For Immediate Release: April 2, 2009 Elaine Mariner, elaine.mariner@state.co.us, 303-892-3870 Grants to Artists and Organizations Deadline Approaching Applications Due April 23, 2009

Denver, CO (April 2, 2009) - The Colorado Council on the Arts Grants to Artists and Organizations (GAO), guidelines and application can be accessed from the CCA web site at www.coloarts.org. Applications are due on April 23, 2009 and only online applications will be accepted.

Grants to Artists and Organizations (GAO) is CCA’s primary grant program. Through GAO awards, the Council partners with individuals, arts organizations, community groups, and municipal and state agencies to help achieve the state agency’s mission and goals. Grants to Artists and Organizations are awarded annually on a competitive basis. Grant requests are reviewed by regional panels that make funding recommendations to the Council. The review criteria are:

• Artistic excellence and merit of proposed activities;
• Community involvement and benefit from proposed activities; and
• Implementation capacity, such as effective planning, management, and budgeting of the project.

Several changes have been incorporated into the revised guidelines, as a result of a 25% budget cut for CCA. Maximum grant requests are reduced to $18,000, CCA has temporarily lowered the cash match requirement, and grant applications will be reviewed by region. Potential applicants should read the guidelines for full details.

About NEA Recovery Funds
The 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act includes an additional $50 million in one-time National Endowment for the Arts funding for job preservation, a portion of which will be available directly from the NEA, and a portion to be available through the CCA. Application for an award through Grants to Artists and Organizations does not affect an organization’s ability to apply directly to the NEA for Recovery funds. Similarly, applicants to GAO may also apply to the CCA for Recovery funds. However, applicants may only receive a single Recovery funds award. Guidelines for direct NEA Recovery funds are available at www.arts.gov. Guidelines for indirect Recovery funds through the CCA have not yet been published, however, eligibility will be restricted to nonprofit organizations or state or local agencies that have received a GAO or YouthReach award in fiscal years 2007 through 2010. Guidelines should be posted to the CCA website at www.coloarts.org by the first of May.

For general information on Grants to Artists and Organization contact coloarts@state.co.us.