Arts Funding Application Narrative Instructions

The mission of the Office of Cultural Affairs (OCA) is to enhance the vitality of the city and the quality of life for all Columbia citizens by creating an environment wherein artists and cultural organizations can thrive, and fostering opportunities for creative expression and the preservation and celebration of the city’s multi-cultural heritage.

Writing the Narrative for your Application

As you write your narrative regularly refer to the guidelines and evaluation criteria.

Do not exceed five standard 8 1/2” x 11” pages.
Use 12 point type, 1.5 line spacing and 1 inch margins on all sides.
Number and restate the questions asked in order given. For an exact listing, use this list. This guided narrative makes it easier for you to provide the exact information required which makes it easier for the Commission on Cultural Affairs to review it.
If you are preparing a combined proposal, with both education and presentation components, you must address the questions about the educational and artistic quality of the project.
Applications that are not prepared according to stated guidelines will be assessed up to a 10-point penalty.

Primary Purpose of the Organization

Describe the primary purpose and mission of the lead organization.

Project Description

Describe the proposed project, its objectives, how those objectives will be realized, the need for the project, who the target audiences are and how the project fulfills the mission of your organization. State how you will use city funds, if awarded. Consider the cost per participant (divide the total project budget by the estimated number of participants to get cost per person; for example, if your total project budget is $12,000 and you estimate that you will have 300 participants, the cost per person is $40). If there are specific reasons why the cost it high, explain them.

Educational Quality of the Project...answer these questions if you are preparing an education or combined proposal; do not answer them if you are preparing a presentation proposal

Describe the educational value and the artistic quality of the project.
Will there be dialog between artists and audiences?
Will audiences create art; if so, how?
How will audiences be changed by this experience?
How will the effectiveness of the project be evaluated?

Artistic Quality of the Project...answer these questions only if you are preparing a presentation or combined proposal; do not answer them if you are preparing an education proposal

Describe the artistic quality of the project.
If the project involves the creation of new work, describe the process by which the artist(s) will be chosen and the qualifications of those responsible for the selection as well as the qualifications of the artist(s).
How will the effectiveness of the project be evaluated?

Community Outreach

Describe how this project will provide arts programming to previously unreached or under-served audiences at an affordable price and increase the availability of quality arts experiences to all Columbia residents. How will the projects be accessible to individuals with disabilities?

Project Management

Marketing...Delineate the promotion and publicity plan as it relates directly to the project application. Select your best examples from past projects and include in your supplementary materials (see Preparing an Application). Describe efforts other than the OCA's Arts Express newsletter, Art & Culture radio advertising and ArtNews newspaper advertising.

Management Capabilities...Describe the ability of the applicant organization to complete the project successfully including such indicators as governing board, adequate and experienced project personnel and fiscal management capabilities.

Fiscal Development...Describe the methods used in the development of funding support for this project. Be sure to describe funding sources other than what you are requesting from the city’s OCA.