Challenge America Fast-Track

Introduction

The Challenge America Fast-Track category offers support primarily to small and mid-sized organizations for projects that extend the reach of the arts to underserved populations -- those whose opportunities to experience the arts are limited by geography, ethnicity, economics, or disability. Age alone (e.g., youth, seniors) does not qualify a group as underserved; at least one of the underserved characteristics noted here also must be present. This category, as an essential component of the Arts Endowment's goal of providing wide access to artistic excellence, supports local projects that can have significant effects within communities. Grants are available for professional arts programming and for projects that emphasize the potential of the arts in community development.

Partnerships can be valuable to the success of these projects. While not required, applicants are encouraged to consider partnerships among organizations, both in and outside of the arts, as appropriate to their project.

These Fast-Track grants:

• Extend the reach of the arts to underserved populations.
• Are limited to the specific types of projects outlined below.
• Are for $10,000 each.
• Receive an expedited application review. Organizations are notified whether they have been recommended for a grant approximately six months after they apply; projects may start shortly thereafter.

NOTE: A policy will be implemented in the coming year to limit consecutive year funding. This policy will ensure that Challenge America Fast-Track funding reaches new organizations and their communities of underserved populations with limited access to the arts.

Starting with grants that are awarded in FY 2011 (that result from applications received under this year’s May 27, 2010 deadline), an organization that receives Challenge America Fast-Track grants for three years in a row will not be eligible to apply to the Fast-Track category for the following one-year period. For example, if an organization receives grants in FY 2009, 2010, and 2011, it may not apply again in FY 2012. During FY 2012, the organization may apply to other Arts Endowment funding opportunities including Access to Artistic Excellence and Learning in the Arts for Children and Youth. The organization would be able to apply to the Challenge America Fast-Track category in FY 2013.

Deadline

May 27, 2010, Application Deadline
January 1, 2011, Earliest Beginning Date for Arts Endowment Period of Support

If your organization applies to the Challenge America Fast-Track category, it may not submit another application to either the Access to Artistic Excellence or Learning in the Arts categories. See "Applicant Eligibility/Application Limits" for further information.

Contact

Challenge America Fast-Track Specialists: fasttrack@arts.gov or 202/682-5700

Projects

This category supports focused, distinct projects that take place over limited periods of time and involve limited geographic areas. Such projects generally are smaller in scale and shorter in duration than those in the Access to Artistic Excellence or Learning in the Arts for Children and Youth categories.

All projects must extend the reach of the arts to underserved populations that have limited access to the arts due to geography, ethnicity, economics, or disability. The involvement of professionally trained, experienced artists and arts professionals is essential.

Each applicant must present a simple, straightforward project that reflects only one of the project types below. Fast-Track grants are available only for:

• An arts event or events that will feature one or more guest artists. The project (such as a festival, exhibit, recital, reading, performance, screening, broadcast, lecture) must include the participation of guest artist(s). Artistic staff and resident artists of an applicant organization do not qualify as guest artists. In addition to artists' fees, the project may include public relations, professional documentation, and program enhancements that are integral to the event. Examples of program enhancements include interpretive material, transportation, program accommodations (e.g., sign language interpretation, audio description), catalogues, brochures, or publications. Other enhancements such as specific lecture-demonstrations, pre- or post-event talks, or workshops relevant to the proposed arts event also are eligible. NOTE: Projects that involve curriculum-based arts instruction are not eligible (see the Learning in the Arts category).

• The creation of professionally directed public art projects such as murals, sculptures, or environmental art that are developed through community engagement.

• Civic design activities that involve the renovation, restoration, or adaptive reuse of structures to be used as cultural facilities. Projects may include architectural studies, design competitions, charettes (design workshops), or feasibility plans. Funding is not available for actual renovation or construction costs.

• The unified promotion of community-wide arts activities and resources to enhance cultural tourism or activities in cultural districts. Unified promotion is defined as the professional assessment, design, and/or distribution of public relations tools (calendars, Web sites, brochures, rack cards, signage, etc.) designed to benefit several local organizations. NOTE: Promotional projects for a single organization are not eligible.

Application Review

Applications are submitted to the Challenge America Fast-Track staff and are reviewed by a diverse group of arts experts and other individuals with broad knowledge of the specific types of projects in this funding area.

Applications are reviewed on the basis of artistic excellence and artistic merit. For more detailed information on how artistic excellence and artistic merit will be evaluated, see the "Review Criteria." You can find additional information in the "Application Review" section of the "Frequently Asked Questions."

We Do Not Fund

In addition to the "We Do Not Fund" section for all Grants for Arts Projects applicants, funding under the Challenge America Fast-Track category is not available for:

• Consortium applications (see "Application Limits").
• Activities that occur over an extended period (e.g., projects that span a full season, long-term residencies, most large-scale projects).
• Competitions other than design competitions.
• Projects that involve curriculum-based instruction in the arts.
• Subgranting or regranting.

The Arts Endowment encourages organizations with operating budgets of less than $50,000 and organizations that have not applied for public funds previously to consider applying to local or state sources to gain practical experience with managing public funds.

Outcomes

The Arts Endowment has identified five outcomes that it plans to achieve through Challenge America Fast-Track. Each applicant is asked to select the one outcome listed below that is most relevant to its project and to indicate this in its application:

1. Artists and arts organizations have opportunities to create, interpret, present, and perform artistic work.

2. Artistic works and cultural traditions are preserved.

3. Organizations enhance their ability to realize their artistic and public service goals.

4. Audiences throughout the nation have opportunities to experience a wide range of art forms and activities.

5. The arts contribute to the strengthening of communities.
   

If you wish to apply:

CFDA No. 45.024
OMB No. 3135-0112 Expires 11/30/2010
January 2010

National Endowment for the Arts · an independent federal agency
1100 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20506