Deadline: October 27, 2023, 11:59 PM

Grant Amount: up to $5,000

Grant Activity Period: January 1, 2024 – June 30, 2024

Matching Funds: Not Required

Description

The Cultural Alliance of Western Connecticut wants to inspire the next generation of artists through after school education and activities. The Creative Youth Development Program supports artists and nonprofit organizations that champion the arts and provide arts-based programs to Danbury's youth. Our priority is to serve the Danbury community and help develop core social and emotional skills for the future creative community — our children. 

Audience: Danbury school-aged youth from elementary to high school.

All programs take place outside of normal school hours, in arts venues, community and cultural centers, and other youth-oriented settings.

Program Goals:

Successful applicants will demonstrate the ability to cultivate positive social connections, critical thinking, promote artistic and creative expression, encourage young people to tell their stories and ideas through creative expression. Art programs should align with at least one of the following goals:

• Create enriching and inclusive spaces where young people can explore their creativity.
• Nurture artistic talents by embracing cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
• Empower young voices, stories, and viewpoints through the arts.
• Harness the unique creative strengths to foster self-esteem.
• Foster the growth of essential life skills like critical thinking, problem-solving, leadership, and teamwork.

Program Timeline

Review Process

Completed and eligible applications will be assigned to reviewers and independently reviewed and scored using a 6-point ranking scale. Highest scoring applications will be reviewed further as part of a panel review process. Final funding recommendations are presented to the Cultural Alliance’s Board of Directors for approval.

Criteria:

• Clarity of information & feasibility -Indicates clear objectives, achievable goals, a realistic timeline, and appropriate budget.
• Program description -design includes specific activities youth will engage in; how the program aligns with grant goals; the location and name of venues; methods to measure success, collect and analyze data, and document activities.
• Artistic Merit - artists are involved in the project design and execution and demonstrate skills, expertise, and experiences central to the goals of the program.
• Community Engagement & Social Impact - Program demonstrates reach and/or depth of engagement in an identified community.

Application Requirements

Applicants will provide:

• Proof of nonprofit status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
• Program Budget
• List of Board of Directors
• Work samples (optional)
• Fiscal Sponsorship Agreement (if applicable)

Eligibility Criteria

Who Can Apply

Applicants and activities based in Western Connecticut (Greater Danbury: Bethel, Brookfield, Bridgewater, Danbury, New Fairfield, New Milford, Newtown, Ridgefield, Redding, Sherman)

• Artists – a fiscal sponsor is required.
• 501(c)(3) organizations or fiscal sponsor – must be incorporated in the state of Connecticut for at least one year and governed by a board of directors that meets regularly.
• Fiscal sponsor – is required for an applicant without nonprofit status. The fiscal sponsor is a 501(c)(3) organization eligible to apply.
  • The fiscal sponsor will provide the fiscal oversight and administrative services needed to complete the grant. If a grant is awarded, the fiscal sponsor becomes the legal contract holder with the Cultural Alliance of Western Connecticut.
  • A Letter of Agreement between the fiscal sponsor and the applicant organization must be signed by a representative from both parties and submitted with the application. A blank signature field will not be accepted.
  • A fiscal sponsor change is not permissible during the Grant Activity Period.

Have a minimum of one (1) year experience engaged in arts programming and/or services prior to the application deadline.

The program should include experiential or hands-on learning in at least one artistic and/or cultural discipline, including but not limited to:

• Dance - contemporary, hip-hop, ballet, jazz, tap, and forms of all cultures.
• Literary Arts - poetry, zine-making, spoken word.
• Media Arts - animation, video, digital photography, film, podcasts
• Music - traditional/culturally specific, folk, jazz, hip-hop, classical
• Theatre - devised, original works, playwriting, productions.
• Traditional and Folk Arts - basketry, embroidery, weaving, woodcarving
• Visual Arts - murals, exhibitions, 3D, photography, sculpture, clay works.

Program serves Danbury school aged youth (elementary – high school grade levels) and provide for safe, healthy, and appropriate learning environment.

All activities and grant-funded expenses must occur within the grant period January 1, 2024 – June 30, 2024

Compensation for artists and arts workers should be fair and comparable to other skilled workers in the local area.

Eligible Expenses

• Salary and wages for work directly related to the project*
• Purchase of materials and rental of equipment needed to produce the exhibit.
• Expenses for video recordings, audio recordings, or photography used in the exhibit.
• Printed programs, brochures or other educational material associated with the exhibit or event.
• Transportation between sites (for multi-venue tours)
• Performer fees
• Film screening fees
• Discussion leader honoraria
• Speaker/performer travel expenses
• Equipment rental for use in public performance/presentation
• Venue rental
• Direct promotion and advertising expenses

*Please note the following expense limits:

• Salary and wages for staff: not to exceed 25% of the total grant request.

Questions?

Contact: Lisa Farmer lfarmer@cawct.org