Program Guidelines - FY 2008

Program Overview
The John and Abigail Adams Arts Program fosters and promotes the use of cultural assets as an economic development tool. The goal of the program is to maximize the economic impact of the cultural sector in Massachusetts by funding initiatives that connect artists and cultural organizations to local and state economic development efforts, nurture new arts and cultural enterprise development, raise awareness of the Commonwealth’s cultural products, and increase arts and cultural visitors to the state.

The MCC is interested in innovative cultural economic development projects that can develop positive, sustainable impact through long-term, strategic development and require seed funding for either planning or implementation to:

• Produce new revenue
• Create or enhance jobs
• Revitalize communities
• Stimulate increased participation and engagement in cultural activities by residents and visitors

See the 2008 legislation for the John and Abigail Adams Arts Program.

Eligibility Requirements
Organizations eligible to apply include:

• Not-for-profit entities based or incorporated in Massachusetts under section 501c3 of the Internal Revenue Service Code
• Public sector entities such as municipalities

Partnerships among organizations that share cultural economic development goals are strongly encouraged. One of the partners must be a cultural organization incorporated in Massachusetts. Partners may include:

• Private, for-profit businesses and organizations
• State and federal agencies

Applications from individual cultural organizations will be considered for funding if they have conceived of a cultural economic development idea that is clearly beyond the scope of their usual operations.

Award Ranges and Cash Matching Requirements
There are two grant categories in 2008: Planning and Implementation.

PLANNING
Up to $10,000. Grants must be matched in cash on a 1:4 basis. That is, for every MCC dollar, the applicant must raise $0.25. The match must be secured by the time of application.
Funding period: January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2008

IMPLEMENTATION
Up to $100,000 per year. Grants must be matched on at least a 1:1 basis. 80% of the match must be in cash and 20% may be in-kind support. Matching funds must be secured by the end of the funding period.
Funding period for a one-year grant: January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2008
Funding period for a two-year grant: January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2009

The grant application process is highly competitive and not all applicants are likely to be funded. Applicants that receive planning grants are not guaranteed implementation funding in future years.

Local Cultural Council grants or funds distributed through other MCC programs may not be used as part of the match.

Application Timeline

Application Review Process
In the first step of the process, three preliminary readers - two external readers and the Adams Program Director - read the applications. A majority vote by them advances an application to the Adams Advisory Committee, an independent group of peers comprised of cultural and economic development professionals, including one or more members of the MCC board. The Adams Advisory Committee convenes to discuss the applications brought forward for review. Based on the Committee’s recommendations, the MCC board makes all final award decisions.

Before Starting an Application
Please contact program staff to determine if the project aligns with Adams Arts Program goals, and to discuss any questions you may have. Then proceed to the appropriate application:

• Planning Grant Application

• Implementation Grant Application