American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) 2009
Arts Jobs Preservation Program
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why do the NEA stimulus funds only support job preservation?
While the overall American Recovery and Reinvestment Act speaks to both job
creation and job preservation, the part of the Act specific to the National
Endowment for the Arts states that the funds are to be distributed “which
preserve jobs in the non-profit arts sector threatened by declines in
philanthropic and other support during the current economic downturn.”
2. Why are only specific previous CCT grantees eligible to apply for the
Arts Jobs Preservation Program?
CCT is following guidance from the National Endowment for the Arts to sub
grant to existing award recipients with the demonstrated ability to deliver
results and accountability. CCT’s grantees have been vetted through a
rigorous panel review by experts in the field and approved by the Arts
Committee and the full CCT Commission. Targeting these grantees allows
CCT to reach out to all arts disciplines and fields, organizational sizes and
wide geographic areas. Previous CCT grantees have a track record of
carrying out their projects and meeting CCT’s criteria of artistic excellence,
outreach and service to community, and administrative soundness.
3. Why the three out of four-year requirement?
This requirement provides a rational, broad-ranged and manageable pool of
potential applicants and enables CCT to implement ARRA funds quickly and
efficiently as mandated by the NEA.
4. What does the term “position” mean in this program?
For the purposes of this grant, position is defined as a salaried staff position
(part-time or full-time) OR artistic/contractual personnel.
5. What does the term artistic/contractual personnel cover?
Artistic/contractual personnel is broadly defined as an individual or identified
group of individuals under contract by the organization to perform duties
that are critical to carrying out the core work of an arts organization or arts
program. Examples of artistic/contractual personnel include: guest
conductor, guest soloist, music ensemble, lighting technician, set designer,
carpenter, teaching artist, curriculum designer, market researcher,
strategic planning consultant, program evaluator, web designer, etc.
6. What does "previously engaged" mean in the context of fees for
artists and/or contractual personnel?
This program does not support new projects or activities. Rather, it provides
fee support for artists and/or contractual personnel already involved in
activities that: 1) are underway, but threatened; 2) could benefit by being
extended beyond the period that present finances allow; or 3) have received
serious planning, but have been put on hold or have been cancelled due to
economics (in which case contracts would not yet have been signed)
7. Can an organization apply for more than one position?
No, you can only apply for one artistic or administrative staff position OR
fees relating to one previously engaged artist/contractor or one group
of previously engaged artists/contractors working on the same project.
8. Must my organization apply for a different position from the one that
we had submitted for the NEA application?
No. You should apply for the same position (in jeopardy) whose
responsibilities are critical to your organization’s core work and, if recovered
or retained, will make a difference to your organization. You may however,
receive funding from only one source.
9. If a position is already included in a current CCT grant, can I request
support under this program?
Yes, as long as the request is for a distinctly different project or activity.
A grantee may not receive more than one CCT grant for the same project
or activity during the same or an overlapping funding period. For example,
a dance organization could request support for an arts education coordinator
through this program (one project). That same arts education coordinator
could work on programs related to another CCT grant (a second project) as
long as the same hours are not charged to both projects. There can be no
commingling of funds and grantees are required to maintain records that
track these separate costs.
10. Is there a salary cap on the position for which my organization can
seek support?
No. The position must be critical to your organization's mission and core work,
and it must be in jeopardy because of the current economic situation. While
there is no limit on the salary or fees your organization pays, salary requests
to this program may be either $10,000 or $20,000 and fee requests maybe
either $5,000 or $10,000. CCT funds may be used for full or partial support.
The CCT grants are non matching. If, however, the CCT provides only partial
support for a salary, your organization must cover the balance from
other sources, as appropriate.
11. Why isn't a job for development staff eligible for support?
Federal funds cannot be used for development activities. Salaries, wages,
fringe benefits and fees that are incurred in connection with fund raising are
not allowable expenses for this program.
12. Can my organization apply for an existing position even if it is
currently unfilled?
Yes. Funds under this Act are intended to preserve or restore jobs. We realize
that an organization may have a critical position that is currently unfilled due
to finances. Your organization, however, must identify a qualified candidate to
begin work no later than September 1, 2009.
13. Is my organization more likely to receive a grant if we request
$10,000 rather than $20,000 or $5,000 in fees rather than $10,000?
Each application will be evaluated based on the review criteria as stated in the
guidelines. Grants will be awarded for the amount requested or not at all. You
should present a compelling argument in the context of your own
organization. Be realistic in your request. CCT funds are limited and may not
be able to support all worthwhile requests.
14. What are other opportunities for stimulus support for arts jobs
preservation?
In addition to CCT’s Arts Jobs Preservation Grant program, eligible Connecticut
applicants have two other avenues from which to seek support:
· NEA for direct one-time grants. Applicants must have received NEA
awards during any of the last four years. Application deadline was
April 2. CCT notified eligible organizations by e-mail on March 18
and March 27.
· New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA) for salary support and
relief funds. Eligible applicants must have received NEFA Expeditions
funding during any of the last four years. Current New England
States Touring and Expeditions applicants may be invited to apply
for NEFA stimulus funds for previously engaged artists and/or
contractual personnel where the contracts are in jeopardy or
planned for elimination. Application deadline will be June 1, 2009.
For more information, visit www.nefa.org/grantprog/recovery.html
