Memorandum

City of Lawrence

City Manager’s Office

TO:	David L. Corliss, City Manager
FROM:	Diane Stoddard, Assistant City Manager
CC:	Cynthia Wagner, Assistant City Manager
Date:	February 22, 2011
RE:	Request to Authorize Submission of Statement of Interest for National Endowment for the Arts “Our Town” Program

The City has received a request from a local group working on the submittal of a Statement of Interest for an NEA grant opportunity. The project the group wishes to submit is the development of an arts incubator in the community.  The proposal does not require any financial commitment on behalf of the City, but the City is required to be an applicant for the grant opportunity.  The Statement of Interest is the first step in the grant application process.  Entities which are chosen to receive an invitation to apply will be required to submit a more detailed and formal application.  Should the City be successful with receipt of the grant, there would be grant administration responsibilities that the City would incur. 

Due to the timing involved, the local group has not been able to present this concept to the Lawrence Cultural Arts Commission.  The Cultural Arts Commission had discussed at its last meeting the possibility of submitting a proposal for the grant opportunity, but it was decided it would not submit a proposal at this time.  The City has not heard of any other local groups planning to submit a proposal for this opportunity. 

More details about the grant opportunity are outlined below:

OUR TOWN OVERVIEW

Funding                                       Up to 35 grants ranging from $25,000 to $250,000

Statement of Interest Deadline       March 1, 2011

Invitation to Apply Issued              March 25, 2011

Formal Application Deadline          April 25, 2011

Eligibility                                     Local government entities and non-profit design or cultural organizations in partnership  

Requested Action:  The City Commission is requested to authorize the submittal of a Statement of Interest for the NEA grant opportunity.   Staff recommends authorization of this submittal as requested.