LIVING CULTURES GRANTS PROGRAM
Round 4 (2009)
Northern Lao weaving by Leanne Mounvongkham.
Photo: Amy Kitchener
The Living Cultures Grants Program is a program of the Alliance
for California Traditional Arts in partnership with the Walter
and Elise Haas Fund,
the William and
Flora Hewlett Foundation,
and the James Irvine
Foundation. Additional support provided by the California
Arts Council, the California Community
Foundation, and The San Francisco Foundation.
Go Directly To
Important Dates
Program Description
Types of Eligible Projects
Ineligible Projects
Review Criteria
Guidelines and Proposal Forms
Informational Meetings
For More Information Contact
Important Dates
Postmark Deadline: July 15, 2008
Notification to Applicants: December 22, 2008
Grants Project Period: January 1, 2009 – December 31,
2009.
Program Description
The Living Cultures Grants Program funds non-profit
organizations to support exemplary projects in the traditional arts
in California. Grant awards are generally limited to $5,000 or
less. A small number of grants of up to $7,500 will be awarded
to projects that demonstrate significant impact on a particular cultural
tradition. Approximately 35-40 grants will be made in this funding cycle.
top
Types of Eligible Projects
Examples of eligible projects may include, but are not limited to
the following:
- Public presentations, such as community-based concerts,
festivals, and exhibitions
- Workshops and gatherings (for example, events that bring together
artists, cultural specialists or community leaders to share skills
and information, or to engage in discussion and problem solving)
- Equipment and materials purchases (instruments, media equipment,
costumes or regalia, etc.)
- Conservation, creation, or acquisition of important traditional
arts items
- Intergenerational classes or other educational programs within
a community (after school youth programs, dance ensemble classes
or practices, summer programs, etc.)
- Documentation of traditional arts, skills, ceremonies, beliefs,
or performances
- Media, web, and print publications (all media and publication projects
must include specific plans for marketing and public distribution,
and priority will be given to those projects with the greatest potential
for widespread public distribution)
- Professional and leadership development (training or consulting
activities that enhance or improve the capacities of an organization
to better serve artists, communities, and the public)
- And other activities supporting California traditional arts and
artists
top
Ineligible Projects
The Living Cultures Grants Program does not fund:
- Debt reduction, capital campaigns, or endowments
- Projects whose
main purpose is fundraising
- General operating support
- Projects limited to an historical emphasis, including events presenting
the re-creation of past lifestyles (but projects including components
of oral history documentation are eligible when combined with activities
focusing on living cultural traditions)
- Projects based on the interpretation of a cultural tradition,
as opposed to the actual tradition or cultural art form itself
- Projects based in educational institutions (K-12, private schools,
and universities), such as folk arts-in-education projects, university
seminars and programs, or curriculum development (however school-based
projects may apply for community outreach components)
- Out-of-state travel
- Apprenticeships for one-on-one intensive learning – please
consult the Alliance's Apprenticeship
Program, which exclusively serves this type of
project
- Proposals from organizations that have not fulfilled their previous
grant obligations with the Alliance, including final reports
- More than one proposal per organization (except for fiscal receivers
applying on behalf of another organization)
- Proposals for multiple components of the same festival, event,
or project
- In order to best serve the field, the Alliance and its
funding partners wish to reach out to as many artists and organizations
as possible. With
that in mind, projects being funded by the Walter & Elise Haas
Fund or the James Irvine
Foundation cannot also be funded through the Alliance's Living Cultures
Grants Program. Proposals for support of a different project
are encouraged. Grantees of The William & Flora Hewlett
Foundation receiving general operating support are not eligible to
apply.
top
Review Criteria
A panel of traditional arts specialists will review applications and
make recommendations for approval by the Alliance Board of Directors,
according to the following criteria:
- The artistic quality and traditionality
of artists or tradition bearers involved in the project
- The cultural significance of the traditions in the context of
its community
- Inclusion of cultural expertise in project planning
- The viability of the project, as evident in a realistic work plan,
appropriate budget, and qualifications of project personnel
- Clarity of plans for evaluating impact
- Evidence of community support and involvement in project planning
- Potential for long-term benefit to traditional artists or tradition
bearers, target communities, or the applicant organization
top
Guidelines and Proposal Forms
To apply, download the guidelines and proposal forms below. Alternatively,
call (415) 346-5200 to request a copy be mailed to you.
LCGP
Round 4 (2009) Guidelines
LCGP
Round 4 (2009) Proposal Forms
(Can complete online and then print)
Sample
Budget—Matching
Sample
Budget—Nonmatching
top
Informational Meetings
Throughout May, the Alliance will host nine
informational meetings around the state – Long Beach (May
4), Riverside (May 5), San Diego (May 12), Los Angeles (May 15),
Santa Cruz (May 19), Fresno (May 20), San Jose (May 21), Santa Rosa
(May 22), and Berkeley (May 28).
Please join Alliance staff for a meeting in your area to learn more
about the Alliance and its programs – the Apprenticeship Program,
the Living Cultures Grants Program, and the Traditional Arts Development
Program.
We are also available to offer individual assistance and are happy
to work with first-time grant seekers.
top
For More Information Contact:
Lily Kharrazi
Living Cultures Grants Program Manager
(415) 346-5200
Email
top
