Promotion of the Arts Partnership Agreements
Program Funding
Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.
Funded Projects
Examples of what this program has supported.
Program Objective
To develop and maintain partnerships with the state and jurisdictional arts agencies (SAAs) and their regional arts organizations (RAOs) to advance the mission of the National Endowment for the Arts. Partnerships with the SAAs and RAOs enable the support of a variety of arts activities in communities across the nation.
Eligibility
Eligible Applicants
- Department/Agency of U.S. State
- Department/Agency of U.S. Territorial Gov
- Nonprofit Organization
Agencies that are officially designated as the state arts agency by the state government in each of the 50 States and six special U.S. jurisdictions, and that meet the National Endowment for the Arts' eligibility requirements for SAAs as outlined in the Partnership Agreements guidelines on our website; regional arts organizations that represent state arts agencies and that meet the National Endowment for the Arts' eligibility requirements for RAOs as outlined in the Partnership Agreements guidelines on our website; and organizations providing support services to state and regional arts agencies at a national level.
How to Apply
Award Procedure
Applications are evaluated according to the published "Review Criteria." Funding recommendations are considered by the National Council on the Arts, which then makes recommendations to the Chair of the National Endowment for the Arts. The Chair reviews the Council's recommendations and makes the final decision on all grant awards.
The Partnership Agreements deadline is usually in late September or early October. Applications are generally reviewed by the National Council on the Arts and approved by the National Endowment for the Arts Chair in late March. See our website at www.arts.gov for specific dates.
Program details & compliance
Description
The National Endowment for the Arts’ (NEA) State & Regional Partnership Agreement grants are awarded to the nation’s state and jurisdictional arts agencies (SAAs), and the six regional arts organizations (RAOs) whose members comprise SAAs.
Partnership Agreement grant support enables SAAs and RAOs to respond to the needs identified through public planning undertaken with their constituents, partners, and stakeholders, as well as priorities identified by the National Endowment for the Arts.
State Partnership Agreement grants include general funding for the execution of all aspects of the SAA’s strategic plan and designated funding for folk & traditional arts, arts education, and reaching underserved groups/communities. Participating SAAs also receive support to conduct the Poetry Out Loud program in their respective state.
Regional Partnership Agreement grants include general funding for the execution of all aspects of the RAO’s strategic plan and designated funding to support accessibility and folk & traditional arts activities.
Mission Categories
Primary: Promotion of the Arts
Use of Funds
Allowed Uses
Partnership Agreements support elements of a state or regional plan addressing state or regional priorities that: 1) enable Americans throughout the nation to experience the arts; 2) foster and celebrate America's artistic heritage and cultural legacy; 3) provide Americans at all stages of life with opportunities to learn in the arts; and 4) advance the well-being of people and communities.
Restrictions
Restrictions on the use of grant funds is detailed in the Partnership Agreements General Terms and Conditions posted at www.arts.gov.
Required Documentation
The State Partnership Agreement requires that the agency be legally designated as the official state arts agency and that it meet all National Endowment for the Arts eligibility requirements. The Regional Partnership Agreement stipulates that the regional organization must be authorized by three or more state arts agencies to apply for funds on their behalf and that it meet all National Endowment for the Arts eligibility requirements. An SAA can belong to only one RAO.
Matching Requirements
Partnership Agreement awards must have at least a 1:1 cost share with non-federal funds. (See The National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities Act of 1965, as amended Chapter 26 Part 20 USC 954 Subpart (g) Public Law 089-209. https://www.arts.gov/sites/default/files/Legislation.pdf)
For State Arts Agencies the 1:1 cost share must come from state government funds that are directly controlled and appropriated by the state and directly managed by the state agency. For those agencies covered by the Economic Development of the Territories Act (American Samoa, Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and the Virgin Islands), the matching requirement does not apply to the first $200,000 of National Endowment for the Arts funds (48 USC 1469a(d) as amended). Agencies must request a waiver from the matching requirement for amounts above the first $200,000 of our funds.
For Regional Arts Organizations and National Services a non-federal 1:1 cost share is required.
Reporting & Compliance
Applicable 2 CFR 200 Subparts
- Subpart B — General Provisions
- Subpart C — Pre-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart D — Post-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart E — Cost Principles
- Subpart F — Audit Requirements