Requirements:
- All applicants must adhere to the procedures specified in these guidelines and in the Performing Arts Grant Application.
- Incomplete applications will not be considered. No exceptions.
- It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application form and required attachments are complete. All applications will be compiled by staff to confirm that they are complete.
- All complete applications will be forwarded to a peer review panel of independent individuals with expertise in performing arts and non-profit grants.
- City staff is not obligated to contact applicants for missing information and incomplete applications will be disqualified.
- All other application materials, including signed venue letter, project budget, funder report, non-profit documents, artistic samples, and samples from previous projects, must be uploaded and submitted by the deadline.
Project Budget:
You may use the Budget Templates provided or your own formatted project budget. The budget is for your proposed project only. Detailed budget notes are highly recommended. The Culver City grant request must be included in the budget, as well as other sources of funding. In-kind income and expenses must also be included if applicable, with details. Do not provide an organizational budget.
Link to Budget Template(XLSX, 25KB) (Excel .xlxs)
Link to Budget Instructions with Template(DOCX, 56KB) (Word .docx)
Performance Venues:
A venue letter or email, signed by an authorized representative of the venue, is required.
You may use the Sample Venue Letter of Intent, or your own format that includes required information.
Performances must be available to the general public at an affordable price or for free. Events must take place in an ADA-compliant building or facility that is wholly or partially located in Culver City or under the purview of the City of Culver City or is assigned a USPS zip code in 90230 or 90232. Please contact Culver City staff in advance to verify venue addresses if necessary.
All applicants must demonstrate significant plans to attract Culver City audiences, and the performance location is an important aspect of those efforts.
Please note that you are not limited to the venues on our lists and grant staff are available to review other creative ideas for your performance location.
See VENUES section below for further instructions.
Other Grant Award Requirements:
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Get a Culver City Business Tax Certificate and sign a contract agreeing to certain terms.
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Contact Cultural Affairs staff before your performance to discuss marketing plans.
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Make sure you have any licenses or permits required by the performance venue.
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Include specific logos and a credit line in your marketing materials and program.
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After the performance, submit an invoice and an evaluation form.
Contract, Acknowledgement, Marketing
Grant recipients will be required to sign a contract, defining requirements to be fulfilled, including addition of credit and logo in promotional materials and programs. If your grant project or performance details change, it is required that you notify grant staff. Should the requirements not be met, the grant award is subject to withdrawal.
Grant recipients are required to contact City staff two months prior to their first performance date to review marketing plans for performances in Culver City and to ensure receipt of the approved sponsor logos.
To ensure that acknowledgment is given to the City of Culver City and its Cultural Affairs Commission, Sony Pictures Entertainment and Culver City Arts Foundation, grant recipients are required to include a credit line, as well as logos, in marketing materials and the event program. All grant recipients shall provide a draft of the marketing materials and event program to City staff prior to their publication.
Cultural Data Profile Funder Report
The City of Culver City is participating with SMU DataArts to utilize the Cultural Data Profile (CDP). The City of Culver City, along with other funders, requires applicants to complete an annual survey that collects financial and programmatic data. Applicants will complete the online CDP and use that data as part of their application to all participating funders. Organizations with total expenses below $50,000 may opt to complete a shorter CDP form, making the data entry process faster and more equitable for small nonprofits. All applications must include the DataArts Funder Report for the Culver City Performing Arts Grant Program with their application. See CULTURAL DATA PROFILE section below for further instructions.
Tax Exempt Status Verification
Applicant organizations, or their fiscal receiver, must qualify as tax exempt – as defined by the Internal Revenue Service and CA Secretary of State – at the time the application is submitted. A copy of the non-profit determination letter issued by the IRS and a screenshot or confirmation page from the CA Secretary of State showing active nonprofit status within 60 days of the deadline, must be submitted with the application to be considered eligible.
Use of Funds
Grant awards from Culver City may only be used for direct expenses related to the performances in Culver City. No grants will be awarded for performances that are staged in conjunction with a fundraiser or a class presentation. Funding may be awarded for a single production or a series of performances.
Compliance
Compliance with licensing and insurance requirements, including those established by the facility at which the performance will be held, is required. If the proposed project requires performance or staging rights, the applicant is responsible for securing those rights. Applicant shall perform all work in accordance with applicable laws, codes and regulations required by all authorities having jurisdiction over such work.
Final Report and Payment
Grant recipients are required to submit an invoice after the performance and an evaluation form detailing audience attendance, comments, and zip code tally. We recommend that grantees register for direct deposit with the Culver City Finance Department. City staff can assist with that process.
Special Permits
Productions may require a permit, depending upon the location and scope. Application must be made with the Finance Department at City Hall. Please contact the Business License Division at (310) 253-5870 for information on permit fees.
Culver City Business Tax Certificate
All grant recipients shall be required to obtain a Culver City Business Tax Certificate before a contract can be issued and before any performances. Visit the Culver City Business Services website or call the Business Support Center at (310) 594-7847 for information. If you already have a Business Tax Certificate, it must be renewed annually. No grant contract may be issued without a valid Culver City Business Tax Certificate.
Evaluation and Selection Process
Grant applications will be reviewed by City staff to ensure that the application is complete. The applications will be presented to a peer review panel for evaluation and scoring. The panel includes independent individuals with applicable expertise. The recommendations of the review panel will be presented to the Performing Arts Grant Program Subcommittee who will forward its recommendation to the Cultural Affairs Commission for consideration. The City Council will review the recommendations made by the Cultural Affairs Commission and make the final determination concerning grant awards.
Scoring Criteria - 100 Total Possible Points
- Artistic excellence and cultural merit of project - 45 possible points
- Culver City outreach and engagement - 20 possible points
- Realistic project budget and funding - 20 possible points
- Contribution to cultural equity and inclusion - 15 possible points