Youth Arts & Culture Engagement Grant Overview

Purpose

Facilitated by the City of Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture's Youth Arts & Culture Council, the Youth Arts+Culture Engagement Grant is a funding opportunity for youth-led arts and culture advisory boards, councils, art groups, clubs, and similar organizations to create projects which support the artistic and cultural work of young people or projects which introduce youth to arts and culture in the City of Phoenix.

YACC is looking for project proposals that strengthen these core values:

• Arts and culture as expressions of humanity across generations
• Young adult artists having full body and voice representation in every planning process of all arts and cultual experiences
• Artistic collaborations with full representation from all persons at the intersection of any age, race, culture, class, religion, sex, national origin, ability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression

Full Eligibility

At the time of submission, the Youth-Led Arts & Culture group/club/council must:

• Have a majority of members under the age of 19
• Operate under a Phoenix-Based Arts and Cultural Organization, or a Phoenix-Based Public School
• Have arts and community partners whose base operations are in the City of Phoenix
• Have all partners be in good standing concerning all contract agreements with the City of Phoenix
• Propose a project which provides an artistic experience for the direct benefit of young people under the age of 19 in the City of Phoenix
• Propose and complete a project that will be open to the public, beginning no earlier than July 1, 2019 and end not later than June 30, 2020

Eligibility for Receiving Funds: Main partner must be either

• A Public School registered with the Arizona Department of Education
• A registered 501(c)3 arts and cultural non-profit organization, or non-profit organization with an arts or culture program
• Or apply with a Fiscal Agent that is a 501(c)3 non-profit arts organization. Fiscal agent must also be based in the City of Phoenix.

Not Eligible to Apply as Main Applicant (can be a project partner): Presenting Organizations (those that only book shows in their space, not produce/create work); Local Arts Agencies; Rental Facilities; Colleges and Universities; City of Phoenix departments (and their support organizations); Arts Service Organizations; Private Schools.

NOTE: The City of Phoenix cannot legally fund applications from organizations incorporated for religious purposes or organizations affiliated with religious organizations. 

Grant Matching

Any requested amount must be matched dollar for dollar (can include up to 100% in-kind)

NOTE: Matching funds do not need to be in hand at the time of application, but your grant application must provide specific information about how you will fundraise for the amount. If you are seeking additional funds for your project, please contact our office for a list of resources.

Where Can the Money Go?

Funds may be used for artists' fees, honoraria for project partners directly involved in the project, travel stipends, marketing, space rental fees, festival supplies, and production expenses.   

Funds may not be used for fiscal sponsor administration costs, staff salaries or hourly wage, research studies, capital expenditures, reduction of organizational/personal debts, lobbying/political expenses, re-granting, scholarship programs, memberships or dues, programs, projects and/or events not accessible to the general public, or to people with disabilities.

Fiscal Agent

Organizations that do not have 501(c)3 status are eligible to apply using a Fiscal Agent. Fiscal agent must meet eligibility requirements. An arts organization serving as fiscal agent does not sacrifice its own eligibility for grant support. An MOU (for our in-office use only) must be signed by both partners and sent back to our office at the time of the grant deadline. For assistance finding a Fiscal Agent or questions about the MOU form, please contact POAC staff. 

Types of Projects Funded

• Project proposals submitted by young people for young people under 19 years old in Phoenix
• Any and all arts and cultural disciplines
• Small to large scale events, projects, or programs
• Projects that increase intrigue and curiosity about arts, culture, and young people
• Projects with a focus on specific areas or neighborhoods in Phoenix
• Projects which support the artistic and cultural work of young people or introduce young people to arts and culture
• Strong impact and community engagement component

Evaluation Criteria

Applications are evaluated and ranked on a 10-point scale by panelists using the criteria listed below. The grant review panel will be assigning a ranking to each criterion category according to the degree to which the project responds to the sub-criteria. Ranking Slider Bars:

1-2 = Poor (incomplete response; lacking detail; poor project quality)

3-4 = Fair (more detail needed; missing information; below average project quality)

5-6 = Average (adequate detail; addresses the prompt; average project quality)

7-8 = Good (detailed response; valuable project/partnership quality)

9-10= Excellent (clear and concise narrative; deep and meaning community integration throughout artistic quality and project design)

Criteria #1: Arts/Culture (40%)

• Project has a significant arts/culture focus
• Application clearly states how project expands or deepens arts/culture opportunities for young people
• Facilitation/development of project is creative AND participants of project have opportunity to be creative   

Criteria #2: Youth Engagement (40%)

• The main project idea and logistics are led by young people
• Application clearly states how the project might significantly impact young people and their communities 
• Project is equitable and accessible for Phoenix youth

Criteria #3: Budget (20%)

• Budget is balanced and accurate
• Project cost reflect the resources needed within the project timeline 
• Project cost ensures artists (youth and adults) and project partners are monetarily valued for their time