The SFFCM Musical Grant Program is open to applicants with budgets that do not exceed $100,000 who reside and/or work in the nine counties of the Greater San Francisco Bay Area (Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, Sonoma). All applicants must be at least 18 years of age to participate, and be U.S. citizens or hold legal resident permit status. (Members of the SFFCM Board of Directors are not eligible to apply.)
2009 Application Deadline: July 10, 2009 (in office, see home page for details)
Application may be made in one of four applicant categories:
Ensemble - Applicants to this category must be a pre-formed ensemble that satisfies SFFCM's definition of chamber music (“music for two or more performers in which the performers play one on a part, without a conductor”). An ensemble must show a nucleus of consistent membership, as well as a minimum history of at least two public performances over the last two years, and declare a plan for/or a schedule of upcoming performances. An Ensemble must demonstrate a high level of musical ability and potential through supporting materials (for example: printed programs, postcards, posters, press reviews, etc.) and recorded work samples. (See Application)
Ensemble with a composer - Ensembles are invited to apply for a grant to support the commission and performance of a new work. The application should be submitted jointly by the ensemble and composer, both of which must meet the eligibility/residency requirements as defined in these guidelines. Applications under this category will be considered for an award of up to $5,000 to be split between the composer’s fee (maximum $3,000) and the ensemble. At the discretion of the panel, up to 2 grants may be awarded in this category.
Presenter - For the purposes of this Program, a presenter may be an individual or organization with a demonstrated history of presenting music performances to the public (at least two public performances over the last two years). Presenters will be eligible to apply: 1) if the concert or the series they represent occurs in the San Francisco Bay Area and 2) if their request is to support the fee of an ensemble from the geographic area described by this Program. Applicants to this category will be asked to submit supporting materials and work samples.
Individual with a chamber music project - This category is intended to serve applicants whose projects do not first fall into any of the other categories (Ensemble, Ensemble with a composer and Presenter), and are subject to all guideline restrictions; must demonstrate a minimum history of at least two public performances over the last two years, and supply supporting materials and work samples as required for all other categories. (See FAQs for examples of projects of this and other categories.)
All applicants and their projects must satisfy SFFCM's definition of chamber music (“music for two or more performers in which the performers play one on a part, without a conductor"). Each application must clearly describe a well-conceived project that will bring the applicant to a new level of achievement and/or impact their career. Members of the SFFCM Board of Directors are not eligible to apply.
Projects should describe requests for support from one or more of the following areas of assistance:
Artistic
Types of expenses covered under this category include:
- Artist rehearsal and/or performance fees
- Concert venue rental
- Concert production costs, including promotion
- Recording costs
- Commissioning fees
Organizational and Financial
Types of expenses covered under this category include:
- Hiring of a consultant to assist with public relations and marketing, legal counsel, fundraising, bookkeeping, strategic planning, Web-based technology, etc.
Career Development
Types of expenses covered under this category include:
- Costs to develop an educational and community outreach program
- Professional training expenses
- Travel costs to attend conferences or workshops
The Program does not accept
The Program does not accept requests from educational institutions; or requests to retire debt from current or past performances. It will not accept requests from performing venues for administrative or capital expenditures. Requests for funding for equipment are discouraged, except for audio or visual equipment will be used in the creation and performance of contemporary works.
Grant Period
Grants awarded for MGP 2009 are for projects taking place between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2011 (a two- year grant period). Applicants may submit only one proposal per granting cycle.
Attention! MGP 2008 Recipients applying for MGP 2009.
Grantees of Musical Grant Program 2008 are eligible to apply for MGP2009 if their 08 projects are completed by December 31, 2009.
Decision
Decisions will be made by an independent panel of five experts from the SFBA music community. Grants will be awarded up to $3,000 ($ 5,000 in the case of Ensemble with Composer for a project to commission a new work. See description of Ensemble with Composer above). The decisions of the panel will be final. Applicants may obtain panel comments [feedback] on their application between September 21 and October 15, 2009 by sending an email to Mr. Dominique Pelletey—SFFCM's Executive Director.
Please see Application for additional information needed to apply to The Musical Grant Program.
HOW TO CONTACT THE PROGRAM COORDINATOR:
If you have any questions, please contact our Program Coordinator, Ms. Nicole Lungerhausen.
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