NEA Challenge America Fast-Track, FY 2011

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An Organization may submit only one application through one of the following FY 2011 Grants for Arts Projects categories: Access to Artistic Excellence, Challenge America Fast-Track, Learning in the Arts for Children and Youth. The Arts Endowment's support of a project may start on or after January 1, 2011. Introduction 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 here also must be present. This category, as an essential component of the Arts Endowment's goal of providing wide access to artistic excellence, supports local projects that can have significant effects within communities. Grants are available for professional arts programming and for projects that emphasize the potential of the arts in community development. Partnerships can be valuable to the success of these projects. While not required, applicants are encouraged to consider partnerships among organizations, both in and outside of the arts, as appropriate to their project. These Fast-Track grants: Extend the reach of the arts to underserved populations. Are limited to the specific types of projects outlined below. Are for $10,000 each. 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. NOTE: A policy will be implemented in the coming year to limit consecutive year funding. This policy will ensure that Challenge America Fast-Track funding reaches new organizations and their communities of underserved populations with limited access to the arts. Starting with grants that are awarded in FY 2011 (that result from applications received under this year’s May 27, 2010 deadline), an organization that receives Challenge America Fast-Track grants for three years in a row will not be eligible to apply to the Fast-Track category for the following one-year period. For example, if an organization receives grants in FY 2009, 2010, and 2011, it may not apply again in FY 2012. During FY 2012, the organization may apply to other Arts Endowment funding opportunities including Access to Artistic Excellence and Learning in the Arts for Children and Youth. The organization would be able to apply to the Challenge America Fast-Track category in FY 2013.

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