Challenge America Fast-Track, FY 2015

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The Challenge America Fast-Track category offers support primarily to small and mid-sized organizations for projects that extend the reach of the arts to underserved populations -- those whose opportunities to experience the arts are limited by geography, ethnicity, economics, or disability. Age alone (e.g., youth, seniors) does not qualify a group as underserved; at least one of the underserved characteristics noted above also must be present. Grants are available for professional arts programming and for projects that emphasize the potential of the arts in community development. This category encourages and supports the following two outcomes: • Engagement: Engaging the public with diverse and excellent art. • Livability: The strengthening of communities through the arts. You will be asked to select the outcome that is most relevant to your project. When making selections, you should identify the outcome(s) that reflect the results expected to be achieved by your project. If you receive a grant, you also will be asked to provide evidence of those results. Challenge America Fast-Track grants: • Extend the reach of the arts to underserved populations. • Are limited to the specific types of projects outlined below. • Are for a fixed amount of $10,000 and require a minimum $10,000 match. • Receive an expedited application review. Organizations are notified whether they have been recommended for a grant approximately six months after they apply; projects may start shortly thereafter. essential. Each applicant must present a simple, straightforward project that reflects only one of the project types below. Fast-Track grants are available only for: Engagement: Engaging the public with diverse and excellent art. • An arts event or events that will feature one or more guest artists. The project (such as a festival, exhibit, recital, reading, performance, screening, broadcast, lecture) must include the participation of guest artist(s). Artistic staff and resident artists of an applicant organization do not qualify as guest artists. In addition to artists' fees, the project may include public relations, professional documentation, and program enhancements that are integral to the event. Examples of program enhancements include interpretive material, transportation, program accommodations (e.g., sign language interpretation, audio description, Braille, tactile exhibit tours), catalogues, brochures, or publications. Other enhancements such as specific lecture-demonstrations, pre- or post-event talks, or workshops relevant to the proposed arts event also are eligible. NOTE: Projects that involve curriculum-based arts instruction are not eligible (see Arts Education in the Arts Works category). • The unified promotion of community-wide arts activities and resources to enhance cultural tourism or activities in cultural districts (including promoting the arts to underserved populations). NOTE: Promotional projects for a single organization are not eligible. Unified promotion is defined as the professional assessment, design, and/or distribution of public relations tools (calendars, websites, brochures, rack cards, signage, etc.) designed to benefit several local organizations. • The development of professionally directed public art projects. This project type is for visual arts projects only (such as murals, sculptures, or environmental art) that are developed through community engagement. Evidence of community involvement in the planning, design, or fabrication of the work must be apparent. Please note that these activities may require applicants to provide information in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act and/or the National Historic Preservation Act. See here for more information.

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