Performing Ensembles Program


The next deadline is June 30, 2010.

NOTE: These guidelines are for reference only. Application guidelines and procedure will be revised for the next round. Please check back in May 2010 for updated information. Do not send any applications until this message is removed. Unfortunately, we cannot accept late applications for the 2009 round.



The Program's Objective

To support performing organizations whose artistic excellence encourages and improves public knowledge and appreciation of serious contemporary American music.

Eligibility

Funds are available for General Operating Support or Project Support for professional performing ensembles with a history of substantial commitment to contemporary American music and with plans to continue that commitment.

Applicants must meet the following requirements:
  • Non-profit tax-exempt status.
  • Performance history of at least two years at the time of application.
  • At least 20% of the ensemble's programming (in terms of duration) for the preceding 2 seasons consists of contemporary American music.
  • Demonstrated commitment to contemporary American music.
It is advised that organizations whose primary mission does not include the performance of new American music apply only for Project Support. Individuals, student ensembles, festivals and presenters without a core ensemble are not eligible. Grants will not be made for the purpose of commissioning composers.

Funding Provisions

In general, grants range from $1,000 to $20,000. Grant amounts for larger performing organizations with a demonstrated extraordinary commitment to contemporary American music may exceed these amounts at the discretion of the panel. Please note that the awarding of a grant in one year does not imply continuation of that support in subsequent years.

Review Procedures

Funding decisions will be made by a peer panel chosen by the Fund. The following criteria will be applied in evaluating grant proposals:
  • Artistic quality of the ensemble and its repertoire.
  • Commitment to the performance of contemporary American music over a substantial period of time.
  • Demonstrated financial ability to carry a season or project to completion.
How to Apply

Applications must be typed. Applicants must provide a working email address that is checked regularly.

Please submit materials with the application form in the order listed below and in one package.

Do not staple or permanently bind application materials (scores and audited financial statements excepted). All proposals must be submitted on single-sided letter size paper, portrait orientation.

Late applications will not be accepted. Applications that are determined to be incomplete will be rejected.

Please use the following as a final check list:

Application Form
  • Available here. The free Adobe Reader is required to view, complete and print the PDF form, which is writable and may be saved.
Proposal
  • Indicate the amount and type of support (general operating or project support) requested, and purpose of the request.
  • If project support is requested, please provide a description of the project, a breakdown of the project costs, and sources of income.
  • History and mission of the performing organization and information on the principal artistic personnel.
  • Description of the audiences that are served, including size, age groups, and geographic regions.
  • If project support has been awarded in previous years, please provide a description of how such prior awards were used.
Supporting Materials
  • A list of all performances and repertoire in the year for which support is being requested (the Support Year*), the current year, and the previous year. This should amount to three consecutive years of information. Works by American composers should be indicated. Please include timings of works. Please do not submit this list in the form of season brochures.
  • A list with award amounts of foundation, corporate, and government support for the Support Year*, the current year, and the previous year. This should amount to three consecutive years of support information. (Projections are acceptable for the support year and, to the extent necessary, the current year.)
  • A list of members of the Board of Directors (or equivalent) and their principal affiliations.
  • Budget for the Support Year* and financial statements (audited if available) for the current year (projections are acceptable) and the preceding year. This should amount to three consecutive years of financial information.
  • A copy of the IRS determination letter confirming tax exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and that the applicant is not a private foundation. If the applicant organization is not based in the United States, submit a letter from a lawyer confirming its equivalence to a publicly funded 501(c)(3) organization.
  • A list of all musical materials provided, including CD or DVD track numbers and timings, and the title and composer of each work. (If there are tracks on any CD or DVD that you do not wish the panel to review, you may omit the information for those tracks.)
Musical Materials
  • Recordings of three (3) contemporary compositions performed by the ensemble and recorded within the two performance seasons immediately prior to the application date (i.e, for the 2009 round, within the 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 seasons). Recordings must be on CDs or DVDs (no other format is acceptable). Multiple selections may be submitted as separate tracks on one disc.
  • Please submit recordings of live performances and not edited studio sessions unless no live recordings are available. Musical examples should demonstrate the performance quality of the core members of the ensemble playing together in representative repertoire, rather than feature extended soloistic passages.
  • Indicate which selections the applicant wishes to have heard. If the applicant wishes listening to begin at a point other than the beginning of a work, please indicate the applicable timing point. As an alternative, excerpts of works may be submitted as long as the entire work is also included as a separate track on the disc.
  • For each recording submitted, provide the names of the composers, titles, and lengths of the works, performer(s) and dates of the recordings.
  • The applicant must ensure that all CDs or DVDs are playable on a standard U.S. player. This applies particularly to those prepared by the applicant on computer equipment.
  • For at least 1 of the 3 recordings a score must be supplied, and must be tagged at the point at which listening is to begin.
  • If project support is being requested for the work of a particular composer(s), please include a recording of a representative sample of the work of that composer(s), even if the recording is by performers other than the applicant ensemble.
*The Support Year will be your 2009-10 performance season, which in many cases will coincide with your fiscal year 2010. If your performance season and fiscal year do not coincide, please indicate this in the application. In any event, please submit financial information for the Support Year and the two years immediately preceding the Support Year.

Please do not send unique or irreplaceable materials. The Fund can not accept any responsibility for loss or damage to such materials. Recordings and scores will be returned only if a self-addressed stamped envelope of sufficient size and with sufficient postage is provided. Any recordings and scores for which return mailing materials are not provided will be discarded. Note that no other supporting materials can be returned. Please keep in mind that metered mail is NOT acceptable for return postage.

Guidelines

The following questions are presented as important guidelines. Following these will help us evaluate your application more quickly and fairly. Please note that your application may be rejected if it does not conform to the following guidelines.
  • Is your application complete, including the application form, all materials required for the proposal, supporting materials and musical materials?
  • Are the items submitted in the order listed in the guidelines?
  • Is your application legible?
  • Is the application form signed by the contact person?
  • Have you made sure not to staple or permanently bind materials (except for scores and audited financial statements)?
Application Deadline

The postmark deadline for applications for each calendar year is June 30. Applicants will be notified of funding decisions by mail in or about November of that year. Please do not contact the Fund for information on funding decisions.

IMPORTANT: You are responsible for complying with all legal and contractual requirements that may apply to the creation of your materials. The Copland Fund hereby disclaims all legal responsibility in connection with your submissions. In case of questions, consult your legal advisor.

Applications and Inquiries

Grants Manager
The Aaron Copland Fund for Music, Inc.
254 West 31st Street, 15th floor
New York, NY 10001

Telephone: 212-461-6956
Fax: 212-810-4567
E-mail: ensembles@coplandfund.org

Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact the Grants Manager with questions prior to the time of application.

Updated 7/1/2009