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

General Operating Support (GOS) is unrestricted support for ongoing institutional operating activities of organizations whose central mission is to provide public programs and/or services in the folk arts. GOS is designed to support organizations that demonstrate a consistent track record of artistic achievement, public service, and managerial competence. The Council examines the nature, scope, and quality of an organization's programs and activities when considering the provision and level of GOS support. GOS support reflects NYSCA's recognition of the artistic and organizational capabilities of qualified arts and cultural organizations.

GOS grants will be no less than $5,000, and will rarely exceed 25% of an organization's budget. GOS support is awarded on a multi-year basis.

Eligibility Criteria

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

Primary focus in folk arts

At least three consecutive years of previous support from the Folk Arts Program

Paid staff

Eligibility for Other NYSCA Funds

Organizations receiving GOS support from the Folk Arts Program are not eligible for other support in the Program, with the exceptions of the Apprenticeships category and/or Services to the Field.

Application Instructions

The on-line application form includes the following questions, and a project budget. Please complete the Events Schedule form as part of this application, if applicable. Required support materials are listed below.

First-time GOS applicants are strongly advised to contact Program staff well before the March 1 registration deadline.

Application Narrative Questions

1. Program Overview
Describe your organization's programs, services, and/or field research activities, including ongoing activities and those planned for the next two years. Highlight new or expanded activities and intended audiences. What are your goals in undertaking these new activities, and their potential outcomes?

2. Changes/Developments
Describe any significant changes or developments in your organization's management, governance, or programming since last reviewed by the Council. Also note any changes planned for the proposed grant period.

3. Staff
Who are the principal artistic and administrative staff responsible for implementing these programs, and what are their qualifications?

4. Board
What is the role and involvement of the board in the organization's programs and management? Detail the board recruitment and selection process and the committee structure.

5. Finances
Describe plans for meeting current and future expenses and broadening your organization's revenue base, including any new fundraising projects and initiatives. Please indicate how your board is involved in financial planning.

6. Organizational Development
Describe the involvement and 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?

7. Audience/Interpretation
Provide an overview of the educational and interpretive programming, and the interpretive components typically used in presentations to the public. Please summarize strategies used by your organization for expanding and diversifying audiences through the packaging, marketing, and pricing of programs.

8. Facilities
Briefly describe the facilities used for programming and services.

9. Organizational Context/Collaboration
What other folk arts programs or organizations are providing similar or complementary arts services to your community or elsewhere? How are you collaborating with them?

10. Field Research
If your organization carries out field research to document folk arts traditions, describe the archive receiving field research materials, including materials in the collection, storage equipment, accessibility, location, description, and cataloguing methods, and   policies pertaining to access by the public.

Support Materials

Support material 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. Sample brochures or other printed materials used for public programs (2 copies)

2. Resumés of any new key personnel.

3. Up to10 slides, CD-ROM or a video, representing recent public programs, presentations and/or exhibitions. If your organization undertakes documentation of living traditions, provide slides, CD-ROM or an audio tape of documentation activity, and sample release forms used for interviewees. Complete a slide script to accompany your images.

4. A copy of a long-range or strategic plan (optional)