OpportunityTitle: NEA Challenge America Fast Track Generic
Description: 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 Review Grants are available only for: An arts event 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 or resident artists of an applicant organization do not qualify as guest artists. In addition to artists&apos; 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). 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 cultural facilities or spaces . 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.
GrantorContactEmailDescription: NEA Web Site Manager
GrantorContactText: NEA Web Manager
CloseDateExplanation: The Challenge America Fast-Track Review Grants application deadline has been extended to June 17, 2008. [Material that must be mailed directly to the Arts Endowment must be postmarked (or show other proof of mailing) no later than June 18, 2008.] The deadline has been extended due to technical problems with Grants.gov, the federal government&apos;s online application system.     All applications must be submitted through Grants.gov. The June 2 Challenge America Fast Track deadline has passed and the Grants.gov system will not accept an application package that was previously completed. Therefore, applicants will need to use a new Grants.gov application package to submit. Download the new application package following the link in the application guidelines, or go to: https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms_apps_idx.html and search by Funding Opportunity Number 2008NEA01FT2. Enter information directly into the forms. Do not copy from your old application package or another document and paste into the new forms as this will prevent your successful submission.    If you have already successfully submitted an application, you do not need to submit it again.    For further information, see the application guidelines at http://www.arts.gov/grants/apply/GAP09/Challenge.html