The next deadlines for the Composer Assistance Program is MARCH 1, 2010.
Deadlines: September 15 and March 1
Address for electronic submissions: CAP@amc.net
About the Program
Direct assistance is available to composers to help them realize their music in performance.
Grants are project-based. There must be a specific work (or works) associated with the request. There must also be a specific event associated with the work, such as a performance or reading.
The American Music Center awards a total of approximately $100,000 annually to composers through this program. The maximum one-time grant is $5,000. Most grants are between $1,000 and $2,000. Grants to a single composer are limited to a total of $10,000 during that composer’s lifetime.
Eligibility
American composers who are members in good standing of the American Music Center at the time of application may apply.
Only individuals are eligible to receive funding through this program. Organizations, performers, presenters, or ensembles are not eligible to apply.
Expenses for the following tasks are eligible for support:
- Copying of score and parts, including extraction and reproduction
- Purchase of computer hardware, software and/or office supplies to facilitate copying or the production of performance materials
- Hiring a copyist to copy parts
- Hiring an engineer to prepare electronic material
- Studio time to prepare electronic material for a subsequent live performance
- Permission to use copyright material (texts, portions of existing works, etc.) for a composition
- Travel for a composer to attend a premiere performance
- Preparation expenses for unscored, jazz or improvised works.
There must be one of the following events associated with the above expenses listed in descending order of priority to the program:
- Live premiere performance or public reading of an original composition by a professional-quality ensemble
- Live performance of a major revision or arrangement of an existing work
The following are some examples of activities not eligible for funding through CAP:
- Education or residency activities
- Professional development
- Production of a demonstration or promotional CD recording of existing works
- Hiring musicians to perform a work
- In cases when the composer is not the producer of the event, purchasing or hiring equipment such as sound systems or musical instruments
- Shipping/postage
Criteria
- The significance of this performance or project to the composer’s career is of principal importance. For example, a factor that would make an application less competitive would be previous performances by the same or similar ensemble
- Artistic merit of the project
- The appropriateness of the project budget
- Whether the composer has received a significant amount of CAP funding in the past, relative to the lifetime limit
Funding decisions will be made by an independent peer panel chosen by the American Music Center
Deadlines and Notification
There are two rounds of CAP annually. Completed applications must be submitted electronically to CAP@amc.net by the composer no later than the following deadline dates:
- September 15
- March 1
If either of these dates falls on a Sunday, the deadline will be the following Monday.
Support materials described below must be mailed and must be postmarked (not meter-stamped) by these dates.
If support materials are hand-delivered to the American Music Center, they must be received by 5:00 p.m. on the deadline day. If the deadline falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the deadline will be 5:00 p.m. the following Monday.
An applicant may only apply in a round which is up to a year in advance of the performance date. Projects for which performances have recently taken place prior to the deadline will also be considered. For example, an applicant with a performance on August 3, 2010 would be eligible to apply to the September 2009 and March 2010 and September 2010 round. Please contact AMC to confirm eligibility of your project if your performance has already taken place – CAP@amc.net.
Applicants will be notified of funding decisions within eight weeks after each deadline.
Grantee Requirements
Recipients must acknowledge the American Music Center in printed material associated with the supported project and are encouraged to recognize the award and the Center in their biographical information.
Recipients are also required to upload the score and recording of the work to the AMC Online Library, a comprehensive multimedia library for new American music, subject t to rights approval. AMC no longer keeps hard copies of scores.
Recipients understand that their contact information will be released to the Center’s online magazine, NewMusicBox, for a possible news story.
How to Apply
PLEASE NOTE. STARTING SEPTEMBER 2009, IT IS REQUIRED THAT CAP APPLICATIONS ARE SUBMITTED ELECTRONICALLY. SUPPORT MATERIALS SHOULD BE MAILED.
The applicant will be submitting application documents via e-mail to CAP@amc.net. Documents should be in PDF or Microsoft Word format. Please label each document with your name and the document, ie. Pat Grant application form.doc or Pat Grant bio.doc. Please include your name and “CAP Application” in the subject line of your e-mail submission. An e-mail acknowledgement will be sent upon receipt of your application.
Required Documents
1) Completed application form, available in writable PDF or Microsoft Word formats (see right links), including:
- Page 1: Applicant and project information.
- Page 2: Budget form showing composer’s expenses for the project and anticipated income for the composer towards this project.
- Page 3: Narrative describing the project, the nature of the funding request, and the importance of the project to the composer’s career.
2) Professional resume or bio (one page).
3) List of recent performances from the past 3-5 years (maximum two pages).
4) Written confirmation from the performing organization (not venue) of the exact performance date—letters, e-fliers or copies of e-mails are acceptable.
5) A brief description or history of the performing organization (one page).
6) If the work is a commission, a copy of the commissioning agreement.
7) If requesting support to acquire the rights to use copyrighted material, a copy of the agreement with the copyright owner.
8) Copies of all available invoices or estimates.
Support Materials to be submitted by mail before the deadline.
Musical samples (described below) are required for the piece for which support is requested. (Partially completed samples are acceptable, but it is in the composer’s best interest to provide as much of the completed work as possible.) Applications without musical samples will not be considered for funding. Please submit one of the following:
a) Instrumental and vocal works: One copy of the score (recording not required).
b) Electroacoustic works: One copy of the score and one audio CD of the electronic component.
c) Electronic works: One audio CD of the work.
d) Improvised works: A chart and/or a narrative description.
Self-Addressed Stamped Envelope
If you would like your materials returned to you, please enclose an SASE with sufficient postage that is not dated (non-metered mail).
Other Important Information
In the case of commissioned works, AMC strongly urges the commissioning organization to assume at least a portion of the copying expenses in addition to the composer’s commission.
Applicants should understand that this is a competitive application. Fulfillment of the program criteria does not guarantee that a grant will be made. Although applicants are encouraged to request the full amount needed, some grants will cover only a portion of the request.
Contact
Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact the American Music Center with questions prior to the time of application.
Address applications and inquiries to:
Jennifer Clarke, Manager of Grant Making Programs
American Music Center
322 Eight Avenue, 14th floor
New York, NY 10001
212-366-5260 ext. 29
E-MAIL ADDRESS FOR SUBMISSIONS: CAP@amc.net
These guidelines and the application form, plus information about all AMC programs, are available on-line at www.amc.net.
Funders of the Composer Assistance Program include the Mary Flagler Cary Charitable Trust, The Edward T. Cone Foundation, the Aaron Copland Fund for Music and the Helen F. Whitaker Fund.