NEA FY11 Guidelines Now Available
The National Endowment for the Arts' (NEA) FY11 Grants for Arts Projects guidelines are now available on the NEA website.
To assist orchestras with the application process, the League has again
outlined helpful tips for preparing your application, including new
information about the Grants.gov process. Orchestras may also contact
an NEA specialist to talk through the application.
Read the League's Tips for NEA Grant Applications
Rosen Addresses NEA Research Forum
League President and CEO Jesse Rosen was one of three respondents
invited to speak at a December 10 forum hosted by the National
Endowment for the Arts - and simulcast live online – regarding the 2008 Survey of Public Participation in the Arts.
More than 40 representatives from national and regional arts
organizations discussed the nation's largest and most representative
study of adults' arts participation habits. The report charts declining
attendance rates for ballet, classical music, jazz, and theatre, and
increasing participation in the arts through new media. Rosen said,
“Our own research confirms that something big is changing in the way
Americans participate in all types of activities. That is why
orchestras across the country are embracing innovative strategies for
bringing classical music to a broader cross-section of the American
public."
NEA and Arts Education Funding Increase
Congress has set the FY2010 funding levels for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the Arts in Education programs at the U.S. Department of Education, including increases in funding for both accounts.
An increase of $12.5 million for the NEA brings the agency's funding level to a total of $167.5 million. The newest grant application guidelines will be announced in January. In the meantime, the first round of awards to orchestras for FY10 are available on the League website.
First FY10 NEA Grants to Orchestras Announced
Grants awarded to orchestras by the
National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) provide critical funding for
projects that increase access to music in communities nationwide. The
first FY10 NEA grant awards were announced on December 8 through the
Challenge America: Reaching Every Community Fast Track Review and
Access to Artistic Excellence grant categories. NEA funding both
directly supports local projects and also spurs critical giving from
other sources like private foundations, corporations, and individual
contributors.
Orchestras in 14 communities will provide
performances, workshops, festivals and master classes with the support
of $10,000 grants recently awarded by the National Endowment for the
Arts (NEA). Challenge America grants will help orchestras bring the
experience of the arts to underserved populations limited by geography,
demographics, economics, or disability.
Access to Artistic
Excellence (Part One) grants totaling $1,471,500 will allow 52 distinct
orchestra projects to provide educational activities, concerts,
premieres, festivals, podcasts, radio broadcasts, orchestra tours,
professional development, and residencies in communities across the
country.
Future FY10 grants will be announced in the categories
of Learning in the Arts for Children & Youth and Access to Artistic
Excellence Part Two.
The League has compiled the project
descriptions for grants to orchestras and grants related to the
orchestra field. Complete lists of grant amounts and project
descriptions for awards in all disciplines may be found on the NEA web
site.
View Orchestra Project Descriptions
Support an Increase for the NEA!
Washington, D.C. - You are receiving this targeted email because
your orchestra is located in the state of a member of Congress who is
influential in determining the funding allocation for the National
Endowment for the Arts (NEA). Please share this message with others
stakeholders in your orchestra.
Congress is nearing its final decision on FY10 funding for the National
Endowment for the Arts! The House has recommended a $15 million
increase for the NEA, while the Senate endorses $6.3 million over
current funding. As
the House and Senate meet to determine the final amount allocated to
the NEA, please communicate to your members of Congress about the
importance and value of NEA funding, and request approval of the
House-supported funding level of $170 million for the NEA in FY10.
Read the full story
Landesman Confirmed as NEA Chair
Rocco Landesman has begun his role as Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts with a call for robust support for arts education and a commitment to the role of the arts in civic renewal. Elizabeth "Deba" Leach has been named as a senior advisor for arts education, and Joan Shigekawa, formerly of the Rockefeller Foundation, will serve as Senior Deputy Chair.
Congress has yet to set next year's NEA funding levels. So far, the House has approved a $15 million increase, while the Senate appropriations committee and President Obama have recommended a $6.3 million increase. Before the bill can advance to the White House to be signed, the two chambers will need to reach consensus on a final appropriations amount. Communities across the country benefits from NEA grants to orchestras. It's not too late to contact your Senators to urge support for increased NEA funding.
NEA Support Saves Jobs
Washington, D.C. - Federal grants to 64 orchestras will preserve jobs in communities nationwide, thanks to orchestra awards totaling $2.6 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds, announced yesterday by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA).
"America's orchestras fuel local economies, attract new business
development, spark the imaginations of young people, and, through the
power of music, unite individuals and cultures in times of challenge as
well as celebration," said League of American Orchestras President and
CEO Jesse Rosen. "These stimulus funds will enable orchestras to
continue making meaningful contributions to community cultural life
while helping to stabilize their local economies."
Orchestras across the United States will use federal funds to preserve
full and part-time administrative and artistic positions that were in
jeopardy of being eliminated due to the struggling economy. A complete
list of direct NEA grants to orchestras is listed below.
The NEA acted swiftly upon Congressional and Presidential approval of
$50 million in economic stimulus funding in late February. It is one of
the first federal agencies to disseminate stimulus funding in support
of local economies.
The arts industry generates millions of jobs and is an essential
contributor to the economic and cultural vitality of the United States.
In response to the stimulus grant opportunity, more than 2,400
applications from arts organizations nationwide poured into the NEA
seeking non-matching, one-time grants of $25,000 or $50,000 for
projects that focus on job preservation. While the need for support far
exceeds available federal resources, 631 arts organizations nationwide
received NEA stimulus grants.
Orchestras that did not receive direct NEA stimulus grants may be eligible to apply for support from state and regional arts agencies that have received NEA stimulus funding. The NEA has also announced the list of local arts agencies
receiving stimulus funds, some of which will be making them available
for re-granting purposes. The League will continue to keep you posted
on this and other federal funding opportunities.
The League has compiled a list of orchestras and grants related to the
orchestra field, below. Complete lists of grants to all organizations
may be found on the NEA web site.
View Economic Recovery Grants to Orchestras
MARCH 13, 2009
NEA Announces 2nd Round FY09 Grants
Orchestras in 50 communities will provide educational activities,
workshops, master classes, and concerts with the support of $1,411,500
in grants recently awarded by the National Endowment for the Arts
(NEA). The second round of FY09 NEA grant awards was announced on April
30 in the major funding categories of Access to Artistic Excellence Part Two and Learning in the Arts for Children and Youth.
In addition to these larger grant categories, funding through Save
America's Treasures will enable the Rosenthal Archives Collection to
advance preservation and conservation efforts documenting the history
of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and Arts on Radio and Television
grants will support radio broadcasts by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra,
the New York Philharmonic, and the San Francisco Symphony.
The League has compiled the project descriptions
for grants to orchestras and grants related to the orchestra field in
the major grant categories. Complete lists of grants to all
organizations in all funding areas may be found on the NEA web site.
Read the Full Story
MARCH 3, 2009
NEA Access Deadline Extended!
Washington, D.C. - Orchestras now have an extra week to submit applications for the Access to Artistic Excellence, Part One. Due to technical issues
with the Grants.gov website beyond the agency's control, the National
Endowment for the Arts (NEA) will accept Access, Part I application
materials through March 19, 2009.
Review the League's Tips for NEA Grant Applications
Congress Approves FY09 Increase for NEA and Arts Education
President Obama signed a catch-all spending bill passed by Congress
this week, which allocates $155 million for the NEA, an increase of
$10.3 million from last year's funding level. Thank you for contacting
Congress in support of the NEA! Advocacy efforts by orchestras in 2008
were closely coordinated with national efforts by the entire arts
community, resulting in continued advances in NEA funding.
Learn More about Federal Funding Opportunities
NEA Stimulus Grants
Orchestras that have received a National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) grant within the past four years may be eligible to apply for funding from the NEA to help stabilize local economies. The NEA has just announced grant guidelines and an application deadline of April 2, 2009 for arts organizations applying for NEA funding provided in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. These critical funds will be available as non-matching one-time grants of $25,000 or $50,000 for projects that focus on the preservation of jobs in the arts.
Learn More About the FY09 NEA Stimulus Grants
NEA FY10 Guidelines Now Available
The National Endowment for the Arts’ (NEA) FY10 Grants for Arts Projects guidelines are now available on the NEA website. To assist orchestras with the application process, the League outlines helpful tips for preparing your application, including an overview of guideline changes. Orchestras may also contact an NEA specialist to talk through the application.
Read the League's Tips for NEA Grant Applications
First FY09 NEA Grants Announced
With the support of grants awarded by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), orchestras will provide performances, workshops, festivals, and master classes to their communities. Challenge America Fast-Track Review grants to orchestras totaling $140,000 and Access to Artistic Excellence, Part One grants to orchestras totaling $1,430,500 were awarded on December 4. The League has compiled the project descriptions for grants to orchestras and grants related to the orchestra field.
House Appropriations Recommends NEA Increase for FY09
On June 11, the House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee recommended a $15.3 million increase in funding for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) in FY09. If approved by the full House and Senate, NEA funding would total $160 million. However, Congress is deadlocked over how to move ahead with funding for nearly all federal programs. Spending will likely be set at last year's level until a new Congress and President arrive in Washington next year.
Learn More About the FY09 NEA Funding
Upcoming NEA Grant Deadlines
Two opportunities remain for orchestras to apply for FY09 NEA Grants. The deadline for Part Two of the Access to Artistic Excellence program is August 11, 2008. Applications to the Arts on Radio and Television category are due September 5, 2008.
Review the League's Grant Application Tips
Additional NEA FY08 Grants Announced
Orchestras in 50 communities will provide educational activities, workshops, master classes, and concerts with the support of $1,210,300 in grants recently awarded by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). The second round of FY08 NEA grant awards was announced on May 1 in the major funding categories of Access to Artistic Excellence Part Two, and Learning in the Arts for Children and Youth.
In addition to these larger grant categories, funding through Save America's Treasures will enable two orchestras to advance preservation and conservation efforts, American Masterpieces: Three Centuries of Artistic Genius grants will support two chamber orchestras in bringing unique performances and workshops to their communities, and Arts on Radio and Television grants will support radio broadcasts by four orchestras. The League has compiled the project descriptions for grants to orchestras and grants related to the orchestra field
Congress to Consider NEA Funding
On the heels of last year’s $20.3 million increase in funding for the
National Endowment for the Arts, Congress is set to consider the next
funding level for the agency. NEA funding supports the work of orchestras
in communities nationwide through direct grants, state allocations, and
national initiatives. On April 1, the U.S. House of Representatives
will kick off the NEA appropriations process with a hearing on the
nation’s largest annual funder of the arts. The League has submitted
testimony for the record on behalf of orchestras, calling for an
increase in the NEA’s funding from $144.7 million to $176 million,
which would restore the agency’s budget to its 1992 level.
This year will bring a shorter-than-usual work period for Congress as
it races to adjourn for the elections. Please stay tuned for League
alerts notifying orchestras of targeted NEA advocacy opportunities.
Read League NEA Testimony
NEA FY09 Guidelines Now Available
The National Endowment for the Arts' (NEA) FY09 Grants for Arts Projects guidelines are now available on the NEA website.
To assist orchestras with the application process, the League attends
the public sessions of NEA review panels throughout the year and
outlines helpful tips for preparing your application, including an
overview of guideline changes. Orchestras may also contact an NEA specialist
to talk through the application.
Read the League's Tips for NEA Grant Applications
NEA funding will grow by $20.3 million in FY08, the largest single
increase for the agency in more than 30 years. In a very lean budget
year, Congress approved this major restoration of NEA funds, bringing
the total support for the agency to $144.7 million. Thank you for
letting Congress know the value of NEA support for orchestras
and the communities they serve. Advocacy efforts by orchestras in 2007
were closely coordinated with national efforts by the entire arts
community, spurring this major advancement in NEA funding. Following
are highlights from this year's efforts:
The NEA funding increase was included in a catch-all spending bill that
combined 11 annual federal funding measures. Congressional Arts Caucus
co-chairs Louise Slaughter (D-NY) and Chris Shays (R-CT) rallied House
colleagues in support of the NEA, and Interior Appropriations Committee
Chairman Norm Dicks (D-WA) championed NEA funding as a priority issue.
Today's advancement of NEA funds reflects years of advocacy since the
agency's budget was severely cut in 1995. Orchestras will continue to
seek full restoration of NEA funding in 2008. Stay tuned!
See How NEA Grants to Orchestras Serve Communities
With the support of grants awarded by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), orchestras will provide performances, workshops, master classes, and various community engagement programs to their communities. Challenge America Fast Track Review grants to orchestras totaling $110,000 were awarded on November 15, and Access to Artistic Excellence, Part One grants to orchestras totaling $1,502,000 were awarded on December 4. The League has compiled the project descriptions for grants to orchestras and grants related to the orchestra field.
Read the full story
Potential historic increases in funding for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and Arts Education are in jeopardy as Congress and the White House face off over total spending for the current fiscal year. On November 13, the President vetoed the Labor-HHS-Education funding bill, which included unprecedented support for arts education funding and would have fully funded long-awaited research on the status of arts education in our nation's schools. Only one of the 12 federal FY08 spending measures - the Defense bill - has been signed into law. Congress may craft a catch-all spending bill in December, but holding on to the gains in arts funding will be tough as Washington policymakers whittle away at all proposed increases in domestic spending.
See the Progress on Arts Education
A major restoration of National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) funding moved one step closer to enactment yesterday as the House approved a $35 million increase—the largest single increase in NEA history. Thank you for letting Congress know the value of NEA support for orchestras and the communities they serve. Advocacy efforts by orchestras and the broader arts community contributed to this major advancement in NEA funding, and further advocacy will be crucial as the NEA's bill undergoes final consideration by the full Senate and key congressional leaders.
Yesterday, the two highest-ranking members of the House subcommittee responsible for funding the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) heard testimony from Phoenix Symphony violist Karen Bea, who said, "It is time to increase federal support for the vitality of the arts in communities nationwide. The NEA has never fully recovered from a 40% budget cut in 1996."
In a hearing called by the House Interior Appropriations subcommittee, Bea was one of just two public witnesses invited to testify regarding federal arts funding. Actress Kerry Washington also provided eloquent testimony describing how the nonprofit performing arts led her to a successful commercial career. Bea’s testimony highlighted the public value of NEA funding, specifically describing the Phoenix Symphony’s NEA-supported One Nation project, a partnership with the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. Chairman Norm Dicks (D-WA) and Ranking Member Todd Tiahrt (R-KS), complemented the testimony. Chairman Dicks indicated his ongoing support for the NEA while Rep. Tiahrt recognized the value of NEA grants and his appreciation for a recent Kansas residency by the National Symphony Orchestra.
Read Complete Testimony 32.89 Kb