Grants FAQs
The answers to your COAHSI grant questions!
1. I am a first-time applicant to COAHSI, what grant should I apply for?
First time applicants (individual and organizations) can apply for the DCA Premier Grant, the Excellence in the Arts Awards, or the JPMorgan Chase Capacity Building OR Arts in Our Communities Grant. Make sure you are a Staten Island resident, or Staten Island based non-profit organization before you apply. For the DCA Premier Grant, first time applicants will have to attend an application workshop. The applications for all grant are available online. For more information about the grants, and to apply, click here.
2. What other grants are there besides Premier?
Those who have received a COAHSI grant before, can apply to the DCA Art Fund grant. These are for individuals without a 501c3 fiscal sponsorship, or for arts organizations. We offer the NYSCA Encore grant for individuals and organizations WITH a 501c3 fiscal sponsorship. We also offer the NYSCA Original Work grant, which is for INDIVIDUAL ARTISTS in the creation of new work that breaks new ground and addresses the
concept of community. We offer the JPMorgan Chase Arts in Our Communities & Capacity building grants every Spring. Find out about them here. We also offer the Excellence in the Arts Award; 8 awards of $1000 each to musicians or performing artists. Learn more here.
Looking for Arts in Education Grants? Click here!
3. How do
I apply for a grant?
Each grant has a specific application process. Please review the guidelines
carefully. (Guidelines are available to download when the grant is open). Visit our grants page to see which grants are available. All grant applications are ONLINE ONLY, hardcopy applications are no longer available. REMEMBER: You must be a Staten Island Resident to apply. Study the important deadlines
associated with the grant. You are strongly encouraged to contact the
Grant Director associated with your grant, to discuss your application
and any questions you might have that relate to your proposal.
4. What resources
are available to me as I prepare my application?
COAHSI staff members are available to answer questions about your applications,
help applicants find a partner or conduit, and provide other assistance.
Informational workshops are held for each grant, and it is strongly suggested
that applicants discuss their proposals with the Grant Director to clarify
any language, questions, or expectations you have about the application
process.
5. Who decides
which applications are funded?
Decisions are made by an independent panel of professional artists, teaching
artists, scholars, school and arts administrators, school-based teachers,
civic, business and community representatives knowledgeable in the granting
area. Panelists will base funding decisions on how well each application
meets the evaluative criteria specified in the grant guidelines. It is
the panel's responsibility to decide who is to be funded and at what amount.
Note: Want to serve on a panel? It's
fun, and a great way to meet other artists and art lovers in our community! >
Consideration of proposals is done on a competitive basis. The COAHSI
staff is responsible for the administration of these grants only and cannot
make decisions about the selection of grants or their level of funding.
6. When will
I be notified whether or not my request will be funded?
The panels meet two to three weeks after the application deadline. Applicants
will be notified by mail of funding decisions (either for, or against)
at the conclusion of the panel's deliberations, usually 3 weeks after the deadline for all applications except for the DCA Premier & Art Fund, and the NYSCA Encore & Original Work. Applicants to those grants should hear back 6 weeks after the deadline.
7. If my project
is awarded, what’s next?
Pending notification of your award, all funded applicants will be required
to sign a contract with COAHSI before the funds will be released. COAHSI
will make checks payable to the school, cultural organization, or individual
artist. Recipients are also asked to attend an Awards Ceremony where project
checks are distributed. There's also a few more things you need to know, find out here.
.
8. What recourse
do I have if I believe my application did not receive fair consideration
during the panel process?
If the panel determines that your application should not be funded, the
applicant can request that Grant Director provide insights garnered through
panel debates as to why the request was refused. If, after speaking with
the Grant Director, the applicant still believes in the merits of their
proposal and wishes to appeal the decision, grievances must be made, in
writing, to COAHSI's Exective Director and certain criteria must be met.
An independent panel will convene again during the next funding cycle
and the entire process is reviewed by the COAHSI Board of Directors. Awardees
have the right to accept or decline their awards; however, they cannot
contest the amount they have been granted.
9. Can I apply
for multiple grants?
Yes, it is possible to apply for multiple grants if the grant guidelines
allow it. However, since the grant program is a competitive process and
not all requests can be funded, applicants are encouraged to select the
grant which best suits their needs and submit a complete and well-thought-through
application only in that respective program. Please contact COAHSI if you have any questions about eligibility requirements or guidelines
for specific grants.
Still have questions? Give us a call! 718-447-3329 x1003
Photographer
Ira Rosen received a 2008 Premier Grant for his black and white photo
essay of people candidly shot on New York Streets.