New NEA Guidelines and Webinars

The NEA has its new guidelines for Grants for Arts Projects and Our Town available now on its website along with grant overviews and registration for webinars relating to each of these grants.

To view the guidelines, go to www.arts.gov/grants/apply, select the field or discipline most relevant to your project, and choose Grants for Arts Projects or Our Town from the list of funding opportunities.

Grants for Arts Projects

Organizations may apply under the following categories:

Art Works: To support the creation of art that meets the highest standards of excellence, public engagement with diverse and excellent art, lifelong learning in the arts, and the strengthening of communities through the arts. Within these areas, innovative projects are strongly encouraged. An organization may request a grant amount from $10,000 to $100,000. (Two application deadlines: March 10 and August 11, 2011)

Challenge America Fast-Track: To support projects that extend the reach of the arts to underserved populations. Grants are for $10,000. (Application deadline: May 26, 2011)
Our Town

Organizations may apply for creative placemaking projects that contribute to the livability of communities and place the arts at their core. An organization may request a grant amount from $25,000 to $250,000. (Statement of Interest deadline: March 1, 2011)

Upcoming Webinars

The NEA will be conducting a series of webinars on the new guidelines. These are grouped by discipline/field so that appropriate staff will be available to answer your questions. Interested parties can join any webinar that suits their schedule:
Click on the date/time link to go to the registration page for that webinar.

Our Town
January 25, 3:30-4:30, Eastern Time
With design staff

January 27, 1:00-2:00, Eastern Time
With design staff

Grants for Arts Projects + Our Town
February 3, 1:00-2:00, Eastern Time
with Artist Communities, Folk & Traditional Arts, and Presenting staff

February 3, 3:30-4:30, Eastern Time
with Accessibility, Challenge America, Local Arts Agencies, and States & Regions staff

February 7, 3:30-4:30, Eastern Time
with Design, Media Arts, Museums, and Visual Arts staff

February 14, 1:00-2:00, Eastern Time
with Dance, Music, Opera, Musical Theater, and Theater staff

February 14, 3:30-4:30, Eastern Time
with Arts Education and Literature staff

If you're unable to make the webinars, you can access brief overview presentations on the guidelines by clicking on the links below:

Grants for Arts Projects Guidelines Presentation

Our Town Guidelines Presentation

For questions about the guidelines or your application, see "Agency Contacts" for the NEA staff that is most appropriate for your project.