Registration deadline: March 3
Application deadlines: April 1, July 1

The purpose of General Program Support (GPS) is to offer unrestricted support for internal capacity building for qualifying organizations that demonstrate a consistent track record of artistic achievement, public service, and managerial competence, as well as innovation and leadership in the arts in education field. GPS support reflects NYSCA's recognition of the artistic and programmatic capabilities of qualified arts and cultural organizations, and is generally awarded on a multi-year basis.

Eligibility Criteria

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

Organizational activity that is solely focused on arts in education

Significant organizational activity that is focused on ongoing, collaborative, in-depth arts education partnerships

Ongoing mechanisms in plae for internal professional development and continuous improvement

At least three recent years of support from the Arts in Education 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 Arts in Education Program are not eligible for support in the ESP Project-based Planning or Project-based Implementation categories. Additional funds may be requested from other discipline programs of the Council. 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. Complete the arts in education supplemental form as part of this request, if applicable. Required and suggested support materials are listed below.

Application Narrative Questions

1. Programmatic Overview
Provide an overview of the programs your organization implements

2. Professional Development
Describe the professional development you offer for your staff and teaching artists.

3. Evaluation/Assessment/Research
Describe your efforts at evaluating and improving your organization's work, as well as any recent research studies your organization has engaged in.

4. Administrative/Staff Overview
Describe any significant changes in the administration and staffing of your organization, including significant changes in your board, since the last Council review.

5. Teaching Artists
Provide the number of teaching artists your organization employs. Describe the credentials that are required of your teaching artists. What are your teaching artists paid? How much turnover of teaching artists per year does your organization generally experience?

6. Fiscal Overview
Describe any plans, projects or activities to meet current and future organizational expenses and how your Board is involved with these efforts. If there have been significant fiscal changes in your organization since it was last reviewed by the Council, explain the nature of these changes.

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. Resumés of any new key personnel (required)

2. Samples of curriculum and evaluation/assessment/research materials (required)

3. Copy of organization's current strategic plan (required)