The Arts Council of New Orleans is seeking volunteers to serve as Grants Review Panelists. Panelists will be expected to read and review applications and participate in the panel meeting to determine funding recommendations. In order to volunteer, persons living in Orleans, Jefferson, or Plaquemines parishes should have a strong, unbiased knowledge of the arts field and the communities in which they live.

The panel will be chosen by the Arts Council of New Orleans to reflect the geographic and ethnic make-up of the region, as well as reflect the communities served and the various arts disciplines. Board Members of non-profit agencies are encouraged to volunteer. Employees of applying agencies are not eligible to serve on panels in which their grants are being reviewed.

In order to nominate someone or for a self-nomination, please complete the nomination form in one of two ways:

1. Download the Panelist Nomination Form and send it to:
   
   Arts Council of New Orleans
   935 Gravier St, Suite 850
   New Orleans, LA 70113
   Fax: 504-529-2430
   jreynolds@artscouncilofneworleans.org
   
   -OR-
   
   
2. Complete the online panelist nomination form.

Grants that fund local arts activities are available through the Arts Council of New Orleans under two separate grant programs: The Louisiana Decentralized Arts Funding Program (serving Orleans, Jefferson and Plaquemines Parishes) and the Community Arts Grants Program (serving Orleans Parish only). The Decentralized program is funded by the State of Louisiana. The Community Arts program is funded by the City of New Orleans.

Applications are accepted in an annual deadline and must be submitted through an online system as well as in hard copy form. The 2013 aplication deadline for FY 2014 grants under both programs is April 24, 2013 (the required online submission deadline) and April 25, 2013 (the required hard copy submission deadline). Guidelines and application forms for each program and the schedule of grant workshops and webinars offered will be posted on the web site March 1, 2013 under “Available Grants”.

Please attend a workshop and read the guidelines for current information as to eligibility, application requirements, types of grants offered, and allowable grant request amounts for each grant under each funding program. Grant-seekers should note that grants offered and application details change from year to year. Applicants should also download and read the appropriate application form(s) as soon as possible. In addition to the information provided in the guidelines, there is detailed application submission instructions on each application form.

• Operating Support funds the general expenses of organizations which have the primary purpose of providing arts and cultural programming and services. Operating Support is a two-year grant offered every other year. Applications for Operating Support ARE being accepted in the April 2013 grant deadline.

  Project Assistance funds a wide range of arts activities that benefit or involve others in the community. A variety of organizations and individuals with "community impact" projects may apply.

For further information about the Grants program, please contact an Arts Council Grants Manager: Karen Kern at 595-8461 or Joycelyn Reynolds at 595-8471.