Registration Deadline: March 3
Application deadlines: April 1 and July 1

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:

Arts and cultural organizations that have significant activities in this Program and receive GOS from another Program. Example: an art museum with a department devoted to design arts programming.

Organizations that would otherwise make two or more applications to this Program for support of ongoing activity.   Example: a community arts center with an architecture exhibition series, walking tours and design publications.

Organizations that are not primarily arts or cultural groups but have significant cultural programming. Example: A private university with a community design center.

Eligibility Criteria

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

Significant ongoing programming in the architecture, planning, design or historic preservation fields  

At least three years of previous NYSCA funding from the Architecture, Planning and Design Program

Administrative or professional staff in place to satisfactorily implement those specific programmatic activities

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 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 March registration deadline.

The on-line application form includes the following questions, and a project budget. Required support materials are listed below.

Application Narrative Questions

1. Program Overview
Describe your architecture, planning, design and/or historic preservation programs and/or services planned for the coming year, highlighting new or expanded activities and intended audiences. Also, outline plans for the following year(s) of this multi-year application.

2. Changes/Developments
Describe any significant changes or developments in the organization since last reviewed by the Council.

3. Finances
Describe any plans, projects and activities for meeting current and future expenses. Describe ways in which the Board is involved with this work. 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?

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

5. Audience
In what ways does programming support the audience's deepening awareness and understanding of the various design and planning fields? Describe the nature and range of activity supporting this work.

6. Attendance
What was the total attendance figure for your design programs and/or services for your most recently completed fiscal year?

7. Facilities
Briefly describe your organization's facilities as they relate to programming and services.  

8. Context
What other organizations are providing similar or complementary arts services to your community? And, are you working in partnership with any of these or other organizations?

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 slides or a CD-ROM with a brief script illustrating the programs and/or services. (Powerpoint preferred)

Representative samples of recent newsletters or other published material.