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

The purpose of General Program Support (GPS) is to offer unrestricted support for specific Folk Arts programming. GPS is designed to support qualifying organizations that demonstrate a consistent track record of artistic achievement, public service, and managerial competence. GPS support reflects NYSCA's recognition of the artistic and programmatic capabilities of qualified arts and cultural organizations, and is 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 an established folk arts department

Organizations that are not primarily arts or cultural organizations but have significant cultural programming. Example: a library with an ongoing folk arts program

Organizations that would otherwise make two or more applications within this Program for support of ongoing activity. Example: a community arts center offering folk arts presentations and exhibitions.

Eligibility Criteria

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

Significant ongoing programming in the folk arts

Three years of previous support from the Folk Arts Program

Professional staff in place to implement ongoing folk arts activities

Eligibility for Other NYSCA Funds

Organizations receiving GPS support from the Folk Program are not eligible for other support in the Program with the exceptions of the Apprenticeships category and/or Services to the Field. Organizations may receive GPS from more than one NYSCA program.

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 GPS 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 folk arts programs, services and/or field research, including both 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. Program Context
How does the folk arts program relate to your organization's mission? Describe the relationship of the folk arts program to other programmatic areas in your organization. Describe the impact of your folk arts programs and services on the artists and the communities you serve.

3. 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.

4. Personnel
Who are the principal artistic and administrative staff and consultants responsible for implementing these programs, and what are their qualifications?

5. Finances
Describe plans for meeting current and future expenses of your folk arts program, including any new fundraising projects and initiatives. Describe the organizational fundraising efforts expended on behalf of your folk arts program.

6. Organizational Development
Describe the involvement and role of the board and folk arts advisory group (if any) in the ongoing assessment of folk arts programs and services. How is your folk arts program incorporated into your organization's long-range plan?

7. Audience/Interpretation
Provide an overview of your folk arts program's educational and interpretive programming, and the interpretive components typically used in its presentations to the public. Please summarize strategies used by your folk arts program to expand and diversify audiences through promotion and marketing of its programs.  

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

9. Program 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 per item)

2. Resumés of the folk arts program director, and any new key personnel

3. Up to 10 slides, CD-ROM or up to 5 minutes of video, representing recent public programs, performing folk arts presentations, and/or exhibitions, as appropriate. Alternatively, you can provide audio tape(s) representing recent performance(s). If your folk arts program undertakes field research of living traditions, provide slides or an audio tape of documentation activity, and release forms used for interviewees. Complete a slide script to accompany your images.