Funding

Funding Philosophy
The Office of Cultural Affairs (OCA) believes that assisting the local arts community financially as well as technically is an investment in the continued cultural growth of the city of Atlanta. At the same time, the Office recognizes that government resources are limited while demands for services are high. For this reason, the Office views its financial assistance role as that of a catalyst, helping to augment and strengthen a project's or organizations overall base of support. OCA Contracts for Arts Services dollars, although modest, help to leverage private contributions to the arts by generating matching capital aid from government, foundation, corporate and other private endowments.

Funding Categories

  • Major Arts Organizations: project support (for outreach activities only) and operating support to the city's established large-budget arts organizations.
  • Arts Organizations: project and operating support for small to mid-size arts organizations.
  • Community Cultural Development: project support for non-arts organizations to encourage arts programming initiatives that develop partnerships with local professional artists and meet specific needs in a targeted community.
  • Artist Projects: support for arts and cultural activities initiated by individual practicing professional artists who live and work in the city.
  • Emerging Artist Award: award recognition for artistic vision and achievement of new, upcoming, professional artists who live and create in Atlanta.


Eligibility

Who We Fund

  • Tax-exempt, non-profit arts organizations (1) incorporated in the State of Georgia, (2) headquartered in Atlanta, within the corporate limits, for at least one year prior to the application deadline, and (3) have 501(c)(3) IRS tax-exempt status.
  • Tax-exempt, non-profit community organizations that are not involve in arts programming on a regular basis, but initiate arts programming as part of their service to the community (1) incorporated in the State of Georgia, (2) headquartered in Atlanta, within the corporate city limits, for at least a year prior to the application deadline, and (3) have 501(c)(3) IRS tax-exempt status.
  • Practicing professional artists (1) who reside in Atlanta, within the corporate city limits, and (2) who have been residents for at least one year prior to the application deadline.

*Refer to the Application Guidelines for Eligibility Requirements for a specific funding category.


Who We Do Not Fund

  • Private, for-profit organizations.
  • Artists who reside outside the city of Atlanta, including areas classified as metropolitan Atlanta.
  • Artists whose projects were funded by the OCA in 2004.
  • Contractors who have not successfully completed other OCA contracts within the last five years.
  • Employees of the City of Atlanta.

Eligible Activities
All funded activities must take place within the city of Atlanta and result in presentations available to the general public.

What We Fund

  • Publicly accessible arts programs in all arts disciplines that take place in the city of Atlanta.
  • Administrative and marketing support to arts organizations related to audience development and community outreach.
  • Community arts programs that provide arts opportunities to the public.
  • Artistic components of festivals.
  • Percentage of staff salaries related to funded projects and activities.

What We Do Not Fund

  • Projects occurring outside the city of Atlanta.
  • Private events that are closed to the general public; or exhibitions at commercial, privately owned galleries; or activities restricted to an organization's membership.
  • College/university or school projects that are a required part of the curriculum and/or which do not involve and serve a significant non-student population.
  • Deficit or debt reduction, fund-raising, lobbying, building construction or renovation, purchase of equipment and real property.
  • Hospitality and food costs.
  • Projects of a religious nature that are designed to promote or inhibit religious belief and/or practice and which have no basis underlying secular theme or topic.

Application Workshops
The Office of Cultural Affairs conducts Application Workshops for potential applicants. New applicants, previous applicants not recommended for funding and applicants who have not received an award within the last two years are required to attend. All applicants are strongly encouraged to attend. The workshop will provide an overview of the program, application tips and the review process.