Presenting Jazz

Deadline: October 12, 2012Notification: December 2012

 

A grant program supporting U.S. presenters that engage small, professional jazz ensembles based in the U.S. for a minimum of one public concert during the grant period, January 1-December 31, 2013.

What is Presenting Jazz

• present emerging or mid-career ensembles or• represent new programming directions for the

presenter

Presenting Jazz gives priority to projects that:

• Core support: ($5,000-10,000) for concert fees, travel, hotel, per diem, cartage, marketing, and production

• Incentive 1: ($1,000) for engaging a CMA New Jazz Works grantee

• Incentive 2: ($1,000) if the New Jazz Works grantee performs a CMA commissioned work

Presenting Jazz offers three levels of funding support:

Eligibility

• be based in the United States or its territories• be a 501 (c)(3) organization• have presented 10 public music concerts by

professional music ensembles in the past 2 years

• be a CMA Organizational-level member• have no overdue reports or financial

obligations to CMA

A presenter must:

• be a professional composer-led or collective jazz ensemble

• be based in the U.S. or its territories• consist of 2-10 members, including guest

musicians(s)• include improvisation as an integral part of its

composition and performance

The ensemble must:

The Application

• written narrative• budget• CD-R work sample• supplemental materials

Application consists of:

• contain 2-3 tracks, with up to 5 minutes of one work or excerpts from one work on each track

• be in CD-R format (not Mp3 data CD, DVD, or midi realization)

• feature the ensemble’s music on tracks 1 and 2 • feature guest artist’s music on track 3, if

applicable

CD-R Work Sample must:

• answer the questions that are asked • be as specific as possible (who, where, when,

why)• do not repeat yourself

Written Narrative:

• CMA will fund up to 75% of the eligible expenses

• presenter must match with a minimum of 25% earned or contributed income

• in-kind revenue may not be used as part of the match

Budget:

• operating budget for the year in which the performance(s) will take place

• recent audited financial statement, or IRS Form 990 or 990EZ

• publicity and press materials from both the presenter and ensemble

• documentation for each of the 10 concerts listed in the application

• letter of Intent between presenter and ensemble• 501(c)(3) IRS tax-exempt determination letter

Supplemental materials:

• there are four rounds of review• a select number of applications are advanced

after each round• in the final round, the panel chooses

approximately 10 grantees

Panel process:

• scoring system of 10 (excellent), 4 (good to very good), 1 (non-competitive)

• panelists score and provide written comments in each round

• panel feedback given by appointment following notification

Scoring and feedback:

• ensemble artistry (tracks 1 and 2, CD-R Work Sample)

• ability to perform scored and improvised music (with the aide of cue timings in CD-R Work Sample Sheet)

• if applicable, guest artist’s musicianship (track 3, CD-R Work Sample)

The panel listens for:

• fit of proposal with the organization’s mission and history

• if new to jazz, the reason for adding jazz• well-thought audience development and

marketing plan• sound budget and financials• organization’s capacity to successfully carry

out the project

The panel looks for:

• Page 4 of Guidelines• Application Checklist

Process for completing and submitting application:

What is Jazz?

What is an emerging or mid-career ensemble?

Applicant determines and panel evaluates.

• each component of your application must be strong

• all elements must create a unified and unique case for funding

• proofread for content and accuracy

Closing tips:

• Jeanette Vuocolo, program director, CMA Jazz, jvuocolo@chamber-music.org,

• Adam Reifsteck, membership manager, areifsteck@chamber-music.org

Good luck with your application!

www.chamber-music.org

For additional information, contact: