2024 Project Support: Events, Festivals, Series

Project Support: Events, Festivals, Series grants provide assistance for performances, exhibitions, festivals, locally-produced film presentations and community events where the arts are at the core of the project. Projects must be open to the public, include significant participation of professional artists and have an implementation plan outlined at time of submission.

Who is eligible to apply?

Applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements to apply for Project Support: Events, Festivals, Series.

• Registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations whose primary mission is arts and culture.
  • Organizations operating a comprehensive arts program who have a primary mission outside of arts & culture may be considered; please contact grants@gcac.org before starting the application for pre-approval.
  • Organizations receiving General Support or Operating Support are NOT eligible to apply.

What types of projects are eligible?

Performances, exhibits and arts events. The primary request must be for an event or series of events that is designed for the benefit of the general public and allows the community to experience the arts.

Additionally, all projects must meet the following criteria:

• Proposed activities must take place within Franklin County;
• Demonstrate compensation to professional artists involved in the project; and
• Be open and promoted to the general public (free or ticketed).

What types of projects or events are NOT eligible?

• Fundraising events
• Competitions and/or award shows
• Requests for the creation of art without a public event, performance, or exhibit
• Temporary or permanent public art (see Mural Assistance for Artists for mural funding and/or Artist Projects Grant Guidelines)
• Educational programs (including workshops) or youth programs
• Arts therapy programs or projects that primarily use the arts as a tool to raise awareness
• Projects that primarily feature, support or fund one individual artist

PROJECT OVERVIEW

• Describe your project in detail. Write as if the person reading the application knows nothing about the activities you are planning.
• Upload a full schedule of project activities/events locations. Tentative plans are acceptable.
• Project Start and End Date
• Projected total public attendees for all activities (do not include participating artists or volunteers).
• Is the project free to the public?
• What is the anticipated ticket price or price range?
• How many tickets will be donated to reach underserved community members?
• Projected number of artists paid through this project.
• Out of the artists paid, list number of artists paid that reside in Franklin County
• How many volunteers participate in the planning and execution of your project?
• How many volunteer hours will be donated for this project (approximate)?

SECTION 1: COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & COMMITMENT TO INCLUSION, DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND ACCESS (I.D.E.A.)

• Audience: Who are you hoping to reach with this project? Tell us everything you know about your current audience and any new audiences you’d like to reach.
• Community Reach: Tell us about your marketing plan and any collaborations or partnerships.
• D.E.A.: Describe specific efforts related to this project that demonstrate your commitment to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access (I.D.E.A.). How do you engage with, listen to and empower voices from historically-marginalized groups?

SECTION 2: ARTISTIC INNOVATION & ARTIST ENGAGEMENT

• Innovation: What makes this project special and different from other artistic endeavors? How is innovation demonstrated in this project? What risks are you taking?
• Professional Artists: Talk about the professional artists you are hiring for this project. How were they selected? How is artist compensation determined and demonstrated (please include a payment range)? How do you engage with local artists?

DEMOGRAPHIC DATA

Basic demographic information is collected as part of the grant application process. Organizations are required to report on the demographics of their staff and board of directors. We view data collection as an essential tool to our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. See APPENDIX F for details.

How do I complete the budget section of the application?

You must also complete a budget for the project in the online application system. You will add individual line items for project revenue (including earned revenue and contributed revenue) and  project cash expenses.

NEW in 2024: No in-kind income/expense should be included in the project budget. There will be an optional section to discuss in-kind support in the narrative.

What are the required Supplemental Materials (uploads)?

All support materials must be uploaded digitally to the online application system.

Mandatory Supplemental Materials:

• Current fiscal year Profit & Loss statement with budget and year-to-date actuals (also known as: statement of activities, income and expense statement)
• Current board, staff, and/or project committee list, indicate each person’s role in the project

Optional Supplemental Materials (include if available and relevant):

• Past fiscal year Profit & Loss statement with budget and year-end totals (also known as: statement of activities, income and expense statement)
• Most recently filed 990
• Marketing plan and/or marketing samples
• Links to current or past media coverage
• Artistic work sample materials

First-time applicants will also need to submit the following under the “Other Materials” upload section:

• Proof of 501(c)(3) status
• Brief organizational history

What award amount can we receive?

Most projects receive a partial award of $3,000 – $10,000. No projects will be fully funded and applicants should expect to secure additional funding outside of GCAC. Actual amount received will be based on the project budget and the committee score. Some very large budget projects may receive up to $25,000.

How often can we apply? Can we apply for other organizational grants?

Applicants can receive one Project Support award per calendar year.

Initial Review

Following the deadline, applications and supplemental materials will be reviewed by Grants & Community Engagement staff members to make sure the application is complete and meets eligibility.

Evaluation, scoring and voting

NEW IN 2024: This grant program will utilize a community grantmaking process that will invite the public to participate in the review and evaluation of applications. GCAC staff will train and guide logistics; however, scores and recommendations for funding will come from the community reviewers, not GCAC staff or board. This approach is another step in GCAC’s equity work and our commitment to collective decision-making. Though new to GCAC, community grantmaking has been in use for decades across the globe and it is tool to shift power dynamics inherent within funding environments. Power is transferred to the community that reflects the many perspectives, identities and interests of our diverse community and it demystifies the grantmaking process, hopefully making more artists and groups more comfortable with applying for funding.  Click here to read more about community grantmaking.

Notification

Grant approvals are based on evaluations and available funding. Following a vote from the GCAC Board of Trustees, applicants will be notified by email of the application award status (approved, approved with contingencies, or declined). Emails are sent to the primary grant contact and the authorizing official, as listed in the online application system organizational profile. You will receive reviewer/committee notes (if applicable) and a score in the notification email.

Grant Agreement

Following the approval of a grant, a grant agreement specifying the terms of the grant will be available in the online application portal by clicking the “Contracts to Complete” button. To accept the award, review the grant agreement and digitally sign by the date indicated. No major changes in the project can then occur, either in activities, key leadership or finances, without prior written approval from GCAC. Failure to properly notify and/or obtain approval could result in the cancellation of the remaining grant.

Payments

Grantees will receive 50% of their grant award following the receipt of a digitally signed Grant Agreement. The remaining 50% will be paid following receipt and approval of the final report.

For faster and dependable delivery, all payments will be issued through ACH Direct Deposit. To set up, banking information is collected (or updated with changes) as part of the grant agreement and is stored securely.

Grantee Follow-up Meetings and On-Site Visits

GCAC may request a scheduled meeting with Project Support recipients throughout the year. This meeting is intended to be an open dialogue between grantee and funder. The organization will have the opportunity to update GCAC on exciting news, changes in the organization and challenges.

Organizations should be prepared to make available up to four complimentary tickets for all performances, exhibits, or events funded at the request of the Grants & Community Engagement department so that staff or trustees can experience your programming live and to become better advocates for the arts in Columbus.

Final Reports

Final Reports are due 30 days following completion of the grant period as indicated in your Grant Agreement. To complete the Final Report, login to the online application system, and click on “Reports to Complete”. Extensions may be requested in writing before the Final Report due date. Failure to submit a Final Report within 90 days of the due date may result in the cancellation of the remaining grant disbursement. Overdue or failure to submit final complete reports may affect eligibility and impact grant awards in future applications.

Once you are awarded, say “Thanks!” in a public way. GCAC requires that all organizations and artists receiving funding demonstrate the public value of the arts by making others aware of awards received and acknowledging public funders.

Project Support grantees should credit GCAC for all events associated with the project activities detailed in the application utilizing website pages, social media posts and events, print materials, curtain speeches, e-newsletters and on-site signage. Refer to APPENDIX A for more details of the contractual publicity requirements.