Grants

Get Set (Plus)! provides funding to engage a local humanities scholar and/or artist in conversation with your staff and board. This is an opportunity to introduce a fresh perspective to your museum, helping you develop new relationships in your community and spark ideas for new programming and audience development. You may choose to work with either a humanities scholar or an artist, or both. Get Set (Plus)! grants provide honorariums of $500 for one scholar/artist; $1,000 if both are involved. We will make awards for 10 humanities scholars and 10 artists during 2010.

Any organization that received a Get Set between 2007 and 2009 may request a Get Set (Plus)! as an opportunity to spark ideas or move forward goals of already established strategic plans. Current Get Set applicants may also add a Get Set (Plus)! to an upcoming application. We encourage unusual or “out-of-the-box” choices of local artists or scholars. We hope that Get Set (Plus)! support provides the beginning of what can become a longer term relationship with an artist and/or scholar.

Sample Project
The Blue Museum has seen its attendance decline, and seeks to reverse this trend, particularly by developing new audiences. They invite an artist whose work involves community participation and a cultural anthropologist for a day of discussion/brainstorming at the museum. After a day of intense, exhilarating, thoughtful conversation, board and staff decide to pursue funding for the artist to develop an installation project at the museum. The cultural anthropologist agrees to join an advisory board, and helps the museum develop internship opportunities for students.

The Humanities
What does it mean to be human? The question has given rise to the fields known collectively as "the humanities," which look at what humans have created, debated, done and believed throughout the millennia. The skills and subject matters of the humanities—reading, analysis, discussion, critical thinking; about history, ideas, art and texts--are what make it possible for us to be engaged members of our communities.

Humanities Scholars
A humanities scholar is an individual with particular training or experience qualifying him or her as a professional in one or more of the above disciplines. The typical qualifications are an advanced degree (M.A. or Ph.D.) in a humanities field of study, and a regular appointment at a recognized institution of higher learning. However, individuals without an advanced degree or who are not affiliated with a college or university may qualify as humanities scholars because of their methods of research, inquiry, and teaching. We also recognize that scholarship and knowledge-gathering are defined differently in different cultures, and respects such diversity of training and preparation as consistent with our understanding of the humanities as fields and as methods of inquiry.

How should I go about finding a humanities scholar?
Often the easiest way to find a scholar is by contacting your local colleges and/or universities. Another great source are scholars who have used your collections/institution in the past. Don't forget to inquire about interested graduate students if you are near a school with a graduate program, and also ask about retired faculty who might still be in the area. You may also contact the New York Council for the Humanities to ask for recommendations for scholars in your area.

The Arts
The arts include dance, theatre, architecture and design, digital/electronic media, film, music, performance, literature, folk arts, and visual arts.

How should I go about finding an Artist?
There are a number of sources in your community for connecting with artists. Contact your local arts councils, local multi-arts center, artist colonies, contemporary arts spaces and even your local library. You should also look to any colleges or universities in your area with BFA and MFA degree programs. Some helpful links include:
•       Local Arts Councils: www.nysca.org/public/resources/local_dec.htm
•       New York Multi-Arts Centers Consortium: www.nymacc.org
•       New York Foundation for the Arts: www.nyfa.org

FAQs

Q: How much time do you expect the artist or scholar to spend at my museum?
A: We anticipate one full-day or two half-day sessions.

Q: Do you require a final report from the artist/scholar?
A: The organization will be required to submit a final report outlining the impact of this collaboration, a report from the artist/scholar is welcome but not required.

Q: What if I can’t find an artist/scholar?
A: If you are unable to find an artist/scholar after pursuing the above mentioned methods, please contact UHA for additional help. We encourage you to contact several candidates to find the individual/pairing that will best enlighten your project.

Q: How do I know if the artist/scholar I have selected qualifies for this funding?
A: You may contact UHA at info@upstatehistory.org with any questions regarding eligibility

Application process

There are two Get Set (Plus)! postmark deadlines: February 1, April 1. Grant awards are made approximately 60 days after the application date. We recommend sending applications via certified mail. To apply, complete the Get Set (Plus)! application located here, (click here for a PDF version) making sure to include all supporting materials. Applications should be mailed to the Upstate History Alliance, 11 Ford Avenue, Oneonta, NY 13820. Note: GET SET (Plus)! applicants must submit five (5) copies of their application and supporting materials. Grant applications will not be accepted by email.

Get Set (Plus)! projects must start after the date of the award letter, generally about sixty days after the application deadline. Your organization has six-months to complete the grant. The final report must be submitted within sixty days of the grant completion. Any change in artist/scholar must be approved by UHA.

Before you begin writing your GET SET (Plus)! grant application, please check our tips for a successful grant. We also recommend that you contact the UHA staff at 800.895.1648 with any questions or to discuss your grant application before submission.

1. We encourage you to contact the Upstate History Alliance to discuss your project before submitting an application. Please contact the UHA staff by e-mail at info@upstatehistory.org or by phone at 800.895.1648.

2. Organizations may receive one grant in each category in any calendar year.

3. Additional support will not be awarded until a final report for a previous project is submitted. The Museum Program at NYSCA is regularly updated on outstanding final reports.

4. Only organizations holding a charter from the New York State Board of Regents as a museum or historical society or institutions that are a unit of local government may apply.

5. Grants do not support out-of-state travel for staff or consultants.

6. While an organization may apply for grants within the NYSCA Museum Program and the Get Ready, Get Set, Go! in the same year, these applications must be for different projects. Requests for the same project are considered “double dipping” (with the exception of a Get Set grant with accompanying Get Set (Plus)! application)

7. From time to time the Grants for Museum Advancement Program may issue a special Requests for Proposals (RFP). Information on RFPs will be posted on this website and promoted through state and regional service organizations.

Applications are accepted by mail only and should be sent to: Upstate History Alliance, 11 Ford Avenue, Oneonta NY 13820