Culture Blocks

CULTURE BLOCKS PROGRAM INVESTMENT for Programming taking place Between February 1, 2025 – June 30, 2025 will open on january 6, 2025.

Purpose and overview

The Arts & Science Council (ASC) is Charlotte-Mecklenburg’s Local Arts Agency and the cultural catalyst, driving economic growth and community retention through the arts, sciences, and culture. ASC leads as the voice of culture in Charlotte-Mecklenburg, fueling community retention and upward mobility for all our residents.

ASC Culture Blocks is a vital piece of ASC’s mission to actively remove barriers to access and connect communities across Mecklenburg County with free arts, science, and history experiences. Culture Blocks is funded by Mecklenburg County and administered by the Arts & Science Council in partnership with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Libraries and Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation.

The program organizes funds and supports cultural experiences shaped by residents, close to where they live, and delivered through our partnership with public libraries, recreation centers, parks, and other community spaces. These programs are focused within historically underserved neighborhoods, with minimal opportunities or access to arts, science, and history experiences.

Culture Blocks offers a wide range of programs, including though not limited to workshops and experiences in visual arts, dance, theater, writing, photography, culinary arts, music classes, film screenings, concerts, festivals, and multicultural events. These programs serve neighborhoods in Charlotte and the towns of Cornelius, Huntersville, Davidson, Matthews, Mint Hill, and Pineville.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT - COMMUNITY IS KEY

At the heart of Culture Blocks is its people. ASC is committed to our investment in fostering diverse, self-sustaining communities that enhance cultural expression and promote a sense of belonging for all residents. Ownership and involvement of residents in these programs are key. Culture Block Program providers develop their experiences based on feedback gathered from the community through ASC Community Gatherings. Proposals are only accepted if they clearly demonstrate how community feedback has shaped the planned activities and experiences. This ensures that all programs and experiences align with the local needs and interests that have been expressed through community feedback by the individuals within those communities.

HOW DOES CULTURE BLOCKS FUNDING WORK? 

Culture Blocks provides funding to creative individuals and non-profit organizations to present arts, science, and history experiences directly to residents, primarily in libraries, recreation centers, and other community spaces. Culture Blocks covers all direct expenses for these activities, ensuring that all programs are free to its participants.

KEY PROGRAM INTENTIONS

ASC invests in individuals and organizations to create a thriving, inclusive community strengthening Charlotte’s neighborhoods and creating a cultural identity of belonging. Culture Blocks embodies this mission and provides programs and experiences that connect, engage, and enrich the lives of community members removing barriers to access, celebrating diversity, and strengthening community bonds.

Programming must prioritize enriching experiences that are accessible to a broad audience rather than professional development or training for specific groups.
Culture Blocks supports programs that can engage and enrich the community at any time without the need for prior training, offering flexibility and accessibility.
Funding is designated for the direct delivery of programming and does not cover start-up costs or capacity-building efforts.

RETURNING PROVIDERS

Receiving past support does not guarantee funding in future cycles. Each new application must include clear and comprehensive context, detailed budgets, and all required paperwork to allow the review panel to evaluate and determine support for the upcoming period.

ADDITIONAL ASC FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

ASC offers other funding opportunities, such as Artist Support Grants, Cultural Vision Grants, and Cultural Organization Support Grants, for these purposes. Provide opportunities for more community members to participate.

APPLY FOR CULTURE BLOCKS FUNDING

Opens: January 6, 2025
Deadline: February 7, 2025, at NOON EST.    
Fee: Free   
Programming must take place: Between February 1, 2025 – June 30, 2025.   
Notifications: Applicants will be notified of approval or decline by March 17, 2025.

*** An additional call for funding will open in Fall 2025 to support experiences presented between January and June 2026. ***   

CULTURE BLOCKS INFORMATION SESSION

Friday, January 10 @ 10 am – Registration Link – ZOOM Link

Monday, January 20 @ 5:30 pm – in Community (Tentative Goodyear Arts) Registration Link

Thursday, January 30 at Noon – Registration Link – ZOOM Link

REVIEW DRAFT APPLICATIONS AND BUDGETS:  

Applicants are to send draft applications and Budgets to cultureblocks@artsandscience.org. 

Staff will receive draft applications and budgets by email between January 13 – February 3, by 5 pm.

15 MINUTE MEETINGS WITH APPLICANTS:    

Use the following link to schedule 15-minute meetings 

January 13, 14, 15, 17: 1-3 pm
January 21-24: 10 am-12 pm
January 27, 28, 29, 31: 3-5 pm

REQUEST AMOUNT AND BUDGET GUIDELINES

The total funding request should not exceed $25,000.

Budget Guidelines:

Budget Template Requirement: All program expenses must be detailed using the official Culture Blocks Excel budget document. Applications submitted without using this template will be disqualified.

Detailed Expense Descriptions: Applicants must provide clear and detailed explanations for each requested amount. Include specifics about how the funding will be used, indicate the number of artists, pay rate, hours, and number of programs.

Clarity Across Documents: Ensure all details in the application and budget are consistent and clear to facilitate the review process.

Advertising and Communication Costs: These expenses must not exceed 15% of the total project budget.

Administrative Fee: A 15% administrative fee will automatically be applied to your budget to cover administrative costs associated with the project.

Restrictions

Culture Blocks funding is specifically intended to support the direct expenses of creative individuals or non-profit organizations delivering programs. Before applying, please review the following restrictions:

Ineligible Requests and Expenses:

- Ongoing staff or faculty salaries within organizations.

- Operating expenses, including staff salaries, marketing budgets, annual product licenses, membership fees, and web hosting fees.

- Investments in technology or software.

- Capital expenditures, such as laptops, digital cameras, kilns, instruments, or other equipment purchases, are not eligible.

Budget Limitations:

- Advertising and communication costs must not exceed 15% of the total project budget.

- Applicants cannot budget for lost revenue or income offsets.

Programming Restrictions:

- Programs involving PreK-12 children during school hours are not eligible.

- Programs designed as fundraisers are not eligible.

- Programming occurring out the designated areas within the Block’s will be not considered.

Additional Funding Limitations:

- Food and beverages are generally not funded, except for specific cases (e.g., snacks for after-school youth programs or water for physical activities like dance).

- Mileage or mileage reimbursement is not covered.

- Custom T-shirts for programs are ineligible.

- Costumes and props are typically not funded but may be considered on a case-by-case basis, up to 10% of the total program budget.

- Culture Blocks does not fund temporary lodging or airfare.

Eligibility Compliance:

- Organizations or individuals with delinquent paperwork for a previously funded ASC grant in the past five years are not eligible.

WHO CAN APPLY

The program provider is a creative individual or teaching artists (sole proprietor or LLC) or a 501(c)(3) organization in good standing with the IRS.

Collaborative programming is welcomed. Organizations working together must identify a single organization to serve as the applicant.

Religious organizations and institutions of higher education can apply. Ensure the programming reaches a broader audience (not only church membership or faculty/student body) and does not contain proselytizing religious content.

Neighborhood organizations are welcome to apply.

WHAT QUALIFIES FOR CULTURE BLOCKS FUNDING - ELIGIBILITY

Successful applicants demonstrate a commitment to collaborating with ASC, community partners, and program participants to deliver FREE arts, science, and/or history experiences. To qualify for Culture Blocks funding, programs must meet the following criteria:

Areas to Present Programs: The program must be conducted within Culture Blocks’ designated Geographic Areas.

Experience: Providers should have a recent history of successful public programming (a minimum of 12 months is preferred).

Free and Public Access: All programs must be free and open to the general public.

Program Types: Both one-time and recurring programs are eligible. Applicants can propose programming in multiple blocks or a single Culture Blocks location.

Public Facilities: Partner facilities in designated geographies, such as libraries, recreation centers, and parks, are available free of charge for Culture Blocks programs. Browse the Partner Facilities Contact list here.

Community Themes: Programming should align with Culture Blocks themes and incorporate community feedback. Follow this Link for the Community Feedback to review the identified themes for each block.

Space Booking: Program providers must secure space for programming by contacting the appropriate staff listed in the Partner Facilities Contact list. Please contact the respective liaison person directly included in the document.

Facility Agreement: Applicants must submit a  Facility Host Agreement signed by liaison staff from the library branch, park, or recreation center hosting the program.

FACTORS CONSIDERED PROGRAMMING SELECTION

The selection process is transparent and emphasizes the providers’ ability to reflect and respond to resident input, reinforcing Culture Blocks’ commitment to fostering community-driven cultural experiences.

Equitable Access: Ensuring all Blocks have equal opportunities to experience arts, science, and history programs.

Facility Utilization: Guaranteeing programming is presented at every public library and recreation center.

Audience Inclusivity: Providing programming that caters to all age groups in each Block.

Program Diversity: Offering a wide variety of experiences to reflect the unique interests and needs of each Block.

Population Alignment: Adjusting the quantity of experiences to align with the population size in each Block for maximum engagement.

KEY PROGRAM INTENTIONS

Culture Blocks remains committed to creating opportunities that engage and enrich the lives of more community members.

Programming must prioritize enriching experiences that are accessible to a broad audience rather than professional development or training for specific groups.

Culture Blocks supports programs that can engage and enrich the community at any time without the need for prior training, offering flexibility and accessibility.

Funding is designated for the direct delivery of programming and does not cover start-up costs or capacity-building efforts.

SELECTION PROCESS

The review panel, consisting of representatives from Mecklenburg County, Public Library staff, key community advisory members, and artists, brings a wealth of expertise to the table. Panelists evaluate and score applications using a rubric and selection criteria, including funding guidelines, ensuring a thorough and fair evaluation process.

ASC staff calculates the average score of all panel evaluations to rank applications. This transparent process, based on the panel’s expertise and the rubric, ensures a fair evaluation. These rankings are used to identify grant recipients, with final decisions submitted for Board approval.

SELECTION CRITERIA

FEASIBILITY: There is compelling evidence that the organization and/or creative individual can carry out this program effectively. The applicant has provided sufficient detail for the panel to determine that the applicant can deliver this program to the public if their application is selected.

MISSION ALIGNMENT: There is compelling evidence that this proposal aligns with the spirit of the funding opportunity, namely, providing engaging arts, science, and history programming to Charlotte-Mecklenburg residents.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: There is compelling evidence that this proposal aligns with the interest of the community the applicant seeks to engage in; the proposal specifically leverages the community feedback provided in the guidelines.

MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS: There is compelling evidence that this applicant has a clear marketing plan to reach the community their program intends to serve; relevant marketing expenses are specified in the budget.

Application questions

Applicant Contact Information  

Leadership Contact Information

Primary Contact Person

Provider County District Number

Provider City District Number

Applicant Information: This section is intended to provide relevant context about you to the panel. The information included here should be relevant to the project proposal and highlight how you engage the community through your creative practice.  

Please state the mission and/or vision of the Organization or an artist statement.

Describe your leadership model and who leads your work. Help us understand who the primary decision makers are and why they are qualified to do this work. For organizations, this could include your executive director, senior leadership, board, and/or other leaders. For individual applicants, provide some context for your creative practice and/or key collaborators.

Please describe relevant public programming you have offered or relevant experience providing arts/culture/science programming to the public.

How do you seek to engage the community through your creative practice? For organizations, this may include engagement with distinct populations in alignment with your mission statement. For individual creatives, identify how working with different communities across Mecklenburg County enhances your creative practice. How do you bring the community into your work?

Program Information: In the following section, applicants should outline their proposed program. Proposals should be informed by the Community Feedback Document and provide a clear vision for how the program will be delivered to its intended audience. It is incumbent on the applicant to provide sufficient detail for the panel to determine whether the program aligns with the spirit of Culture Blocks.   

Program Title. Please use this format: To support Org’s Program Title on Date at Location/Block #. OR To support Org’s Program Title from (mm/yyyy) – (mm/yyyy) at Location/Block #.

Program Start Date

Program End Date

Programming that also addresses the County Identified Critical Access needs listed below is encouraged. If your project aligns with the County Critical Access needs, please identify which ones below.

Please indicate the Culture Block where your program will occur.

Please indicate the facility(s) name and addresses your program will occur. Please list the dates, times, locations, and number of participants expected in each program.  List as bullet points and use this format: Marion Diehl Recreation Center, 2219 Tyvola Road, Charlotte, NC28210. May 2, 7, 15, 25. June 5, 8, 15, 25 from 1:00 to 3 pm. 30 Participants each day.

Describe/Outline the program. Provide details on the content of the program, and how the program will be delivered to your intended audience.

Please indicate the community theme(s) to which your program responds. You may select up to 5.

Describe the intended audience experience. What do you want the community to take away from this experience? (250 words)

How does your program align to the community feedback for the block(s) you will be working in? How does the community feedback inform your proposal? (250 words)

Please indicate the total number of participants you expect to engage with during the project.

Culture Blocks is a partnership between ASC, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Library, and Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation. Public facilities are available in each Block as venues for the Culture Blocks Programs and without cost.   
If you are using a Library or Rec Center, how did you choose this facility? If you are not using a Library or Rec Center, why did you choose this space, and how does using this facility enhance the experience of the participants? (250 words)

Which age groups are your programs suitable for?

Provide a list of the administrative and creative staff involved in delivering the program and a brief description of their contributions. This should include any paid or volunteer leaders responsible for executing the program. Name each individual, provide a brief description of the experience/expertise they are contributing and their connection to your intended audience. (Word limit 500)

Marketing Overview: Outline the communications and promotions plan and timeline for the program. How do you plan to promote and spread the word about this project? Please include any details about marketing expenses you have included in the budget. (Word limit 500)

Facility Host Agreement. If your team is using multiple venues, please upload all of the forms as 1 document/pdf.

Describe how your team determined the budget you have included in this application. (Word limit 250).

Budget Template. Applicants must use the template provided in the application guidelines. Failure to do so will disqualify an application.

Required Reporting

You must submit a Monthly Report and use the provided document. It will be sent to you at the end of each month, and you will need to return it by the first 5 business days of the month.