Information about the Orange County Fall 2016 Grant Cycle, including guidelines and tips on writing a strong narrative, how applications are evaluated and things our grants will and will not fund.

1. FALL ARTS GRANTS
Guidelines & Information

2. ABOUT OUR GRANTS
• Funded by North Carolina Arts Council (Grassroots Program) and
Orange County Board of County Commissioners.
• 2 cycles:
• Spring Application Cycle:
• Projects happening in the next FISCAL year (July 1 – June 30)
• Generally funded by NC Arts Council
• Fall Application Cycle:
• Projects happening in the next CALENDAR year (Jan.-Dec.)
• Generally funded by Orange County BOCC
• Fiscal Year 2016-17 Funds: $56,340
• Spring 2016 Application Cycle: $31k awarded ($22,350 Artist Program
Grants, $5k Artist Project Grants, $3,650 Arts in Education Grants)
• Fall 2016: Approximately $25k available

3. FALL GRANTS
• Arts in Education Coalition Grants fund collaborative arts
programming in 3 or more Orange County public or private
schools.
• Arts in Education Grants fund high-quality arts activities and
programming in Orange County public or private schools.
• Arts Program Grants help develop high-quality arts
programming taking place in Orange County.
• Artist Project Grants aid local artists in developing high-quality
arts activities in Orange County (only funded through Orange
County).

4. ELIGIBILITY
ARTIST PROJECT GRANTS
Professional artists coordinating arts activities that benefit Orange
County citizens.
All projects must take place in Orange County.
Projects must take place between during the 2017 calendar year.
Only complete applications received by 5pm on December 6 will
be considered.
ALL GRANTS

5. ELIGIBILITY
ARTS IN EDUCATION GRANTS
Public or private schools in Orange County; parent/ teacher
organizations for Orange County schools
ARTS IN EDUCATION COALITION GRANTS
Coalition of 3 or more public/private schools (or parent/ teacher
organizations) in Orange County.
ARTS PROGRAM GRANTS
Nonprofit organizations OR groups sponsored by nonprofit
organizations (fiscal agent)

6. • Matching Requirement
• One-to-one cash match
• NC Arts Council Recognition: Logo and Credit Line
• Orange County Arts Commission: Logo
• Reporting Requirements
• Final report to Orange County Arts Commission (Jan, 2018)
• Thank you letters to Orange County Board of Commissioners
REQUIREMENTS
This project was supported by the N.C. Arts
Council, a division of the Department of
Natural and Cultural Resources.

7. • Program expenses for projects of high artistic merit including
artists’ fees and travel, space rental, advertising, publicity, scripts,
costumes, sets, props, music, art supplies and framing, training, and
equipment rental or purchase.
WHAT THE GRANTS WILL
FUND

8. • Deficit reduction or contingency funds
• Food or beverage
• Interest on loans
• Fines or litigation costs
• Lobbying expenses
• Tuition for academic study
• Indirect cost rate expenses
• Capital expenditures
• Programs with religious content
WHAT THE GRANTS WILL
NOT FUND

9. APPLICATION
Now a fillable or printable PDF: Download at www.artsorange.org/grants

10. APPLICATION
A one-two sentence overview
of your project.
WHO + WHAT + HOW
EXAMPLE:
“The grant will help support a free
concert in December featuring
faculty members from the UNC
Music Department’s Vocal program
in works by American composers.
The grant will be used to partially
fund the CHP’s music director, rent
for rehearsal and performance
venues, and music for the program.”
Summary:

11. APPLICATION
Info about YOU, the applicant
WHO is the project going to
serve? BE SPECIFIC!
EXAMPLE: “We expect participation of
20 adults and 300 middle-school
children, approximately 64% Caucasian
and 46% African American.”
HOW will it serve the targeted
audience?
EXAMPLE: “Each art camp student will
engage in a rotating schedule of visual
and performing arts classes. This
includes 20 hours a week of instruction,
with 10 hours of sculpture, drawing and
painting and 10 hours of dance, theatre
and musical instruction.”
Narrative:

12. APPLICATION
WHO is involved?
–How were artists/instructors chosen
(include credentials)
–Rate of Payment
–If the artists have not been chosen yet,
describe the process for choosing artists.
Is this a well thought-out plan that
is likely to SUCCEED?
How the project will be publicized
and promoted?
–Specific outreach to include intended
audience? Community Partner’s
newsletters? Press releases,
website/social media, advertising, PSAs?
How will the project be evaluated?
–Surveys? Participant feedback?
Revenue? Community Impact?
Narrative:
BREVITY is your friend! Stick to
the facts; avoid flowery
language and over-use of
adjectives.

13. PROJECT BUDGET

14. CHECKLIST & SIGNATURES
Only one
paper copy
required!
Online
files ok!

15. Applications must be received by (NOT postmarked by)
Tuesday, December 6th
at 5pm
Mail: Drop-off:
Orange County Arts Commission Orange County Arts
Commission
P.O. Box 8181 200 S. Cameron St.
Hillsborough, NC 27278 Hillsborough, NC 27278
WHERE & WHEN
to submit your application

16. • Orange County Arts Commission Advisory Board reviews
each grant
• Board must base funding decisions on the quality of the grant
application, not on their relationship with, or knowledge of, the
organization
• Panelists review overall completeness of the grant and score
applications on specific criteria
HOW APPLICATIONS
ARE EVALUATED

17. • Artistic quality of the proposed project
• Community impact of project or program
• Ability to plan and implement project
• Stability and fiscal responsibility of the organization
HOW APPLICATIONS
ARE EVALUATED
Considerations…

18. 1st
Priority: Arts organizations like symphonies, galleries,
theaters, art guilds, choral societies, dance companies and music
presenters that are not receiving any other funding through the
N.C. Arts Council.
PRIORITIES FOR FUNDING
2nd
Priority: Arts learning and Arts in Education programs
conducted by qualified artists.
3rd
Priority: Civic, municipal or community-based
organizations providing quality art experiences for the greater
community.

19. • Grant Contract
• Final report with
• Audience numbers
• Audience demographics
• Demonstrated use of NC Arts Council logo and credit
line and OCAC logo on promotional materials and
programs
• NOTE: Late final reports=no funding next grant cycle
• Willingness to participate in activities that showcase your
project, or contribute to the betterment of the arts
community of Orange County.
IF YOU GET FUNDED…
EXAMPLE: Demonstration at a Board of County Commissioner’s
meeting, or participation in Americans for the Arts’ Arts & Economic
Prosperity Survey!

20. Need help? Have questions? Confused?
Katie Murray, Director
Orange County Arts Commission
kmurray@orangecountync.gov
919-245-2335
Address: 200 S. Cameron St., Hillsborough
QUESTIONS?