Apply to MCAF
The Manhattan Community Arts Fund (MCAF) supports local arts organizations and artists that have little access to other government funding sources. MCAF is funded by the New York City of Cultural Affairs (DCA). The program seeks to provide small grants for arts projects and local artists serving Manhattan communities. An MCAF grant is often one of the first grants an artist or group receives, and can help grant recipients to eventually leverage financial support from other sources. The program is designed to prepare applicants for the process of obtaining public funds.
MCAF seeks to support projects and activities that will enable Manhattan communities to experience and engage with the arts. Each year, the program supports over 120 arts projects in Manhattan, including concerts, performances, public art, exhibitions, screenings, festivals, workshops, readings and more.
How MCAF Works
Grants, ranging from $750 to $5,000, are awarded to Manhattan-based individual artists or non-profit organizations for arts projects taking place in Manhattan. In our most recent cycle, MCAF awarded 142 grants totaling over $230,000 to enable projects across Manhattan neighborhoods.
Assistance With Your Application
Information sessions consist of an overview of the MCAF program and guidelines, as well as a discussion of the components of a well-prepared application.
First-time applicants and returning applicants who have not attended an information session in the past three years (prior to 2007) are required to attend.
An RSVP is required to attend an information session. To see the complete schedule of information sessions and to RSVP, please visit this page.
In addition, we encourage you to seek one-on-one assistance in person or on the phone from LMCC staff to address specific questions about your proposal.
Application Deadline: September 21, 2010
All applications must be received at LMCC’s offices by 5:00pm on Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Applications received after the deadline will be returned to the applicant. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Applicants will be notified in January 2011 whether their projects have been funded.
Application forms are available for download in Microsoft Word format; however, applications cannot be submitted online. To download the application, please go to: http://www.lmcc.net/applymcaf
Applicant Eligibility
Applications will be accepted from Manhattan-based individual artists or nonprofit organizations such as arts organizations, social service agencies, senior centers, faith-based organizations, folk societies and cultural centers. Applicants must meet the following criteria to apply:
- Organizations must be based in Manhattan
- Organizations must have operating budgets under $100,000 for two of the last three fiscal years
- Individual artists must reside in Manhattan
- First-time applicants and returning applicants who have not attended an information session in the past three years are required to attend before applying
- Unincorporated and collaborative groups must show a minimum three-year working relationship, and an artistic lead residing in Manhattan must apply on behalf of the group.
- Individuals cannot apply or receive funds on behalf of a non-profit organization or a for-profit entity
Project Eligibility
- Project must include a public component: an opportunity to experience and engage with art that is promoted and available to the general public
- Project maybe new or ongoing, in any artistic discipline
- Project activities must take place between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2011
- Project activities must take place in Manhattan, including the public component.
- Applicants may only submit one (1) proposal requesting support for one (1) project
- Organizations must show at least 25% of project income from other sources
Funding Restrictions
Under this program funding is not available for:
- Organizations receiving institutional support or program support (including council member items) from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA)
- Public school districts, affiliates or components exclusively serving student audiences such as in-school and after school programs
- Organizations requesting support for in-school arts-in-education programs
- New York State agencies and departments
- Any organization previously funded with outstanding final reports to LMCC
- Cultural activities restricted to an organization’s membership; eligible projects must be promoted, and remain available to the general public
- Proposals from educational, health or welfare institutions unless they can demonstrate a history of providing arts programs
- Arts programs that are solely socio-economic, recreational, rehabilitative or therapeutic in nature
- Purchase of equipment, fundraising events; or non-project related administrative expenses
- General operating support
- Work-in-progress showings solely for the development of new work
- Humanities projects
- Proposals requesting support solely for educational workshops; eligible projects must have a culminating event that is promoted, and available, to the general public
Review Process
A panel of artists and arts professionals will review projects using the following four criteria:
- Artistic merit of the proposed project
- Clarity of project proposal
- Project feasibility, taking into consideration budget, timeline, and stated goals
- Appropriateness of the outreach plan to reach the proposed community
The criteria are not listed in order of priority; each is equally important.
In addition, funding priority will be given to artists and arts organizations that have applied but not received funding from MCAF for three consecutive years.
Proposals should accurately describe the project, the target audience, and the project’s impact. Project budgets and budget narratives should be precise, reflect actual needs, and demonstrate the ability to raise funds from additional sources.
Grant Requirements
The grant award is a contract for arts services; grantees are required to provide the following during the grant period:
- Sign and return grant contract to LMCC
- Include funding credit and logos on all marketing and event materials, print and electronic
- Submit event notification form six weeks before your event (a representative of LMCC may be present to monitor your project)
- Submit final report, no later than 30 days after completion of all project activities
- Grantees who do not comply with the above requirements will jeopardize their funding status and future grant consideration. LMCC may also require grantees to submit interim reports and/or attend an LMCC Grant Clinic (one-on-one grant assistance) to maintain eligibility to apply.
Appeals Process
Applicants may appeal decisions within 10 days of funding notifications. Applicants must request an appeal in writing, effectively arguing the case for appeals based on the criteria below. Dissatisfaction with either an unfavorable decision or the recommended level of support cannot be used as an appeal.
Grounds for appeals are limited to the following:
- Misrepresentation of information: an applicant’s information was improperly presented by the LMCC staff in a way that may have adversely affected the review process
- Non-presentation of information: the applicant’s information was not presented by the LMCC staff prior to or as part of the panel’s decision-making process
- Improper procedure: conflict of interest on part of a panelist
Application Instructions
A complete application includes:
- Eight (8) sets, including one original, of the following documents.
Each set consists of:
- Application form, completed and signed
- Brochure or one-page fact sheet outlining the mission and activities, if applicant is an organization
- Resumes or brief biographies of key artistic personnel involved in your project (maximum 3 pages)
- If applicant is an individual artist, one (1) copy of one of the following as proof of Manhattan address:
- Utility bill (could include cable, gas, etc)
- Driver’s license (address on the Driver’s license must be same as contact/mailing address, otherwise utility bill must be provided.)
- Item 1: Proof of nonprofit status. Choose ONE (1) of the following options:
- a. Form: BSM 189 from the Department of State
- b. Certificate from the NY State Office of Charity Registration
- c. Certificate of Incorporation under NY State Section 402 (Non-profit)
- d. Charter issued by Board of Regents under NY State Section 216 (Education)
- e. Letter of determination of 501(c)(3) status from U.S. Internal Revenue Service (letter must show the same address as the organization. Otherwise updated IRS letter acknowledging current address must be provided)
- Item 2. Audited financial statement for the most recent fiscal year or, if unavailable, a copy of the most recently filed IRS Form 990, signed by your treasurer, bookkeeper or accountant.
- Item 3. Projected organizational budget for the next fiscal year (FY12)
- Letter from fiscal sponsor confirming relationship with applicant, if applicable.
- Work samples in an appropriate format: see Work Sample Instructions for more details. Label each with:
- Applicant’s name
- Sample number (e.g. Work Sample #1)
- One set of support materials. Examples include press clippings or printed promotional materials. (Maximum: 5 pages or 5 five printed pieces)
- Self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE) for the return of work samples (stamps only). If no SASE is included with the application, work samples will not be returned after review.
Keep in mind:
- All documents must be on 8.5” x 11” paper.
- Do not staple, package or bind materials.
- Incomplete, illegible, emailed, or faxed applications will not be reviewed.
- Please type your application.
- Please double-side all copies of your application.
Work Sample Instructions
Work samples are a critical element of your application. Prepare a well-organized presentation that best represents your work and/or the proposed project. The grant review panel will have approximately five minutes to review your work samples.
- Submit samples of work created and/or presented in the last three years.
- Do not submit edited promotional or interview materials.
- Include cue times for longer works, indicated clearly on your submission materials.
- Do not submit original artwork.
- Do not submit WMV files.
- Do not submit QuickTime files unless optimized for full screen projection.
- Do not submit stickers on DVDs or CDs as these can jam equipment.
Work Sample Formats
Submit your work samples in one of the following formats. Please contact our staff for guidance if you wish to combine formats.
- Performing Arts, Film, Media Projects
- Submit Recordings (2 samples maximum)
- CDs, DVDs
- Recordings must be cued to play or must include a cue time. Please cue to a portion of the recording that best represents your work and your proposed project. Do not send marketing clips; send full length of work or work in progress. Theater artists without video documentation should consult the staff about alternative work sample formats.
- Literary Projects
- Submit Manuscripts (10 pages maximum)
- Scripts, Poetry, Prose
- The sample may be no longer than ten (10) pages of writing. The manuscript must be typed, double-spaced on 8 1/2 x 11 white paper.
- Visual Arts Projects
- Submit Images (10 images maximum)
- Printed Reproductions, CD/DVD of Images
- A maximum of ten (10) images may be submitted. Printed images should be no larger than 8 1/2” x 11”. Digital images must be in JPEG, GIF, or TIFF file format. Each file should not exceed 300K and should have a maximum height x width of 1000 x 1000px. Each filename should be saved as “Applicant Name #” (e.g. ArtsOrg01.jpg, ArtsOrg02.jpg, etc.). CDs must be labeled with applicant name.
Submit Application & Materials To:
Manhattan Community Arts Fund
Lower Manhattan Cultural Council
125 Maiden Lane, Second Floor
New York, NY 10038
Questions?
Contact Prachi Patankar, Program Manager, Grants & Services, 212-219-9401, ext. 117, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
