This is a preview (and hopefully helpful resource for later!) of the presentation I am leading on behalf of Flute New Music Consortium at the Music by Women festival March 3-4 in Columbus, MS. If you're in the area, I hope you can come! Some amazing music by Nicole Chamberlain, Amber Beams, and Kay HE will also be performed. And some of this information will be presented again, in round table form with composers and commissioners, at NFA in Minneapolis this summer!
Funding Ideas for
Commissioning Projects:
GRANTS
Aggregate Sites:
American Composers Forum: composers forum.org/programs/commissions-awards-grants-fellowships
BMI Foundation: www.bmi.com/foundation/
Musical Online: www.musicalonline.com/foundation_grants.htm
Barlow Endowment for
Music Composition: barlow.byu.edu/Pages/index.html
Things to know: There is one
commission prize every year for an LDS composer, and another one every year for
the general public; since requirements are so open-ended, this is a very
competitive application.
Carnegie Corporation Aggregate
Site:
carnegie.org/grants/grants-database
Things to know: Grants here
often require a special focus and/or educational content, so read about the
grants first, then tailor your project to the required language.
Chamber Music America
Classical Commissioning Program: www.chamber-music.org/programs/classical/grants#1408
Things to know: must be a
member of CMA to apply; the director of the program is very hands-on, so make
contact with her as you develop your proposal to see if she has any suggestions
for making it better.
Creative Capital: www.creative-capital.org/ourprogram
Things to know: There is no
strictly classical music category, just a general “performing arts” group, and
integration with other artworks is an important element to the projects they
fund.
National Endowment for
the Arts: www.nea.gov/grants/apply
Things to know: highly
competitive; if you are writing for a grant through your school, only one
application per school per year, is accepted, so coordinate with your school
director to ensure you are qualified.
ARTS ORGANIZATIONS
Local and stat arts organizations
often have either specific grant applications for artists or discretionary
money for intriguing proposals. Must be
a member of the organization to apply.
To look up your state and region, go to the National Assembly of State
Arts Agencies: www.nasaa-arts.org
CROWD FUNDING
Go Fund Me: crowdfunding.com
(No limit required, no penalty for not reaching goal)
Indiegogo: indiegogo.com
Kickstarter: www.kickstarter.com (Financial goal must
be reached in order to collect)
Rocket Hub: www.rocket
hub.com
Finding Composers:
POST ANNOUNCEMENTS ON
FORUMS
American Composers Forum:
composersforum.org
Composer’s Forum:
composersforum.ning.com
Cornell University Composers
Forum: music.cornell.edu/calendar/composers-forum
European Composers Forum:
composersforum.eu
UNT Composers Forum:
music.unt.edu/students/composers-forum
Washington Composers Forum:
www.washingtoncomposersforum.org
Young Composers Forum: www.youngcomposers.com
…AND ON FACEBOOK
Composers for Performers,
Performers for Composers: www.facebook.com/groups/2439162951
Group for New Music Ensembles
and Composers: www.facebook.com/groups/182679433724
ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF A GRANT
APPLICATION
Background Information
Bios from every ensemble member and the composer
Ensemble bio that proves some history as a performing entity
Include composer’s and ensemble’s resume (or performer’s individual resumes if an ensemble resume is not possible)
Copies of the front pages of the composer’s and grant writer’s passports to prove citizenship (if this is a requirement for the grant)
Sample works
Sample programs from the ensemble
Sample recordings, generally 2-3 each from the performing ensemble and the composer (there will be time limits imposed and some requirement that a percentage of this recorded material is live and unedited)
Sample scores from the composer, professionally bound
Details of the Project
Composer’s description: Include as much detail as possible, particularly the length and instrumentation of the proposed piece. Description of structure, inspiration for the piece, and special requirements for the performance are helpful to include here if possible.
“About the project”: how does the commission relate to your programming, why have you selected the composer, and what (if any) is the history of your creative relationship?
Projected premiere: when, where, how…
Copy of your agreement with the composer
Financial Details
Create a budget that justifies your financial request, including projected fees for the composer, ensemble honorarium (CMA suggests $1,000 / performer as a maximum), and copying costs. Research the grant’s allowable range sty within it!
Excel spreadsheet of your ensemble’s operating budget is sometimes required (CMA)
Nicole Riner ©2016
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