Earlier this month, the Cultural Alliance of York announced that it was expanding its Creative Impact Awards to fund two or three long-term projects focused on downtown York development and art education. The alliance named the new grants Creative Impact Focus Awards. Read more about them.

On Monday, the alliance hosted an information session about the awards. About a dozen local organizations were represented, including the York Art Association, Strand-Capitol Performing Arts Center and Greater York Dance.

Project criteria:

  • Organizations are invited to apply as are individuals 18 and older.

  • Grant requests cannot exceed 50 percent of proposed project expenses. Applicants must provide the rest of the total cost of the project through matching funds, half can be in cash and half can be in-kind donations.

  • Projects are encouraged to impact many people, utilize downtown facilities and buildings and focus on bringing people to the city for more than just a one-time activity.

  • Organizations are highly encouraged to partner on projects. "We're really most interested in collaboration," alliance president Joanne Riley said. "We're looking for folks to be involved together."

  • Projects will be reviewed and graded on the strength of the product or service, access to the arts and management plans.

    Timeline:

  • Aug. 16: Planning applications are due. Applications should be about one page. Applicants should use brief statements to describe the project, name collaborators, explain what area the project will impact, say how the impact will be measured and give a budget estimate. For details, call 717-812-9255 or visit www.culturalalliance-york.org.

  • Sept. 1: Planning grants will be awarded to a few of the strongest projects. Planning grants will be about $2,000 and can be used for preliminary research into the project.

  • Nov. 1: Final project applications are due.

  • Dec. 17: Grant winner(s) will be selected.

  • Early 2013: Awards will be distributed.

    Organizations are also invited to apply for traditional Creative Impact Awards. They can apply for up to $50,000 to fund arts and cultural projects across the county. Typically, the total amount is broken into smaller portions to fund several projects. The grant announcement will be made Sept. 1. Applications will be due Nov. 1.