FAQs

• Introduction
• Context
• Innovative Space Awards
• Planning and Pre-Development Grants
• • Goals
  • Eligibility
  • FAQs
  • Guidelines
  • 2010-2011 Grantees

1.     When is the deadline?

Letters of Inquiry (LOI) will be accepted on a rolling basis, and reviewed in the following manner:

• Spring 2010 Cycle: LOI will be reviewed from April 14 - June 22, 2010 (for LOI received on or before May 28, 2010). We anticipate notifying first-cycle applicants of their final award status by late August 2010.

• Fall 2010 Cycle: Second-cycle LOI will be reviewed from September 22 – November 3, 2010 (for LOI received between May 29 and September 17, 2010). We anticipate notifying second-cycle applicants of their final award status by late December 2010. 

2.     If I am a current grantee of LINC, can I still apply? What if I am a current grantee of Ford Foundation?

Yes, you can apply to the Space for Change Planning and Pre-Development Grant program if you are a current grantee of either LINC or Ford.  Applicants do NOT have to have a grant history with either LINC or Ford in order to apply.

3.     What constitutes an eligible project?

All applicants must meet baseline requirements to submit a Letter of Inquiry (LOI). However, before submitting an application, organizations are strongly encouraged to review the program’s full list of eligibility requirements; application materials and review process; and selection criteria to determine whether a proposed facility project would be a strong fit for the program.

4.     What kind of facilities would be eligible for support?

The strength of each project proposal will be evaluated on much more than the applicant’s vision for a brick-and-mortar space. That said, examples of the wide range of facilities that are eligible for support include: work- and/or live-work space for artists; performance facilities; rehearsal spaces; gallery spaces; community arts and educational facilities;  and any other type of spaces where artists work, where art works are made, or presented, or where educational activities associated with the arts and involving artists take place. To review the program’s full eligibility requirements, please click here.

5.     Is this a program of the Ford Foundation? Who should I contact with questions?

LINC has designed the Space for Change Planning and Pre-Development Grant program in partnership with the Ford Foundation as part of LINC’s larger program focused on Artist Space, and as a result of a long term relationship with the Foundation. However, all grant-making is administered and managed by LINC.  If you have any questions about the program or process, please feel free to call our office at (646) 731-3275.

6.     My organization is currently pursuing more than one space opportunity. Can I submit LOI for each or do I have to select one for which to apply for support?

Please choose one project for which to pursue support.

7.     I am an individual artist/architect/developer engaged in a new artist space project. Can I submit an application?

The program is open to non-profit arts organizations in the United States that meet several requirements (please visit the Eligibility page for a full list). While individual artists, architects, and developers are crucial partners in a successful artist space project, this grant-making program is only open to non-profit arts and culture organizations.

8.   The project I wish to submit for consideration is a collaboration between multiple entities, is my project eligible to apply? If so, who should be the lead applicant?

Collaboration can be used as a positive tool and community engagement is a key criteria within the Space for Change program, so we invite collaborative projects to apply. However, applicants working with multiple entities in the development of their project should self-evaluate to determine which arts organization with 501(c)(3) designation involved should apply. Additionally, it is important to further understand that the organization who applies would be responsible for receiving and distributing the grant, and should they become a grantee, would be the organization invited into LINC’s Learning Community.

There is space in the full proposal to more fully describe the community partners involved in the facility project, and the community ties of the project team overall. However, please consider that the applying organization must submit a competitive LOI based on the selection criteria outlined in the program guidelines.

9.    What is the maximum request amount? What is the duration of the grant?

Grant requests can be made up to $100,000 over two years. Recognizing that a project's specific workplan may require a different disbursement schedule than 50% in Year 1 and 50% in Year 2, grant payments can be tailored accordingly. However LINC will not accept requests for one year grants.

10.     If we are invited to submit a full proposal, will we have to secure matching funds?

No, matching funds are not required.

11.     If my LOI does not result in an invitation to submit a full proposal in the first cycle, can I apply again in the second cycle?

We regret that we cannot accept more than one LOI from the same applicant. 

12.    When will the grantees be publically announced?

We anticipate making a formal national announcement in January 2011.