Agency Calendar

Grant funds may be used for any of the following (this list is not comprehensive):

• Fees for private lessons or workshops.
• Materials or supplies related to your artistic practice.
• Equipment, instruments or technology related to your artistic practice.
• Travel costs.

Applicants are encouraged to do the following prior to beginning their application:

Request Accommodations

If you require accommodation in completing the application, or otherwise participating in the grant application process, please contact the Director of Arts Learning, Elisa Radcliffe, by phone at (602) 771-6528 or by email at eradcliffe@azarts.gov.

Prepare Narrative Responses

You can type your proposal narrative, or you can upload audio or video recordings of your responses. The narrative has a maximum word count (not character) and a maximum recording length. If you share your proposal narrative in a video or audio recording keep it simple and to the point. The recording should be just you, describing your proposal and answering the questions listed above. Please do not include edits of your work samples or special effects. Production quality of this recording will not be considered in your review. Just make sure we can hear and understand you and keep editing and post-production embellishment to a minimum. All audio files must be uploaded as MP3 files (.mp3).

When you’re ready, click on the “Apply Now” button below. You do not have to complete the application in one session; at any point you can save a draft of your application and complete or submit it later.

APPLY NOW

CLOSED

Narrative

(600 word limit, 5 minute audio/video limit)

Answer each of these questions.

1. Tell us about yourself and your artistic practice.
2. Describe how you will use the grant funds. Why are these activities or purchases important to you as a young artist?
3. Provide a timeline of the proposed activities or purchases. All activities or purchases must take place July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025.

Work Sample

Submit a work sample you’ve completed. All levels of artists are encouraged to apply. The panel will use the work sample to support the narrative you have provided. They will not be judging the quality of the work sample as a part of their review.

From the list below, please choose the most appropriate artistic work sample format to represent your discipline:

• 3 minutes of recorded audio
• 3 minutes of recorded video
• 6 images
• 3 pages of double-spaced text or 3 poems

Work Sample Narrative
(200 word limit, 2 minute audio/video limit)

Provide a brief description explaining how the submitted work sample relates to your proposal. Why did you choose them?

Budget

Expenses 

List all expenses related to your proposal and provide a short explanation of the expenses.

Grant Amount Requested 

Indicate the grant amount you are requesting, based on eligible expenses, between $250 and $500.

Budget Narrative (200 word limit, 2 minute audio/video limit)

If your total expenses exceed the grant amount requested, explain how you will pay for the remaining costs.

Your narrative responses will be evaluated by AZ Youth Arts Council members based on the following criteria.

Quality of Proposal
Did you clearly outline your artistic form and how you will spend the grant funds?

Potential Impact 
Did you describe how these funds will impact you as a young artist?

Viability 
Are the expenses you describe appropriate for the grant? Does the application demonstrate substantial evidence that the proposal will be realized within the proposed timeline?

• Food and beverages for any purpose.
• Fundraising projects.
• Opportunities that take place outside of the funding period.
• Equipment not related to the opportunity.
• Opportunities related to academic research or formal study toward an academic or professional degree, such as capstone projects.
• Applications that are developed by adults will be ineligible for funding.
• Grant administration, overhead or processing fees taken by an umbrella/parent organization as a percentage of the total award, with the exception of fiscal sponsors.

This list is not comprehensive.

Additionally, according to the Arts Commission’s enabling statutes, “Notwithstanding any other law, no monies from the Arizona Commission on the Arts may be spent for payment to any person or entity for use in desecrating, casting contempt on, mutilating, defacing, defiling, burning, trampling or otherwise dishonoring or causing to bring dishonor on religious objects, the flag of the United States or the flag of this state.” Recipients of Arts Commission support are further instructed to “take into consideration general standards of decency and respect for the diverse beliefs and values of the American public” within funded programs.

Applicants may request grant award amounts ranging from a minimum of $1,000 to a maximum of $5,000.

There is no cash match required for this grant opportunity.

Contracted Artistic Services and Artist Fees

Includes guest artist contractual fees including travel, and lodging.

Production Expenses

Includes insurance, sound, lighting, and equipment rental and operation for the artistic project only.

Space Rental

Includes stage, space, or venue rental for the artistic project only.

Marketing/Promotion

Includes contracted graphic design services the purchase of advertising space and creation of digital and printed promotional materials for the entire event.

Accessibility Services

Includes closed captioning, interpretation, and translation services, visual enhancements, and listening guides.

Public Health and Safety Compliance

Includes personal protective equipment, cleaning and sanitation services, and equipment/structuring to support distancing.

Digital Operations

Includes fees related to video live-streaming services, access to webinar and conferencing platforms, closed captioning, translation and interpretation services, and digital ticketing/event management systems

Funds are delivered approximately 6-8 weeks after all necessary paperwork has been submitted by the grantee. This includes the award agreement, state W-9 and payment form.

Applicants are encouraged to do the following prior to beginning their application:

Request Accommodations

If you require accommodation in completing this application, or otherwise participating in the grant application process, please contact Organizational Programs Manager Brad DeBiase at bdebiase@azarts.gov or (602) 771-6534.

Prepare Narrative Responses

You can type your proposal narrative or you can upload audio recordings of your responses. For each narrative question you will find a maximum word count (not character) and a maximum recording length. If you share your proposal narrative via audio recordings, keep it simple and to the point. Don’t worry about impressing the panelists with your recording technique, just make sure we can hear and understand you. All audio files must be uploaded as MP3 files (.mp3).

Some applicants find it helpful to develop their responses using word processing software, outside the application platform. This allows them to draft responses with team members and monitor their word counts for each question. A Word document version of the narrative questions can be downloaded at https://azarts.gov/grant/festival.

Create or Update the SurveyMonkey Apply Account for Your Organization

You will submit your application through an online submission platform called SurveyMonkey Apply. Prior to applying, all new applicants will need to register their organization at https://azarts.smapply.io/.

If your organization already has an account, we encourage you to confirm that all information is up to date and add/remove any team members as needed.
For instructions on how to create or update your account, visit our applicant resources page: https://azarts.gov/grants/applicant-resources/.

When you’re ready, click/tap the “Apply Now” button below. You do not have to complete the application in one session; at any point you can save a draft of your application and complete or submit it later.

APPLY NOW

Organization Information

• Information collected in this section of the application is used for internal and reporting purposes only.
• Organization name and (if applicable) DBA
• Secondary contact info
• ADA Coordinator contact info
  Grants from the Arts Commission require compliance with the regulations of Section 504 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA Coordinator is the person who can answer questions about or facilitate requests for accessible programs and services; no special training or certification required.

• Festival website
• Nonprofit status (and file upload)
  You will be required to upload an IRS determination letter OR a fiscal sponsor letter of agreement in the “Nonprofit Status” section. Units of government are exempt from this requirement.

Festival Overview

• Festival name
• One sentence description (150 words max)
• Festival dates and times (or usual calendar placement)
• Projected number of participants (or average annual attendance)
• Organization mission statement (150 words maximum)

Festival Format

• In-person
• Virtual
• Hybrid

In-person festivals that possess virtual components (e.g. livestreaming performances) would be considered “Hybrid”, and applicants should select the “Virtual” option if their festival activities will be produced and attended exclusively through digital platforms.

Narrative

1. Describe your festival in its entirety. Be as specific as possible about the festival’s arts and culture programming. How are contributing artists identified, and what will participants gain, learn, and/or access through festival activities? (400 words maximum or 3-minute audio limit)
2. Provide an outline of your festival’s timeline, detailing your processes for planning, outreach, implementation, production, and post-production work. (400 words maximum or 3-minute audio limit)
3. What communities will you engage through your festival, and how? Please define these communities, considering “community” broadly, beyond simple age- or location-based groups. What demographics and sociocultural identities would you expect to be represented among festival producers, personnel, and participants? (400 words maximum or 3-minute audio limit)
4. In addition to ADA compliance, please describe how your organization will create the conditions to support the participation of people of all abilities. How will your organization ensure that your festival’s programming, facilities, and venues accommodate wide-ranging accessibility considerations? (300 words maximum or 2-minute audio limit) See FAQ for additional details.
5. Please describe how you will evaluate and define the success of your proposed festival activities. What methods will you use to assess community engagement and impact, and how will these findings inform future festival projects? (300 words maximum or 2-minute audio limit)

Festival Budget

Grant Amount Requested

Enter the grant amount you are requesting. Applicants may request between $1,000 and $5,000.

Budget Form

All applicants must submit a complete project budget using the form embedded in the application.

Budget Narrative

Please use this space to describe the festival budget, including eligible fees, any anticipated income, and any substantial in-kind support. This is your opportunity to bring your festival budget to life, as if you were explaining it to the grant review panel. You may also use this Budget Narrative section to explain how you have arrived at certain itemized dollar amounts. (300 words maximum) See FAQ for additional details.

Your organization’s application materials will be reviewed by an independent panel according to the following criteria. Please note: need is not a criterion. Application merit is based upon strength of response in relation to the review criteria.

Quality Arts and Culture Programming

Does the application clearly describe the festival’s arts and culture programming and the artist/culture bearers who will be engaged? Does the application make a compelling case for what it hopes to make available to festival participants and attendees and how? Does the application outline in detail the structure and timeline of the festival’s programming/activities?

Community Benefit

Does the application define the communities the festival hopes to directly serve, interact, and engage with? Does the application clearly outline how this will happen? Does the application thoughtfully address access and participation for people of all abilities?

Viability

Does the application demonstrate substantial evidence that the festival activities will be realized within the funding period? Does the proposed budget appropriately reflect the scope of work described in the application? Does the application clearly explain how project activities will be produced and delivered?

All applications are subject to a public review process. First, Arts Commission staff review each application for completeness and eligibility. Applications that are incomplete or submitted after the due date are considered ineligible for panel review and funding. Eligible applications are then evaluated by independent review panels made up of individuals from communities throughout the state who work in or adjacent to the arts. They evaluate each application on its own merits and solely on the basis of the published evaluation criteria.

Panelists first review applications individually. They then meet as a body to discuss the applications and finalize assessment as a group. This meeting is open to the public and while applicants are not permitted to participate in the discussion, they are encouraged to attend or listen-in online. Applicants being reviewed will be notified when panel dates are set. At the conclusion of their deliberations, the panel submits their funding recommendations to the Arts Commission’s Governor-appointed board of commissioners for approval

This program does not fund the following:

• Applicants that received Arts Commission funding in fiscal year 2024, but failed to file a final report by Monday, September 16, 2024.
• Entities submitting an application for an FY2024 Creative Capacity Grant, Youth Arts Engagement Grant, or Lifelong Arts Engagement Grant (see FAQ for more information).
• Applications submitted by businesses and for-profit organizations. School districts that would otherwise be eligible for Arts Learning grants.
• An organization’s season or seasonal series of presented work.
• Projects involving construction of facilities.
• Debt reduction.
• Food and beverages for receptions and hospitality functions.
• Fundraising projects.
• Scholarships, pageants, competition prizes, or standalone award ceremonies.
• Producing organizations to tour or present themselves.
• Conferences, symposiums and the like.
• Religious institution-led or religious group-sponsored projects not open to participation by non-congregants.
• Religious institution-led or religious group- sponsored projects whose primary purpose is the religious socialization of individuals, or which exist as parts of religious sermons or services.
• Equipment/capital expenditures.
• Lobbying expenses.
• College or university-sponsored projects not open to participation by the community outside the university setting.
• Staff or board member salaries of the applicant organization.
• Re-granting.
• Indirect costs.
• Grant administration, overhead or processing fees taken by an umbrella/parent organization as a percentage of the total award, with the exception of fiscal sponsors.
• Any costs other than eligible fees.

This list is not comprehensive.

Additionally, according to the Arts Commission’s enabling statutes, “Notwithstanding any other law, no monies from the Arizona Commission on the Arts may be spent for payment to any person or entity for use in desecrating, casting contempt on, mutilating, defacing, defiling, burning, trampling, or otherwise dishonoring or causing to bring dishonor on religious objects, the flag of the United States or the flag of this state.” Recipients of    Arts Commission support are further instructed to “take into consideration general standards of decency and respect for the diverse beliefs and values of the American public” within funded programs.

1. How can I be sure that my project is eligible for this program?
   If you have reviewed the eligibility criteria listed earlier in this guidelines document and are still unsure if your festival is an appropriate fit for this program, we recommend that you reach out to the program manager to determine if your project is a good fit for the Festival Grant program. Arts Commission staff will provide consultation to determine if your proposed festival activities warrant submitting an application.
2. My organization is eligible for other Arts Commission grants. Can I apply to those too?
   No. Across grant programs, the Arts Commission limits the number of applications that may be submitted by a given organization or unit of government to one (1) application per funding period (July 1 – June 30 of the following year). While an organization or unit of government may be eligible for more than one grant program, they may only apply for one of them in a given funding period. As an example, an applicant who applies to the Festivals Grant program in Fiscal Year 2024 may not apply for the Creative Capacity Grant program or a Youth Arts Engagement Grant that same year.
3. What is meant by “a thematic emphasis on arts and culture” regarding programming?
   While eligible applicant organizations may not have an expressly arts and culture-focused mission, eligible festival projects must include arts and culture programming as part of the festival’s main goals and objectives. Arts and culture programming must be centrally featured as part of your festival’s activities and should not be peripheral add-ons to the festival’s main emphasis.
4. What is meant by “In addition to ADA compliance” in the fourth narrative question?
   Applicants are encouraged to consider how their festival activities and venue create accessible programming beyond baseline needs related to physical mobility. How are intellectual, physical, sensory, and neurodivergent/cognitive needs being addressed for attendees of all ability levels and how is this reflected in your festival’s structure? How are interpretation, captioning, and/or visual aid resources being provided? Accessibility considerations may also include bilingual/translation services for printed materials, emergency preparedness plans, tactile resources, and proper disability access symbols included in your festival’s marketing and publicity.
5. My festival utilizes a lot of in-kind volunteer support. How should I reflect this in our budget?
   The Arts Commission recognizes the significant role of volunteers at festival events. While you are not asked to itemize the dollar value of in-kind support in your budget, you are encouraged to discuss in your Budget Narrative how any substantial in-kind volunteer support helps offset other expenses and contributes to the overall viability of your festival. There are a variety of estimations regarding the dollar value of a volunteer work hour, and the Arts Commission suggests a range of $20.00 to $30.00 per hour based on your festival’s need for personnel and the scope of volunteer work. Please contact Arts Commission staff if you would like to further discuss how to account for in-kind support.
6. My festival isn’t taking place until late in the funding period and we are still in a planning phase. Can we still apply for a Festival Grant?
   Yes. If you are still in a planning phase for your festival activities and do not have certain specific details finalized at the time you are submitting your application, we advise that you offer insight as to how you are making your decisions, what your options may be for a particular unknown, and what your desired outcome(s) may be for items still in development. Offering a high level of detail surrounding your organization’s planning and decision-making will at least help a panel understand how your festival will likely come into existence even if certain logistics and details are still in development.

Leading up to the application due date, the Arizona Commission on the Arts will present a webinar-style information session to help prospective applicants in preparing competitive applications.

Friday, March 8, 2024
10:00 am – 11:00 am

How do I register on behalf of an organization?

How do I add members to my Organization?

Once you have created your organization you can add additional members to assist with applications and account maintenance.

1. Go to https://azarts.smapply.io/
2. Login as an organization administrator
3. Click “Manage Organization” in the top right corner
4. Click “Members”
5. Click the “Add Member” button
6. Enter the First Name, Last Name, and Email Address of the member
7. Select whether the member will have Administrative or Non-Administrative Access
8. Click the box to “Notify member by email” (This is useful if the user does not already have an account in the system as they will receive an invitation email and be able to create a password to log in.)
9. Click “Add”

For instructions on adding members in bulk, click here.

How do I update my Organization’s Profile?

1. Go to https://azarts.smapply.io/
2. Login as an organization administrator
3. Click on “Manage Organization” in the top right corner
4. Click “Profile”
5. Update your profile information
6. Click “Save”

Additional Guides

SurveyMonkey Apply provides a comprehensive FAQ for applicants; in addition to the “how tos” above you can find more information and resources on accounts, completing an application, and managing your organization at https://help.smapply.io/hc/en-us/articles/360032514674-General-Account-FAQ.

Eligible applicants for Lifelong Arts Engagement Grants include:

• Arizona nonprofit organizations* with tax-exempt status
• units of government

See FAQ #1 in the FAQ section below for more information on eligible organizations.

*An unincorporated organization without tax-exempt status, may apply with a nonprofit fiscal sponsor.

Application Limits

An organization may submit only one application per fiscal year.

Across grant programs, the Arts Commission limits the number of applications that may be submitted by a given organization or unit of government to one (1) application per funding period (July 1 – June 30 of the following year). While an organization or unit of government may be eligible for more than one grant program, they may only apply for one of them in a given funding period. (See FAQ #6 below for more information)

Additional Considerations for Teaching Artist

Individual teaching artists or arts organizations may be listed as partners on a maximum of three (3) funded arts learning grant applications (both Lifelong Arts Engagement and Youth Arts Engagement) in a given fiscal year. If the number of applications on which a given individual teaching artist or arts organization is listed as a partner exceeds the total number that may be funded for that fiscal year, they will be asked to advise the Arts Commission on which application(s) will be withdrawn from consideration. The Arts Commission requests that prospective applicants consider this restriction before applying.

Teaching artists are encouraged to seek out partnerships with eligible organizations or units of government. The entity you partner with will then serve as the direct applicant. When building a partnership with an organization, , or unit of government, make sure they are not applying to the Lifelong Arts Engagement Grant for a different project or to another grant program through the Arizona Commission on the Arts.

Grant funds may be used for any of the following (this list is not comprehensive):

• artist, consultant, and other fees
• administrative costs related to the project
• materials or supplies
• in-state travel costs technology
• documentation
• evaluation

Grant funds cannot be used for any projects, or days of a project, that take place before the start of the fiscal year (July 1, 2024). If your full project timeline starts before or ends after the funding period, you are still eligible to apply and should articulate the full timeline in your application, but should only request and use grant funds for project activities taking place within the funding period.

Funds are delivered approximately 6-8 weeks after all necessary paperwork has been submitted by the grantee. This includes the award agreement, state W-9 and payment form.

Applicants are encouraged to do the following prior to beginning their application:

Request Accommodations

If you require accommodation in completing the application, or otherwise participating in the grant application process, please contact the Director of Arts Learning, Elisa Radcliffe, by phone at (602) 771-6528 or by email at eradcliffe@azarts.gov.

Prepare Narrative Responses

You can type your proposal narrative or you can upload audio recordings of your responses. For each narrative question you will find a maximum word count (not character) and a maximum recording length. If you share your proposal narrative via audio recordings, keep it simple and to the point. Don’t worry about impressing the panelists with your recording technique, just make sure we can hear and understand you. All audio files must be uploaded as MP3 files (.mp3).

Some applicants find it helpful to develop their responses using word processing software, outside the application platform. This allows them to draft responses with team members and monitor their word counts for each question. A Word document version of the narrative questions can be downloaded at https://azarts.gov/grant/lifetime-arts-engagment/.

Create or Update the SurveyMonkey Apply Account for Your Organization

You will submit your application through an online submission platform called SurveyMonkey Apply. Prior to applying, all new applicants will need to register their organization at https://azarts.smapply.io/.

If your organization already has an account, we encourage you to confirm that all information is up to date and add/remove any team members as needed.

For instructions on how to create or update your account, visit our applicant resources page: https://azarts.gov/grants/applicant-resources/.

When you’re ready, click/tap the “Apply Now” button below. You do not have to complete the application in one session; at any point you can save a draft of your application and complete or submit it later.

APPLY NOW

Organization Information

Organization/School information collected in this section of the application is used solely for internal and reporting purposes and will not be considered during the application review.

Organization Name

Organization Mission Statement

Secondary Point of Contact

Authorizing Official

IRS Letter of Determination (if applicable).

Fiscal Sponsor Letter of Agreement (if applicable).

PROJECT INFORMATION

Project Title (10 word limit)

Project Summary (75 word limit)

Provide a brief snapshot of your project.

Proposed Start and End Date of Project

Partner Organizations (if applicable)

Please list any organizations that are collaborating on this project.

Narrative

Project Overview (300 word limit, 3 minute audio limit)

Provide a detailed description of your proposed arts learning project. This overview should help panelists understand the general outline for your proposed arts learning project. Focus on the who, what, where, and when of your proposed project. Include details of the arts learning project including what types of artistic disciplines will be at the center of the project, how long the program will be, how often the community of learners will meet and how long each class will be (e.g., The community of learners will meet weekly for eight weeks for 2 hours per week).

Community of Learners (300 word limit, 3 minute audio limit)

What specific population(s) of learners are central to this project? Describe their assets and what they bring to the project. (Review FAQ #2 “What is asset-based vs. deficit-based language?” for more information on definitions and best practices.)

If your project requires a process of selection (i.e., an audition or application) and/or a cost to participate, how are you ensuring all learners can participate? Describe how the project is supporting all who are interested in participating. (200 word limit, 2 minute audio limit)

Integrity of Project (300 word limit, 3 minute audio limit)

How will the work you propose reflect or respond to this community of learners? How does the community of learners have a voice and agency in the development and implementation of the project?

Project Team (300 word limit, 3 minute audio limit)

Who on your team, including teaching artists and/or partners, will lead this work? Describe their assets, qualifications, and what they bring to the project. Why are they a strong fit for the project and community of learners involved?

Project Learning Outcomes (200 word limit, 2 minute audio limit)

List three arts learning outcomes this project will achieve. Outcomes should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time bound. If this is an ongoing project, describe how the project will build on or responds to previously conducted work.

Project Evaluation (200 word limit, 2 minute audio limit)

What method(s) will you use to evaluate how well the project achieved these outcomes? If there is previous evaluation work that has informed the proposed project, please share those results here.

Project Setting (150 word limit, 2 minute /audio limit)

Where is the work taking place? Describe how this location is accessible to the community of learners and why it is important to the proposed project.

Project Timeline Table

Use the table provided to create a detailed timeline for the activities that will occur within the proposed start and end date of the project. Activities can include planning the project, proposed project activities, and any evaluation or assessment.

Your timeline should convey a sense of the project’s arc from beginning to end. Note: while grant funds cannot be used for any project activities that take place outside the funding period, please articulate the full project timeline here.

Project Timeline Narrative (200 word limit, 2 minute audio limit)

The Project Timeline Narrative should correspond with and provide context for the Project Timeline Table. Be as specific as possible about how often and how long project activities will take place, along with proposed dates. Explain how your timeline will provide enough time to foster learning amongst the learners.

Project budget

Grant Amount Requested

Enter the grant amount you are requesting for this project. Schools/organizations can request $2,500 to $5,000.

Project Expenses Table

In the first column, list all expenses related to the project.

In the second column, provide a short explanation of the expense.

In the third column, note what type of funding will cover the expense (LAE Grant, Other Grant Funds, Tax Credit, Cash, In-Kind, etc.).

In the fourth column, provide the monetary amount of each expense.

• Please list only expenses related to your project. A full organizational budget is not needed.
• Lifelong Arts Engagement grant funds can only be used for project activities taking place in the funding period (July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025).

Additionally, please thoroughly review the funding restrictions listed on page 8 of these guidelines.

Project Expenses Narrative (200 word limit, 2 minute audio limit)

The Project Expenses Narrative should align with the Project Expenses Table. Be as specific as possible about the eligible expenses the Lifelong Arts Engagement grant would cover. This is your opportunity to bring your project’s expenses to life, as if you were explaining them to the grant review panel.

Other things to consider:

• If your total project expenses exceed the grant amount requested, explain the additional funding sources you noted in the third column of the table.
• If your project requires a cost to participate, explain how those fees will be used.
• If your project starts before and/or ends after the funding period, explain how those expenses will be covered.

Your organization’s application materials will be reviewed by an independent panel according to the following criteria. Please note: need is not a criterion. Application merit is based upon strength of response in relation to the review criteria.

Quality of Proposed Project
Application demonstrates a strong arts learning project.

What panelists will be thinking about: Does the application clearly outline the important details of the arts learning project?

Integrity of Proposed Project
Application demonstrates an asset-based premise that centers the voice of the learners.

What panelists will be thinking about: Does the application articulate the specific assets and contributions of the community of learners and collaborators involved? Does the application articulate how the proposed project reflects or responds to the community of learners involved? Does the community of learners have a voice and agency in the development and implementation of the project?

Potential Impact
Application centers expected benefit to learners.

What panelists will be thinking about: Are the objectives, outcomes, and methods of evaluation well defined and relevant for the learners involved?

Viability
Application demonstrates a strong project plan and appropriateness of budget.

What panelists will be thinking about: Does the application demonstrate substantial evidence that the proposal will be realized within the proposed project timeline? Do the expenses described appear appropriate to the proposed project?

All applications are subject to a public review process. First, Arts Commission staff review each application for completeness and eligibility. Applications that are incomplete or submitted after the due date are considered ineligible for panel review and funding.

Eligible applications are then evaluated by independent review panels made up of arts learning specialists from communities throughout the state. They evaluate each application on its own merits and solely on the basis of the published evaluation criteria.

Panelists first review applications individually. They then meet as a body to discuss the applications and finalize assessment as a group. This meeting is open to the public and while applicants are not permitted to participate in the discussion, they are encouraged to attend or listen-in online. Applicants being reviewed will be notified when panel dates are set. At the conclusion of their deliberations, the panel submits their funding recommendations to the Arts Commission’s Governor-appointed board of commissioners for approval.

This program does not fund the following:

• Projects that take place during traditional school hours and seek to supplant arts programs, curriculum, or arts educators.
• Strictly field trip or performance-based activities. (See FAQ #3 on page 9 for more information)
• Producing organizations to tour or present themselves.
• Support for individual professional development activities.
• Support for projects which would otherwise be eligible for a Festival Grant.
• Funding for insurance.
• Food and beverages for any purpose.
• Fundraising projects.
• Awards and competitions.
• Indirect costs.
• Organizations and schools that received Arts Commission funding in Fiscal Year 2024, but failed to file a final report.
• Applications submitted by for-profit organizations.
• An individual may not apply to the Lifelong Arts Engagement Grant directly or as an individual with fiscal sponsorship.
• Grant administration, overhead or processing fees taken by an umbrella/parent organization as a percentage of the total award, with the exception of fiscal sponsors.
• Religious institution-led or religious group-sponsored projects not open to participation by non- congregants.
• Religious institution-led or religious group-sponsored projects whose primary purpose is the religious socialization of individuals or which exist as parts of religious sermons or services.

This list is not comprehensive.

Additionally, according to the Arts Commission’s enabling statutes, “Notwithstanding any other law, no monies from the Arizona Commission on the Arts may be spent for payment to any person or entity for use in desecrating, casting contempt on, mutilating, defacing, defiling, burning, trampling or otherwise dishonoring or causing to bring dishonor on religious objects, the flag of the United States or the flag of this state.” Recipients of Arts Commission support are further instructed to “take into consideration general standards of decency and respect for the diverse beliefs and values of the American public” within funded programs.

1. What types of organizations can apply for Lifelong Arts Engagement Grants?
   Eligible organizations include: adult day centers, assisted living facilities, arts and cultural organizations, community-based service organizations, libraries, neighborhood centers, parks and recreation departments, retirement communities, rehabilitation centers, social service organizations, university/college departments and more. An organization without tax-exempt status, may apply with a nonprofit fiscal sponsor.
2. What is asset-based vs. deficit-based language? How can we address inequalities in our narrative?
   Asset-based language focuses on the unique attributes the participants bring to the project (passionate, capable, thriving) as opposed to deficit-based language that define people and places by perceived insufficiencies (like at risk, lacking, marginalized, underserved). Deficit-based language reinforces negative stereotypes and is not conducive to the type of arts learning this grant program seeks to support. It also contributes to a dynamic where learners are not seen as partners, but as objects of charity. If you’re talking about a problem, use language that reflects that systematic disparities and community wide problems in fact have systemic causes, that these are not self-caused problems, and explicitly describe those systems whenever possible.
3. Are field trips or strictly performance-based projects eligible for this grant?
   No. While a field trip or culminating performance may be a part of the project, it should not be the primary focus. This grant supports programs that seek to activate participant voices, narratives, and perspectives. It is important to articulate how a community of learners has a voice and agency in the development and implementation of the project. This grant values active participation over exposure or passive engagement.
4. Can my organization apply for a Lifelong Arts Engagement Grant and a Youth Arts Engagement Grant?
   No. Though an organization may be eligible for more than one arts learning grant program, the Arts Commission limits the number of applications which may be submitted by an applicant to one arts learning grant program within the same funding period. An applicant who applies to the Youth Arts Engagement Grant program in Fiscal Year 2024 may not apply for a Lifelong Arts Engagement Grant that same year.
5. I’m an arts organization, am I eligible to apply directly and serve as a partner in another project?
   Yes. As outlined above, as a direct applicant an arts organization may only receive one Lifelong Arts Engagement grant per fiscal year. Those arts organization may still serve as a partner in a different project, but all applications, including the one submitted directly, count toward the total partner limit of 3 arts learning applications (both Lifelong Arts Engagement and Youth Arts Engagement) per fiscal year. This is to address the competitive nature of this grant program.
6. My organization is eligible for other Arts Commission grants. Can I apply to those?
   No. Across grant programs, the Arts Commission limits the number of applications that may be submitted by a given organization or unit of government to one (1) application per funding period (July 1 – June 30 of the following year). While an organization or unit of government may be eligible for more than one grant program, they may only apply for one of them in a given funding period. As an example, an applicant who applies to the Creative Capacity Grant program or the Festivals Grant program in Fiscal Year 2024 may not apply for a Lifelong Arts Engagement Grant that same year.

Leading up to the application due date, the Arizona Commission on the Arts will present webinar-style information sessions and workshops to help prospective applicants in preparing competitive applications.

Tuesday, March 12, 2024
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

A recordings of this session available below.

The following videos walk applicants through the key components of the applications for both Lifelong Arts Engagement Grants and Youth Arts Engagement Grants.

Applicant Guide: Narrative

Applicant Guide: Project Timeline

Applicant Guide: Project Budget

Applicant Guide: Review Process and Evaluation Criteria

How do I register on behalf of an organization?

How do I add members to my Organization?

Once you have created your organization you can add additional members to assist with applications and account maintenance.

1. Go to https://azarts.smapply.io/
2. Login as an organization administrator
3. Click “Manage Organization” in the top right corner
4. Click “Members”
5. Click the “Add Member” button
6. Enter the First Name, Last Name, and Email Address of the member
7. Select whether the member will have Administrative or Non-Administrative Access
8. Click the box to “Notify member by email” (This is useful if the user does not already have an account in the system as they will receive an invitation email and be able to create a password to log in.)
9. Click “Add”

For instructions on adding members in bulk, click here.

How do I update my Organization’s Profile?

1. Go to https://azarts.smapply.io/
2. Login as an organization administrator
3. Click on “Manage Organization” in the top right corner
4. Click “Profile”
5. Update your profile information
6. Click “Save”

Additional Guides

SurveyMonkey Apply provides a comprehensive FAQ for applicants; in addition to the “how tos” above you can find more information and resources on accounts, completing an application, and managing your organization at https://help.smapply.io/hc/en-us/articles/360032514674-General-Account-FAQ.