Registration deadline: January 22, 2010
Application deadline: February 17, 2010

General Program Support (GPS) is unrestricted support for specific ongoing arts and cultural programming that address the Program's focus and are directed to community-based audiences. The SAS Program recognizes that such programming may be only part of an organization’s overall activity, but will respond to those applicants with a consistent track record of artistic achievement, history of service to communities and, managerial competence in their programming efforts.

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

Requests to the Special Arts Services Program beyond General Program Support may be made in the Services to the Field category. Additional funds may be requested from other discipline programs of the Council. Organizations may receive GPS from more than one NYSCA program. Please be reminded of the Council's four-request limit.

Application Instructions

The on-line application form includes the following questions, and a project budget. Please complete the Events Schedule and/or Workshops/classes forms as appropriate. Required support materials are listed below.

First-time GPS applicants are strongly advised to consult with the appropriate program staff well in advance of the January registration deadline

Application Narrative Questions

Artistic/Programmatic

1. Program Overview
Describe the activities planned for the proposed year, how they fit within the Program’s  focus  and,  intended audiences. What are your goals in undertaking these activities and expected outcomes? Highlight new or expanded programming.  If a multi-year request, briefly outline general plans for the year(s) following this multi-year application.  

2. Changes/Developments
Describe any significant changes or developments in the organization since it was last reviewed. Highlight any achievements. 

3. Challenges
What are your key programmatic challenges and how will you overcome them?

Managerial/Fiscal

4. Staff
List the key artistic and administrative staff and their qualifications.

5. Organizational Development
Describe the role of the Board and staff in the development and the ongoing assessment of programs and services. How are programs and other institutional initiatives evaluated and assessed? 

6. Finances
Describe plans for meeting current and future expenses and how the Board is involved with financial planning. Highlight revenue that is confirmed and/or secured.   Explain any deficits that may affect your organization’s operation and plans to address the issue.

7. Facilities
Briefly describe your facilities as they relate to programming and services. Are there any plans to relocate or renovate the facility in the future? If so, describe the expected effect on your activities. 

Service to the Public

8. Marketing
What strategies are used to expand your audiences through the packaging, promotion and pricing of your programs? Please describe a recent success. 

9. Online Resources
How do you use the Internet and social media to better serve the public?  Include your URL.

10. Audience
What is the significance  and expected impact  of the proposed activities in relation to your organization's mission and the community of color or specific ethnic population served?

11. Community Context
What other organizations are providing similar or complementary arts services to your community and how 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. Representative samples of flyers, performance programs, catalogues, etc. that document past, current, and, if available, proposed activities.

2. Brief resumés of key personnel, if new.

3. For applicants with an exhibition component: 10 slides or CD-ROM of the work to be exhibited and two to three slides, color photographs or CD-ROM of the exhibition space; a slide script must be included or details of the artist(s) work notated in the CD ROM; resumes or bios of exhibiting artist(s) and curator(s). If request includes a touring exhibition, submit a list of venues with dates, attendance figures, and a percentage demographic breakdown of the audience by ethnicity for each.

4. For those with an instruction and training component: resumes of instructors, 2 copies of class schedule or curriculum brochure, representative list of former students who have entered professional careers. Submit a demographic breakdown of the students by ethnicity.

5. For those with a touring performance component: include a list of the proposed sites and dates and, name(s) of the production(s). Letters of invitation from or contracts with local sponsors are required.