Next Generation Grants Introduction:
The City of Santa Barbara Redevelopment Agency established a focus on cultural development following the 1985 Cultural Inventory and Assessment (Bailey Report). For over twenty years the Redevelopment Agency has provided support and funding for the renovation and creation of a range of arts facilities. These facilities housed both performing and visual arts and incorporated studio, live-work and public art components, which are elements of the over all strategy of utilizing the arts as an economic generator for Santa Barbara. Nearly all of the Redevelopment Agency’s funding is for the development of capital improvements and affordable housing.
Recently, the City of Santa Barbara has been studying ways in which the community can address the issue of sustainability. The arts community both locally and nationally has been studying arts sustainability during the last several years as well.
In the near future a summary report by the University of California Institute for the Arts and the Santa Barbara Cultural Development Foundation will be released that describes leading arts sustainability strategies. Among the report’s recommendations, and what is proposed here, is the development of a community grants program that is active at the neighborhood level and engages new audiences.
The Next Generation Grants are being offered on a one-time basis to catalyze new partnerships in order to include families, children and youth in the City’s cultural life. These mini-grants should emphasize participation and collaboration. They will be a demonstration of how the arts enhance the quality of life, social equity and public safety for residents of the Redevelopment Agency Project Area, the core urban neighborhoods, and the greater community.
The Next Generation Demonstration Grants will provide a model for engaging children, youth and families living in Santa Barbara’s core neighborhoods in grassroots arts projects. There is a special emphasis on youth development and identifying the next generation of artists and community leaders in Santa Barbara. Successful projects will demonstrate how neighborhood-based arts projects contribute to the interconnectedness and cultural vitality of our community.
Next Generation Demonstration Grant Review Criteria
Proposed projects should:
1. Enhance neighborhood quality of life through the arts.
2. Increase community connectedness with a focus on youth.
3. Build leadership and advocacy in the arts community at the neighborhood level.
4. Serve as an incubator to nurture grassroots artistic development.
5. Promote the arts as a catalyst for positive change in communities.
All applications will be reviewed by a selection panel, and award recommendations are subject to approval by the City of Santa Barbara Arts Advisory Committee. Grant recipients will enter into an agreement with the County Arts Commission in order to receive award.
Grant Deadline: Monday, June 2, 2008 by 5pm.
Eligibility:
* Individual artists, neighborhood-based community groups, and organizations that are engaged in the creation, performance, or presentation of art in the City of Santa Barbara may apply.
* Applicants may request funding for performing, visual and literary work that interacts with the community, and is created, performed, or presented in the Redevelopment Agency Project Area or in the immediately adjacent core urban neighborhoods.
* The applicant may be a tax-exempt entity under section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code OR under the umbrella of a 501 (c) (3) corporation.
* Funds may to be used for artist fees, materials, community events and exhibitions, performances, workshops, arts education, and promotion related to the activity or program.
Funds may not support capital projects, endowments, or debt reduction.
Applicants must attend one of the two Technical Assistance Workshops offered before submitting the final application.
Grant Requirements:
Grant funds must be utilized between June 23, 2008 and January 15, 2009. At the end of the grant period, grantees will be required to submit a written report with information on how funds were utilized, and how their project specifically impacted the community. 10% of grant funding will be withheld until receipt of that report, and future funding will not be considered without completion of a final report. Reports should include details of any programs or events that Next Generation grant funds helped support, including number of people impacted, (participants, volunteers, audience members, etc.), reviews, and media coverage when applicable. Your documentation in these reports will help assess the impact of these Next Generation Grants.
Grants are only made to organizations and individuals that do not discriminate in their employment practices, volunteer opportunities, or delivery of programs and services on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, ancestry, age, medical condition, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Application Deadline
1. Submit applications by mail to the Next Generation Grants c/o Santa Barbara County Arts Commission, P.O. Box 2369, Santa Barbara, CA 93120 by 5pm on Monday, June 2, 2008, or
2. Hand-deliver to the Arts Commission Office in the County Courthouse, 3rd Floor Rotunda Tower, 1100 Anacapa Street no later than 5pm on Monday, June 2, 2008.
3. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
Technical Assistance Contact:
Patrick Davis
Phone: (805) 962-0130
E-mail: artstaco@hotmail.com
Technical Assistance Workshops:
Lobero Theatre Rehearsal Hall
33 East Canon Perdido Street (enter on Anacapa Street)
Santa Barbara
April 22, 2008 4 pm
May 7, 2008 4 pm
TIMELINE FOR NEXT GENERATION GRANTS PROCESS
Grant Deadline: Friday, June 2, 2008
Grant Award Announcement: Friday, June 20, 2008
Grant Contract Period: June 23, 2008 – January 15, 2009
Total Funds Available:
The total funding for this pilot program is set at $40,000. The maximum allowed for a single grant is $5,000 with a minimum of eight grants to be awarded.
Application Instructions:
Submit six copies of the following:
1. Application form, typed in 12-point type and not exceeding three pages (Application is available as a Word document at www.sbartscommission.org <http://www.sbartscommission.org> .)
2. A project budget listing estimated expenses, income and in-kind donations/services.
3. Organizations applying please include a Board of Director’s list.
4. If applying through a fiscal sponsor, include a letter from the umbrella organization confirming sponsorship.
5. All applicants must include two letters of community support. (i.e., an arts organization, gallery, public space, school representative, partnering organization, etc.)
6. Applicants must state that the project will occur in the Redevelopment Agency Project Area or immediately adjacent neighborhoods (see attached Redevelopment Agency Project Area map page 6).
Next Generation Demonstration Grant Application Download PDF WORD