NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS, NATIONAL FOUNDATION ON THE ARTS AND THE HUMANITIES

AUTHORIZATION:

National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities Act of 1965, as amended, Public Law 89-209, 20 U.S.C. 951 et seq.

OBJECTIVES:

The National Endowment for the Arts, an investment in America's living cultural heritage, serves the public good by nurturing the expression of human creativity, supporting the cultivation of community spirit, and fostering the recognition and appreciation of the excellence and diversity of our nation's artistic accomplishments. This mission is accomplished through: 1) support to the visual, literary, media, design, and performing arts through project grants to organizations under five Agency programmatic goals: Creativity, Organizational Capacity, Heritage/Preservation, Access, and Education; 2) support for significant arts programs intended for national distribution on television or radio; and 3) assistance to published creative writers and literary translators of exceptional talent through individual fellowships.

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:

Project Grants.

USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:

Grants to Organizations: All grants will be awarded for specific projects that address the five Endowment goals. The applicant must designate the Endowment goal most relevant to the purpose of the project. A project may consist of one or more specific events or activities; it may be part of an applicant's regular season or activities. The Endowment is interested in projects, regardless of size or type of applicant organization, that are of national, regional, or field-wide impact or availability, including local projects significantly affecting their community or likely to serve as models to a field. Significance can be measured by excellence or creativity, not solely by budget size, institutional stature, or numbers of people or areas reached. The Arts on Radio and Television: Grants will support development, production, and national distribution of arts programs demonstrating artistic excellence and merit in content and use of the medium. Proposals including ancillary activities to improve public knowledge, appreciation, and access to the arts are especially welcome. Applications for media arts projects of more limited scope/distribution should be submitted under Grants to Organizations Guidelines. Grants to Individuals: Literature fellowships: Fellowships for Creative Writers are awarded to writers of poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction to allow them to devote time to writing, research, travel, and to advance their writing careers. Fellowships for translators are awarded to writers for specific projects to translate into English works by creative writers insufficiently represented in the language. Awards in the genres of poetry and prose will alternate each year. In fiscal years 2000 and 2002, fellowships will be awarded to writers and translators of prose; in fiscal years 2001 and 2003, they will be awarded to writers and translators of poetry. (For more information, consult the pertaining guidelines.)

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:   Grants to Organizations: Nonprofit tax- exempt organizations meeting the following conditions may apply: 1) No part of any earnings may benefit a private stockholder or individual, and 2) donations to the organization qualify as charitable deductions under Section 170(c) of the Internal Revenue Code. Examples of eligible organizations are arts institutions, arts service organizations, local arts agencies, official units of State and local governments, federally recognized tribal communities and Indian tribes. Consortia of such organizations also may apply. Generally an organization may submit, on its own behalf, one application for a single project under only one of the five goal deadlines each year. The 56 designated State and special jurisdictional arts agencies and their regional arts organizations may serve as fiscal agents or as consortium members and participants, including consortium lead applicants. However, all grant funds must be passed on to the sponsored organization or to other consortium members. Significant nationally distributed radio and television programs no longer will be funded under Grants to Organizations guidelines. Media projects of more limited scope, however, may still receive support. (See Grants to Organizations Guidelines for additional eligibility information.) The Arts on Radio and Television: Requirements are basically the same as for Grants to Organizations. An organization may submit, or be a consortium member in, no more than a total of two applications for funding in FY 2001 under these guidelines and the Grants to Organizations guidelines. Each request must be for a distinctly different media project. (See The Arts on Radio and Television Guidelines for additional eligibility information.) Grants to individuals: Individuals who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents and who, according to Public Law 89-209, Section 5(c), must demonstrate exceptional talent. Literature fellowships: Applicants must be published writers. Writers who have received from the Arts Endowment 1) two or more Creative Writing or Translation Fellowships or 2) any Creative Writing or Translation Fellowship since October 1, 1990, are ineligible. An individual may submit only one application per two-year cycle. (See 2000/01 Literature Fellowships Guidelines for additional eligibility information.)

Beneficiary Eligibility:   Awards to organizations: Nonprofit organizations, local governments, and local arts agencies, federally recognized tribal communities and Indian tribes, and through activities and services supported, the general public. Awards to individuals: Literature fellowships: Individual literary artists.

Credentials/Documentation:   Awards to organizations: Nonprofit organizations are required to submit a copy of their Internal Revenue Service tax exemption determination letter with their applications. For institutions of higher education, allowable costs will be determined according to OMB Circular No. A-21; for other nonprofit organizations making application, allowable costs will be determined according to OMB Circular No. A-122. For local governments, costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87. Awards to individuals: Literature fellowship applicants must be published writers.

APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS:

Preapplication Coordination:   Awards to organizations: Applicants must use standard application forms in Grants to Organizations Guidelines and The Arts on Radio and Television Guidelines. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." Awards to individuals: Literature fellowship applicants must use standard application forms provided in Literature Fellowships Guidelines.

Application Procedure:   Awards to organizations: Applicants must obtain fiscal year 2001 guidelines for Grants to Organizations or The Arts on Radio and Television from the Endowment. Additional supplemental materials may be required. (See guidelines for special requirements.) This program is subject to provisions of OMB Circular No. A-110, "Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other Non-Profit Organizations." It is also subject to the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-102, "Grants and Cooperative Agreements with State and Local Governments." Awards to individuals: Literature fellowship applicants must obtain fiscal year 2000/01 Literature Fellowships Guidelines from the Endowment. A manuscript of the applicant's own work in the genre in which eligibility is established must be submitted as part of application.

Award Procedure:   Awards to organizations: Applications are reviewed in closed session by advisory panelists. Each panel comprises a diverse group of arts experts and other individuals with broad knowledge in related areas, including at least one knowledgeable layperson. Panel funding recommendations are reviewed in open session by the National Council on the Arts, the advisory body to the Endowment. The Council's decision not to fund an application is final. All applications the Council has recommended for funding are then considered by the Endowment's Chairman, who makes the final award decisions. Awards to individuals: Literature fellowships: Applications are reviewed in closed session by advisory panelists from the literature field. Each panel comprises a diverse group of arts experts, as well as a knowledgeable layperson. Panel funding recommendations are reviewed by the National Council on the Arts in open session. The Council's decision not to fund an application is final. All applications the Council has recommended for funding are then considered by the Endowment's Chairman, who makes the final award decisions.

Deadlines:   Grants to Organizations: application deadlines for goals: Creativity - March 27, 2000; Organizational Capacity - March 27, 2000; Heritage/Preservation - August 14, 2000; Access - August 14, 2000; Education - August 14, 2000. The Arts on Radio and Television - September 15, 2000. Grants to Individuals: Literature Fellowships: Creative Writing Fellowships for Poetry and Translation Projects in Poetry - March 14, 2000. Creative Writing Fellowships for Fiction and Creative Nonfiction and for Translation Projects in Prose - mid- March 2001.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:   Dependent on meetings of the National Council on the Arts.

Appeals:   Information on requests for reconsideration may be obtained from the headquarters office.

Renewals:   None.

ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:   Awards to organizations: Require match of at least 1:1. Some grants may require higher match. (See pertinent guidelines for details). All matches must be made with non-Federal funds. Awards to individuals: None.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:   Grants to Organizations: Grant period is generally up to two years. Projects may begin any time after the following earliest project start dates: for Creativity and Organizational Capacity - January 1, 2001; for Heritage/Preservation, Access, and Education - June 1, 2001. The Arts on Radio and Television: Projects may start any time after April 1, 2001, and may extend up to three years. Literature Fellowships: FY 2000 prose projects must begin any time between February 1, 2000 and February 1, 2001, and may extend up to two years. FY 2001 poetry projects must begin any time between February 1, 2001 and February 1, 2002, and may extend up to two years. Timing of fund disbursements will vary according to the project. Generally, requests for payment to cover immediate project expenses may be received at any time.

POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:   Awards to organizations: Progress reports are required for all grants, and must be submitted at the time the cumulative amount requested exceeds two-thirds of the grant amount. Final reports, comprising financial and narrative components, are required for all grants within 90 days of the end of the grant period. In some instances, products of grant projects also may be required as part of the final report. Grantees also must report on geographic location of grant activity within 30 days of award receipt. Awards to individuals: Progress reports are required for all grants, and must be submitted at the time the cumulative amount requested exceeds two-thirds of the grant amount. Final reports, comprising financial and narrative components, are required from all literature fellowship recipients within 90 days of the end of the grant period.

Audits:   Awards to organizations: Regarding applicant and grantee-initiated audits: All grantees must comply with audit requirements mandated by OMB Circular No. A-133, "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-profit Organizations." Nonprofit institutions expending $300,000 or more a year in Federal awards shall have an audit made in accordance with A-133's provisions. Local governments expending $300,000 or more in Federal awards within the State's fiscal year shall have an audit made for that year in accordance with A-133's provisions. Awards to individuals: None.

Records:   Grant-related records must be retained by grantee for three years following submission of the final financial status report.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

Account Identification:   59-0100-0-1-503.

Obligations:   (Grants) Grants to Organizations: FY 99 $38,890,067; FY 00 est $36,493,600; and FY 01 est not separately identifiable. The Arts on Radio and Television (new funding category in FY 01): FY 99 $0; FY 00 est $0; and FY 01 est not separately identifiable. Literature Fellowships: FY 99 $800,000; FY 00 est $820,000; and FY 01 est not separately identifiable.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:   Fiscal year 2001: Grants to Organizations: $5,000 to $150,000. The Arts on Radio and Television: Radio projects - $20,000 to $100,000. Television projects: research and development - $20,000 to $50,000; single documentaries - $25,000 to $50,000; multi-part series - generally up to $200,000, depending on complexity of project. Literature Fellowships - $20,000.

PROGAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

Grants to Organizations: Fiscal year 1999 applications: 270 in Heritage and Preservation, 828 in Education and Access, 232 in Planning and Stabilization, and 987 in Creation and Presentation. Fiscal year 1999 grants awarded: 169 in Heritage and Preservation, 432 in Education and Access, 691 in Creation and Presentation, and 125 in Planning and Stabilization. Literature Fellowships: Fiscal year 1999 (poetry), 980 applications were received and 40 awards made.

REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:

For Grants to Organizations Guidelines and The Arts on Radio and Television Guidelines for fiscal year 2001, and Literature Fellowships Guidelines for fiscal year 2000/01, contact the Office of Communications, National Endowment for the Arts, Washington, DC 20506-0001, or visit the Endowment Web site at http://arts.gov for guidelines in downloadable format. Guidelines for the next two-year cycle of Literature Fellowships will be available January 2001.

INFORMATION CONTACTS:

Regional or Local Office:   Not applicable.

Headquarters Office:   Address: National Endowment for the Arts, 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20506-0001. Web site: http://arts.gov. For general background information about the Endowment: Telephone: (202) 682-5400. Grants to Organizations: For information about the discipline or field appropriate to your project, telephone: Arts Education (pre-K through 12): (202) 682-5563. Dance: (202) 682-5452. Design: (202) 682-5452. Folk and Traditional Arts: (202) 682-5678, 682-5724, or 682-5726. Literature: (202) 682-5787 or 682-5771. Local Arts Agencies: (202) 682-5581 or 682-5586. Media Arts: (202) 682-5452. Multidisciplinary: (202) 682- 5658 or 682-5469. Museums: (202) 682-5452. Music: (202) 682-5590 or 682-5487. Musical Theater: (202) 682-5509. Opera: (202) 682-5438 or 682-5600. Presenting: (202) 682-5591 or 682-5469. Theater: (202) 682-5509, 682-5511 or 682-5020. Visual Arts: (202) 682-5452. The Arts on Radio and Television: telephone (202) 682-5452. Grants to Individuals: For information about Literature Fellowships, telephone: (202) 682-5428. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing should call Voice/T.T.: Telephone: (202) 682-5496. Individuals unable to read conventional print should contact the Endowment's Office for AccessAbility. Telephone: (202) 682-5532 for help in acquiring an audio recording of guidelines. Use same 7-digit numbers listed above for FTS.

Web Site Address:   http://www.arts.gov.

EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:

Projects supported by fiscal 1999 Grants to Organizations: Creation & Presentation: 1) A Minneapolis theater company's tour, including public performances and residency activities, to Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, and Wisconsin; 2) Tandem tours by two dance companies of divergent sizes, both performing choreographer Paul Taylor's works, to four cities in Iowa, five cities in Montana, Detroit, Washington, D.C., and New London, Connecticut; 3) Conservation and reinstallation of a Baltimore museum's collection of Christian medieval art, one of the world's finest. Heritage & Preservation: 1) Structural strengthening and restoration of Fallingwater, a National Historic Landmark house in western Pennsylvania, designed in 1935 by architect Frank Lloyd Wright; 2) Program of instruction by tribal elders in traditional Tewa Pueblo Indian techniques of making jewelry, sculpture, pottery, tanning, weaving, and painting and drawing; 3) Musical celebration of the tricentenary of Louisiana and its French, Creole, and African-American cultural heritage, including research on Louisiana composers and an orchestral concert and recording of their works, as part of the state-wide FrancoFete. Education & Access: 1), a national conference, Public Art 101, examining current issues and models in the public art arena and providing technical assistance to municipal and community arts organizations; 2) launch of the Dakota Children's Theatre Company tour to elementary and middle schools throughout South Dakota; 3) convening the 1999 Revival-Design Camp Meeting in South Carolina, a week-long workshop in design of home furnishing prototypes using recycled materials, conducted for college students by nationally known design and craft artists. Planning & Stabilization: 1) a professional development initiative to cultivate strong leadership among the administrative, governance, and artistic personnel of 834 U.S. orchestras; 2) establishment of "creative aging institutes" in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, and New York, to aid development of arts programs for the elderly; 3) augmentation of an endowment for The Kenyon Review, the distinguished literary magazine founded in 1939 by poet John Crowe Ransom.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:

Primary criteria by which all applications are assessed are artistic excellence and artistic merit. (See Grants to Organizations Guidelines and The Arts on Radio and Television Guidelines for the full list of review criteria.) For literature fellowships, applicant's manuscript is the sole indicator of artistic excellence and artistic merit considered by the panel. (See Literature Fellowships Guidelines for specifications to meet additional criteria for translation projects.)