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Cultural Facilities Accessibility Grant

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The following guidelines are designed to assist professional, freestanding, Maine arts organizations that promote, present, produce and/or teach art(s) as its primary purpose. Grants are awarded to assist new capital projects and renovations as well as technology projects and/or improvements. The Maine Arts Commission will provide funding for:

• new construction, repairs or renovations of existing facilities owned and operated by a nonprofit Maine arts organization, or
• repair, upgrade or replacement of capital technology equipment for a facility operated by a nonprofit, Maine arts organization.

In reviewing applications priority will be given to applicants that:

• provide renovation that insures full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA); and/or
• develop projects that provide new jobs through a creative economy venture; and/or
• professional, freestanding, Maine arts organizations that are not eligible under bond funding supported by other Cultural Affairs Council agencies.

These funds have been made available through the New Century Community Program, funded as part of an education bond passed by Maine voters in the Fall of 2007.. New Century Community Program funds have been allocated to the seven member organizations of Maine Cultural Affairs Council (Maine Arts Commission, Maine Historic Preservation Commission, Maine Historical Society, Maine Humanities Council, Maine State Archives, Maine State Library and Maine State Museum,) with a percentage earmarked for the Maine Arts Commission.

Now in its second year, this “bricks and mortar” and/or electrons or “tech bricks” funding opportunity for professional, freestanding, Maine arts organizations that need to carry out physical and/or technology-related accessibility upgrades. Although the Commission will continue to prioritize funding for renovations or technology upgrades that provide full accessibility to people with disabilities under the ADA, applications for general structural or technological upgrades will be welcome, especially when a case can be made for the positive impact to the artistic quality of the organization’s offerings.

Deadlines

The postmarked application deadline is March 7, 2008, for projects starting after July 1, 2008.

Completed applications must be submitted no later than 5:00 p.m. E.S.T. on the on the date listed above in one of the two formats:

• Standard format must be postmarked by mail, a delivery company or be hand delivered to the Maine Arts Commission office, 193 State Street, Augusta, Maine.
• e-GRANT format must be electronically submitted. (See Introducing e-GRANT below.)
  Note: e-GRANT applications may require an original signature or artist materials that can not be submitted electronically. These must be postmarked by the deadline as well.

If you are waiting until the last moment, please make sure the postal worker correctly postmarks your package. Applications may also be hand delivered until 5:00 p.m. EST on the day of the deadline, but please make sure you hand materials directly to a staff member. We are not able to accept late applications under any circumstances.

Examples

Examples of initiatives that might be funded under the Cultural Facilities Accessibility grants program include:

• A performing arts organization that needs to install an electronic ticketing system allowing greater accessibility for all visitors, especially those with disabilities.
• A major art museum that needs to make improvements that include: lighting design; fire coding; new seating and configuration of stations for membership and ticketing and the redesign of the galleries to provide greater accessibility.
• A rural artist residency site requires the expansion of the current building to include the incorporation of a printmaking studio and molten glass studio to protect from the intense heat and fire used in glass blowing.
• A professional theater invests in newly developed technology to assist hearing impaired audience members for all performances.
• A multi-disciplinary community arts center has capital improvement needs that include: theater drapes; sprinklers; stage construction; lighting grid; electrics; lighting instruments; raking house floor; first floor seating; and doors and exit signage compliant with the ADA.

Who is Eligible to Apply

A professional, freestanding Maine arts organization that:

• promotes, presents, produces and/or teaches art(s) as its primary purpose, and
• is a nonprofit organization, legally established in the State of Maine, and
• has tax exempt status 501(c)(3) from the Internal Revenue Service or is a unit of local, county, state or tribal government, and
• is freestanding and not part of a larger institution such as a university, and
• has completed and filed all final reports required for previously awarded Maine Arts Commission grants.

Priority will be given to applicants that have not received a Cultural Facilities Accessibility grant in the previous year.

An applicant must demonstrate a fiscal structure that allows them to legally and responsibly utilize grant funds. The applicant must provide a minimum of 1:1 cash match. This demonstrates the applicant’s ability to take on the project and must be documented as part of the application package.

The maximum award is $10,000.

Organizations such as historical museums, libraries or community-based presenters using multi-use facilities may wish to contact one of the other members for Maine’s Cultural Affairs Council. For clarification on specific eligibility information, contact Kathy Ann Shaw, senior development associate & accessibility coordinator, 207/287-2750, 877/887-3878 – TTY/NexTalk User ID: kathy.shaw or kathy.shaw@maine.gov.

The goal of all physical and technological upgrades must provide great accessibility to the arts for all people. (Although these funds are meant to serve audiences and community members in general, Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act protects against discrimination of employees with disabilities. Therefore all facilities must be completely accessible. For more information see: http://www.mainearts.com/accessibility/index.shtml or contact Kathy Ann Shaw, senior development associate & accessibility coordinator, at 207/287-2750, 877/887-3878 – TTY/NexTalk User ID: kathy.shaw or kathy.shaw@maine.gov.

By giving priorities to funds for ADA improvements it is the agency’s goal that these arts organizations will serve as role models for other organizations within their communities, therefore leading additional physical, programmatic and technological ADA compliance. This continues the Maine Arts Commission’s comprehensive commitment to state-wide ADA arts organization compliance.

Review Process

The Maine Arts Commission will appoint a committee including Maine Arts Commission members and several public members who have expertise in ADA planning, facility renovation, specifically cultural facilities, and system-wide technology programs. The cultural facilities accessibility committee will review only applications that have been forwarded by staff as complete.

Recommendations will be presented to the Maine Arts Commission on June 15, 2007, who approve the selection process. Funds will be available on July 1, 2007, at the earliest and are dependent on funds received from the National Endowment for the Arts. Please plan accordingly which may mean that grant funds are used to reimburse costs incurred for the project.

Review Criteria

All grant proposals are reviewed on a competitive basis using the following criteria:

• Evidence that the project will develop or expand jobs in Maine.
• Evidence that the project will contribute to the long-term viability of the arts organization, neighborhood, community and/or region.
• Ability of the project to enhance creative economy efforts in the region.
• Demonstration of the project’s financial viability as documented with the application package.
• Ability of the project to create new opportunities for staff, board, audience and community members and provide greater accessibility to the arts for all people.
• Ability of the grant to help the organization fulfill its artistic and community-based mission.

How to Apply

Guidelines are available in large print format by request. All Maine Arts Commission programs are accessible to people with disabilities. All programs funded by the Maine Arts Commission must also be accessible.

Please review the following guidelines carefully in preparing your application materials. Failure to comply with these requirements will result in disqualification of your application. Only complete applications will be accepted.

Before developing the final application, discuss the idea or project contact Kathy Ann Shaw, senior development associate& accessibility coordinator at 207/287-2750, 877/887-3878 – TTY/NexTalk User ID: kathy.shaw or kathy.shaw@maine.gov. This is required.

Applicants who have been encouraged to proceed must submit:

1. One Maine Arts Commission Application Form.
2. One Application Budget Form including evidence of cash or in-kind match or volunteer resources (a cash commitment strengthens the application).
3. A copy of budget for the applicant’s most recently completed fiscal year demonstrating evidence of the applicant's financial stability.
4. One State of Maine Vendor Form.
5. Written or photographic documentation of the renovation need, to include but limited to ADA plans, feasibility studies, architectural plans, contractors/vendors estimates and/or other third party assessments or estimates of need repairs/improvements. The extent of this information should match the significance of the project.
6. Up to three letters of support from community members.
7. Résumés as outlined below.
8. Digital images representing a sampling of previous program activities.
9. Answers to each of the following questions sequentially and by number. Answers should not exceed five (5) pages.
   
   1. What is the mission of your organization? Please describe your programs.
   2. What is the history of ownership?
   3. What renovations are needed? Please describe how this project relates to previous renovation and reconstruction activities.
   4. What steps led to the recognition of need?
   5. Who has been involved in the planning for the initiative? To what extent have community members and stakeholders been involved?
   6. How will this project develop or expand jobs in Maine.
   7. Who will carry out the renovation or technology upgrade? Please include résumés or background material about the significant partners in this project including arts organization staff, architect, planners, etc.
   8. How does the initiative include or support the creation of quality arts activities?
   9. How will this renovation create new opportunities for staff, board, audience and community members at large thereby providing greater access to the arts for all people?

Please include one original application with all related materials. Please do not submit applications in elaborate file folders or packaging or use fonts below 12-point print. Make copies of all forms and other application materials for your records prior to submitting them to the Maine Arts Commission. If you have questions about your Cultural Facilities Accessibility application, please contact Kathy Ann Shaw, senior development associate at 207/287-2750, 877/887-3878 – TTY/NexTalk User ID: kathy.shaw or kathy.shaw@maine.gov.