PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Arts Council will award grants to South Dakota artists, arts organizations and other nonprofit groups when it meets this spring. The grant application deadline is March 1, 2007, for projects and activities that will occur during Fiscal Year 2008 (July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008).

 

South Dakota artists may seek Arts Council funding through several different grant programs.  

 

Artist Grants support professional visual, performing, literary and media artists in their efforts to set aside time to pursue their work, to purchase materials and equipment, to produce new work, or to market themselves by reaching new audiences. 

 

Artist Collaboration Grants encourage South Dakota artists in any arts discipline to collaborate between themselves or with an out-of-state artist in the creation of a joint project or activity with significant benefit to the artists and substantial impact to the state.      

 

Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Grants promote the continuation of traditional arts and culture by providing financial support to master folk artists to teach qualified apprentices. South Dakota nonprofit organizations may also seek funding support through a variety of grant programs.     

 

Project Grants assist eligible organizations in the presentation of a single event in any arts discipline benefiting the general public. All nonprofit groups are eligible to apply, provided they seek funds to present an art-related activity.

 

Arts Challenge Grants provide operating support to arts organizations and institutions with paid professional staff, year-round programming and cash operating budgets of at least $35,000. Additionally, eligible organizations are challenged to commit to the South Dakota Arts Council’s long-range planning goals for statewide arts development.

 

A new category of organizational grant support will be initiated during FY 2008. Similar to Arts Challenge Grants, Small Organization Season Support (SOSS) Grants provide general operating support to small arts organizations that produce a series of arts activities but that do not qualify for Arts Challenge support due to lack of paid staff or insufficient budget size. In the past, organizations which now qualify for SOSS support have applied in the Project Grant category.  

 

Unlike other grants which are available on an annual basis, Arts Challenge Grants and SOSS Grants are awarded for a 2-year period. Organizations that miss the March 1, 2007 deadline may not apply again in either of these categories until 2009.

 

Importation of Musicians Grants enable small South Dakota orchestras to improve the quality of their performance seasons by importing musicians from outside their local communities to supplement local orchestra personnel. 

 

Organizations with a statewide mission that supports the goals and objectives of SDAC’s long-range planning may sometimes apply for funding through the Statewide Services Program. Since application in this category is by invitation, be sure to consult Arts Council staff to determine your organization’s eligibility.

 

If you are unsure about which of the above categories best fit the requirements of your organization, contact the South Dakota Arts Council office. The staff will be glad to help you assess your needs and assist in the development of your grant proposal.

 

Complete guidelines and application forms for each of these opportunities are available in the Council’s Guide to Grants. Copies of the most recent edition of the Guide were widely distributed last November. Additional copies may be obtained by writing the South Dakota Arts Council at 711 E. Wells Avenue, Pierre, SD 57501, by calling 605-773-3301, or by emailing sdac@state.sd.us. Grant guidelines and application forms may also be accessed at www.artscouncil.sd.gov.

 

The South Dakota Arts Council is a state agency within the Department of Tourism and State Development. The Council’s mission is to provide grants and services to artists, arts institutions, schools and other nonprofit organizations throughout the state with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts and the State of South Dakota.

 

-30-