Apply Now For 2022 Arts Support AND/OR 2023 Consideration
Monroe County is proud to support our arts and cultural organizations. This year we Celebrate More, by coming together once again for in person shows, concerts, and arts and cultural gatherings. To help with these celebrations Monroe County is making additional resources available to the arts and cultural sector that brings vibrancy to our community.
In this year’s Budget Monroe County Executive Adam Bello increased mid-sized arts support 10 fold. Historically mid-sized arts support was $45,000, but this year $500,000 will be available in operational grants for mid-sized arts organizations.
How did Monroe County fund arts previously?
Each year Monroe County funds arts and cultural organizations in its budget. Historically funding support has been geared toward larger arts and cultural organizations, with mid-sized organizations receiving a small fraction of the funding.
Past Funding (Fiscal Year 2020):
- Tourism and municipally owned event spaces (Blue Cross Arena/Convention Center) - $5.1 million
- Larger arts, cultural, and educational entities - $1.7 million
- Mid-sized arts support - $45,000
Who will be eligible for mid-sized arts funding in 2022?
Organizations seeking to apply for FY 2022 mid-sized arts support must meet the following eligibility guidelines:
- The organization must have a significant presence in Monroe County – conducting at least 50% of its operations in Monroe County and maintain a physical location in Monroe County.
- The organization must have been legally recognized for at least one year with a tax filing as a 501(c)3 organization or LLC.
- The organization’s primary mission must be directly related to arts and culture.
- The organization’s annual operating budget (operating expenses) must be between $100,000 and $1,500,000.
Excluded from eligibility are event spaces, sports teams, leagues, and other organizations for whom arts and cultural programing is not the organization’s primary function.
When is my application due by?
Monday, August 1, 2022 at 5:00 PM
Can arts and cultural festivals apply for funding in 2022?
Yes. This year arts and cultural festivals can apply for funding under the mid-sized arts grant umbrella. They must meet the following eligibility guidelines:
- The organization must have a significant presence in Monroe County – conducting at least 50% of its operations in Monroe County and maintain a physical location in Monroe County.
- The organization must have been legally recognized for at least one year with a tax filing as a 501(c)3 organizations or LLC.
- The organization’s primary mission must be directly related to arts and culture.
- The organization’s annual operating budget (operating expenses) must be between $100,000 and $1,500,000.
Excluded from qualifications are festivals and tournaments that are related to sports, neighborhood focused, or don’t have arts and culture as the primary focus of their festival.
Can I have a fiduciary organization apply on behalf of my organization?
No – all organizations must have legal standing as either a 501(c)3 or LLC with their own legal status.
Will larger arts, cultural, and educational entities need to apply using this funding source?
Organizations that have historically received funding from Monroe County and are directly included in the Budget will not need to apply for this funding. They will undergo the same process they have in previous years.
How much money will my organization receive through the mid-sized arts support?
Organizations that qualify will be eligible to receive up to $20,000. The amount of funding they receive will be dependent on a number of factors including number of eligible applicants, evaluation of responses, and funds available.
What if my organization’s operating budget doesn’t fall within $100,000 - $1,500,000?
Only organizations that have operating budgets that fall within this range qualify for mid-sized arts support for the 2022 application. Monroe County is seeking to expand the eligibility range for arts organizations 2023. The new range may lower the minimum threshold and expand the maximum threshold.
If you do not qualify for 2022 funding and would like to be contacted when the new range for 2023 is available, please email: [email protected]
How can an organization qualify for more than $20,000?
Monroe County is providing an opportunity for organizations to apply to receive support in excess of $20,000 as part of the 2023 Budgeting process. This does not guarantee that such funds will be available.
If your organization is interested in applying for this opportunity there is an application for 2023 funding requests over $20,000 that will be reviewed as part of the 2023 Budget process.
Organizations seeking to apply for 2023 funding exceeding $20,000 must meet the following eligibility guidelines:
- The organization must have a significant presence in Monroe County – conducting at least 50% of its operations in Monroe County and maintain a physical location in Monroe County.
- The organization must have been legally recognized for at least one year with a tax filing as a 501(c)3 organization or LLC.
- The organization’s primary mission must be directly related to arts and culture.
Can I apply for both the mid-sized arts support and the consideration of funding to exceed $20,000 in 2023?
Yes, any organization that meets the criteria can apply for both.
If you have questions regarding this application kindly reach out to BJ Scanlon at [email protected] or 585-753-1026.
If you need assistance filling out this application in a language other than English, you can contact [email protected] for assistance with language accommodation.
