National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) News

New NEA Guidelines for Grants for Arts Projects

The National Endowment for the Arts has announced a new grant format for Grants for Arts Projects in fiscal year 2005 that encourages a simpler application process.

For the past several years, applicants have applied to funding categories, such as Creativity or Heritage and Preservation. This coming year, applicants will approach funding through the field or discipline of their project, such as dance, theatre or visual arts.

"We hope this change will simplify the application process, as well as underscore the importance of artistic field and discipline at the agency," said A.B. Spellman, deputy chair for guidelines and panel operations of the endowment.

GRANTS FOR ARTS PROJECTS support exemplary projects in dance, design, folk and traditional arts, literature, local arts agencies, media arts, museums, music, musical theater, opera, presenting, theater, visual arts and multidisciplinary art forms. Organizations will apply directly through these fields.

Each discipline offers granting opportunities in the following categories:

Access to Artistic Excellence supports artistic creativity, preserves our diverse cultural heritage and makes the arts more widely available in communities throughout the country.

Challenge America Fast-Track Review Grants enables small and mid-sized organizations to extend the reach of the arts to underserved populations whose opportunities to experience the arts are limited by geography, ethnicity, economics, or disability.

Learning in the Arts for Children and Youth advances learning in the arts, consistent with national, state, or local arts education standards.

Further information about these categories and grant requirements can be found on the endowment's Web site at http://www.arts.gov/grants/apply/GAP05/.

The Maine Arts Commission encourages Maine arts organizations to propose ideas to the endowment. If you would like advice or assistance from the Maine Arts Commission to pursue an idea or application, please contact Kathy Ann Shaw, grants/arts development associate, 207/287-2750 or kathy.shaw@maine.gov.