GRANT GUIDELINES & APPLICATIONS SPRING 2023

Up to $150,000 in total funding will be awarded for visual and performing arts programming during this Spring cycle. 

Applications Accepted through June 20, 2023, 6PM Deadline

To adequately prepare your grant proposal, please:

  • Review the grant guidelines thoroughly.
  • Take the tutorial before beginning the application.
  • Ensure that all documents included in your application open easily.
  • Keep a copy of your grant proposal in the unlikely event it is lost due to a technical malfunction.
  • Contact the Eastside Arts Initiative (EAI) by email only, as far in advance of the deadline as possible with any questions or if technical support is needed. Include full name, phone number and name of organization (if applicable) to: arts@eastsideartsinitiative.org
  • Do not call or leave a phone message.

GRANT AMOUNTS $

  1. INDIVIDUAL ARTIST: May apply for a grant from $2,500 to $10,000. Must apply with a fiscal agent.
  2. ARTS ORGANIZATION: May apply for a grant between $10,000 to $25,000. Must be a 501C3 non-profit organization and apply directly and not with a fiscal agent.

Q & A MEETINGS

Applicants are encouraged to attend a virtual meeting for questions and answers (Q&A’s) about the EAI’s funding priorities, grant guidelines and application process. Please register for preferred date:

Register here for May 9, 6:30PM: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwtcuuvpz0oHNZ7k3xc5F-2I7KbGbY6t82R

Register here for May 11, 6:30PM: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0ocumvqjMoG9PTIBSHvFMAd-7O3mTgbSsR

Register here for May 25, 6:30PM: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwpceusrT8vE9S_ByA_kf0j0bOejZoqUuAN

FUNDING PRIORITIES

The EAI plays an integral role in furthering the arts in Eastern LA County by providing grant funding for visual and performing arts programs while supporting local artists and arts organizations to develop innovative creative work.

Grants are awarded through a competitive process based on the merits of the proposal and these funding priorities:

  • Significance: Program fills a need in the community and has long-lasting value.
  • Distinction/Innovation: Concept is creative and innovative offering unique experiences.
  • Approach: Implementation and outreach plans are well-thought-out with goals to be executed within a specified period.
  • Suitability: Budget and goals are realistic.
  • EAI Partner: Program furthers the arts in Eastern LA County and opens pathways to opportunities in the visual and performing arts.

ELIGIBILITY / REQUIREMENTS

  • Applicant must be an artist or arts organization serving in Eastern LA County: Westlake/Rampart/Downtown LA to East L.A; Northeast LA to the San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys; and the Southeast LA/Gateway communities of Bell, Bell Gardens, Commerce, Cudahy, Huntington Park, Maywood, Pico Rivera, South Gate, Vernon and Walnut Park unincorporated.
  • Artists must be 18 years of age or older and may apply only with a fiscal agent that is an established 501c3 non-profit arts organization that can provide: IRS determination letter, IRS 990 and annual budget (see “fiscal agent responsibilities” section below for further requirements).
  • Artists must have sustainable creative work and submit a resume summarizing a minimum of two years of artistic work history and accomplishments.
  • Arts organizations must be an established 501c3 non-profit and able to provide: IRS determination letter, IRS 990, and annual budget.
  • If the proposal is for a Public Art Project, applicant must provide letter signed by site property owner and permit from municipality (if applicable) confirming approval of project specifications and site location.
  • Public art projects must be permanent installations and include a programming component. Non-permanent public art projects are not applicable.
  • Grant proposals are not accepted from schools or government entities.
  • Applicants may submit proposals for after-school community arts programming at schools or government-owned sites.
  • Proposals are not accepted from prior EAI grant recipients who have not submitted closing report from previous grant award (this does not apply to EAI emergency grant recipients).
  • Grant must be utilized directly as proposed, and within one year of award or funds must be refunded.
  • Grant closing reports to the EAI are due two months following conclusion of program.

ELIGIBLE ARTS DISCIPLINES

  • Creative Crafts: Contemporary or Cultural/Folk Art
  • Dance
  • Film
  • Literary Arts
  • Digital and Media Arts
  • Graphic Arts
  • Music
  • Photography
  • Technical Arts
  • Theatre
  • Visual Arts
  • Arts Trades: (i.e., recording engineer, production assistant, set designer, costume designer, make-up artists, etc.)
  • Commercial printing, advertising, marketing does NOT qualify

“SHOW YOUR CREATIVITY” – VIDEO EXAMPLE REQUIRED

Grant proposal must include a vision or example of program by video. For visual arts projects, include image or rendering.

  1. VIDEO (Required):
    • Maximum NO MORE than two minutes (more than two minutes will be disqualified).
    • Film in 1080p or higher (may use Smart Phone).
    • Video must have full rights and clearances for promotion, including all music; and may not be commissioned for commercial use.
    • If video is submitted in foreign language, must include English-language subtitles.
    • Applicant agrees that the video furnished may be retained for file, reference, and archival purposes, and will be viewed partially or in its entirety during review of the grant application.
    • See grant application for URL instructions.
  2. IMAGE (required for visual arts projects)
    • See application for upload link and acceptable formats such as photos, renderings or others
    • Applicant agrees that the image furnished may be retained for file, reference and archival purposes, and will be viewed partially or in its entirety during review of the grant application.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE FISCAL AGENT(for artist applicants only):

  • Established more than seven years as a 501C3 non-profit arts organization.
  • Receives and is responsible for the grant funds on behalf of grant recipient.
  • Reviews grant proposal to understand the program deliverables and fiscal obligations before applicant submits proposal to the EAI.
  • Provides a letter signed by both the Executive Director and Board President to be included in grant application confirming the organization agrees to take on the responsibilities of the Fiscal Agent, including the grant closing report to be submitted along with artist if grant is approved.
  • Legally, the Fiscal Agent is required to: maintain its own records of the grant expenditures/disbursements; keep receipts for at least three years following receipt of the grant; make financial records related to the grant available upon request; distribute funds directly to the grant recipient in accordance with the grant proposal and on disbursement schedule upon mutual agreement between grant recipient and Fiscal Agent; and is responsible for required tax forms with grant recipient.

Grant Application & Registration

Tutorial for Applicants