Arts Innovation—Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is different about the Arts Innovation program compared to the outgoing Project Support program?
Arts Innovation grants are made in amounts of $5000, $10,000, $15,000 and $20,000 only. Grants are only made to new projects; ongoing projects like annual festivals should apply to the Sustainability program. Arts Innovation grants are designed to support only the most original projects, not projects that are really part of your organization's typical annual programming. There are more differences, as well. Read the Guidelines section on the Arts Innovation program or contact your Program Coordinator to discuss the eligibility of your application.

2. Can you give me an example of the types of projects that might be funded in this new category?
Arts Innovation grants are designed to support one-time special projects, new projects for new constituencies, experimental program designs and other initiatives offered for the first time. Click here to read examples of eligible projects, and please contact your OAC Program Coordinator to discuss the eligibility of your project.

3. May I receive funding through the Sustainability program and also apply to Arts Innovation for a new or special one-time project?
Yes. However, these grants will be highly competitive and priority will be given to those projects that are truly progressive and depart from the day-to-day programming of their institutions. You may wish to contact your OAC Program Coordinator for more information.

4. My organization has a budget of over $1.5 million dollars. Can we apply for funding through the Sustainability program and also apply to Arts Innovation for a new or special one-time project?
Yes. However, due to limited funding, small, emerging and mid-sized arts and cultural organizations will generally be given priority for these funds.

5. Is there still a $40,000 maximum for the total amount of grant money that an organization may receive each year from the OAC?
Yes. No organization with a budget lower than $1.5 million may receive more than $40,000 in a single fiscal year through any combination of grants from the Sustainability and Arts Innovation programs. This cap excludes additional funding from other programs. Please contact your OAC Program Coordinator for more information or click here for more information about Multiple Applications.

6. Are support materials still required as part of my application?
Yes, this program does require one complete set of support materials. Support materials must be postmarked by the January 15 deadline date and received in the OAC office within seven calendar days to be accepted. You will be notified via e-mail when your materials have reached our office. Please read the Support Materials section for the types of materials to include, or contact your OAC Program Coordinator.

7. Will the OAC panel meetings still be open to the public?
Yes, OAC panel meetings for the Arts Innovation program will be open to the public. Panel dates for our 2006 meetings will be posted on the Deadlines and Panel Meetings page of our website several months in advance of the meeting date.

8. Which OAC staff member should I contact for assistance with this program?
Program Coordinators have been assigned to assist constituents by geographic region rather than by arts discipline or OAC program. This will allow constituents to work with a single coordinator for all their questions, regardless of application type (with the exception of Arts Learning grants) and will allow our coordinators to become familiar with all the organizations in a given region of the state. For a map and listing of the regions covered please visit our staff page.

9. What is the cash match required for the Arts Innovation program?
There is a 1:1 match required for all organizational grants. Cash and some documented in-kind donations are allowable as part of that match.

10. How can I determine if my organization's programming or project addresses the process of creating public value for my community?
The OAC believes that practically every arts activity planned with the community creates value for people and the community-at-large in some fashion. Capturing, documenting and evaluating that value is often much more complicated! Essentially, organizations need to tell better stories about how people's lives are changed as a result of their work. For more information on current research in this area you should first begin by reading the Cultural Participation Policy section of our Guidelines. In addition, you may wish to discuss your specific question with the OAC program Coordinator in your region. He/she will have additional suggestions on ways in which you can become part of the public value conversation.