Final arts innovation grant opportunity of 2015-2016 is part of a pilot program supported by the Joseph M. Bryan Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts
To celebrate Leap Day 2016, ArtsGreensboro is inviting Greensboro-based nonprofit arts organizations to submit letters of interest for a $5,000 LEAP (“Launching Exceptional Arts Programs”) grant. ArtsGreensboro will award one LEAP grant before June 30, 2016 as part of its pilot Arts Innovation Grant program supported by the Joseph M. Bryan Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Different from ArtsGreensboro’s four regular grant programs—Mission Support, Project Support, Teacher Art Grants, and Regional Artist Grants—Arts Innovation grants enable organizations to undertake innovative approaches to engaging new audiences, with the ultimate goal of enhancing revenues through sustainable audience growth.
The Arts Innovation program recognizes Greensboro’s changing arts environment: Going forward, successful organizations will not only provide outstanding programming, but also develop nimble and innovative business models. The program encourages arts organizations to try bold ideas and collaborations that they could not do otherwise. Projects must be consistent with ArtsGreensboro’s strategic priorities of promoting arts education, celebrating the rich diversity of our community, and supporting economic development.
“We began with $50,000 in the Arts Innovation grant pool in the fall of 2015, and have made grants totaling $45,000 to date,” explained ArtsGreensboro President and CEO Tom Philion. “We have $5,000 left to grant by June 30, 2016. What better way to call attention to this rare opportunity than to tie it to Leap Day, which only happens once every four years?”
The nonprofit organization that receives the LEAP Grant will be able to experiment—to try something new and different, something that could position it more strongly for the future. ArtsGreensboro will award one $5,000 LEAP grant, which must be matched dollar-for-dollar by the recipient. The funded organization will provide a post-grant report accounting for use of funds and demonstrating defined and measurable outcomes including audience demographics, impact of project on audience size, earned income, and an overall analysis of the project’s success.
Not-for-profit arts organizations in Greater Greensboro with annual operating budgets over $50,000 may submit letters of interest to ArtsGreensboro outlining their LEAP project and how it will engage new audiences; impact the community; build a stronger, sustainable operating model; and address the increasingly competitive arts environment. Organizations that have already received 2015-2016 Arts Innovation grants are not eligible for the LEAP grant.
Letters of interest must be submitted by 5 pm on Monday, March 14, 2016. Upon evaluation, organizations may be invited to submit a full proposal and budget. The ArtsGreensboro Arts Innovation Grant Committee will make funding decisions.
Before submitting a letter of interest, organizations are urged to discuss project ideas with ArtsGreensboro Development Director Chip Berry at 336-373-7523, x243, to ensure that projects meet program criteria.
Letters of interest should be mailed to ArtsGreensboro, P.O. Box 877, Greensboro, NC 27401, or e-mailed to Development Director Chip Berry at CBerry@artsgreensboro.org.
