DCA Cultural Grant Program Guidelines for Nonprofit Organizations and Outdoor Festivals/Parades Producers

Organizational Grants
The Department of Cultural Affairs offers grants to nonprofit arts/cultural agencies such as museums, theaters, dance companies, etc. These “contracts for services that support public benefit activities” provide operational or artistic project support to organizations and collaborative partners (such as social service organizations that apply with qualified arts agencies). DCA’s grant awards foster arts management, dance, culture/history, literature, media, music, outdoor festivals/parades, theater, visual/design arts, traditional/folk arts and multi-disciplinary arts.
The applicant organization’s mission as well as the size of its most recently completed fiscal year budget will determine the capacity and category (Large Budget, Mid-Size, Small, or Entry-Level) for which it may apply.

Note about Outdoor Festivals and Parades
Local nonprofit arts/cultural organizations may submit more than one proposal, particularly if the second application is for the partnership production of an Outdoor Festival or Parade  which will take place at one public site (such as a City Park) or in one geographic public area (such as a business corridor of specific streets) over one or two days. Although it is recommended that an arts/cultural organization be the primary applicant for this type of DCA grant, partnerships between nonprofit 501c3 social service organizations, 501c6 business associations (such as chambers of commerce) and specialized event producers are also eligible. Outdoor Festival and Parade grants generally support venue costs, marketing costs, artists fees and/or technical costs in order to foster accessibility, cultural diversity, and geographic equity. Application partners should have at least one year of experience presenting the proposed event to the public. See the application forms or call the DCA Cultural Grant Program staff for further details.

General Overview for
Nonprofit Organizations and Outdoor Festivals/Parades Producers