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

General Operating Support (GOS) provides unrestricted support for ongoing institutional operating activities of organizations whose central mission is contemporary visual 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. 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 in the visual arts

Has had at least three consecutive years of previous support from the Visual Arts Program

Paid staff

A minimum of four exhibitions, scheduled during the applicant's grant period, is required where appropriate to the organization's mission and activities.

Eligibility for Other NYSCA Funds

Organizations receiving GOS in the Visual Arts Program may make an additional request to the Services to the Field category. 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 GOS applicants are strongly advised to consult with the appropriate program staff before applying.

Application Narrative Questions

1. Program Overview
Describe the programs and/or services planned for the coming year. In general, how does this compare in scope and volume to last year's activities? What factors have influenced any changes?

2. Staff
Explain any changes in staff or staffing levels since the last review, and the impact of any changes. Provide an overview of your staffing structure.

3. Facilities
Describe the facilities as they relate to programs and services. Workspaces must detail hours that technical staff is available to on site artists and describe particular areas of expertise offered.

4. Audience
Describe your audience and community. Explain efforts to expand the audience and engage the community you serve. If you have been successful in attracting a new or specific component of an audience due to a change in programming, how will this segment be maintained?

5. Finances
Describe plans, projects and activities for meeting current and future expenses. Describe responsibilities for fiscal oversight and budget projections. How is the Board involved in this work?

6. 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 institutional initiatives evaluated and assessed?

Support Material

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. Up to a total of 40 images on CD-ROM, highlighting past year activities and specific works for the proposed year

2. Representative samples of organizational flyers, brochures and catalogs from past year

3. Copy of long-range or strategic plan (current, past or new draft)

4. Exhibition facilities should list upcoming schedule of a minimum of 4 confirmed exhibitions, listing dates, title of exhibition, curator/s and artists. Indicate projected fee payments to participating artists and any outside curatorial fees

5. Exhibition facilities should describe the scope of written materials available to the public. Provide samples of curatorial statements or artists' statements distributed to public during the current or past year.

6. Workspace facilities should list participating artists for current and previous year, including dates on site and stipends paid. Identify New York State artists.

7. Workspace facilities should list available equipment and computers, including software, on site, for artists' use.

8. Workspace facilities should include sample written evaluations from New York State participants indicating their experiences and suggestions.