Spring 2002

Challenge America: Increased grant funds from the National Endowment for the Arts

In FY 2003 additional funds will come to West Virginia from the National Endowment for the Arts as part of the State Partnership Grant. Pilot projects are now underway, in FY 2002, in Lincoln and Greenbrier Counties using $40,000 from the NEA and $20,000 in state funds approved by the West Virginia Commission on the Arts.

The next round Challenge America Partnership Projects will be in underserved areas, with a priority to improve access to the arts in sections of our state where there is limited arts organizational development and infrastructure and where existing grant programs have had limited penetration. As much as $90,000 from the NEA and $45,000 in state funds will support the FY 2003 program. There will be a local matching requirement for all projects.

The emphasis will be on in-school arts education projects, after-school programs for “youth at risk,” and community-selected artist residencies aimed at inter-generational community audiences.

Successful applicants will fit one of the following profiles: small community organizations with demonstrated arts administration success; artist driven organizations with success at producing new work; and arts organizations with broad experience, recognized locally and nationally, for work with arts in schools. Special priority will be given to smaller arts organizations and some mid-sized arts organizations; any successful major institution applicant will be required to deliver the arts services to audiences clearly recognized as underserved and representing an expanded outreach from their own traditional audiences.

The deadline for application will be July 1, 2002 (postmark); at the September 2002 meeting the West Virginia Commission on the Arts will review the applications for approval. The grant period will be October 1, 2002 through September 30, 2003. Guidelines will be available April 15. Interested organizations should call the Director of Arts at 304-558-0240, ext. 721.