Chamber Music America’s Artistic Projects offers grant opportunities for small ensembles and presenters, with operating budgets under $250,000, to bring their creative ideas to completion and present them to audiences in the five boroughs of New York City. CMA defines chamber music as music for small ensembles between two and ten musicians, with one musician per part, generally without a conductor. This encompasses contemporary and traditional jazz, classical, and world genres.

CMA will fund ensemble projects that may include performances, recordings, new compositions, and residencies. If the proposed project is a collaboration involving other artistic disciplines or genres, it must be work that centers the ensemble.

The Board of Directors of Chamber Music America has made diversity, inclusion, and equity a primary focus of the organization’s work. Through the panel review process, CMA hopes to arrive at a final slate of grantees that is representative of the field in terms of race, gender and musical style. Read CMA’s Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity.

All activities must take place within the boroughs of New York City between January 1, 2023 and December 31, 2023. Applicants and, if applicable, their primary collaborators (presenters, ensembles, composers) may be part of only one Artistic Projects application per grant period.

ELIGIBILITY

Applications may be submitted by ensembles or presenting organizations. Applicants must be based in one of the five boroughs of New York City*.

An Ensemble
  • a minimum of one member of the Ensemble must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident based in one of the five boroughs of New York City;
  • must consist of 2-10 professional musicians including guest musician(s);
  • student groups are not eligible;
  • soloists with accompanists are not eligible;
  • may perform any style of small ensemble music encompassing contemporary and traditional jazz, classical, and world genres;
  • must have an annual operating budget under $250,000;
  • must not have any outstanding financial obligations to CMA;
  • must not be a current grantee of the Howard Gilman Foundation.

*Ensemble grantees must provide proof of New York City domicile. 

 

A Presenter
  • must be a 501(c)(3) organization or otherwise eligible for charitable contributions for federal income, estate, and gift-tax purposes;
  • may present one ensemble
  • may present any style of small ensemble music;
  • must have an annual operating budget under $250,000;
  • must apply with an ensemble whose annual budget is also under $250,000 and based in one of the five boroughs of New York City;
  • ensemble must consist of 2-10 musicians including guest musician(s)
  • ensemble may only appear on one presenter’s application
  • must not have any outstanding financial obligations to CMA;
  • must not be a current grantee of the Howard Gilman Foundation.

*Presenter grantees must provide proof of a New York City-based venue. 

Additionally, CMA cannot consider the following applications:

  • from current New Jazz Works or Classical Commissioning grantees;
  • from ensembles or presenters requesting funding for capacity building, private or fundraising events, arts education, or general operating support, although administrative expenses specific to the project may be included within the project budget;
  • requesting fees to student musicians, faculty, or administrative staff salaries;
  • requesting funds for classes or workshops for music students;
  • representing more than one application for the same ensemble or presenter.
PANEL REVIEW PROCESS

Artistic Projects applications are reviewed by an independent panel of chamber music professionals; CMA staff and board do not participate in the deliberations (Representative list of previous CMA panelists).

Written Application

The panel will review:

  • the description of the project for which you are applying;
  • the reason(s) why the project is important at this particular time;
  • how you expect the project to contribute to your growth as an ensemble or organization;
  • the extent to which the project will increase your ability to reach target audiences for your work;
  • evidence of the capacity to carry out the project including potential dates, appropriate budget, and community and/or presenting partners.

Audio Review

  • match between the activities planned and the ensemble’s music-making as demonstrated in the audio sample.
GRANT AWARD AND PAYMENT
For Ensembles

If awarded, the member of the ensemble serving as the primary contact for the grant is responsible for:

  • acting as the contact for CMA on behalf of the ensemble;
  • providing government issued documentation as proof of their U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status;
  • providing proof of their New York City domicile;
  • receiving and managing the grant funds;
  • filing the final report and associated documents

 

For Presenters

If awarded, the presenter contact serving as the primary contact for the grant is responsible for:

  • acting as the contact for CMA on behalf of the presenting organization;
  • providing proof of being a 501(c)(3) organization or otherwise eligible for charitable contributions for federal income, estate, and gift-tax purposes;
  • providing proof of their ensemble’s New York City domicile status;
  • receiving and managing the grant funds;
  • filing the final report and associated documents.

Grant funds will be disbursed as follows:

  • 80% of the award to be disbursed after signing the CMA grant contract;
  • 20% after receipt of a final report

Grant funds are taxable income; grantees must comply with all applicable city, state, and federal laws, ordinances, codes, and regulations regarding the reporting of grant funds.

THE APPLICATION

CMA uses the online application platform Submittable. Go to cma.submittable.com to create a free Submittable account if you do not already have one.

  • Complete the online form directly or draft your responses in an offline document as backup, then copy/paste your information into the online application. CMA recommends that you save your draft in an offline document as backup.
  • To save the work you have done on your application, you must click SAVE DRAFT at the bottom of the form before exiting.
  • You can return to your saved application to continue working on it by following the log-in instructions.
  • The application will close promptly at 11:59 PM ET on Thursday, October 13, 2022. Late or incomplete submissions will not be accepted. Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications at least 24 hours in advance of the deadline to avoid any last-minute complications.

 

Uploads

Audio Uploads 

  • Two ensemble audio samples are required and must be uploaded to the online application.
  • Samples should be up to 5 minutes each and feature works for small ensemble (2-10 musicians).
  • Samples should demonstrate the ensemble’s performance level and must feature either the full ensemble or at least 50% of its musicians. * Include contrasting works, if possible.
  • Soloistic works are not recommended.
  • *A duo must submit works with both partners.
  • Only mp3 and/or m4a file types are accepted.
  • Samples do not need to be of studio quality but should be clear and representative of the ensemble’s performance within the last two years.

 

Memorandum of Understanding 

An Ensemble must provide a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the ensemble and each guest artist (if applicable).

A sample MOU can be downloaded here:

The Presenter is required to provide a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Ensemble.

A sample MOU can be downloaded here:

To submit an application

  • Go to cma.submittable.com and click on “Artistic Projects.”
  • Complete all required fields, including text boxes, the Funding Request, and Audio Sample information.
  • Prepare your audio samples, marketing sample, and MOU attachment.
  • Save audio files as: Ensemble Name-Audio 1 and Ensemble Name-Audio 2; acceptable file types: mp3, m4a.
  • Upload the audio files, marketing sample, and MOU to the application.
  • When complete, sign and date your application.
  • Click “Submit” to send application to CMA; you will receive a confirmation email.
BEGIN YOUR APPLICATION

Program Support: José Feliciano, Director of Grant Programs, jfeliciano@chamber-music.org

Technical Support: Submittable Help – For Submitters | Submittable

Application Deadline: Thursday, October 20, 2022, 11:59 PM ET

CHAMBER MUSIC AMERICA, the national network of ensemble music professionals, was founded in 1977 to develop, strengthen, and support the chamber music community. With a membership including musicians, ensembles, presenters, artists’ managers, educators, music businesses, and advocates of ensemble music, CMA welcomes members representing a wide range of musical styles and traditions. In addition to its funding programs, CMA provides its members with consulting services, access to instrument insurances, conferences, seminars, and publications including Chamber Music magazine and weekly e-newsletter, Accent.

Howard Gilman believed in the power of the arts to transform lives. THE HOWARD GILMAN FOUNDATION honors his legacy by supporting the most robust, innovative, and promising performing arts organizations in New York City. More information on the Foundation’s cultural investments may be found on its website www.howardgilmanfoundation.org.