NEW ORLEANS – The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation, the nonprofit that owns Jazz Fest, is now accepting applications in four categories of the Community Partnership Grants program for the 2017-2018 grant cycle.
Since 1979, the Jazz & Heritage Foundation has invested proceeds from the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival presented by Shell directly into the community with grants to fund projects that support the foundation's mission, reps said.
In 2016, 254 grant applicants (89 percent of those who applied) received funding. The Jazz & Heritage Foundation distributed a total of $709,000, for an average of $2,800 per grant.
The Jazz & Heritage Foundation is now accepting requests for funding to support music and art education programs, cultural events put on by Louisiana arts-based nonprofits and new artistic works that interpret Louisiana culture.
The deadline to apply is May 15.
Activities funded by these grants must occur between Sept. 1 and Aug. 31, 2018.
The Jazz & Heritage Foundation offers grants of up to $5,000 in four categories:
• Jazz & Heritage In-School Education Programs in Music, Arts and Cultural Traditions
This category supports music and arts education in the schools by funding music and arts instruction that takes place at Louisiana K-12 schools during the regular school day. Schools (public or private) may apply for money to pay for instruments/ instrument repair, sheet music, visual art supplies or other needed materials to support arts instruction as part of the school's curriculum. Only one application per school is allowed.
• Jazz & Heritage After-School and Summer Education Programs in Music, Arts and Cultural Traditions
This category supports after-school and summer educational arts programs offered by nonprofit organizations and Louisiana K-12 schools. Organizations may apply for money only to pay the professional service fees of the artists or educators who provide arts instruction.
• Jazz & Heritage Presenting: Festivals and Concerts in Music and Performing Arts
This category supports employment for Louisiana performing artists by providing funding to Louisiana-based nonprofit arts organizations to help cover the cost of hiring Louisiana-based performers for festivals or other public cultural events in the state. Only arts-based nonprofits in Louisiana may apply.
• Jazz & Heritage Archive: Documentation and Preservation
This category supports the creation, documentation or exhibition of art works that reflect, interpret, document or preserve the indigenous culture of Louisiana. Individuals and non-profits may apply. Priority will be given to Louisiana-based applicants.
TO SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION
Carefully read the category guidelines here
Follow the links provided to complete your grant application.
WHAT'S NEW IN 2017-2018?
• Earlier Deadlines: Last year, The Jazz & Heritage Foundation announced its grants in early June and the deadline to apply was July 1. This year, the Foundation is announcing in early April and the deadline is in mid-May. The goal is to make the grants more accessible to school teachers, before school lets out for the summer, in hopes that more will apply for available funds to support arts education in the school system, reps said.
• Simplified Applications and Budget Forms: In all four grant categories, The Jazz & Heritage Foundation simplified the applications by eliminating questions that seemed vague or unnecessary, and replaced them with simple ones that help determine the community impact of proposed projects, reps said. The Jazz & Heritage Foundation also reduced or eliminated information requirements in the budget sections of the grant applications that made things too cumbersome, reps said. They no longer require "service provider" forms.
• Online Applications Only: The Jazz & Heritage Foundation no longer accepts paper applications. Now the foundation only accepts applications through the online application portal. To access the application, reps said to first read through the guidelines for the grant category that interests you. Then access the online application form. All of the info is on the Community Partnership Grants website.
• Only One Application Per School: In recent years The Jazz & Heritage Foundation has received multiple applications from some schools. This year, the Foundation will disqualify any schools that submit more than one application. Music and art teachers must check with their principals and colleagues before submitting an application to make sure that no one else in the school is submitting one.
• Event Presenters – Arts-Based Non-Profits Only: In the past, The Jazz & Heritage Foundation has accepted applications in its "Jazz & Heritage Presenting" category from any kind of nonprofit as long as it was based in Louisiana. This year, only arts-based non-profits may apply, reps said. Organizations whose mission is not arts-based, such as social service agencies, religious organizations or municipal governments, may apply only if they are partnered with an arts-based non-profit.
APPLICATION HELP
Please read the category guidelines carefully before starting an application, Foundation reps said. Staff members of the Jazz & Heritage Foundation will answer questions or explain the process before the July 1 deadline. Questions should be directed to Programs, Marketing & Communications, via e-mail (programs@jazzandheritage.org), or by telephone at (504) 558-6100.
APPLICATION ASSISTANCE WORKSHOPS
The Jazz & Heritage Foundation will host two workshops to answer questions about the Community Partnership Grants program, the categories and guidelines, and the online application form.
These will be held:
Monday, April 17
5;00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday, May 10
5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Both workshops will be held in the auditorium of the George and Joyce Wein Jazz & Heritage Center, located at 1225 N. Rampart St. Parking will be available in the lot behind the building.
These workshops are free and open to the public.
