National Guild of Community Schools for the Arts


"The Conference stimulated creative thought and opened my eyes to ways of improving what I do.”

—Erica Garcia, Detroit Symphony Orchestra Civic Youth Ensembles


69th Annual Conference in Phoenix, AZ
71st ANNUAL CONFERENCE IN PHILADELPHIA, PA, OCTOBER 29 - NOVEMBER 1, 2008
REGISTRATION

Financial Aid

Applying for Financial Assistance from the National Guild
Limited need-based financial aid is available through the National Guild. Applicants may request up to 50% of registration fees for the Conference and Pre-Conference Institutes. We regret that we cannot fund travel, lodging or other expenses.  The application deadline is September 15, 2008. DOWNLOAD APPLICATION.


Discount for New Member Organizations
Organizations that join the Guild as full members in 2008 receive a discount of 50% off of one full conference registration (we regret we cannot offer discounts on Pre-Conference Institutes or single-day registrations). Learn more about Guild membership and download an application.


A Strategy for Raising Funds at Home
Many conference delegates have successfully raised funds to underwrite their participation in the conference. Board members and donors interested in your organization’s future should be approached first. By articulating what you will learn at the conference and how you will apply this knowledge upon returning home, you can help these supporters understand the value of investing in your professional development. Remember that you’re asking not just for yourself but for your organization, which will benefit from your participation in the conference. This strategy really works—try it!

Work Study
The National Guild employs volunteers to staff many conference functions. Volunteers receive a ½ day registration for every ½ day worked. To learn more, contact Kelly McHugh at the Guild.


Technical Assistance Grants from Your State Arts Agency
Below are some state arts agencies that have special grant categories designed to support career development or travel. Carefully consult the grant guidelines to find out what kinds of activities are eligible and to learn how to apply. State arts agency staff can provide you with guidance and refer you to additional sources of information or support.

Alabama State Council on the Arts
Randy Shoults, Community Arts Progam Manager
Ph: (334) 242-4076 x 224
Em: randy.shoults@arts.alabama.gov
Deadline: June 1, 2008
About: Technical Assistance grants are available for costs of attending a conference. Requests must not relate to any program or project area already funded or applied for in another category, and must not be eligible or appropriate for funding under another category. Technical assistance grants often serve to allow organizations to meet a unique opportunity. Amounts of $1,000 or less may be approved by the Council’s executive director. For funding availability at any time throughout the year, please contact the appropriate program manager. Click for Grant Guidelines.


Arizona Commission on the Arts
Jaya Rao, Accessibility & State and Local Partnerships Coordinator
Ph: (602) 771-6532
Em: jrao@azarts.gov
About: Assists Arizona artists and representatives of, in general, small and mid-sized Arizona arts organizations attend out-of-state conferences/ workshops/ seminars/ retreats that will contribute to their professional growth. Subject to approval, Professional Development Grants to artists or arts organizations are awarded up to $500. For periods of extended study, grants may be up to $750. Over 50 artists are served through this program each year.


Alaska State Council on the Arts
Andrea Noble, Grant Administrator
Ph: (907) 269-6605
Em: andrea.noble@alaska.gov
About: Career Opportunity Grants are designed to provide financial assistance to professional artists and professionals engaged in arts administration for travel to in-state, national, or international events, programs or seminars; and for other activities that will contribute to the strength of the applicant's professional standing or skill:
Deadline: June 1; September 1


California Arts Council
Josie Talamantez, Chief of Programs
Ph: (916) 322-6934
Em: jtalamantez@caartscouncil.com
About: Technical assistance funds are used to support development opportunities and activities that bring the Arts to the broadest constituency.


Colorado Arts Council
Jeanette Albert, Program Administrator
Ph: (303) 892-3838
Em: jeanette.albert@state.co.us
About: Small Steps Award: Programs/ Guidelines


Delaware Division of the Arts
Terry Plummer, Program Director, Community Arts Development/ Technical Assistance
Ph: 302.739.4748x183
Em: terry.plummer@state.de.us
About: Applicants may apply for up to 80% of the conference cost with the amount not to exceed $750.

Florida Division of Cultural Affairs
Morgan Lewis, Arts Administrator
Ph: (850) 245-6356
Em: mblewis@dos.state.fl.us
About: Artist Enhancement Grants are awarded in the amounts of either $500, $750, or $1,000 and are used to support specific, career-building opportunities that will advance an artists work and careers.
Deadline: July 14, 2008

Georgia Council for the Arts
Jhai James, Public Relations & Information Officer
Ph: (404) 685-2784
Em: jjames@gaarts.org
http://www.gaarts.org/programs_artsservices.asp

Idaho Commission on the Arts
Toni Oravez, Program Support Specialist
Ph: (208) 334.2119 x102
Em: toravez@arts.idaho.gov
About: QuickFund$ Professional Development Grants are available for artists and arts administrators to receive reimbursement for attending a conference, seminar, workshop, or other form of career advancement. Traditional artists may request funds to attend gatherings where they will teach or learn from peers.
Deadline: September 8, 2008

 

Arts Council of Indianapolis (ACI), IN
Dave Lawrence
Ph: (317) 631-3301 X 222
Em: dlawrence@indyarts.org
About: Creative Renewal grants for arts administrators working in the Indianapolis region.

 

Kansas Arts Commission
Sarah VanLanduyt, Program Manager
Ph: (785) 368-6542
Em: sarah@arts.ks.gov
The Kansas Arts Commission supports arts organization staff who wish to attend conferences. This support comes through out Arts Infrastructure Support grants. You are eligible to receive up to $2,000.
Deadline: First-come; first-served

Kentucky Arts Council
Tamara Coffey, Individual Artist Program Director
Ph: (502) 564-3757 x479
Em: Tamara.Coffey@ky.gov
About: Professional Development Grants provide funding support of up to $500 with 1:1 matching funds for activities that will help artists further their artwork and careers.
Deadlines: May 1, 2008 ¦ August 1, 2008 ¦ November 1, 2008

 

Maryland State Arts Council
Pamela Dunne, Assistant Director for Grants and Programs
Ph: (410) 767-6484
Em: pdunne@msac.org
About: Technical Assistance for GFO (Grants for Organizations) available for professional consultant/consulting firms providing technical assistance services in organizational development areas such as fundraising, marketing, public relations, strategic planning or technology issues
Professional development fees, i.e., conference or workshop registration fees for board and/or staff members.
Deadline: May 8, 2008; August 21, 2008; October 23, 2008

 

Mississippi Arts Commission
Judi Puliam, Director of Grants and Special Initiatives
Ph: (601) 359-6034
Em: jpulliam@arts.state.ms.us
About: Conference Mini-grants for Organizations support registration and travel expenses for conferences and workshops that benefit an arts organization by training staff and board members. For grants to send a staff or board member to a conference or other training opportunity, your organization must submit a registration brochure with the application, along with any supplementary material that would describe topics and speakers and an explanation of how the organization will benefit from attendance by the individual(s).
Deadline: June 1, 2008

Missouri Arts Council
Donald Rice, Program Specialist
Ph: (314) 340.6845
Em: donald.rice@ded.mo.gov
About: Capacity Building Monthly Strategic Grants (formerly Technical Assistance) help nonprofit organizations develop defined administrative, artistic, and technical skills. Organizations may apply to attend conferences or seminars; to produce a conference or workshops; for consultant or contractor; or other capacity building projects, for example, services, equipment, computers, and publications. Maximum request depends upon the type of project. Multiple applications may be submitted.

Montana Arts Council
Beck McLaughlin, Education & Web Services Director
Ph: (406) 444-6522
Em: bemclaughlin@mt.gov
About: Professional Development Grants are given throughout the year to enable the council to respond to artists', organizations' or teachers' professional development needs.

 

Nevada Arts Council
Maryjane Dorofachuk, Arts in Education Coordinator
Ph: (702) 486.3738
Em: mdorofac@clan.lib.nv.us
About: Better Education through the Arts (BETA) Grants provide funding up to $750 for Professional Development for Individuals: encourages individuals whose work involves the planning, implementation, and/or evaluation of arts education programs including teachers, teaching artists, artists in residence, librarians, staffs of social service organizations and parks and recreation departments, arts or education administrators, etc. to broaden their skills and knowledge of the arts, arts integration or current educational strategies in arts education through participation in career enhancement activities.
Deadline: August 15, 2008

 

New Hampshire State Council on the Arts
Judy Rigmont, Coordinator of artists' services program, and mini-grants
Ph: (603) 271-2789
Em: Judy.L.Rigmont@dcr.nh.gov
About: Offers grants for artist to develop their work and careers; or to arts administrators', or arts educators' for professional development.
Deadline: July 1, 2008

 

North Carolina Arts Council
Linda Bamford, Arts in Education Director
Ph: (919) 807-6502
Em: linda.bamford@ncmail.net
About: Technical Assistance grants provide funds on a limited basis for staff members to attend workshops, conferences, or short-term training programs.
Deadline: April 1, 2009

North Dakota Council on the Arts
Amy Schmidt, Public Information Officer
Ph: (701) 328-7590
Em: amschmid@nd.gov
About: Professional Development grants of up to $500 available for staff members, board members, or volunteers attending a seminar, conference, or workshop which develops the attendee's professional abilities that relate to their duties with the organization.
Deadline: October 1, 2008

Ohio Arts Council
Katherine L. Eckstrand, Community Development Director
Ph: (614) 466.2613
Em: katherine.eckstrand@oac.state.oh.us
www.oac.state.oh.us
About: Capacity Building for Organizations: Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the Ohio Arts Council six weeks in advance of the following deadlines to discuss their proposed applications.
Deadline: None

Oregon Arts Commission
Brian Wagner, Community Development Coordinator
Ph: (503) 986-0083
Em: brian.wagner@state.or.us
About: Career Opportunity Grants for Artists
Deadline: May 14, 2008

South Dakota Arts Council
Dennis Holub, Executive Director
Ph: (605) 773.3301
Em: sdac@state.sd.us
About: Visit http://www.artscouncil.sd.gov/grantsorgs.htm
Deadline: March 1, 2009

Tennessee Arts Commission
Rod Reiner, Deputy Director
Ph: (615) 741-2093
Em: Rod.Reiner@state.tn.us
About: Special Opportunities grant *funds for registration fee only
Deadline: at least 30 days prior to the event

Texas Commission on the Arts
Ph: (512) 463-5535
Em: front.desk@arts.state.tx.us
About: Priority given to first time TCA applicants, rural and underserved areas, and unforeseen opportunities. Maximum of $2000 per fiscal year for each organization in the Cultural Connections program.
Deadline: August 1, 2008

Vermont Arts Council
Sonia Rae, Community Program Manager
Ph: (802) 828.5425
Em: srae@vermontartscouncil.org
About: Artist Development Grant: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and must be submitted ONLINE at least 60 days before an event or activity is to occur. Applicants are usually notified within 45 days of the submission date.

Virginia Commission for the Arts
Cathy Welborn, Program Coordinator
Ph: (804) 225.3132
Em: Cathy.welborn@arts.virginia.gov
About: Technical Assistance Grants of up to $1,000 are available.

Washington State Arts Commission
Lisa Jaret, Program Manager Arts in Education
Ph: (360) 753-3860
Em: lisaj@arts.wa.gov
About: The Professional Development Assistance Program provides small matching grants that allow artists and arts organizations to develop their professionalism through attendance at workshops, conferences or other learning opportunities. Up to one half of the costs of attendance, or a maximum of $500, can be awarded.
Deadline: First-come, first-served

West Virginia Commission on the Arts
Debbie Rainey Haught, Community Arts Coordinator
Ph: 304-558-0240
Em: debbie.haught@wvculture.org
About: Training and Travel Fund grants offer assistance of up to 50% of applicable conference expenses.
Deadline: No later than six weeks prior to the event. Funds are limited. Early application is encouraged.

Wyoming Arts Council
Karen Merklin, Grants Manager
Ph: (303) 777-7743
Em: KMERKL1@state.wy.us
Individual Artist Professional Development Grants
Deadline: March 15, 2009