The Rose Center Council for the Arts Requests Proposals for Arts Build Communities Grants

The Rose Center Council for the Arts requests Arts Build Communities grant proposals for art projects from any non-profit 501(c)(3) organization located within the following five East Tennessee counties: Claiborne, Cocke, Grainger, Hamblen, and Jefferson.

An organization is eligible to apply for funding support of its arts activities if the organization meets one of the following qualifications:

1) The organization is a nonprofit organization legally chartered in Tennessee and in possession of a determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service declaring the organization exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Private educational institutions must be a nonprofit and meet these tax-exempt requirements; OR

2) The organization is an entity of government (such as city/county government departments, public libraries, public schools, etc.).  

Colleges and universities are eligible only for activities that clearly serve the needs of surrounding communities or the State and are designed to involve a broad audience. Activities that are credit-producing or are oriented primarily to collegiate students and the academic community are not eligible.  

Applications must be submitted online through the Tennessee Arts Commission’s eGrant system by 4:30 PM (CT) on Monday, July 1, 2014. The ABC online application can be accessed beginning at 8:00 AM (CT) on Tuesday, April 1, 2014 at www.tn.gov/arts.Faxed, mailed, or hand-delivered applications will not be accepted by the TAC or designated agencies.

The Arts Build Communities (ABC) grant program is designed to provide support for arts projects that broaden access to address community quality of life issues through the arts, or enhance the sustainability of asset-based cultural enterprises. ABC funds may be used to: provide innovative arts experiences that are new or unfamiliar to community residents; offer arts programs that are designed to help affect positive change in community social issues; develop arts programming that strengthens social networks through community engagement; undertake cultural arts initiatives that enhance a community’s identity and/or economic development; and offer training that helps experienced or emerging artists/arts administrators develop entrepreneurial skills or innovative strategies for building sustainability.

The proposed project must take place and grants funds must be used between August 16, 2014 and June 15, 2015. Funds awarded to a single organization in this category range from $500 to $2,000. Grant funds in this category must be matched dollar-for-dollar. Only one grant application may be submitted per applicant per year in this program.

The Rose Center Council for the Arts is one of ten designated agencies that administer the ABC program statewide on behalf of the Tennessee Arts Commission. Designated agencies are trained to assist ABC applicants with identifying eligible activities, provide feedback on draft applications, administer local grant review panels, and help grant recipients track the success of funded activities. A workshop to instruct non-profit organizations about the ABC grant process and changes in the program will be held at the Rose Center on Thursday, May 8 at 2 PM. The grant review panel will take place on Wednesday, July 24 at 10 AM. Prior to submitting an application, qualifying organizations should discuss the program or project proposal with their designated agency or Shannon Ford, Director of Community Arts Development for the Tennessee Arts Commission, at (615) 532-9796 or shannon.ford@tn.gov .

About the Rose Center Council for the Arts
The Rose Center Council for the Arts develops, promotes, and sustains the creative arts and artists in the Lakeway Area. By bringing together individuals and groups that pursue visual and performing arts, historical, and cultural endeavors, Rose Center encourages an enthusiastic environment where the arts and a creative economy can flourish. In addition, Rose Center Council for the Arts maintains the historic Rose School as a gallery, museum, and gathering place for the Lakeway area. The 1892 structure is home to an ever-changing roster of exhibits, classes, events, and more. The Rose Center receives financial support from Tennessee Arts Commission