be the same as the Project
Director. If this is the case, you may check the "Same as Project Director" box and not repeat
information that you have already provided in Item 7. (If the Primary Contact/Grant
Administrator is the same as the Authorizing Official, complete all items under both 8 and 9
even though there will be some repetition.)
9. Authorized Representative:
Enter the requested information for the AOR (Authorized Organization Representative) who is
authorized to submit this application to Grants.gov. Select a Prefix even though this is not a
required field. Due to restrictions from the Department of Homeland Security we are not able to
send emails to alias addresses that forward to another email account. Do not enter this type of
email address.
The AOR must have the legal authority to obligate your organization (e. g., be a senior member
of the staff such as an Executive Director, Director of Development). See specific requirements
for who can serve as an AOR for colleges and universities. Contractors, including grant writers
or grant consultants, or administrative support staff cannot serve as an AOR.
NOTE: By clicking the "I Agree" box at the top of Item 9, this individual will be certifying
compliance with relevant federal requirements on your organization's behalf. (These
requirements can be found in the "Assurance of Compliance" section of these guidelines.)
The "Signature of Authorized Representative" and "Date Signed" boxes will be populated by
Grants.gov upon submission of the application.
4. Submit your application to Grants.gov:





To begin the submission process, log on to Grants.gov and go to the Forms tab on the
Manage Workspace page. Click the “Sign and Submit” button, under the Forms tab.
Be certain that you are satisfied with your Application for Federal Domestic
Assistance/Short Organizational Form before you click this button. No revisions to
your form are possible through Grants.gov once it is submitted.
Once you complete and submit your application, you will see a confirmation screen
explaining that your submission is being processed. Take a screenshot and retain the
Grants.gov Tracking Number that you receive in the application submission confirmation
screen.
If you wait until the day of the deadline to submit your application, you are taking a
significant risk! We strongly suggest that you submit your application no later than
February 4 for the February 13 application deadline; and no later than June 30 for the
July 9 application deadline. This should provide ample time to resolve any problems you
might encounter.

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

We will not accept late applications. The only exception is for a technological failure on
the part of Grants.gov, as determined by the National Endowment for the Arts. To be
considered for this exception, you must provide documentation of a Grants.gov
technological failure dating from:



February 4 (for the February 13 deadline) or earlier, or



June 30 (for the July 9 deadline) or earlier.
We will consider and address your situation as appropriate. We will not make exceptions
for applications that are the result of user error, including failure to register in SAM.gov
or to verify that your application was validated by the Grants.gov system through Track
My Application.



Failure to successfully submit the Application for Federal Domestic Assistance/Short
Organizational Form through Grants.gov will make you ineligible to complete Part 2 of
the application process.
5. Track Your Application:
 Verify that your application was validated by the Grants.gov system. Go to Track My
Application to confirm the validation and track the progress of your application
submission through Grants.gov. Take a screenshot of your validation confirmation for
your records. Do not wait until the day of the deadline to verify your submission in case
you encounter any difficulties.
For a detailed list of Workspace statuses, see here.
6. Prepare to Complete Part 2:
 Read the Part 2 instructions to learn about how and when to access the Applicant Portal
to submit material and upload items.
 To access the Applicant Portal, you’ll need your Agency Tracking Number/NEA
Application Number. The National Endowment for the Arts assigns the number to your
application 1-2 business days after you submit your Grants.gov application.
Additional Help
For additional help on how to use Grants.gov, see the Grants.gov website at Support. You also
can send e-mail to the Grants.gov Contact Center at [email protected] or call them at 1-800518-4726, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

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GRANTS FOR ARTS PROJECTS APPLICATION CHECKLIST
BEFORE APPLYING (Finalize by at least January 23 for the February 14 application deadline
or June 17 for the July 9 application deadline)
�
Finalize your entity registration/renewal with the System for Awards Management
(SAM.gov)
�

Why do I need to register/renew so far in advance of the application deadline? See here.
PART 1: GRANTS.GOV (Submit by at least February 4 for the February 13 application deadline
or June 30 for the July 9 application deadline)
�
Submit the Application for Federal Domestic Assistance/Short Organizational Form
through Grants.gov
Why do I need to submit my application to Grants.gov in advance of the application deadline?
See here.
PART 2: APPLICANT PORTAL
�
Log in to Grants.gov and go to "Check Application Status" to get your Grants.gov
tracking number and agency tracking number to use as your username and password for the
Applicant Portal. The Applicant Portal will be open February 18-25, 2020 and July 14-21, 2020.
�
Complete & submit the Grant Application Form (GAF) by 11:59 pm ET on February 25
or July 21, 2020. Confirm that all tabs are correctly filled out before hitting Save and Submit.
� Tab 1: View Application Data
� Tab 2: Organizational Information
� Tab 3: Arts Programmatic History
� Tab 4: Project Information
� Tab 5: Project Budget
� Tab 6: Items to Upload – Required Works Samples and PDF attachments (For Certain
Disciplines Only) Excess pages and items not listed in the guidelines will be deleted.
�

Required WORK SAMPLES (See your discipline's guidelines)

�

Required PDF ATTACHMENTS (See your discipline's guidelines)

� Tab 7: Organization & Project Data
RESOURCES
�

Watch the Grants for Arts Projects webinar

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Watch the Grant Application Form tutorial

�

Contact your discipline staff with any questions any questions any questions

FULL GUIDELINES CAN BE FOUND HERE

105

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GRANTS FOR ARTS PROJECTS Guidelines: Frequently Asked Questions
How can I find out when new guidelines are released?
National Endowment for the Arts guidelines are modified every year. Sign up for the notification
service provided by Grants.gov, the federal government’s online application system.
Sign up here.
To receive discipline-specific newsletters, sign up on our website here.
Does my project have to be new? Does it have to be big?
No.
Projects do not have to be new. Excellent existing projects can be just as competitive as new
activities.
Projects do not need to be big either; we welcome small projects that can make a difference in
their community or field.
Does my project have to be outside the scope of my regular programming?
No, a project can be a part of an applicant's regular season or activity. For example, a theater
company's educational activities that occur year round could constitute an acceptable project.
Other projects might be a workshop production of a work in progress or a charrette sponsored by
a community design center. What is important is the specificity of the activities involved. Also,
there can be no overlap with projects for which you already are receiving other National
Endowment for the Arts or federal funds.
Can I apply for MORE National Endowment for the Arts funding for a project supported
by an earlier grant?
Yes. If you have previously received a grant to support an earlier phase of a project (for example,
for research for a documentary, or early development work on a new play or choreographed
work) you may re-apply to the National Endowment for the Arts for additional funding to
support a later phase (for example, the post-production/editing/distribution phase of the
documentary, or the final development/premiere of the new play or dance). However, each
application must clearly describe the specific phase of work to be supported, and there can be
NO overlapping project costs between the awards.
Can my partner organizations also apply for National Endowment for the Arts funds to
support our collaborative work?
A partnering organization may apply for funds to support a joint effort but there can be NO
OVERLAPPING PROJECT COSTS between the applications. For example, if you are a dance
company, and you are applying for the development of a new work and a presenting
organization/theater is also applying for a residency/performance project that includes your
company and the presentation of the new work, you must ensure that the costs are kept separate.
You cannot include travel costs in your budget if these same costs are also reflected in the
presenter’s budget. You cannot include as cost share/match any income that is derived from a
federal grant made to another entity (e.g., if a presenter includes your artist fees as an expense in
their budget, you cannot use that as income in your own budget). In short, you should
communicate closely with your partners to be sure that you are each clear on the division of costs
and activity between the applications.

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Will you contact me if my application is missing anything?
No. Because of the volume of applications, we have a strict approach to incomplete applications.
For your application to be considered complete, every item that is required MUST be included in
your application package, which must be submitted no later than the application deadline date
under which you are applying. Staff will not contact applicants to request missing material.
Don't let that happen. Use the "How to Prepare and Submit an Application" section for your
category to make sure that you have included every item. Have the completeness and accuracy of
your application package double-checked by a responsible staff member who understands the
importance of this task. Allow at least six weeks to prepare your application, the work samples,
and other supplementary information. We can’t stress this enough: Do not wait until the day of
the deadline to submit! We suggest setting an internal application deadline for your organization
that is 24-48 hours before the actual application deadline.
If my application is determined to be incomplete, may I add the missing item(s) and
resubmit the application?
No. The staff has to check thousands of applications. By the time that an application is identified
as incomplete, it will likely be several weeks after the application deadline. An organization
cannot add missing items and resubmit the application after the application deadline. We
encourage you to double-check your application package against the "How to Prepare and
Submit an Application" section to make sure that nothing is missing.
If new or updated information that significantly affects your application (including changes in
artists) becomes available after the deadline, you must notify the specialist handling your
application.
Can I get a sample application?
Yes. See the FOIA Reading Room, Frequently Requested Records for information on what is
available as sample application material and how to request it.
How soon after the "Earliest Beginning Date for National Endowment for the Arts Period
of Performance" for my deadline does my project have to begin?
The National Endowment for the Arts’ support can start any time on or after that date.
Can my project start before this date?
No. Proposed project activities for which you're requesting support cannot take place before this
date. Ask the National Endowment for the Arts to fund only the portion of your project that will
take place after the "Earliest Beginning Date for National Endowment for the Arts Period of
Performance." If you include project costs that are incurred before the "Earliest Beginning Date
for National Endowment for the Arts Period of Performance" in your Project Budget, they will
be removed.
How long can my project last? May I apply for another project during this period?
We generally allow a period of performance of up to two years. Many applicants request a grant
period somewhere between 12 and 24 months. Ask for the amount of time that you think is
necessary. The two-year period is intended to allow an applicant sufficient time to plan, execute,
and close out its project, not to repeat a one-year project for a second year.
If you get close to the end of your grant period and think you need more time, you may request
an extension from our Office of Grants Management, but approval is not guaranteed.

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As long as it meets all other eligibility requirements, an organization may apply for another
project (with totally different project costs) the following year even if a National Endowment for
the Arts-supported project is still underway. Note that if you receive an extension on a previous
year's project, it may affect your grant period for your new proposed project.
If my application is rejected, can I find out why?
After notification, applicants who have questions may contact the staff responsible for handling
their application. Any applicant whose request has not been recommended for funding may ask
for an explanation of the basis for rejection. In such instances, the National Endowment for the
Arts must be contacted no later than 30 days after the official notification.
Can federally recognized tribes apply?
Yes.
In keeping with federal policies of Tribal Self Governance and Self-Determination, we may
provide support for a project with a primary audience restricted to enrolled members of a
federally recognized tribe. Applicants (federally recognized tribal governments, nonprofits
situated on federally recognized tribal lands, or other nonprofits whose mission primarily serves
federally recognized tribal enrollees) should consult with our staff to verify their eligibility
before preparing an application.
Can non-federally recognized tribes apply?
Yes, as long as the applicant is a nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3), U.S. organization. Projects for
non-federally recognized tribes and indigenous groups may be supported, but project
participation can’t be restricted to only tribal members.
Can Native Hawaiian groups apply?
Yes, as long as the applicant is a nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3), U.S. organization. Projects for
Native Hawaiians may be supported, but project participation can’t be restricted to only Native
Hawaiians.
The "We Do Not Fund" section says that subgranting is not allowed. What is subgranting?
Subgranting is defined as regranting funds to an individual or organization for activities that are
conducted independently of your organization and for the benefit of the subgrantee’s own
program objectives. A subgrantee is not directly employed by or affiliated with your
organization.
Examples of subgranting include:





Awards and prizes.
Payment to an individual or organization to obtain training or technical assistance for their
own benefit with little or no involvement from your organization. (Allowable activities
would include services that are offered or coordinated by your organization such as making
your facilities available, conducting workshops or conferences, or providing hands-on
assistance. These activities also should be monitored and evaluated by your organization.)
Production funds awarded to an individual or organization through a competitive review
process with little or no subsequent involvement from your organization.

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Most organizations that apply to the National Endowment for the Arts can’t subgrant federal
funds to individuals or organizations. Congress prohibits the National Endowment for the Arts
from making grants for subgranting activity, with exceptions only for state arts agencies,
regional arts organizations, and local arts agencies designated to operate on behalf of local
governments. Eligible local arts agencies must have completed a three-year history of
subgranting in the arts in order to apply for a subgranting project.
My organization wants to apply for support of its apprenticeship program. How can I
clarify in my application that my project does not include awarding subgrants even though
my budget may include fees to individual artists?
The key to avoiding the appearance of subgranting is the involvement of your organization.
Many types of projects can and should include fees to individual artists. For example, a budget
for an apprenticeship program might include fees paid to artists. These fees are not considered
subgranting if your organization provides substantive supervision of and involvement in the
mentor-apprentice relationship. This might include:






Planning a detailed description of the individual master-apprentice course of study.
Monitoring and evaluating the progress of the activity including conducting site visits.
Documenting apprenticeship activities including reports from masters and apprentices.
Arranging public exhibition or performance opportunities for masters and apprentices.
Archiving material related to the apprenticeships and publicly distributing information about
the apprenticeship program and its activities.

Note that simply "checking in" on the activity, including obtaining progress and final reports,
does not qualify as substantive involvement in the project.
You can provide evidence of your organization's involvement with this activity through projectrelated information on your website, announcements and evaluations of public events, and
archival documentation.

File Type	application/pdf
Author	Jillian Miller
File Modified	2019-08-29
File Created	2019-08-29