Applications meeting the following priorities will be given consideration for Special Projects funding:
 

• The applicant is an arts organization with 501c3 status, or a grassroots arts organization using a fiscal sponsor. 
• The project is unique in Erie County, either in artistic discipline, concept, scope, target audience, or any other consideration. 
• The project is timely, and will be completed within the fiscal year. 
• The applying organization and proposed project align with the values outlined in Erie Arts & Culture’s equity statement.
• The requested need does not qualify for funding through another EAC grant opportunity.
   

Erie Arts & Culture will make an effort to avoid funding projects that duplicate existing efforts in Erie County or funding projects that may be better facilitated by another organization due to scope and/or staff capacity. 

Erie Arts & Culture defines a “Project” as a one time, public effort that involves some degree of innovation or risk taking. Projects may turn into programs over time. However, this funding will not support ongoing programs. Those interested in applying for sustaining grants should seek funding from other Erie Arts Endowment grants or the PA Council on the Arts' Creative Sector Flex Fund. 

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until October 31, and all applicants will be notified of their award status on January 31.

Erie Arts & Culture will award grants to nonprofit arts organizations with 501c3 status partnering with artists to develop arts and cultural programming. EAC will prioritize requests that activate partnerships with folk and traditional artists. 

Awards from the McBrier Fund will support artist stipends as part of the overall program costs. Stipend amounts will vary depending on the year’s endowment distribution. Organizations may apply for more than one stipend if their programming uses multiple artists. 

EAC will only support requests that demonstrate the artist’s active involvement in the planning process and if applicable, demonstrate a commitment to building authentic relationships with folk and traditional artists and culture bearers. 

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until October 31, and all applicants will be notified of their award status on January 31.

Erie Arts & Culture seeks grant review panelists to help create panels to review applications submitted to the organization for funding consideration throughout the year, including grants for individual artists as well as those for arts organizations. Panels are integral to the grantmaking process, providing a critical review, comments, and scores of all applications to a particular grant program.

We work hard to balance the composition of these panels by artistic discipline, race/ethnicity, ability, arts experience, and gender expression. Panels are composed of individuals who represent a broad range of artistic and cultural viewpoints and geographic and ethnic diversity. We welcome you to apply to share your expertise and talent as a grant panelist.

As a panelist, you will have the opportunity to develop connections with peers who share your passion for art and culture while supporting your community. Panelists are a vital force in the decision-making process, get an up-close look at the grantmaking process and learn about the many ways artists and art organizations make a difference across the community.

Panelist Responsibilities

• Attend an orientation meeting to get familiar with the grant program, review process, scoring criteria, and Submittable platform.
• Read and rate each grant application according to the review criteria. Reading the grant applications must be done in advance of the panel meeting on your own time. You should expect to spend several hours reading, reviewing, and scoring the applications.
• Attend the panel session. The panel meeting is typically 1-2 hours and is a one-time commitment where you will discuss the applications and make a funding recommendation with your fellow panelists.

Thank you for your interest in the Creative Sector Flex Fund! Please contact Casey Corritore, Erie Arts & Culture's Capacity Building Lead, with any questions that arise as you complete the application: casey@erieartsandculture.org | 814-452-3427 x108.
Applicants will be notified of funding decisions via email before November 30.

Program Overview/Objective

Non-profit organizations in Erie County that present music performances are eligible to apply to the Clarence E. Beyers Fund for partial funding to support upcoming music performances. All musical genres are eligible to apply.

Note: No awards will be made to individuals or in support of capital expenditures

Timeline

• Application Opens: October 1
• Application Closes: December 15
• Panel Review: January/February
• Committee and Board approval: March
• Grantee announced and funds disbursed: March 31
• Project must occur between April - March
  

Grant Amounts (~$32,000 distributed annually)

Grant awards will support a portion of the total project budget. 

Eligibility

• Applicants must be a 501(c)3 non-profit organization with principal offices/activities in Erie County, PA.
• Individuals, local municipalities, local education agencies (school districts), institutions of higher learning, community development corporations, and non-profit organizations with primary missions outside of the arts are ineligible for grants made from the Beyers Fund. 
• Applicants must not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, national origin, handicap, sexual orientation, marital status, gender or gender identity.
• Applicants must be in good standing with Erie Arts and Culture and its program requirements.
  

Funding Criteria

The Beyers Fund strictly supports music performance projects in Erie County. This means grant funds should not be requested in support of recurring programs or capital improvement projects. Projects seeking funding shall meet the following requirements explicitly:

• Project deliverables must be intended to provide an artistic or social benefit to stakeholders of Erie County.
• Any events or activities supported through this grant program must be open to the public. Open to the public does not necessarily mean free to the public. 
• No activities supported through this grant program may have a religious or political purpose.
• This grant program is not designed to provide financial support as reimbursements for expenses incurred outside of the grant activity period. 

Applications will be accepted from October 1 - December 15. Applicants will be notified of funding decisions on March 31.

Questions? Contact Casey Corritore, Erie Arts & Culture's Capacity Building Lead: casey@erieartsandculture.org | 814-452-3427 x 108.