- In order to begin to address historical inequities faced by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and rural communities in accessing support for critical community services and development efforts, the PCA's funding strategy for AOAP has shifted away from the historic funding formula the agency previously utilized to determine general operating support grant amounts.
- The PCA's current strategy utilizes two funding tiers within AOAP—rural and BIPOC organizations, and non-rural/non-BIPOC organizations.
- In its adoption of this approach, the PCA Council also adopted formal definitions for rural and BIPOC-led organizations.
- For rural organizations, the PCA is utilizing the Center for Rural Pennsylvania's county-based definition, which includes 48 of the commonwealth's 67 counties.
- PCA's definition of BIPOC organizations is grounded in the following organizational characteristics, in addition to an organization's self-identification as BIPOC-led/centered:
- Specific community served/impact on the community
- Mission/vision/founder
- Majority of artists/art presented, produced or exhibited
- Location in an area dominated by a specific culture, race, ethnicity
- Staff composition
- Board composition
- This funding strategy is the result of more than ten years of research and conversation involving national arts service organizations, BIPOC and rural organizations, and the PCA's analysis of its historical funding practices. Additionally, this funding approach aligns with the PCA's strategic goal to promote equitable access for all Pennsylvanians to participate fully in a creative life and in the diverse forms of arts and culture in the commonwealth.
- The PCA's announcement of this funding strategy can be found here.
Matching Requirements
When matching requirements are in place (see specific year's guidelines to determine this), AOAP awards must be matched on a dollar-for-dollar basis in cash. In-kind goods and services may not be used to match PCA funds.
The PCA generally will support no more than 25% of a program or organizational budget, and usually considerably less.
Funding Restrictions
Grant funds cannot be used for any of the following:
- Activities outside the grant award agreement performance period.
- Activities that have a religious purpose.
- Payments to lobbyists.
- Cash prizes and awards.
- Benefit activities.
Unless authorized by the Council, grant funds cannot be used for any of the following:
- Hospitality expenses.
- Capital expenditures, including equipment costing $500 per item or more.
- Competitions.
- Performances and exhibitions not available to the general public.
How To Apply
Step 1: Read the 2023-2024 AOAP Application Guidelines (below) in their entirety.
2023-2024 AOAP Application Guidelines (PDF)
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