Message from Division of Cultural Affairs

Hello All,
I am sure you are all aware of the Economic Stimulus Package that was passed by Congress last month. This package included a $50 million allocation to the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) for the Arts and American Recovery Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). The NEA has established a grant program to distribute $30 million and $20 million is going directly to state and regional arts agencies. The Division anticipates receiving approximately $393,000 of the $20 million to disperse to Florida arts organizations.
We do not have many firm answers for how this application process will work right now, but there are a few important points that I would like to make sure that you all are aware of. Please keep in mind that we will make every effort to keep you all informed as we get new information.
Please forgive the bullets, but I want to make sure these points are clear to all of you:
The Division must submit an application to the NEA by March 13th detailing the program that we will use to award the $393,000 allocation. This program is currently in development. Once our application is reviewed and approved by the NEA we will be able to give you more information about the process the field will use to apply and a timeline for implementation.
The focus of all funds in the entire $50 million allocation must be on job retention and job preservation. If you are considering applying for any of these funds this is what your application must focus on.
There are two ways that you may access the $50 million dollar allocation funds. You may only accept one grant award from this stimulus funding – regardless of how many applications you make to the various programs.
By applying to the Division (for a portion of the $393,000). DCA will be publishing program eligibility for these funds as soon as we have it available. We do know that this grant program will occur on a very short timeframe and must be handled on a quick turnaround. We know that you probably have many other questions about this, but the best advice that we can provide you to prepare right now is to look closely at how the current economic climate has affected jobs in your organization and how the loss of these positions has affected your organization in its core mission-driven functions.
By applying to the Southern Arts Federation (for a portion of the $20 million awarded to state and regional arts agencies). SAF is in the process of developing a program for distribution. For information as it becomes available, visit their website http://www.southarts.org
By applying directly to the NEA or Local Arts Agency subgrant of the NEA (you will be applying for a portion of the $30 million that they are dispersing). To apply directly to the NEA you must have received a grant directly from the NEA in the past 4 years. If you have any questions as to whether or not you received an NEA grant in the past four years, please check the NEA website (www.arts.gov). The deadline to apply for this is April 2nd. Please read the guidelines (located at http://www.nea.gov/grants/apply/recovery/) carefully as there are stipulations on eligibility and awards.
Here is what you can do right now to prepare:
Register for a DUNS number (if you don't already have one). DUNS numbers are a unique nine-digit number that identifies your organization. This number is required to apply for these funds. The assignment is free and you can complete the registration process online at this link: http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform/displayHomePage.do;jsessionid=12C5F0D1CA3E3321C207C212AB3034B6. Please note: if you have any questions about the DUNS number, please use the contact listed on the link above for more information. Division staff does not have any expertise on the DUNS number or the registration process; it will expedite your request if you contact them directly.
Register for the Central Contractor Registration (CCR). CCR registration is the primary registrant database for the federal government, and will be another requirement for application to the stimulus funds. To begin the CCR registration process visit this link: http://www.ccr.gov/.
Again, I will be in touch soon when we have more details and specifics for you. Until then I wish you all the best of luck in your current programming. I look forward to working with you to ensure that this funding for the arts has the positive impact on Florida’s economy and our national economy as a whole that we all know is possible.
Thank you for all your efforts,
Sandy Shaughnessy
Florida Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs