Arts Presenters/MetLife Arts Access Awards

Deadline for Entries: Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Award: Two (2) recipients - $10,000 each
Award Announcement: November 2009
Award Ceremony: Monday, January 11, 2010

Award Description
This award honors an organization that has been exemplary and innovative in its dedication and approach to engaging underserved individuals and communities that lack access to the performing arts and cultural life in the community.  Such access could be a result of, but not limited to, differences in geographic location, socio-economic conditions, diverse backgrounds or other factors. Applicants may identify their own underserved constituencies.

Please Note: This award is different from the Award for Engaging Individuals with Disabilities. If you are interested in this award opportunity, please review the guidelines for that program.

Eligibility Criteria
This award opportunity is open to Association of Performing Arts Presenters members. All eligible applicants will be nonprofit or tax exempt performing arts presenting and producing organizations.

Award Restrictions
The Association of Performing Arts Presenters will not make an award to:

• programs proposed for the future and/or under development for future implementation (This award recognizes accomplishments that have taken place over a period of time); 
• programs that are not open to the general public;
• art therapy programs that are not developed and managed by a performing arts presenting organization; and
• organizations that have previously received an Arts Presenters/MetLife Foundation Arts Access award.

Review Criteria
An independent panel of arts access professionals will review all entries for this award. Award recipients will be evaluated according to the following criteria

• The degree to which the organization provides access to and engages underserved individuals and communities.  For example: recent immigrants, people from diverse backgrounds, varied socioeconomic backgrounds, geographic location and/or across generations;
• The degree to which the organization has developed new and innovative forms of partnerships to involve underserved individuals and communities;
• The degree to which the organization has been an active leader or partner in addressing underserved individuals and communities;
• The degree to which the organization considers and integrates underserved individuals and communities in its vision, planning and programming and evaluative process;
• The degree to which the strategies and programs have made a significant impact on the underserved individuals and communities and on increasing participation from artists and/or audiences not previously engaged;
• Demonstrated success in reaching goals and outcomes set for the programs and strategies;
• The artistic merit and quality of the program and its partners; and
  
• The degree to which the activities represent a distinct individual or community-specific solution.

Please Note: K-12 education programs and/or special discounted ticketed programs are not considered to be exemplary or innovative practices for the purposes of this award.

How to Apply

1. Review the award guidelines and application.
2. Complete the online application. Click here to access the application for Engaging Underserved Communities Award. 
3. Submit the online application by 5:00 pm (Eastern Standard Time) on Tuesday, September 29, 2009.

Need assistance with this grant application? Contact Alison McNeil, toll free at 1-888.820.ARTS(2787) or amcneil@artspresenters.org.