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GREEN / ARTS LIVE NYC
Support for Free Community Led Performances in Parks
***Deadline extended: Applications must be submitted by 11:59AM on Monday, July 18***
Program Description
The Green / Arts LIVE NYC small grants program is designed to encourage community park groups, artists, and community-based arts organizations to collaborate to present free performing programs in parks in under-resourced neighborhoods across NYC’s five boroughs. We hope that grantees will build partnerships that create long-term relationships within the community to sustain outdoor programming beyond the scope of this funding. This will be the second year of a pilot project in which we are identifying challenges and solutions that will lead to increased -- and sustainable -- free performing arts programming in NYC parks.
In 2021, the first year of the grant program, we distributed approximately $300,000 through 45 grantees that received financial and in-kind support to host 114 performances/ workshops in 44 parks, plazas and community gardens across the five boroughs. More than 12,000 audiences participated in these events, with 320+ artists and 100+ production staff receiving payment for work on these programs. We learned a lot about the challenges facing artists and groups in parks, including both logistical difficulties and insufficient funding for production needs.
In this second year, we are changing our approach. We will make up to 10 grants of no more than $10,000 each to community park groups that can cover artists fees, production expenses, equipment and supplies, marketing, and permit fees. In addition to grant funding, applicants may also request consulting support from Green / Arts LIVE for help with event visioning, working with artists, permitting, production needs and desires, marketing and community engagement, and coordination with NYC Parks to carry out performing arts programming. To apply for this program, community park groups must establish partnerships with artists/ community based arts organizations to submit collaborative proposals. Community groups interested in connecting with artists / arts organizations to develop project proposals may utilize the list of 2021 Green / Arts LIVE grantees interested in performing in 2022 as a starting point.
Programming will be concentrated in neighborhoods identified by NYC Parks as Community Parks Initiative zones - prioritized due to population density, growth trajectory, higher-than-average concentrations of poverty, and historical lack of capital investment.
Program Partners’ Roles and Responsibilities
City Parks Foundation will administer the Green / Arts LIVE grant program, including managing the applications, facilitating grant review, notifying grantees and introducing partners, transferring funds to grantees, and collecting final reports. City Parks Foundation will also help support marketing of the program including promoting events online, developing a flyer template, distributing a press release, and hiring photographers for select events.
NYC Parks is the co-manager of Partnerships for Parks, operates the Arts/ Culture/ Fun program, and manages GreenThumb, the network of community gardens. NYC Parks staff will manage permit applications, ensure events follow NYC Parks’ guidelines, and build connections with community groups and artists/ arts organizations.
Partnerships for Parks, a joint program of City Parks Foundation and NYC Parks, will conduct outreach, participate in the review process, provide support on the permitting process, provide guidance in carrying out and cleaning up after events, and participate on-site at events.
Moving Culture Projects was founded by two highly experienced outdoor presenters to provide support and guidance to grantees. Through the application process, the team is available to consult with community groups and artists/ arts organizations to help shape the vision for the programs, facilitate connections to artists, and help inform logistics and budget. The partners will help to review and score proposals, lead a kickoff call with grantees, and provide consultations to each grantee to help them plan performing arts events in coordination with the group’s Partnerships for Parks outreach coordinator. This will include at least one site visit in advance of performance, advice on equipment rentals, guidance to help groups develop and carry out their marketing plans such as social media promotion, and onsite event support. The partners will work with community park groups and local artists or community-based arts organizations to plan and produce their programs and events; guide the visioning and design of events; create and implement executable plans for production, presentation, promotion, backstage, and site management; help advise on staff to manage events; and help navigate insurance and health and safety guidelines.
Community park groups located in targeted neighborhoods will serve as the lead applicants when requesting grants through Green / Arts LIVE. They will be eligible to submit the proposal for consideration. Community park groups will identify and connect with local artists/community-based arts organizations to develop program plans, seek permits as necessary, and conduct outreach for performing arts events.
Artists and community based arts organizations will partner with community park groups to develop program plans. They may assist with production planning, help obtain the necessary equipment, support event outreach, and perform onsite at events.
Grant Program Timeline
Deadline to apply: Applications are due by 11:59am on Monday, July 18, 2022 (EXTENDED). Community park groups should identify and connect with artists / community based arts organizations to collaborate and submit the application.
For support on the application in developing the program vision and identifying artist partners, please email greenartslivenyc@gmail.com as early as possible.
Notications: Grantees will be notified by mid August 2022.
Kickoff call: Each grantee will participate in a kickoff call with City Parks Foundation, Partnerships for Parks, and Moving Culture Projects.
Programming timeline:
If the applicant requests permitting assistance OR production support from City Parks Foundation or Partnerships for Parks, programming may take place between October 1 - November 15, 2022 due to timing needed to facilitate permits and production.
If permitting assistance and production support is not needed, events may take place between September 15 - November 15, 2022.
Reporting: Projects must be completed by November 15, 2022 at the latest. Reporting is required by December 15, 2022.
Eligibility
Community park groups are invited to submit applications to present free performing arts programs in parks in collaboration with artists and community based arts organizations, following the eligibility guidelines below.
Established working relationship: Community park groups must have an active working relationship with a Partnerships for Parks outreach coordinator or Catalyst organizer and prior experience hosting a community or cultural event.
New project: Funding must contribute towards programming that would otherwise not be taking place
Tax status: 501(c)3 status is not required, applicants may utilize a fiscal sponsor.
Free performance based events only: Revenue generating events, commercial programs, and concession vending are not eligible. Temporary or permanent visual art installations are not eligible.
Capacity: Events must not exceed 499 attendees.
Number of events supported: If the community group and artists/ arts organization are seeking permitting and / or production support through the Green / Arts LIVE grant program, grant funds may be used to support 1-2 events. If permitting and production support is not requested, grant funds may be used to support up to 5 events. Note, the applicant would be responsible for all planning and production logistics. Limited additional support will be available from Partnerships for Parks.
Locations: Grant funds may be used to support spaces that are NYC Park properties and are in neighborhoods designated as Community Parks Initiative zones. This may include parks, playgrounds, beaches, plazas, malls, gardens, parkways, courts, and fields. Community Parks Initiative zones are available here, and are areas identified by NYC Parks as priorities due to population density, growth trajectory, higher-than-average concentrations of poverty, and historical lack of capital investment.
Compensation: Participating artists must be compensated.
Examples of eligible lead applicants include: park groups, block associations, resident associations, community based organizations, community groups.
Examples of performing arts programs considered include: music, dance, theater, spoken word, magic/ illusion, circus arts, puppetry, opera, musical theater and/or educational workshops related to these genres.
Amount and Types of Support
Green / Arts LIVE will award 5-10 grants of up to $10,000 each. Grant funds may cover artists fees, production expenses, equipment and supplies, marketing, and permit fees.
Applicants may also request:
Permitting support from City Parks Foundation and Partnerships for Parks
Production support from Moving Culture (consulting only, no equipment)
Green / Arts LIVE will not fund:
Electioneering, lobbying, or litigation
Temporary or permanent visual art installations
Ticketed, revenue-generating, or commercial events
Groups that do not have an active working relationship with Partnerships for Parks
Events taking place in areas other than NYC Parks property in neighborhoods designated as Community Parks Initiative zones
Events for more than 500 people
Criteria: Funding decisions will be based on:
Equity and community served: Applicants that are from the communities the proposal seeks to serve will be prioritized. Sites that do not typically host performing arts programming will be prioritized.
Strategic alignment: The project aligns with the goal of Green / Arts LIVE to support free performing arts programs in parks across NYC’s five boroughs in neighborhoods designated as Community Parks Initiative zones. The proposal demonstrates a clear and pressing need for programming and funding. Priority will be given to work that would otherwise not be taking place.
Feasibility: The programming proposed is feasible and falls within applicable NYC Parks event guidelines. The applicant has the experience and partnerships established to deliver on intended results and objectives.
Budget: The project budget is clear and considerate of all resources needed to carry out the program. Applicants with operating budgets less than $250,000 will be prioritized.
Reporting
Projects must be completed by November 15, 2022 at the latest. A final report detailing the program is required by December 15, 2022.
Grants Management
City Parks Foundation (CPF) manages the day-to-day administration of Green / Arts LIVE. Grants will be made from CPF and all reporting information will be submitted to CPF.
For more information
For more information visit CityParksFoundation.org or email GreenArtsLIVEnyc@cityparksfoundation.org