Registration deadline: January 22, 2010
Application deadline: April 12, 2010

The Folk Arts Program, in partnership with regional and local cultural organizations, supports year-round folk arts programs which are regional and county-wide in scope. Our support for these programs is intended to generate field research and programming for diverse audiences as well as services to individual folk artists and for other organizations interested in developing folk arts programs. The category offers support towards a staff folklorist position and direct program costs. Staff folklorists funded through this category document local traditions, develop and produce public folk arts programs, assist individual folk artists, and advise other organizations interested in developing folk arts activities.   Organizations that are not principally devoted to folk arts but have developed a distinctive folk arts program that is consistent with their mission may apply through this category.

Prospective new applicants must consult with Folk Arts Program staff well in advance of the January registration deadline, to determine whether an application to this funding category would be appropriate.

Additional Eligibility Criteria

Application Instructions

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

New or returning applicants are expected to consult with Program staff well in advance of the January registration deadline. 

Application Narrative Questions

Artistic/Programmatic

1. Program Overview
Describe ongoing public programs presented each year, providing specific examples of themes, programs and artists presented. 

2. Changes/Developments
Describe, with specific examples, new programming and field research initiated by the staff folklorist during the past year and planned for the next three years.  Indicate the relationship of this field research to the development of new programs.

3. Collections of Field Research Materials
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 to the public.

Managerial/Fiscal

4. Folklorist
Who is the staff folklorist, and what are his/her qualifications and experience? Describe the responsibilities of the position. If the folklorist has additional, non-folk arts responsibilities, describe how the tasks relate, and how much time per week is devoted to them. If you are currently recruiting for this position describe the recruitment process, indicate how you have publicized the job opening and summarize the status of the search. 

5. Changes/Developments
Indicate any significant changes in your folk arts program staffing and relevant changes in your organization as a whole since the program was last reviewed by the Council.

6. Organizational 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.  Indicate any relevant changes or developments in your organization’s management, governance or programming since your last review by the Folk Arts Program, and changes expected for the proposed grant period.

7. Finances
How is the current financial landscape affecting your folk arts program? What are your  plans for meeting current and future expenses of your folk arts program, including any new fundraising projects and initiatives?  Describe the organizational fundraising efforts undertaken on behalf of your folk arts program.  

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

Service to the Public

9. Services to Artists
Describe, with specific examples, services provided to individual artists, such as the development of apprenticeships, assistance with marketing, facilitating presentations to new audiences, and the creation of promotional materials.   Include both services currently provided and services planned for the coming three years.

10. Current Audience
Who are the audiences and communities served by your folk arts program? Describe the impact of your folk arts programs and services on the artists and communities you serve. 

11. Expanding your Audience
Indicate the new communities you are planning to serve in the next three years. Summarize strategies to expand and diversify audiences for the folk arts program.  Provide specific examples of audience development efforts, including promotion and marketing initiatives.

12. Assessment and Planning
Describe the involvement and role of your organization's board, folk arts advisory group (if any), and folk arts program staff in the planning and ongoing assessment of programs and services. If there is an advisory group, please list the members' names and their organizational affiliations. How is the folk arts program incorporated into your organization's long-range plan?

Support Materials

Support material must be postmarked or hand-delivered to the Program by the application deadline. Please complete the Events Schedule form as part of this application. If you want support materials returned, provide a self-addressed stamped envelope. 

1. Audio and/or visual examples representing recent programs, provided on a Windows compatible CD, DVD, or reference to a website. Complete a visual support materials script to accompany your audio or visual examples. Audio or video samples should be cued to the excerpts you would like the panel to see or hear. The total length of the samples may not exceed 5 minutes. See the NYSCA Digital Media/Work Samples Technical Instructions for tips on providing support materials on CDs or DVDs. 

2. Audio and/or visual examples representing recent documentation undertaken by the staff folklorist, on a Windows compatible CD, DVD, though audio cassette tape, or reference to a website. Complete a visual support materials script to accompany your audio or visual examples. Audio or video samples should be cued to the excerpts you would like the panel to see or hear. The total length of the samples may not exceed 5 minutes. See the NYSCA Digital Media/Work Samples Technical Instructions for tips on providing support materials on CDs or DVDs. 

3. Resumé of the staff folklorist. If you are currently selecting a new staff folklorist, provide a job description.

4. Sample brochures or other printed materials used for public programs (2 copies per item).

5. Sample data sheets and release forms used for interviewees in documentation.