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

General Program Support (GPS) is available to museums that are operated as independent entities within other organizations, or to those that do not own the collections they interpret.

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. GPS 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: a multi-arts center which includes a museum, or an organization that is both a museum and a library

Organizations that are not primarily arts or cultural organizations but have significant cultural programming. Example: Museums that are operated as independent entities within a college or university

Organizations that are non-collecting institutions, yet meet the professional standards and definition of a museum

On occasion, GPS may be awarded to a museum that does not receive GOS for the totality of its education department's activities.

Eligibility Criteria

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

Significant ongoing programming in the museum field

At least three years of previous support from the Museum 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 Museum Program may not apply for additional support within the Program, except in the category of Services to the Field, where appropriate. 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. Required support materials are listed below.

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

Application Narrative Questions

1. Changes/Developments
Please highlight key activities over the past several years. Describe any significant administrative, mission or vision changes in the organization since it was last reviewed for General Program Support.

2. Program Overview
What are the major plans for next year, in relation to exhibitions, education and collections? Please summarize plans for the next two years. How do these activities relate to the long-range plan and to your audience?

3. Facilities/Collection
Please provide an overview of the range of your collections, and the collection's local, regional, and or national significance. Please describe collections storage and exhibition spaces. If you are a non-collecting institution, please discuss how your facilities and exhibited objects/art relate to programming and services.

4. Audience
Define the organization's audience(s). What methods are used to reach and engage the audience in the development of programs and services? In what ways do you strive to reach underserved audiences?

5. Membership
Provide membership figures for the past two years and describe plans for increasing membership.

6. Context
What other organizations are providing similar or complementary arts services to the community? Are you working in partnership with any of these or other organizations? If the applicant museum is part of a larger institution, describe any collaborations or obligations to other parts of the organization,

7. Finances
What are the plans for meeting current and future expenses? Summarize the organization's fundraising plans (including any planned capital campaigns). How is your Board involved in this work?

8. Organizational Development
Describe the 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? What are the plans for staff retention and development?

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. Resumés of any new key personnel. First-time applicants to this category should provide resumés (1-2 pages maximum) of all key personnel

2. A list of exhibitions proposed for the next three years, where appropriate

3. Up to 10 images or website references, representing recent exhibitions and programming. Be sure to identify the images. Powerpoint is preferred, but not required.

4. Copy of the long-range plan