American Masterpieces: New Hampshire Inspirations
Deadline: May 1, 2009

Grant Coordinator: Lynn Martin Graton
lynn.j.graton@dcr.nh.gov
(603) 271-8418

These FY10 Grant Guidelines are valid for fiscal year July 1, 2009 - June 30, 2010

This grant opportunity is made possible through a special initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts: American Masterpieces: Three Centuries of Artistic Genius. This initiative was developed as a way to encourage Americans to celebrate and become better acquainted the best of their cultural and artistic legacy. While the NEA carries out its own dynamic programming in answer to this challenge, it has also invited each state to meet this challenge on a local level.

American Masterpieces: New Hampshire Inspirations is the State Arts Council’s implementation of the national American Masterpieces initiative. This grant category supports the presenting, touring, and/or teaching of artistic masterpieces of national significance that have a connection to the Granite State. The masterpieces may be by, inspired by, or based upon an American artist with national standing, who currently lives in New Hampshire or formerly lived, worked, or visited New Hampshire for any length of time. Masterpieces may also be by American artists who were inspired by an aspect of New Hampshire’s history, culture, or natural landscape. Arts education is a major goal of the NEA and all projects funded through this grant category are asked to develop innovative and far reaching educational components to the project.

Purpose of Grant

• To showcase the work of American artists, craftsmen, authors, and architects who are acknowledged masters in their fields;
• To educate the public and demonstrate the historical or cultural significance of American masterpieces with New Hampshire connections, either in origin or in influence;
• To encourage artistic excellence in the quality of the presentation;
• To encourage collaborative partnerships between arts organizations, humanities scholars and organizations, and educators;
• To increase appreciation for and a greater understanding of the role the arts play in education in grades pre-kindergarten through adult education;
• To make the arts more accessible in communities that are underserved due to economic, geographic, or other barriers;
• To strengthen arts organizations’ capacity for audience development.

Maximum Grant Request
Requests may be made for $1,000-$7,000.

Important Note: All grant categories and amounts are subject to change, depending upon availability of state and federal funds in any fiscal year.

Required Match
At a minimum, grants must be matched on a one-to-one cash basis (with exception noted below). State Arts Council funds may not be matched by other State Arts Council or National Endowment for the Arts funds. EXCEPTION TO CASH MATCH REQUIREMENT: In-kind contributions from partnering humanities organizations (e.g., a history department at a college or university), are allowable as a portion of the required cash match.

Who May Apply?
Nonprofit organizations with incorporation in New Hampshire and a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status from the Internal Revenue Service, or units within post-secondary educational institutions or other cultural organizations in New Hampshire (e.g., a college art gallery, public television, or a history museum), who also meet the following conditions:

• Produce, present, or serve the arts for the benefit of the general public;
• Have a 3-year history of professionally developed arts programming prior to the application deadline;
• Make programs and facilities accessible to people with disabilities;
• Have submitted all required reports on past State Arts Council grants;
• Are in good standing with the State Arts Council and the NH Attorney General’s Office.

Eligible Projects

• Project must feature one or more works of art by an American artist that is/are significant to the nation and that have a clear historical and/or cultural connection to New Hampshire;
• Project must have a strong educational component designed specifically for the project that emphasizes the historical or cultural significance of the masterpiece/s, and relevance to New Hampshire.

Masterpieces in any literary, performing or visual arts discipline are eligible, including crafts, architecture, design arts, choral music, and musical theatre.

Restrictions
The grant does not support:

• Projects/presentations that are not open to the public;
• Projects sponsored by arts organizations incorporated in New Hampshire, but with headquarters in a "border" town of a neighbor state (within 30 miles of NH's border), unless they have significant representation of New Hampshire residents on their boards and demonstrate that at least 50% of the individuals who benefit from their work are New Hampshire residents;
• Projects that are already receiving funding from any other State Arts Council grant category;
• General operating expenses not related to the project;
• Administrative expenses of current Operating Grantees (Costs associated with artist fees, travel, supplies and materials may be supported);
• Hospitality costs.

Sample Projects

IMPORTANT: All projects must include a strong educational component such as artist residencies in schools, lectures, film or video showings, open rehearsals, panel discussions, study guides or informational brochures, student workshops, exhibitions, symposia, etc.

Projects featuring American songs and choral music that help convey the significance of American choral music and provide access to the rich legacy of American choral history.  Activities can be for audiences at locations such as: festivals, agricultural fairs, seasonal celebrations, nursing homes, workshops, lecture-demonstrations, and/or other community gatherings, etc. Choral music may be based upon the work of New Hampshire artists or inspired by music, art, or poetry associated with New Hampshire (e.g. Robert Frost), or by composers who have been MacDowell Colony Fellows such as Amy Beach, Aaron Copland, or Leonard Bernstein; or singing traditions such as the Shaker traditions of Canterbury or Enfield.

Projects featuring American dance works that have artistic, historical or cultural significance to New Hampshire. Examples may include: public performances of classical dance, promoted as a method of introducing the community to masterworks by American choreographers with an open rehearsal and discussion; works by Philobolus, a contemporary dance company that got its start at Dartmouth College; restaging of works by choreographers Ted Shawn and Ruth St. Denis, who performed at the performance center known as Mariarden in Peterborough, NH, and was influenced by choreographer Martha Graham.

Projects featuring American musical theatre that celebrate the collaborative genius, evolution, diversity, and cultural contribution of this genre. Examples may include: works of American Masters such as MacDowell Fellow Leonard Bernstein (Candide, On the Town, West Side Story) with a post-show discussion; a weekend theatre festival featuring contemporary musical theatre productions by American playwrights and songwriters accompanied by educational components chronicling the role of summer theatre in New Hampshire; or concert staging of lesser known masterworks.

Projects featuring American visual arts of cultural or historical value to New Hampshire. Exhibitions may feature works by a single artist, school of artists, artist colony, arts movement, or arts genre. Examples of projects include:  a theatrical production based on the work of Maxfield Parrish; an exhibition of coin designs by Augustus Saint Gaudens; an exhibition of studio pottery with lectures on the significance of work by master potters Edwin and Mary Scheier or Gerry Williams and exploring the American crafts movement; a film about photographer Lotte Jacobi;  study guides on New Hampshire Furniture Masters; a photographic exhibition showcasing the work of National Heritage Fellow basket maker Newt Washburn and his apprentice; an exhibit of significant works by artists who have summered here, such as American Impressionist Childe Hassam’s who painted poet Celia Thaxter’s garden on the Isles of Shoals; or an exhibit of works by members of the Cornish Arts Colony.

Projects featuring American literature of cultural significances to New Hampshire. Examples may include a series of public readings of works by New Hampshire’s New Hampshire’s poet laureates; or a series of readings or works by poet Robert Frost.

Projects featuring American architecture of cultural significance to New Hampshire. Examples may include an exhibit and school field trips to the Zimmerman House owned by the Currier Museum and designed by Frank Lloyd Wright; or a documentary film and exhibit for schools on the tradition of timber framing in New Hampshire and the national significance of pioneer timber framer and author Tedd Benson and the Timber Framer’s Guild.

Application Review Process
A panel with expertise in the field meets to review and rate applications according to the funding criteria. A State Arts Councilor facilitates the meeting. Funding recommendations are then passed along to the State Arts Council for review and approval. If a grant of $5,000 or more is recommended, or the applicant's cumulative total of grants received from the State Arts Council for the fiscal year (July 1 - June 30) is $5,000 or more, the grant recommendation must also be submitted to the Governor and Executive Council for approval.

Funding Criteria
The following criteria will be used by reviewers to rate applications:

Artistic Quality
The artistic excellence of the project or program, which includes:

• Quality of the works of art that the project will feature;
• Quality of the artists and arts organizations involved;
• Significance of the featured artwork(s) to America’s artistic heritage.

Public Benefit to New Hampshire Citizens
The merit of the project, which includes:

• Demonstrated significance to the historical, artistic, and/or cultural heritage of New Hampshire;
• Extent to which the project broadens access to the arts and/or presents art that otherwise would not be available;
• Ability of the project to impact more than one community;
• Where appropriate, the potential to reach underserved populations such as those whose opportunities to experience the arts are limited by geography, ethnicity, economics, or disability.

Administrative Capacity

• Applicant’s ability to carry out the project including the appropriateness of the budget, the quality and clarity of the project goals and design, the resources involved, and the qualifications of the project's personnel;
• Plans for documentation, evaluation, and dissemination, as appropriate to the project;
• Board composition and staff qualifications;
• Credentials of outside contractors (if applicable);
• Realistic timetable for project;
• Sound marketing and fundraising plans;
• Well planned strategic partnerships, if appropriate, to carry out the project.

Strength of Educational Component

• Potential to enhance the educational experience of the audience or participants;

How to Apply
Before Submission: Applicants are strongly encouraged to attend one of the Council’s grant information sessions and to discuss their proposals with the appropriate grant coordinator noted above before writing their applications. Applicants should also review the legal and reporting requirements relevant to State Arts Council grants.

Draft applications may be reviewed if submitted at least two weeks in advance of the application deadline. First time applicants are especially encouraged to submit draft copies.

When sending in a draft, please clearly indicate DRAFT FOR REVIEW in BOLD letters on your submission.

Submitting the application:

• Fill out the Application/Budget Form: MSWord / PDF
• Answer the Narrative Questions
• Provide Support Materials
• Follow the directions in How to Prepare the Application Package

Error and omissions may affect a panel’s evaluation of your application, so please prepare your application carefully and follow instructions.

Narrative Questions
Please answer the following narrative questions on no more than 5 typed pages. Margins (not less than 1”), fonts (not smaller than 12 point), and spacing should provide easy reading for the panel reviewers. Please number and respond to the following questions in the order in which they appear, noting the section titles in bold.

Who You are and What You Want to Do

1. Organizational Profile: Provide a profile of your organization including its mission and a description of the community(ies) you serve. Please remember that some panelists may be from out of state and/or not familiar with your organization or its importance to the arts in New Hampshire.

2. Project Description: Summarize your proposed project noting:

• Featured American Masterpiece(s) and its connection to New Hampshire
• Participating artists* or consultants;
• Programs or services being offered;
• Targeted audience/participants;
• When the project will occur;
• Timeline for planning and implementing project;
• Location or touring component (if applicable);
• Educational component.

Note: Resumes and work samples must be included unless participating artists are listed in the Artist Roster or Traditional Arts  & Folklife Listing, are NH Fellowship or Governors Arts Awards recipients, or have served as NH Artist or Poet Laureate.

How You Are Going to Do It

3. Financing: Complete the project budget expense and income forms. Provide a brief narrative describing how you plan to meet the $1-to-$1 cash match. NOTE: If requesting an exception to the cash match, as noted, please provide clear, concise information regarding the amount and source of the in-kind contribution(s).

4. Marketing/Outreach Plan:

• How will you attract participants to be a part of the project or program?
• How will you attract the general public to experience the project or program?
• Outline a specific, comprehensive plan for crediting the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts for supporting projects that are funded.

5. Accessibility:

• Identify the ways you will provide access to people with disabilities and senior citizens so they may benefit from this project (i.e., physical access, programmatic access via large print programs and signage, sign language interpretation, assistive listening devices, transportation).
• Identify how or if your project will provide arts access/exposure to underserved populations.

6. Project Director/Consultant/Partners: Include name and qualifications of the Project Director or Consultant who will be involved with this project and attach his/her biography or resume. If you are working with humanities partners, provide names and background information on the scholar or organization.

Why You Are Doing It

7. Project Goal: State the goal(s) and intended outcome(s) of this project, and how it relates your organization’s long-range plan.

8. Cultural and/or historical significance to New Hampshire: Explain how this project meets the goals of the New Hampshire Inspirations initiative.

How You Will Evaluate and Document Your Project

9. Evaluation: How will you measure success? Describe the qualitative and/or quantitative measures you will use to know if your intended outcomes were achieved. Please attach copies of evaluation forms, if applicable.

10. Project Documentation: How do you plan to document this project (i.e., video, web site, print, photography)?

Required Support Materials
6 copies of

• Board-approved financial statement for most recently completed fiscal year.
• Arts organizations embedded within an institution (a university art gallery for example) should submit an income statement for the past two years and other financial documents, approved by a financial officer of the supervisory institution. This income statement should detail how much support the arts organization has been receiving from internal and external sources, as well as where those funds have been going. These organizations should submit a balance sheet, if available.
• List of current board or arts advisory committee members with addresses, e-mails, and occupations.
• One page resume or biography of project director.
• Selected written materials on outside contractors or consultants  (e.g., artist not on NH Artist Roster or Traditional Arts & Folklife Listing)
• Letters of support by participating partners.
• Evaluation forms, if available.
• Selected relevant program materials such as fliers, handouts, workshop announcements, and any applicable organizational promotional materials.
• Description and/or samples of educational material that will be presented as part of this project. Where a presentation, lecture, or workshop is applicable, provide an outline of the topics that will be covered.

One copy of

• Work samples for artists who are not already juried by the State Arts Council. See Preparation of Work Samples for instructions on preparing work samples/support materials.
•  First-time applicants only: Tax exempt status letter from the IRS and a copy of the Letter of Good Standing that was received upon registering with the Attorney General's office.
• A completed New Hampshire Nonprofit Checklist found at this link: http://www.nhcf.org/page16898.cfm. This checklist conveniently lists all the legal requirements for NH Nonprofit Organizations.

NOTE: Registration of IRS 501(c)(3) nonprofits is required every five years, for the years ending in 0 or 5.  This registration may be done on-line at http://www.sos.nh.gov/.

How to Prepare the Application Package
1. Fill out and sign the original application & budget form and make 5 copies.
2. Complete and make 5 copies of the narrative questions.
3. Collate the original signed application form and copies to result in 6 sets. Each set should contain the following items arranged in the order in which they are listed:

1) The signed application for (the original application should be with the first set)
2) narrative questions
3) board approved financial statement
4) list of board members
5) project director biography or resume
6) written materials on outside contractor or consultants (e.g., artist not on NH Artist Roster or Traditional Arts & Folklife Listing)
7) letters of support (optional)
8) sample evaluation form(s), if available
9) sample program materials
10) description or examples of education materials

4. Include work samples of artists if not on NH Artist Roster or Traditional Arts & Folklife Listing. See Preparation of Work Samples for instructions on preparing work samples/support materials.
5. First-time non-profit organization applicants only (municipalities and schools are exempt from this requirement):

A) Include one copy of IRS letter certifying 501(c)(3) status.
B) Include one copy of the Letter of Good Standing that was received upon registering with the NH State Attorney General’s office.

IMPORTANT: If applying for more than one grant include only one IRS letter and one Letter of Good Standing and make a note in your packet that you have submitted these with another application.

6. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope for any materials that need to be returned.
7. Include the New Hampshire Non-Profit Checklist.
8. Please do not use binders, folders, or protector sheets for the 6 separate sets of materials. Staples or clips are acceptable. Separate large envelopes may be used to contain the collated materials. It is helpful if you use post-it notes or label the application cover sheets to indicate original, set 1, 2, 3, etc.
9. Make 1 copy of everything for your files!
10. Put everything together in one package, putting the set with the application form with original signature on top. Mail or hand-deliver to: NH State Council on the Arts, 2 1/2 Beacon Street, Suite 225, Concord, NH 03301.

Why all these copies?
The original is for the State Arts Council files. Additional copies are for the panelists who will review your application prior to discussion at the panel meeting.

Deadline
Applications must be postmarked or hand delivered to the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts office at 2 ½ Beacon St, Suite 225, Concord, by 4:15 p.m. on the deadline date noted above. Office hours are Monday - Friday, 8:15 a.m. - 4:15 p.m. The office is closed all state and most federal holidays. Late applications will not be accepted. The Council cannot accept applications transmitted by facsimile (FAX) or email. It is not responsible for applications lost in transit. Errors and omissions may affect a panel's evaluation of your application, so please prepare your application carefully and follow instructions.

Notification
Applicants will be notified of their application status approximately ten weeks after the application deadline.

Payment
The NHSCA disburses funds appropriated from public sources, both federal and state. Checks are issued by Administrative Services of the State of NH, not the Department of Cultural Resources or State Arts Council. Upon receipt of properly executed grant forms, the State of New Hampshire generally pays grants under $5,000 to grantees within 4 to 6 weeks. If a grantee is awarded $5,000 or more or has received other State Arts Council funds which brings the cumulative total received for that fiscal year (July 1 – June 30) to $5,000 or above, grants need to be approved by Governor and Executive Council; consequently, payment can take up to ten weeks. All awards are subject to availability of state and federal funds. Therefore, we ask grantees to plan cash flow accordingly.

IMPORTANT: All grant agreements must be returned by January 15th of the fiscal year (July 1 to June 30) they are awarded. Failure to return the grant agreement by that date could result in cancellation of the grant and reallocation of funds. All funded projects must be completed by June 30th of the fiscal year they are submitted and approved.

Payment of a grant will be withheld if Final Reports for previous grants are not in compliance with policy below.

Grant Period and Reporting Requirements
The grant period is July 1, 2009 - June 30, 2010. A final report is due 30 days after the completion of your project, but no later than July 31, 2010. An extension of up to three months may be requested. The request for extension must be made in writing, before the deadline for filing has passed, to the grant coordinator responsible for administering the grant and should briefly explain why the extension is necessary and the date the report will be submitted.

Failure to submit the final report by the required date will result in the organization becoming ineligible to apply for NHSCA funding for two years. Additionally, failure to submit the final report may result in a withholding of funds from any currently awarded State Arts Council grant.

 Click here for the Final Report Download Center.

Last updated: September 3, 2009