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 the presentation of live professional performing 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, based on the income and expense statement for the organization's most recently completed fiscal year. 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.

At least three consecutive years of previous support from the Presenting Program

Expenditure of more than 50% of its organizational budget on presenting the live professional performing arts

Present a minimum of 10 performances by 10 different professional performing artists

Paid staff

Eligibility for Other NYSCA Funds

GOS applicants in this Program may make one additional request in the category of Services to the Field. 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. Also complete the Events Schedule Form on the left navigation bar.

First-time GOS applicants are strongly advised to consult with the Program staff well in advance of the March registration deadline.

Application Narrative Questions

1. Program Overview
Describe the performing arts presentations planned for the coming year, highlighting new or expanded activities and their intended audiences. Provide a brief summary of each performance series highlighting artists, numbers of performances, and themes. Outline general presentation plans for the following year of this multi-year application highlighting any new initiatives under consideration.

2. Programming Vision
Describe what the organization wishes to accomplish programmatically through presentations and other activities, and detail the program selection process. Identify some other organizations that provide professional performing arts activity in the market area and how your presentations relate.

3 Changes/Developments
Describe any significant changes, challenges, or developments in the organization and its presenting activity since it was last reviewed. How are these challenges being met?

4. Audience Education
Describe the audience education activities and what they are intended to accomplish.

5. Marketing
Describe the marketing area and strategies, including appropriate demographic information and highlight changes and new initiatives. Indicate the proposed range of single ticket/subscription prices, and how they differ from the last Council review. Provide a rationale for the admission policy even if there is no charge for admission to the event.

6. Performance Venue
Briefly describe each performance venue, including stage dimensions and seating capacity.

7. Finances
Describe your organization's fundraising strategy and any plans, projects and activities for meeting current and future expenses. Describe ways in which the Board and senior staff are involved with this work.

8. Organizational Development
Describe the role of the Board and staff in the development and ongoing assessment of programs and services. How are programs and other institutional initiatives evaluated and assessed?

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. Copies of available contracts or letters of agreement or intent dated and signed by the presenter and the performing artists. Signatures by artist representatives must be clearly identified in print and by signature. These documents must include the dates and location of projected performances and agreed upon guaranteed minimum artist fees

2. 2 representative marketing pieces for current presentations   (8 copies each)

3. Representative sample of house programs (2 copies)

4. Artists' resumés – one to two paragraphs of background information on each artist

5. For co-presentations – a signed and dated agreement in which each partner shares in the costs of the artist's fee, marketing, and physical presentation, along with a budget detailing the financial responsibilities of each partner.