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Supporting and promoting the arts in the south

 


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How to Apply - Southern Fast Track

Southern Fast Track Touring

STEP 1: Find out if your project fits all our requirements

STEP 2: Download the application form
(Adobe PDF version or MS Word version)

STEP 3: Submit all the required materials

STEP 4: Review the evaluation criteria and deadline

 

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS AND GUIDELINES

  1. Only not-for-profit presenting organizations in SAF’s nine-state region are eligible to apply. SAF’s nine-state region includes Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.

  2. Presenting organizations must have not-for-profit, tax-exempt status or be an official unit of local, county or state government. Applicants must provide proof of not-for-profit or government status.
  3. Only presenting organizations with operating budgets of $100,000 or less (for the last completed fiscal year) are eligible to apply. For government, college, university and other school-based presenters, individual departments are not considered separate presenters or organizations (the operating budget of the institution is applicable).
  4. All applicants must have a DUNS number. Applications will not be accepted from organizations that do not have a DUNS number.  Find out more about the DUNS number and how to get one.
  5. Eligible projects must take place in SAF’s nine-state region (in the presenter’s state).
  6. Presenters cannot receive funding for artists who reside in the presenter’s state (i.e., a Georgia non-profit organization cannot apply for funding to present a Georgia artist).
  7. Presenters are limited to one Southern Fast Track Touring grant per SAF fiscal year.
  8. Applications are still being accepted for FY2008 projects (ending June 30, 2008). Presenters can apply for FY2009 projects (July 1, 2008- June 30, 2009) beginning in May.
  9. The project must include both a public performance or reading and an educational/outreach component. NOTE: Performances at conferences, and school-focused performances (primarily engaging students, whether taking place at the school, or a performance venue) will not be considered public performances.
  10. Events must be open and marketed to the public and dedicated to serving a wide audience.
  11. The public performance, reading and/or educational/outreach component must target and reach an underserved community. Underserved communities include those communities in which people lack arts programs, services, or resources due to geography, economic conditions, cultural background, socio-political circumstances, disability, age or other demonstrable factors. The term “community” can refer to a group of people with a common heritage or characteristics, whether or not living in the same location.
  12. All grant recipients are required to provide accessibility for constituents with disabilities at grant-funded events. The National Endowment for the Arts has provided a resource, the Design for Accessibility handbook, to assist organizations in making accommodations. Please visit the Endowment's website.
  13. Presenters who have failed to submit final reports for any previous SAF grant by the application deadline for this program will not be considered for funding in this grant cycle.
  14. Presenters who fail to properly acknowledge SAF’s and NEA’s support in programs and press materials may not be considered for additional funding. 

PLEASE NOTE

  • The educational/outreach component is an integral part of the engagement and should be carefully planned. A meaningful educational component should involve concentrated preparation by the artist(s) and presenter, and include a learning event that has a lasting impact upon the audience (e.g., workshops, lectures and master classes). The artist(s)/company must conduct the educational activity. Please be aware that failure to include an educational/outreach component will result in ineligibility.
  • The Southern Arts Federation does not fund benefits or fundraisers.
  • Southern Fast Track Touring grants are NOT transferable to other events.  All changes in an event must be submitted in writing to SAF before the event date.  Awards may be revised or revoked in light of such changes.
  • All SAF grant awards require a dollar-for-dollar cash match.
  • Applicants are eligible to receive up to 50% of the artist fee as listed in the contract (subject to the noted limits). Special consideration will be given to presenters for the engagement of in-region artists.
  • All grant requests are subject to funding availability. Grants are awarded on a first come/first served basis until funding is depleted.
  • A separate application must be submitted for each artist or company.

 

IN ORDER TO APPLY

Please submit the following:

  • Completed application form with original signature
    (Adobe PDF version or MS Word version)
  • Two-page project narrative
  • A copy of the signed letter of intent or contract between the artist and the presenting organization stating the services (including the educational component), date(s) and fee (signed by both parties)
  • A copy of the organization’s 501(c)(3) letter or proof of government status
  • Artist promotional/printed materials
  • A CD or DVD of a representative work sample
  • Self-addressed, stamped envelope for return of audio/video materials
  • Self-addressed, stamped postcard for application acknowledgement

NOTE: SAF staff requests that applications be bound by paper clips. Please do not use presentation folders, page protectors, etc.

Mail application materials to:
Nikki Estes
Southern Arts Federation
1800 Peachtree Street, NW
Suite 808
Atlanta, Georgia 30309

EVALUATION CRITERIA

Applications are reviewed and funding adjudications are made using the following criteria to evaluate each application:

  • Artistic Excellence and Merit (40%) – Quality of artist/company and project
  • Educational/Outreach Value (20%) – Quality of educational and outreach component(s)
  • Audience Development/Accessibility (20%) – Efforts to reach underserved and diverse populations and the degree of facility and program accessibility
  • Community Involvement (10%) – Degree of community participation
  • Organizational Capacity (10%) – Presenter’s ability to carry out the project

DEADLINE

Applications must be postmarked at least 60 days prior to the project start date.  Applicants should request a legibly dated US Postal Service postmark (from a federal postal service center) or receipt from a commercial carrier. Privately metered postmarks will NOT be accepted as proof of timely mailing (Please do NOT risk ineligibility – make a visit to your local post office!).

The Southern Arts Federation strictly adheres to application deadlines and will NOT accept applications that are late, faxed, incomplete, or illegible. Applicants will be notified of funding decisions in writing within four weeks of receipt, at which time grant contracts will be sent to funded applicants. Contracts must be signed and returned within two weeks of their receipt.

For assistance, contact Nikki Estes, Program Director – Presenting & Touring, at 404-874-7244 ext. 16.
 

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