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

The Program offers General Program Support to qualified organizations to support a combination of ongoing programs in the visual arts. General Program Support is designed to assist qualifying organizations that demonstrate a consistent track record of artistic achievement, public service and managerial competence. Support in this category reflects NYSCA's recognition in 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: an arts center with an established visual arts division.

Organizations that are not primarily arts or cultural organizations but have significant cultural programming. Example: a library with an ongoing visual arts program

Organizations that would otherwise make two or more applications within this Program for support of ongoing activity. Example: a multi-arts center with an exhibition program and workspace facilities.

Eligibility Criteria

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

Significant ongoing programming in the visual arts, including a minimum of four scheduled exhibitions per year, where appropriate to your mission and activities

Three years of previous support from the Visual Arts Program

Administrative or professional staff in place to satisfactorily implement those specific programmatic activities

Eligibility for Other NYSCA Funds

Organizations receiving GPS in this 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.

Application Narrative Questions

1. Program Overview
Describe the visual arts programs and/or services planned for the coming year. How do these activities relate to the other programs in your organization? 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. New applicants should provide an overview of their staffing structure.

3. Facilities
Describe the facilities as they relate to visual arts programs and services.

4. 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?

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. Audience
Describe your audience and community. Explain efforts to expand your 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?

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. 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 announcements pertinent to the visual arts from past year

3. Exhibition facilities should list upcoming schedule of a minimum of 4 confirmed exhibitions, listing installation dates, title of exhibition, curator/s and artists. Indicate projected fee payments  

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

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

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

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