Title
FY06-08 Outside Agency Funding (NB)
This item requests that the City Commission approve the funding recommendation of the Gainesville/Alachua County Cultural Affairs Board (GACCAB) for the Outside Agency cultural grants program, which is budgeted for a total of $60,000.
Explanation
The Gainesville/Alachua County Cultural Affairs Board uses the Cultural Plan to evaluate Outside Agency grant applications, assessing each application for its ability to meet criteria specified in the Plan, including arts and cultural accessibility, education and audience development.
A public scoring workshop was conducted on April 12, 2006 to review applications and at its May 10th meeting, the GACCAB approved final funding recommendations.
Applications were received from fourteen agencies this year, twelve of which are recommended for funding. Of the remaining two applications, one agency was ineligible for consideration, and the other did not score sufficient points to receive funding. Evaluation of applicants takes into consideration the City's Cultural Plan, the applicants' fiscal and artistic history, verification of 501 (c) 3 status as a "not-for-profit" agency, and how well the agency's application meets specific criteria outlined in the grant guidelines such as, audience development, project management and program merit. Prior to submitting their applications, all applicants are provided with a complete copy of evaluative criteria. Applicants must score 75 points or better to be eligible for funds.
In keeping with the City's two-year budget cycle, grant awards are for a two-year period, similar to granting procedures of the State's Division of Cultural Affairs. Applicants' requests and award amounts are based on a tiered funding system for small, medium and large agencies, with request caps based on agencies' last closed fiscal year expenditures budget. This results in awards more closely aligned with each agency's operational needs.
Fiscal Note
Funding for Outside Agency grants is set at $60,000. This funding level has been consistent since FY1997 and is targeted toward smaller cultural arts agencies. The Cultural Affairs Division also allocates $85,000 in funding for a category called Professional Arts Producing Institutions which targets larger cultural arts agencies.
The recommended funding allocations for the Outside Agency grants are as follows:
Agency Name Budget & Grants Recommended Award
Alachua Cty Hist Trust/Matheson Museum $6,175
Cultural Arts Coalition $5,271
Gainesville Association for Creative Arts $6,772
Gainesville Ballet Theater $7,884
Gainesville Community Playhouse $6,853
Gainesville Youth Chorus $7,045
Total - Large Agencies: $40,000
Acrosstown Rep Theater $3,877
Danscompany $4,610
Gainesville Friends of Jazz $4,838
Total - Medium Agencies: $13,325
Gainesville Community Band $2,463
Gainesville Harmony Show Chorus $2,300
North Central FL Blues Society $1,912
Total - Small Agencies: $6,675
GRAND TOTAL: $60,000
Recommendation
The City Commission 1) hear a brief presentation by Gainesville/Alachua County Cultural Affairs Board Chair Deborah Howard, regarding FY06-08 Outside Agency cultural grant awards; and 2) approve the FY06-08 Outside Agency cultural grant awards as recommended by the Gainesville/Alachua County Cultural Affairs Board.
Alternative Recommendation A: The City Commission 1) hear the Board's presentation; and 2) decline the recommendation.