Guidelines

Please read the following guidelines carefully to determine if you should apply for Tier 1 or Tier 2.
The following guidelines apply in addition to the Council on the Arts' general guidelines, rules, and regulations.

Community Arts Access Tier 1 is a community-based grant program designed to benefit nonprofit organizations that present arts programming in small and rural North Dakota communities (with a population under 6,000). It also supports nonprofit organizations in communities of all sizes whose arts programming makes a deliberate and focused effort to serve a special constituency or an underserved audience in that community. Applicant must be registered as a non-profit organization with the state of North Dakota or be a community or county government entity. Organizations may form partnerships with state agencies, for-profit businesses, and other entities, but the non-profit organization must be the applicant.

Community Arts Access Tier 2 is a community-based grant program that offers financial support for arts events and programming and supports organizations in communities with a population of 6,000 or more. Applicant must be registered as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization with the state of North Dakota or be a community or county government entity. Organizations may form partnerships with state agencies, for-profit businesses, and other entities, but the non-profit organization must be the applicant.

Americans with Disabilities Act Compliance: The North Dakota Council on the Arts requires applicants to consider physical and programmatic accessibility as an integral part of each organizations planning and budgeting process. The project is required to be accessible as either part of the planned activity or upon request, where relevant. 

Application Deadline for Tiers 1 & 2

• April 1, 11:59 pm (CST) (submitted electronically) for programs taking place between July 1 and June 30.
• Applicants must mail in (postmarked by deadline date) any materials unable to upload.

Ineligible Tier 1 & Tier 2

Any granted funds cannot support the following. These are in addition to restrictions stated in the NDCA's general guidelines, rules, and regulations.

• Applicants supported by the Council's Institutional Support or Special Projects programs in the same fiscal year (July 1- June 30).
• Applicants already supported through Community Arts Access in the same fiscal year.
• Activities that qualify for the Council's Artist-in-Residence grant programs.
• Reduction of a debt or deficit.
• Prizes, awards, benefits or hospitality (food, refreshments) costs.
• Capital improvements or permanent acquisitions.
• Projects completed at the time of application.

CAA TIER 1

Goals

• To support the arts in small and rural communities in North Dakota, as well as special constituencies and underserved audiences.
• To encourage existing arts organizations to build upon themselves, enhance the artistic quality of their programming, and expand their audience.
• To promote knowledge and appreciation of the arts in small and rural communities, special constituencies, and underserved audiences.
• To provide "start-up" funds for new or emerging arts organizations and programming.
• To provide opportunities for North Dakota artists.

Grant Amount

• Grant requests may not exceed $3,000 or 50% of the total project cost, whichever is less.
• Awards may be less than requested based on a competitive review process.
• Granted funds can cover no more than half of the total expenses for the programming.
• A 1:1 match is required. Of this, up to 50% may be documented in-kind.
• $1,250 is the minimum request (if $1,249 or under, please review the Special Projects grant program to see if your activity qualifies).

Examples of Supported Activities

Can include, but is not limited to:

• Creation of a public work of art, such as a mural or installment piece, that incorporates talent within the community.
• Public performances of music, dance, or theatre.
• An exhibition.
• Arts festival or performance series.
• To book a touring performance or exhibit.

CAA TIER 2

Goals

• To encourage existing arts organizations to build upon themselves, enhance the artistic quality of their programming, and expand their audience.
• To promote knowledge and appreciation of the arts in North Dakota’s communities.
• To provide "start-up" funds or general operating support for new or emerging arts programs.
• To provide opportunities for North Dakota artists.

Grant Amount

• Grant requests may not exceed $3,000 or 50% of the total project cost, whichever is less.
• Awards may be less than requested based on a competitive review process.
• Granted funds can cover no more than half of the total expenses for the programming.
• A 1:1 match is required.
• $1,250 is the minimum request (if $1,249 or under, please review the Special Projects grant program to see if your activity qualifies).

Examples of Supported Activities

Can include, but is not limited to:

• Creation of a public work of art, such as a mural or installment piece, that incorporates talent within the community.
• Public performances of music, dance, or theatre.
• An exhibition.
• Arts festival or performance series.
• To book a touring performance or exhibit.

Notification, Contract, Final Report, and Requesting Funds Tiers 1 & 2

• If the application is approved, the recipient will receive a Grant Award Notification email with several attachments - usually within 45 days after the deadline. If the application is rejected, the applicant will receive a letter explaining the reason.
• The signed Award Letter Agreement is due in the NDCA office 10 days after receipt.
• Final reports must be submitted within 30 days of completion of the activity, or before July 15 (whichever comes first).
• The final narrative report should include a description and evaluation of the programming. The narrative should also explain any additional activity events, if any, not covered in the original application. NDCA depends on funding provided through the legislative process. Explain how you contacted your legislator(s) thanking them for providing state funds in support of the arts.
• The final budget should include all applicable expenses and income.
• Funds are available after August 1 of a year applied to the April 1 deadline.
• Access grant funds can be requested at two different times (up to 80% first request, additional 20% after completion and submission of online Final Report); or all at once (after completion and submission of online Final Report). Please allow three weeks for processing.

Assistance

For assistance with this grant program, contact the Public Information Officer at (701) 328-7594 or amschmid@nd.gov.

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