Creative Aging Grant

Sequential Arts Instruction

RISCA defines “sequential arts instruction” for older adults as a multi-session engagement with a consistent group of older adults in which they are actively learning artistic skills. 

Project Value to the Community

Core to all funded programs is a connection and value to the community being engaged with by the public, fulfilling our charge to facilitate a meaningful cultural life for all Rhode Island residents.

Per guidelines from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and our agency values, programs that engage underserved communities are particularly suitable for Creative Aging Grant projects. For this program, that includes but is not limited to projects serving veterans, caregivers, individuals living in public or subsidized housing, older adults with disabilities, rural communities, immigrant communities, and Indigenous communities. 

• This organization has a Unique Entity ID (UEI). If not, please reach out to RISCA’s program director.
• This organization is not applying for another RISCA grant at the same deadline.
• This organization is not requesting support for this project or aspects of this project through another RISCA grants program.
• This project is not receiving direct funding from another RISCA grant.
• This program occurs in spaces that are Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant. See the NEA’s Accessibility: Publications, Checklists, & Resources for more information.
• The funded portion of the project activity takes place in Rhode Island.
• This organization is not delinquent on any final reports for previous RISCA grants.

You must be a nonprofit organization.

• Conducting business and be incorporated in the State of Rhode Island as a 501(c)(3) with tax exempt status from the Internal Revenue Service.
• Registered with the R.I. Secretary of State.
• Governed by a revolving board of directors, trustees or advisory board drawn from the community at large and shown to be actively involved in the governance of the organization.
• If not 501(c)(3) tax exempt, a Rhode Island-based organization using a Fiscal Sponsor* that fits the above requirements.
• To confirm nonprofit status with the state, visit R.I. Secretary of State’s online database. 

Note: Divisions, branches, departments, programs, or other subunits of nonprofit corporations, colleges, or universities are ineligible to apply on their own. Applications may be submitted only by the parent corporation.

You still can be eligible if your organization is incorporated in a state outside of Rhode Island. For out-of-state organizations to be eligible, they must:

• Show their principal place of business is in Rhode Island.
• Be registered with the R.I. Secretary of State’s office.
• Produce programming predominantly in Rhode Island.
• Be governed by a revolving board of directors, trustees or advisory board drawn predominantly from the Rhode Island community.

*Applying with a Fiscal Sponsor

• If not 501(c)(3) tax exempt, a Rhode Island-based organization can apply via a
• Fiscal Sponsor. A Fiscal Sponsor is an organization registered with R.I.’s Secretary of State Office and can accept a grant on your behalf. The Sponsor must be financially, administratively, and programmatically responsible for all conditions of the grant.
• Organizations interested in using a Fiscal Sponsor must contact their program director prior to beginning an application for approval and to request a grant profile that links the organization to the Fiscal Sponsor.
• Nonprofit organizations acting as Fiscal Sponsors can also apply for grants for their own programs or be awardees.

When submitting a grant via a Fiscal Sponsor, a letter of agreement between the applicant and the Fiscal Sponsor must be provided. Download the fiscal sponsorship letter template. Typically, Fiscal Sponsor will charge an administrative fee ranging from 0-10 percent depending on the degree of administrative support and bookkeeping required. This fee can be factored into the budget.

Fiscal Sponsor Requirements

A Fiscal Sponsor:

• Must fit RISCA’s definition of a nonprofit organization as stated above.
• Is responsible for signing any grant documents and ensuring that the sponsored organization follows the rules of the grant program and submits their final report.
• Cannot be a project partner in the sponsored organization’s application.

Note: If there is an organization that fits RISCA’s definition of an eligible nonprofit

involved in the project, they can function as the lead applicant.

• The maximum grant award in this category is $7,000 – but partial awards are possible. 
• Grant applications are considered on a competitive basis. Award amounts may vary cycle to cycle depending on available funds, number of applications, and the panel decision-making. For more information on our Decision-Making Process, visit our Applicant Resources web page.
• If you receive a partial award, you may modify the project. Please reach out to staff to discuss project modifications at any time.
• You also have the option of declining the grant award with no penalties.
• If you receive a grant, you must credit on all marketing materials. See Acknowledging RISCA. 

Grant funding cannot be used for the following:

• Capital improvement projects, like the construction or renovation of buildings or major permanent equipment purchases.
• Addressing, eliminating, or reducing existing debt or for contributions to an endowment fund.
• Development or fundraising, such as social events or benefits or any fundraising expenses.
• Entertainment and hospitality, including expenses for activities such as receptions, parties, galas, etc. Specific costs that have a core programmatic purpose and are included in your budget may be allowable.
• Prizes and awards for an event, person, and/or organization.
• Regranting the funds to other artists or organizations through an application or award process.
• Activities that are associated with a graduate or undergraduate degree program or for which academic credit is received.
• Applications for projects that proselytize or promote religious activities, or which take place as part of a religious service.
• Programming, performances, and exhibitions unavailable and/or inaccessible to the public. This includes programming that occurs in a space that does not comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
• Expenses incurred or activity happening outside of the award period.

It is the policy of RISCA that no qualified individual, based on disability, shall be excluded from participation in or denied the benefits of services, programs, or activities of the agency or the agency’s grantees, or be subjected to discrimination.

For questions on accommodations, contact Seamus Hames, Arts Education Program Director and 504 Accessibility Coordinator, at 401-222-6994 or seamus.hames@arts.ri.gov.

RISCA only accepts applications for the Creative Aging Grant through RISCA's online grant system Foundant. Please note there are several grant portals, please use the link below to apply. If you have questions about whether you or an organization already has a profile in the system or if you have questions about logging in, please contact the program director for this grant program. 

To log in or set up applicant profile: https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=artsri

Application

Section 1: For RISCA staff to determine if the applicant meets the eligibility requirements to move to panel review, applications must include an eligibility checklist and required uploads.

Section 2: For Panel to learn about the project and to review and score it based on the evaluation criteria. There are three parts.

• Logistics – simple questions, check boxes and uploads about the who, what, where, and when of the project. Includes identifying project goals and metrics (e.g. participation, skills, social engagement) along with uploads for project timeline and budget. 
• Artistic Vibrancy and Impact – two short narrative questions and support material and testimonial uploads to explain how the sequential arts instruction is central to the project, how the artist will provide a positive experience that will promote social engagement, and demonstrate that the artist and organization have experience working with older adults. 
• Program specific – narrative question(s) to demonstrate how this project aligns with the specific grant program. For the Creative Aging Grant, this will focus on identifying and addressing the strengths and needs of the older adult population served through the arts engagement.

Panel reviewers will use the following criteria to evaluate and recommend applications for funding.

Logistics

• The application clearly outlines the sequential arts instruction project the applicant is proposing, including what will be done by whom, when and where things will take place, and how this project will happen both logistically and financially. 
• The teaching artist(s) has qualifications and/or experience relevant to the proposed project and population served.  
• The applicant indicates relevant metrics to measure the success of this project. 
• The applicant can clearly state how they intend to collect data related to their chosen metrics.  

Artistic Vibrancy and Impact

• The applicant articulates a clear and well-considered approach to developing artistic skills of older adults through this sequential arts learning project.
• The teaching artist has a clear and well-considered approach to providing a positive and purposeful experience that promotes social engagement.
• The teaching artist(s) and organization demonstrate that they have previous experience successfully implementing projects like the one proposed.

Creative Aging / Creative Futures 

• The applicant engaged older adults in planning this project.
• The applicant clearly articulates the strengths, needs and priorities of the older adult population they plan to serve and identify a source for their data. 
• The proposed project is responsive to the strengths, needs, and priorities of the older adult population they intend to serve.

Note: Per NEA’s enabling legislation, the federal agency requires that state arts agencies include artistic merit and artistic excellence in their evaluative criteria. However, the NEA allows state arts agencies to define artistic merit and excellence for themselves and in conversation with their communities. For this grant program, artistic merit and artistic excellence is defined as “artistic vibrancy and impact.”

For Staff review: Required Documentation for Determining Applicant Eligibility

• 501(c)(3) IRS Determination Letter.
  
  • Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). The UEI, a 12-character Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) assigned by the federal System for Awards Management (SAM), must be submitted by any entity receiving federal funds. Visit the SAM.GOV website to learn how to get a UEI for your organization.
  • Recent 990 from one of your past three fiscal years. A 990 is the type of annual tax return 501(c)(3) nonprofits file. For nonprofits less than one-year-old who have yet to complete a 990 form, you will need to submit a Word Document indicating that you have not completed a 990 form.
  • If you are using a Fiscal Sponsor, you need your Fiscal Sponsor’s 501(c)(3) Determination Letter, UEI, recent 990, and Fiscal Sponsor letter. Use the Fiscal Sponsor Template for your letter.

For Panel Review: Required Documents and Support Materials for Project Evaluation

• Project Budget (Required: Use the RISCA Organization Budget Template).
  
  • Project Plan (Required: Use the RISCA template).
  • Bio/CV/Resume of artist(s) involved.
    
    • Work Samples: Up to three work samples, showing how the teaching artist(s) and organization involved in the project have experience relevant to this project. This may include images, video, audio, and/or writing. Pieces of art include but are not limited to a short film, graphic novel, dance, painting, song, sculpture, performance in a public place, poem, class/lesson/workshop the artist taught, or the work of the participants. 
    • Audio and video work samples may not exceed 10 minutes each (you may cut the file or provide timestamps). Written creative work samples may not exceed 20 pages. Note: You must upload support materials to a Google Drive folder, 
      open to everyone with the link or link and password. 
  • Work Sample List. Describe each work sample/example in 1-3 sentences of context about why you feel these work samples show the artist(s) and organization involved in the project have experience relevant to this project.
  • Testimonial. This can be quotes, a short testimonial, or some other statement from a person or people who has experience with this program, organization, or the artist(s).

Frequently Asked Questions

Creative Aging: Creative aging is the practice of using artistic and creative engagement to enhance well-being, boost physical and cognitive abilities, and enrich our overall quality of life as we age. (Definition from Lifetime Arts.)

Nonprofit Organization: Is incorporated in and conducting business in the State of Rhode Island, with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status from the Internal Revenue Service, registered with the Rhode Island Secretary of State, governed by a revolving board of directors, trustees or advisory board drawn from the community at large and shown to be actively involved in the governance of the organization.

Older Adults: Adults, ages 55 years and older.

Sequential Arts Instruction: RISCA defines “sequential arts instruction” for older adults as a multi-session engagement with a consistent group in which they are actively learning artistic skills.

Teaching Artists: Those whose professional work is an intersection of arts and education. Teaching artists demonstrate a depth of knowledge in their art form, are engaged in sustained creative exploration, and work in a variety of environments that serve the needs of local communities. 

Underserved communities: The National Endowment for the Arts defines “underserved” communities as "ones in which individuals lack access to arts programs due to geography, economic conditions, ethnic background, or disability."

Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): The federal government requires all organizations to have a UEI. Organizations applying for a grant from RISCA will need a UEI to submit their application. Visit the sam.gov website for the latest information and instructions on how to obtain a UEI. We suggest that you request your UEI as soon as possible to ensure compliance before the application deadline. Note: To obtain a “Unique Entity ID” does not require a full registration. This registration is free – but there are many scammers out there. Make sure you do this process through a .gov website and only trust communications that come from sam.gov regarding registration and annual renewals.