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

The purpose of General Operating Support (GOS) is to offer unrestricted support for ongoing institutional operating activities of multi-arts centers, local arts councils, and multi-arts service organizations as defined above. 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.

Primary focus is provision of arts services or multi-arts programs

Has had at least three consecutive years of previous funding support from the State and Local Partnership Program

Must employ full-time, paid director

Eligibility for Other NYSCA Funds

General Operating Support applicants in this Program are ineligible to apply to other funding categories in the Program. Additional funding requests may be made 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.

Application Narrative Questions

1. Program Overview
Describe the programs and/or services planned for the coming year, highlighting new or expanded activities and efforts to reach and serve new audiences or constituencies. Outline plans for the following year of this multi-year application.

2. Services
Specify your ongoing efforts to assess, design, and implement service initiatives which benefit local organizations and the community at large. Describe the ways your organization supports the work and professional development of local artists.

3. Changes/Developments
Describe any significant changes or developments in your organization since the last Council review.

4. Finances
Describe any plans, projects, and activities for meeting current and future expenses. Describe your organization's fundraising plans within the context of revenue goals. Describe ways in which the Board is involved with this work.

5. Organizational Development
Describe the role of the Board and staff in the development and the ongoing assessment of programs and services. Describe the Board's ongoing planning process to establish and meet organizational goals. How are programs and other institutional initiatives evaluated and assessed?  

6. Audience
In what ways does programming/services support your community's awareness and understanding of the arts? Summarize strategies for diversifying community participation through outreach efforts, marketing, and pricing of programs.

7. Facilities
Briefly describe your organization's facilities as they relate to programming and services.

8. Context
Describe the components of your local arts community. How do your programs and services complement or support this arts community? Describe the ways you work in partnership with other organizations in the community or service area.

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. Representative samples of relevant organizational printed materials (2 copies)

2. Resumés of director and any new key personnel (2 copies)

3. Samples of organization's promotional/marketing materials (2 copies)