Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the Adams Arts Program?

• What kinds of projects will the Adams Arts Program support?

• Who is eligible to apply?

• How much money can I receive through the Adams Arts Program?

• Is there a matching requirement?

• What is the funding period?

• When is the application deadline?

• Where do I find the guidelines?

• How will the application and grant approval process work?

• Who can I contact for more information?

What is the Adams Arts Program?
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.

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What kinds of projects will the Adams Arts Program support?
There are two grant categories for 2008: Planning and Implementation. In both categories, the MCC is interested in innovative cultural economic development projects that require seed funding to:

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

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Who is eligible to apply?
Organizations eligible for funding 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.

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How much money can I receive through the Adams Arts Program?
Planning Grants: Up to $10,000.
Implementation Grants: Up to $100,000 per year.

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Is there a matching requirement?
Yes.
Planning Grants: 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.
Implementation Grants: Grants must be matched on at least a 1:1 basis. 80 percent of the match must be in cash and 20 percent may be in-kind support. Matching funds must be secured by the end of the funding period.

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What is the funding period?
Planning Grants: January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2008

Implementation Grants:
For a one-year grant: January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2008
For a two-year grant: January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2009

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When is the application deadline?

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Where do I find the guidelines?
They are available online.

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How will the application and grant approval process work?
This depends on the category you are submitting an application under.

Implementation grants: 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.

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Who can I contact for more information?
Please contact Meri Jenkins, Program Director, or Christina Hogan, Program Coordinator, at 617-727-3668.

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