Registration deadline: January 22, 2010
Application deadlines: February 17, 2010; April 12, 2010

The purpose of General Program Support is to provide unrestricted support for specific architecture, planning and design programming. GPS supports qualifying organizations with a consistent track record of artistic achievement, public service, and managerial competence in their programming efforts. GPS support reflects NYSCA's recognition of the artistic and programmatic capabilities of qualified arts and cultural organizations. GPS grants are awarded on a multi-year basis.

General Program Support is intended to serve:

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible to apply for GPS, an organization must meet each of the following conditions. 

Eligibility for Other NYSCA Funds

Organizations receiving General Program Support from the Architecture, Planning and Design Program are not eligible for other support in the Program, with the exception of Independent Projects and/or Services to the Field. Additional funds may be requested from other NYSCA Programs. Please be reminded of the Council's four-request limit.

Application Instructions

Organizations interested in applying for General Program Support are strongly advised to consult with Program staff well in advance of the registration deadline.

The on-line application form includes the following questions, and a project budget.  Please use the Project Notes section to explain income and expense items.  Required support materials are listed below.

Application Narrative Questions

Artistic/Programmatic

1. Program Overview
What are your organization’s ongoing architecture, planning, design and/or historic preservation programs and/or services?

2. Changes/Developments
What new programs and/or initiatives are planned for the next three years?  What are your goals in undertaking these activities and what are the expected outcomes?

5. Governance
Do these design programs and/or services have a separate advisory board?  How are they recruited and how often to they meet?  How reflective are they of your community?  Please describe the involvement of your board in management and program oversight.

6. Organizational Development
How do you actively engage board, staff and the public in organizational planning?

7. Finances
How is the current financial landscape affecting your organization?  What are your plans for meeting current and future expenses.  How is your Board is involved in these efforts  If your architecture, planning, design and/or historic preservation activity is one of several programmatic areas within a larger organization, how are financial resources allocated? 

Service to the Public

8. Current Audience
Who are the audiences and/or communities served by this program?  

9. Expanding your Audience
What are some opportunities for audience growth and diversification?  What steps are you taking to accomplish this? 

10. Membership
If you are a membership organization, how many members do you have?  What are your plans for increasing or sustaining your membership?

11. Online Resources
How do you use the Internet and social media to better serve the public?  Please include your url.

12. Assessment
How do you set programmatic goals?  How do you carry out the ongoing assessment of programs, services and/or other organizational initiatives? 

13. Context
What other organizations are providing similar or complementary services to your community and do you work in partnership with them?  

Support Materials

Support materials must be postmarked or hand-delivered to the Program by the application deadline. If you want support materials returned, provide a self-addressed stamped envelope. 

1. Resumé of the staff person responsible for the programs and/or services for which support is being requested if that position has changed since last being reviewed by the Council. (hard copy)

2. Up to 15 images on a CD-ROM with a brief script illustrating the programs and/or services. (Powerpoint preferred)

3. Representative samples of recent newsletters or other published material.