Title
FY 10/12 Outside Agency Funding (B)
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.
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 17, 2010, to review applications and score agencies for funding. Applications were received from sixteen agencies this year, fifteen of which are recommended for funding. One agency 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.
Agency Name Budget & Grants Recommended Award
Large Agencies
Cultural Arts Coalition $4,531
Danscompany $7,030
Gainesville Assoc Creative Arts $8,271
Gainesville Community Little Theater $6,203
Gainesville Youth Chorus $6,033
Matheson Museum $3,932
Total Large Agencies $36,000
Medium Agencies
Acrosstown Repertory Theatre $3,263
North Central Florida Blues Society $1,850
Friends of Jazz $2,964
Gainesville Ballet Theater $3,389
Gainesville Civic Chorus $3,312
Total Medium Agencies $14,778
Small Agencies
Gainesville Community Band $1,441
Latina Women's League $1,695
Gainesville Harmony Chorus $1,408
Sun Country Dance $1,656
Total Small Agencies $6,200
Fiscal Note
The current funding level for the Outside Agency grant program is $56,978. Award recommendations are based on current funding level, subject to final budget deliberations and allocations in the budget process; should the funding level decrease, agency grant awards will be decreased proportionately to ensure the total award amounts do not exceed the total amount available for the Outside Agency Grant Program.
Recommendation
The City Commission: 1) hear a brief presentation by Gainesville/Alachua County Cultural Affairs Board Chair Sheldon Packer, regarding FY 10/12 Outside Agency Cultural Grant awards; and 2) approve the FY 10/12 Outside Agency Cultural Grant awards as recommended by the Gainesville/Alachua County Cultural Affairs Board, contingent upon adoption of the final FY 10/12 City of Gainesville budget.
Alternative Recommendation A: The City Commission 1) hear the Board's presentation; and 2) decline the recommendation.