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220 North Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC 28202

Job Opportunities

Commitment to Cultural Equity

ASC’s Cultural Equity Statement makes the commitment to uphold, “cultural equity in all ASC investments, governance and administrative policies and practices.” With that commitment and an interest in building a stronger sense of belonging in our community, we welcome applications led by culturally specific organizations, and those celebrating and nurturing people who are Seniors, Disabled, Immigrants, Low-Income, Women and Girls, LGBTQIA, and those of African, Latin-a/o/x/e, Asian, Arab, and/or Native American descent.

Purpose

The Cultural Vision Grant program directly responds to the Charlotte Mecklenburg community’s interest in arts, science, history and heritage programming that builds strong communities and demonstrates innovative, relevant, and transformative cultural expression as outlined in Imagine 2025. ASC seeks to support high-quality arts and culture projects presented within Mecklenburg County by Creative Individuals or Nonprofit Organizations that advance one of the following goals:

  • Building Community by connecting individuals across points of difference
  • Building Community by nurturing, celebrating, and supporting authentic cultures and creative expression
  • Increasing Relevance by using arts, science and history to address complex community issues
  • Increasing Innovation by supporting the creation of new and groundbreaking work

Successful applicants will demonstrate a commitment to quality and clear intention toward at least one of the objectives above and a capacity for success. Grants of up to $10,000 will be awarded. Grantees will be required to provide matching dollars toward the project expenses. Generally, applicants will be required to match dollar-for-dollar in cash or a combination of cash and in-kind.

Additional Panel Considerations

We support programming with, by and for under-invested populations, which may include people who are: Seniors, Disabled, Immigrants, Low-Income, Women and Girls, LGBTQIA, and those of African, Latin-a/o/x/e, Asian, Arab, and/or Native American descent.

We recognize a need for projects that will occur in Charlotte/Mecklenburg communities beyond the Center City area.

We seek programs that engage communities in scientific and historic curiosity.

We look for participatory audience experiences.

Eligibility

Please consider applying if your project meets the following criteria:

  • The project is an arts, science, history or heritage project that takes place in Mecklenburg County.
  • The project is beginning between December 1, 2021 and June 30, 2022. Funded projects must also conclude before June 30, 2023.
  • At the time of application, applicant is either an individual with a primary residence in Mecklenburg County or a Mecklenburg County-based, nonprofit, tax-exempt organization that is in good standing with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). (Groups that do not have tax-exempt status may apply through a Mecklenburg based fiscal sponsor organization – see FAQs).
  • Collaborative projects are welcomed. Organizations working together should identify a single organization who will serve as the grant applicant and fiscal sponsor.
  • Religious Organizations and Institutions of Higher Education may apply provided the project reaches the broader community and does not contain religious content.

Restrictions

  • Organizations that have previously received Operating Support from ASC may apply to fund new projects (this grant is not intended to support existing or routine programming)
  • Organizations or individuals that will have a current and active ASC Cultural Vision Grant must complete that project before a new Cultural Vision Grant will be funded.
  • Projects that are religious in nature or specifically serve only church membership or faculty/student body are not eligible.
  • Projects that involve work with preK-12 children during the school day are not eligible to apply.
  • Organizations or individuals that have delinquent paperwork for a previously funded ASC grant are not eligible to apply.
  • Generally, ASC will not consider multiple requests from the same applicant (with the exception of large 501(c)(3) organizations with multiple locations such as the library system, YMCA, or college/university). Please contact the Grants Office at (704) 335-3050 to discuss eligibility of multiple requests.

Funding Partners

Cultural Vision Grants are funded through the generous support of donors to the ASC Annual Fund Drive, Mecklenburg County, the City of Charlotte, and the towns of Cornelius, Davidson, Huntersville, Pineville, Matthews, and Mint Hill. These funds are leveraged with a grant from the Grassroots Arts Program of the North Carolina Arts Council, a state agency. As a Designated County Partner of the North Carolina Arts Council, ASC is responsible for the local distribution of Grassroots Arts Program funds. Recipients will be responsible for complying with all North Carolina Arts Council and ASC paperwork.

How to Apply

  • The deadline to apply for Cultural Vision Grants for projects beginning between December 1, 2021 and June 30, 2022 has passed. Stay tuned for details on the next application round.

Frequently Asked Questions

A: Cultural Vision Grant applications will be evaluated in two stages. First, ASC staff will review initial applications for eligibility and the application review panel will evaluate potential for success based on three key criteria:

VISION – Evidence that the project will advance the Cultural Vision Grant’s objectives to build community and increase relevance and innovation in the Charlotte/Mecklenburg community.

LEADERSHIP – Evidence that the project has the creative leadership and committed partnerships necessary to bring community building experiences or relevant/innovative experiences to fruition.

BUDGET– Evidence of a clear summary of the projected revenue and expenses.

Second, select candidates will then be invited to submit a full application for funding consideration.  The full application will require further detail on vision and leadership, as well as the following criteria:

AUDIENCE– Evidence that the project has a defined audience and concrete marketing plans to engage that audience.

IMPACT– Evidence of thoughtful reflection on preparing for and measuring success aligning with Cultural Vision Grant goals.

Final awards will be determined based on panel evaluation and available funds. All requests will not be funded. Some requests may receive partial funding.

Applications will be reviewed by your responses to open-ended style questions within the application and submission of required attachments to include bios of key project contributors and letters of support or participation from project partners. Applicants will also submit evaluation plans and a budget using the templates provided.

Cultural Vision Grant panelists are not required to attend activities and may not necessarily be familiar with your organization. Therefore, as you prepare your application, it is important to clearly articulate the value, impact, and quality of the project. Panel members also give significant consideration to projects that demonstrate cultural competence, relevance, and creative excellence.

A: Applicants will be asked to provide information about anticipated budget and sources of financial support when submitting their Initial application. ASC will use this information to direct applicants as to how much they may anticipate receiving when submitting full requirements (no greater than $10,000). This is a competitive process and applicants are encouraged to develop a strong initial application and be realistic with regard to funding expectations. Every application will not receive funding, and not all that receive funding will receive their full request.           

A: Applicants are required to leverage the investment by providing a match equal to the grant amount. This may be a cash match, in-kind support, or a combination of the two. If this match is a barrier for an individual or a small/ emerging organization, you are encouraged to contact grants@artsandscience.org to discuss your options. Applicants should project fundraising efforts if they do not have the cash on hand. Please notify ASC staff if your source of matching funds will be a North Carolina Arts Council grant.

A: The Fiscal Sponsor (or Fiscal Agent) is an organization that agrees to accept and be responsible for grant monies on your behalf.  The Fiscal Sponsor must be a Mecklenburg County-based non-profit organization.  Groups that do not have tax-exempt status will need to apply through a Fiscal Sponsor. All grant payments will be made payable to the Fiscal Sponsor organization.  It is the applicant’s responsibility to identify a Fiscal Sponsor and to outline specific responsibilities of each party.

Individuals with a primary residence in Mecklenburg County may apply directly to ASC, or through a Fiscal Sponsor.

A: In-kind support is defined as anything provided to the project (space rental, supplies, printed materials, volunteer time, etc.) at no cost to the applicant.  All contributions should be given an appropriate cash value. Commonly used in-kind support includes volunteer time. The estimated dollar value of volunteer time by the Independent Sector is $28.54/hour.  

A: Funding schedules may vary, depending on both the scope and duration of the project proposal. Submission of initial paperwork will be required for payment, and final report submission will be required of all funded projects.

A: Descriptions of the Cultural Vision Grants awards can be found in ASC News Archives.

A: ASC funds can be used for program-related fees & contracts, marketing & advertising expenses, expendable supplies & materials, space rental, etc. If you are unsure if you can use grant funds for a specific expense, please see the list of ineligible costs below or contact the Grants Office at 704-335-3053.

A: ASC happily accepts proposals for funding to support Public Art projects, provided they meet the above stated criteria. Public Art gives meaning to spaces by evoking memories, making connections between cultures, exploring differences through illuminating them, telling stories, and provoking thought and discussion. Public Art is not a tool for PR or Marketing or merely beautification or decoration. ASC believes that much of the value of Public Art lies in the process. Therefore, requests for funding to support Public Art projects must:

  • Define the community that will engage in and be the beneficiary of the project.
  • Display evidence that the community will be involved in the identification of the project purpose and concept.
  • Display evidence that the community will be involved in the artist selection process.
  • Display evidence that the selected artist will engage the community in the development and/or fabrication of the work.

Requests that do not follow this process will be considered ineligible. Additionally, please note that a common obstacle faced by these type projects is securing a suitable location for the work, especially if the proposed location is publicly owned. If funding is awarded for a Public Art project, the applicant must submit proof that a location has been secured prior to the disbursement of the first payment.

Following is a list of ineligible costs:

  • Prizes, including scholarships, tuition or financial awards.
  • Purchase of artifacts or artwork.
  • Capital expenditures – funds for expenses for purchase of buildings or real estate, renovations or improvements involving structural changes, payments for roads, driveways or parking lots, or permanent and generally immobile equipment such as grid systems or central air conditioning. Also includes acquisitions, which are expenses for additions to a collection of art.
  • Contingency funds – funds for an event that may occur but that is not likely or intended.
  • Costs for selling and/or marketing any products or services of the organization unrelated to the funded project.
  • Deficit reduction, bad debts, interest on loans, indirect cost rate expenses, losses on other awards or contracts, or fines, penalties, or litigation costs.
  • Donations and contributions to other organizations.
  • Entertainment costs (costs of amusement, diversion, social activities, ceremonials, and costs relating thereto, such as meals, lodging, rentals, transportation and gratuities) or costs for food or beverages for parties/receptions
  • Fundraising and investment management costs. Events specifically designed to fundraise.
  • Goods or services for personal use of the organization’s employees.
  • Lobbying expenses.
  • Organizational establishment or reorganization costs.
  • Acrobatics, Aerobic dance, Beauty pageant, Clowning, Cosmetology, Essay contests, Fashion shows, Juggling, Magic shows, Martial arts, Modeling, Quiz bowls, and Travel presentations.

A: All required and supporting documents and materials must be submitted using our online application system. In some cases, this may require the use of a scanner. Please note that each application is limited to five (5) pages of support material which must be uploaded as a single document. Submissions in excess of this will be deleted at the sole discretion of the Program Director.

A: If you do not know your district information, go to the website below and follow the steps listed: http://maps.co.mecklenburg.nc.us/geoportal/

STEP 1: Input the address and press Enter.

STEP 2: From the drop-down menu, select Voting.

STEP 3: Your County District Number will be located under “Mecklenburg County Commission District”. Your City District Number will be located under “Charlotte City Council District.”

If your organization or project is not located within the Charlotte city limits, please choose N/A for City District Number. County District information assists with the review of your application. In addition, it allows the ASC to track the reach of its investments.

A: Cultural Vision Grant recipients may be required to do the following:

  • Complete and return a Funding Agreement/ Contract, which outlines the terms and conditions of the award.
  • Submit a copy of a board-approved Conflict of Interest Policy and a No Overdue Tax Debt certification form, per North Carolina Office of State Budget & Management requirements. (If you apply using a Fiscal Sponsor, it is your responsibility to ensure the fiscal organization completes this paperwork).
  • Comply with ASC Marketing Guidelines for Grantees including usage of the ASC and North Carolina Arts Council logos and credit lines in all materials related to the funded project.
  • Comply with all ASC and North Carolina Arts Council policies, and Office of State Budget and Management requirements, where applicable. See ncarts.org/guidelines/grant_program.cfm?ID=22 and https://www.ncgrants.gov/NCGrants/PublicReportsRegulations.jsp for more information.
  • Submit a final report and all additional paperwork, which may include NC Office of State Budget and Management forms and certification, and project documentation, no later than 30 days after the project has been completed.
  • Comply with ASC requests for evaluation of Cultural Vision Grant objectives, including audience/participant and organizational feedback.
  • Attend an informational session to further detail the requirements listed above.

A: ASC’s Grants and Services staff is available to answer questions as you develop your application. Please contact Liz Fitzgerald in the Grants Office at 704-335-3053.

Grant Recipient Resources

  • The deadline to apply for Cultural Vision Grants for projects beginning between December 1, 2021 and June 30, 2022 has passed. Stay tuned for details on the next application round.
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