Artist Grants
Creative entrepreneurs are invaluable assets to communities. They lead innovation, deliver creative products and services, generate economic opportunity, and build community identity. This program is designed for creative entrepreneurs who aspire to start their own for-profit business or who operate an existing for-profit micro business. The program encourages the participation of interested creative entrepreneurs located in communities across the commonwealth, including those located in low-income communities, urban, suburban, and rural communities. Successful applicants receive small business consultation services and a grant of $2,000.
Program Funding
In partnership with the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts and the York County Economic Alliance (YCEA), the Creative Accelerator program offers small business consulting, creative mentorship and grants for artists and creators in York, Adams, Franklin, and Fulton Counties.
Resources Available
- Pairing with a mentor from Susquehanna SCORE, Small Business Development Center, YCEA or CAYC Navigator
- Small Business Workshops in-person and online through YCEA and SCORE
- Referrals to art organizations, event organizers, or internship opportunities
- $2,000 in grant funding
about
How To Get Started
You can reach Rita Whitney at (717) 812-9255, Ext. 1003 or Rita@culturalyork.org with any questions about the application process.
Remember, when creating your Foundant profile:
- Business Title: Enter OWNER or SOLE PROP
- Executive Officer: As an individual artist, answer YES
- Additional Executive Officer: LEAVE BLANK
Create Your Online Account
Set up your Cultural Alliance Profile using Foundant
Submit Letter of Interest
A simple form which lets us know who you are and what types of resources you are looking for
Connect with Your Navigator
Establish your goals, assess ideas and get help with additional resources
FAQ
Additional Information
Artist grant applications are rolling. An artist may begin the process by filling out an LOI at any time, and the Creative and Navigator work together to determine next steps. If a Creative comes to the Navigator from the beginning with a fully formed and achievable idea, the process can move very quickly. If there is a business plan to be written or additional education or resources needed, the Navigator will support through that process for the amount of time it takes, including up to 3, one-hour meetings.
The final grant approval timeline is tied to the Cultural Alliance Board of Directors monthly meetings.
To be eligible to receive creative entrepreneur accelerator program resources, you must:
- Have not received Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator Funding in the past three years (Creative Entrepreneurs are eligible to apply for the Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator Program once every three years). Please note that applying and receiving funds after the 3- year mark is contingent upon availability of funds after applicants that have never received
funding have had an opportunity to be funded. Other requirements for reapplying after 3 years include a follow-up visit with a referral partner to review business plan and progress ofbusiness. - Be at least 18 years of age and a current resident of York, Adams Franklin of Fulton Counties in Pennsylvania for at least one year.
- Demonstrate gross revenue of less than $200,000 from the creative entrepreneur business.
- Be a creative entrepreneur intending to form a business or operating business in Pennsylvania within one or more of the following creative industry areas:
∙ Marketing – Advertising and marketing agencies & professionals
∙ Architecture – Architecture firms & architects
∙ Visual Arts & Crafts – Galleries, artists, artisans & makers, tattoo artists
∙ Design – Product, interior, graphic, and fashion design firms and designers
∙ Film & Media – Film, video, animation, TV & Radio businesses
∙ Digital Games – Companies, programmers & individuals producing games.
∙ Music & Entertainment –Producers, venues, musicians & performers
∙ Publishing – Print or electronic businesses & content creators, editors & writers - Possess all current and valid licenses, permits, leases, certifications, and registrations required to engage in the creative endeavor (e.g. tattoo, street performance) in the geographical location served by the entrepreneurship.
- The CEA Grant is funded through a program that activates State Taxpayer Funding. For purpose of tax reporting, the funds are not considered a “gift” and should be reported in tax filing. For further questions regarding filing please visit the IRS website at irs.gov or consult with a tax professional.
- A final report and evidence of eligible use of the CEA grant funding is required at the end of the contract term.
Resources and grants are not available to the following individuals or organizations:
- Individuals enrolled in a degree or certificate program in the arts at the time of application.
- Previous grant recipients cannot receive funding more than once within a calendar year
- Members of CAYC staff
Funds must support business formation or development. Eligible funds should act as an activator to your business growth and sustainability. Eligible uses of funds include:
• Professional fees for workshops, consultants, and career coaching.
• Participation in events, trade shows, festivals, etc. that offer access to audience and revenue
generation potential.
• Business development fees for courses or seminars for business skills.
• Research and development.
• Marketing and promotion.
• Development or upgrades to technology related to business practices.
• Studio/rehearsal/retail space rent (outside of regular business operating costs, rent, and
utilities)
• Reasonable fees for supporting/collaborating artists.
• Purchase of supplies and/or equipment.
Grant funds cannot be used for any of the following:
• Activities outside the funding period.
• Activities that have a religious purpose.
• Payments to lobbyists.
• Activities for which academic credit is given.
• Offsets to regular business operating costs, including regular salary or wages.
• Hospitality, food, or beverages.
• Direct or indirect participation in a political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office.
• Attempts to influence legislation.
Post Grant Guidelines
Grantees are required to acknoledge the Cultural Alliance where appropriate.
- Tagging the Cultural Alliance of York County in social media posts about the opportunity for which funds were granted
- Usage of the Cultural Alliance logo on printed promotional materials
- Usage of the Cultural Alliance logo on digital platforms including websites
- Announcement of the grant receipt before or after performances relevant to the opportunity
- Any creative way the artist may be able to include a brief message about the Cultural Alliance
Promotion of the Cultural Alliance grant funding helps to spread the work about our available resrouces.
Meet the Navigators
Leaders in York County’s creative community hired by the Cultural Alliance to connect with artists and help distribute resources deeper, and more equitably into the community than previously possible due to the CAYC’s small staff. Navigators have experience, expertise, and connections in their field, and in many cases, are people who were already at work mentoring and connecting creatives.
Jess McPherson
York County, PA
Susan Scofield
York, PA
Andrew Smith
Hanover, PA
Artist & Creator’s Experiences
“In the time that I have had with my navigator I have been able to identify clear goals, start writing out a traditional business plan to back up my current sales plan and have reviewed my current website to identify weaknesses and strengths.”
“Sometimes goals and dreams can be very hefty and realistically out of reach. The process of working with the Navigator helped me to realize my ambitions are attainable and are already becoming recognizable in the community regardless of the outcome of this grant opportunity.”
“Susan was really helpful in showing me what I do and don’t need in the present moment in order to grow as an artist and business woman.”
