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

General Program Support (GPS) is unrestricted support for specific ongoing arts and cultural programming that address the Program's focus. GPS is designed to support qualifying organizations with a consistent track record of artistic achievement, public service and managerial competence in their programming efforts. 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

Organizations that have significant ongoing activities that address the focus of this Program but receive GOS from another program

Organizations that are not primarily arts or cultural organizations but have significant cultural programming that address the focus of this Program

Organizations that would otherwise make two or more requests to this Program for support of ongoing activity

Eligibility Criteria

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

Significant ongoing activities that address the focus of this Program.

At least three consecutive years of previous support from this Program

Administrative or professional staff capacity to implement programmatic activities

Eligibility for other NYSCA funds

Requests to the Special Arts Services Program beyond General Program Support may be made in the Services to the Field category. Additional funds may be requested from other discipline programs of the Council. Organizations may receive GPS from more than one NYSCA program. 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. Please complete the Events Schedule and/or Workshops/classes forms as appropriate. Required support materials are listed below.

First-time GPS applicants are strongly advised to consult with the appropriate program staff well in advance of the March registration deadline

Application Narrative Questions

1. Program Overview
Describe the activities planned for the proposed year, highlighting new or expanded activities and intended audiences. Briefly outline general plans for the year following this multi-year application.

2. Community
What is the significance of the proposed activities in relation to your organization's mission and the community of color or specific ethnic population served?

3. Staff
List the key artistic and administrative staff and their qualifications.

4. Changes and Developments
Describe any significant changes or developments in the organization since it was last reviewed.

5. 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?

6. Finances
Describe plans for meeting current and future expenses and how the Board is involved with financial planning.

7. Facilities
Briefly describe your facilities as they relate to programming and services. Are there any plans to relocate or renovate the facility in the future? If so, describe the expected effect on your activities.

8. Context
What other organizations are providing similar or complementary arts services to your community? And, describe any partnerships with these or other organizations?

Support Materials

Support materials must be postmarked or hand-delivered to the program by the application deadline. If you want support materials returned, you must provide a self-addressed stamped envelope.

1. Representative samples of flyers, performance programs, catalogues, etc. that document past, current, and, if available, proposed activities.

2. Brief resumés of key personnel.

3. For applicants with an exhibition component: 10 slides or CD-ROM of the work to be exhibited, and two to three slides, color photographs or CD-ROM of the exhibition space; a slide script; resumés or bios of exhibiting artist(s) and curator(s). If request includes a touring exhibition, submit a list of venues with dates, attendance figures, and a percentage demographic breakdown of the audience by ethnicity for each.

4. For those with an instruction and training component: resumes of instructors, 2 copies of class schedule or curriculum brochure, representative list of former students who have entered professional careers. Submit a demographic breakdown of the students by ethnicity.

5. For those with a touring performance component: include letters of invitation from or contracts with local sponsors.