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Amphion Grant Program

We are not accepting applications for Amphion Grant Program at this time.

2023 Amphion Grant Program Guidelines

NOTE: All organizations applying for the Spring 2024 grant cycle must be a Performing Organization, as defined below.

Funding is available for performing activity that is scheduled between September 1, 2024 and August 31, 2025.

The spring grant cycle is open to Performing Organizations:
Chamber Ensembles
Chamber Orchestras
Orchestras
Choral or Vocal Ensembles
Opera Companies
Ballet or Dance Companies
Experimental or Performance Art Groups 

The fall grant cycle is open to all other eligible organizations:
Music Service/Advocacy Organizations
Professional Development/Training
Artist Residency Programs
Libraries/Archives
Radio/TV
Presenters
Festivals

Visit the "Definitions" section for more information.

NOTE: Performing Organizations must apply to the spring grant cycle. Such organizations may also apply to the fall grant cycle only if they operate a discrete and substantial standalone program that qualifies for fall grant cycle eligibility. All requests to apply to both cycles must be approved by the Foundation in advance. Please contact the Grants Manager for further information.

The Program’s Objective

To encourage the performance of contemporary concert music, particularly by American composers, through support to performing and presenting organizations that have demonstrated sustained artistic excellence, in addition to service organizations.

All applicants must meet the following requirements:

  • 501(c)(3) non-profit status (or foreign equivalent), or fiscal sponsorship
  • Two or more years of performance or program history as an organization

Please save your work often: the application is not self-saving.

Application Snapshot

Eligibility

Who is eligible?

Eligible applicants must:

  1. Be a publicly supported non-profit or fiscally sponsored organization with a history of substantial commitment to contemporary concert music (music written within the last 50 years);
  2. Have a minimum of two years of performance or, for groups other than performing groups, programmatic activity prior to the time of application (except for special projects of extraordinary significance: please contact the Grants Manager for approval); and
  3. Have an operating budget of $10 million or less. (Organizations with budgets over $10 million may apply for project support with the approval of the Grants Manager.)

General Operating Support is available for organizations with a history of substantial commitment to contemporary American concert music and with plans to continue that commitment.

Project Support is also available for exceptionally important activities relating to contemporary concert music that are out of the scope of an organization’s regular programming, and often (but not necessarily) a discrete initiative.

Please note that organizations based outside of the United States and its territories may apply for support exclusively for contemporary concert music by American composers.

What is eligible?

The Amphion Foundation provides funding for the performance and dissemination of contemporary concert music.

Funding is available for eligible activity occurring between September of the current year and August of the following year. The period for the current cycle is September 1, 2024 to August 31, 2025.

The following activities will be considered eligible in the Spring round:

  • Performances by organizations (see eligible performing organization types above)
  • Presentation of performances (see definitions below)
  • Professional development programs
  • Advocacy and service
  • Archival activity

For any other contemporary concert music-related activity, please contact the Grants Manager to obtain approval.

What is not eligible?

The Amphion Foundation does not provide funding for the following:

  • Applications from individuals
  • Unincorporated or for-profit organizations except via a fiscal sponsor
  • Endowment funds
  • Music publishing projects
  • Student ensembles*
  • Volunteer, community, and amateur ensembles*
  • Educational institutions*
  • Composer commissioning fees and/or honoraria**
  • Composition competitions (except as part of a larger program of support for composers)
  • Programming outside the field of contemporary concert music; this includes commercial, pop, jazz, Broadway-style musical theater, sacred, holiday, and traditional concert band music.

*Such organizations are not generally eligible but may apply if authorized in advance by the Grants Manager.

Educational institutions may not apply for activities involving school-age students, student ensembles, or credit-bearing university-level activities but they may apply for performances or other eligible projects that involve professional musicians (including faculty).

**Organizations that are part of a commissioning consortium and wish to apply for support for the performance of the commissioned work should contact the Grants Manager for further information.

If you have questions about your organization’s eligibility, please contact the Grants Manager.

Definitions

Contemporary:
For the Foundation’s purposes, concert music composed within the last 50 years is considered contemporary. Projects featuring particularly significant concert music composed since 1945, as well as the works of Elliott Carter* from any period, will be considered on a case-by-case basis; please contact the Grants Manager for more information.

*For funding for a significant project involving the performance or recording of less frequently performed or recorded works by Elliott Carter, please review the guidelines for the Elliott Carter Special Grant Program to see if your project is eligible.

Concert Music:
For the Foundation’s purposes, concert music includes opera, orchestral and chamber music for instrumental and/or vocal ensembles, as well as concert music in experimental genres and similar formats. Popular music, including commercial, pop, jazz, Broadway-style musical theater, sacred, holiday, and traditional concert band music, is not fundable.

Music Service/Advocacy Organization:
Organizations that support composers and performers through grants, residencies, training programs or similar activities, or aid in the preservation and dissemination of contemporary concert music.

*For the Fall round, please note that any organization whose activities include musical performances must apply as a Presenter and submit appropriate media samples. Applications from organizations whose activities include musical performances cannot be evaluated without media samples.

Presenters:
Music venues or similar organizations whose principal activity is to present live musical performances by a variety of performing groups throughout the year. 

Festivals:
Organizations whose principal activity is to present live musical performances by a variety of performing groups for a discrete period. 

Project (as it relates to Project Support):
The Foundation considers a "project" to be an exceptionally important activity or set of activities relating to contemporary concert music outside the scope of an organization’s regular programming, and often (but not necessarily) a discrete initiative. 

Music by American composers:
Music by composers with U.S. citizenship, wherever they may live, as well as non-citizen composers who have lived and worked in the U.S. for a significant period.

How to Apply

If your organization does not already have an account on our site:

You will need to create an account request. Please allow 3-5 business days for approval. Staff may reach out via email with eligibility questions.  

NOTE: Creating an account request does not mean that you have an active account; you may not begin an application until your account has been approved. 

Please DO NOT create duplicate accounts. If you do not know whether your organization already has an account, please contact the Grants Manager.

If your organization already has an account on our site:

Log in here. Then click on the Apply Now button at the top of this page to begin the online application process.

PLEASE NOTE: It is not necessary to complete the application in one session, but the application must be saved at the end of every session and should be saved at least once during each session to avoid lost work.

Applicants must prepare and submit the following materials:

Organization Information

  • Contact information
  • A copy of the IRS determination letter confirming tax exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and that the applicant is not a private foundation.
    • For organizations applying with a fiscal sponsor, proof of fiscal sponsorship should be supplied in lieu of the IRS determination letter and the legal name and federal tax ID of the fiscal sponsor should be provided in the appropriate fields.
    • If the applicant organization is not based in the United States, submit a letter from a lawyer in the home jurisdiction of the applicant confirming its equivalence to a publicly funded U.S. 501(c)(3) organization.
  • 3-year financial snapshot including the prior fiscal year, current fiscal year, and projected forthcoming year.

Applicant Information

  • Select Applicant Type from the drop-down menu (see "Definitions” section for more information.)
    • Please note that for the Fall cycle, any organization whose activities include musical performances must apply as a Presenter and submit appropriate media samples. Applications from organizations whose activities include musical performances cannot be evaluated without media samples.
  • Mission Statement
  • For applicants applying for support for live performances: the number of events projected (including online-only performances) for the support year and the two years prior.

Proposal

  • Time Period for which Support is Requested (if General Operating Support is requested, please indicate support period as “2024-2025 season”)
  • Request Type: Select whether applying for General Operating or Project Support.
  • Requested Amount: Amount of funding requested. See "Funding Provisions" below for typical award amounts.
  • Brief Summary of Proposal: Briefly describe the activity or project for which support is requested. Please limit your summary to approximately 100 words.
  • Proposal Narrative: Specific details, repertoire, and the nature of activity for which support is requested. Project Support applicants should also include a brief summary of intended repertoire or other related activities for the support season, particularly regarding contemporary concert music.
  • Information about Principal Artistic Personnel: Please provide a list of the current artistic decisionmaker(s) with links to their professional biographies.
  • Audiences: Description of the constituencies or audiences served, including size, demographics, and geographic regions.  
  • Project Budget: For Project Support applicants: a detailed project budget that includes revenue and expense detail, including projected funding sources. Please note which elements of funding have been secured at the time of applying.
  • Grantee summary of activity for the immediate prior grant round: Please provide a brief description of the applicant’s activities during the past two years, and proposed activities for the upcoming season.
  • Miscellaneous remarks: Please include only information that is relevant to the current application that was not provided elsewhere in the application.

Musical and Media Materials

Note: Musical and Media Materials are required for all applicants whose activities include musical performances. Please be sure to select “Presenter” as your application type if your organization’s activities include musical performances and provide the necessary materials. 

  • For all Applicants submitting audio files, the Foundation requires that each Applicant submit three 3–5-minute audio samples (MP3 format; submit excerpts of larger works when necessary) that accurately represent the programming for the funding period. These samples should be:
    • Recordings of representative live performances (not studio recordings) of the core ensemble playing together. Extended soloistic passages are not recommended. 
      • Presenters and Festivals should provide recordings of the ensembles and performers programmed during the requested funding period. 
      • Recordings should have been made within the previous three performing seasons.  
    • If project support is being requested for the work of one or more composers, the applicant is strongly encouraged to include a representative recording of that composer(s) work, even if the recording features performers other than the Applicant’s core ensemble. If no such recording is available, please explain in the Miscellaneous Remarks.
  • If a visual element is essential to the presentation of the music, the Foundation strongly recommends submitting video samples, in addition to the required audio samples, of the performers, company, and creative team. Video samples should involve live performance of contemporary concert music; promotional trailers and news clips with substantial spoken commentary should not be submitted, unless there is no alternative (please indicate timing of musical content in this case).
    • Please do not include video material that does not feature an essential extra-musical visual element (i.e. videos of standard concert music presentations).
    • The Foundation recognizes that there may be legal or contractual restrictions that could prohibit an applicant from sharing video work samples; if so, please state in the Miscellaneous Remarks.
  • For each recording and/or video submitted, provide the title of the work, names of the composer and performer(s), and date of the performance.
  • The applicant is strongly encouraged to submit a score in PDF format for the work performed on one of the three recordings, marked at the point at which the audio sample begins. If this presents serious difficulties, please state in the Miscellaneous Remarks. (The Foundation does not accept physical scores.)

Please note that work samples should represent a range of repertoire and instrumentation. If available work samples do not strictly meet the requirements set out in these guidelines, please contact the Grants Manager for advice.

Supporting Materials

  • Performances and repertoire: A list of all projected performances and repertoire, including dates and specific performers when relevant, for the support season, and two years prior (i.e., three consecutive years of programming, including the support season). Please do not submit this list in the form of season brochures.
    • A sample performances and repertoire document illustrating the desired level of detail can be found here.
    • A fillable pdf template can be downloaded here.
  • Foundation, corporate, and government support: A list with award amounts of foundation, corporate, and government support for the support season, and two years prior (i.e., three years of support information including the support season). Applicants must differentiate between secured and prospective funding. Please include reasonable funding projections to the extent necessary.
  • Board of Directors: A list of members of the Board of Directors (or equivalent governing body) and their principal professional affiliations.
  • Organizational budgets: A completed budget template (found here) for three consecutive years of organizational budgets. This must be provided even if an audited financial statement is submitted. Applicants unable to provide this level of financial detail should contact the Grants Manager.
  • Financial Statements: The most recent audited financial statement, if available. (We recognize that not every applicant will have an audited financial statement, but, if one is available for any of the past three fiscal years, the latest one must be submitted.)

Please save your work often: the application is not self-saving.

Funding Provisions

Applicants should be aware that support in one year does not imply continuation of that support in subsequent years. In general, grants will range between $1,500 and $7,500, although larger grants may be awarded to larger performing organizations with an extraordinary commitment to contemporary concert music or a particularly significant project. The Foundation does not award grants larger than the amount requested by the Applicant.

Review Procedures

The following criteria will be applied in evaluating grant proposals:

  • Are the performances, recordings, and programmed repertoire of outstanding artistic quality?
  • For general operating support applicants: Has the applicant demonstrated a consistent or increasing commitment to high-quality performances of contemporary concert music?
  • Has the applicant demonstrated the financial ability to carry a season or project to completion?
  • Will granting the request promote the performance and dissemination of contemporary concert music?
  • Has the applicant demonstrated a financial need, and will the Foundation’s funds be of significant help in meeting that need?
  • Has the applicant demonstrated that their activities enrich their community’s appreciation of and access to contemporary concert music, particularly as it applies to underserved and marginalized communities?

Application Cycles and Deadlines

The deadline for applications for each calendar year is 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the date indicated:

  • The Spring grant cycle has an annual deadline of February 28.
  • The Fall grant cycle has an annual deadline of September 15.

Award notifications are distributed in or around July for the Spring grant cycle and January for the Fall cycle. Please do not contact the Foundation for information on funding decisions.

IMPORTANT: You are responsible for complying with all legal and contractual requirements that may apply to the creation of your materials. The Amphion Foundation hereby disclaims all legal responsibility in connection with your submissions. In case of questions, consult your legal advisor.

Digital Millennium Copyright Act ("DMCA") Policy

Questions?

Prospective applicants are first encouraged to read the Frequently Asked Questions. If your question is not answered there, please contact the Grants Manager prior to the time of application.

Telephone: 212-461-6956 (Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET)
E-mail: grantsmanager@amphionfoundation.org

Updated: January 22, 2024

See lists of grantees from previous rounds

Should I apply?

Does the Foundation give grants to arts organizations outside New York City?

Yes! Non-profit and fiscally sponsored organizations with eligible activity throughout the United States and internationally will be considered for funding from the Foundation. Please note that organizations based outside the United States are only eligible for funding of works by American composers.

I am part of a consortium project. Can I apply for funding?

Possibly. Please contact the Grants Manager with your specific inquiry.

Can I apply to the Foundation as an individual?

No, the Foundation does not accept applications from individuals.

Non-profit and fiscally sponsored organizations may apply for funding for performance fees and expenses related to presenting the works of an individual composer.

Individuals may find grant opportunities on Candid.

Our organization does not have non-profit status. Can we apply?

Yes, provided you obtain fiscal sponsorship from a non-profit organization with 501(c)(3) status. Be sure to review the guidelines and application instructions to submit proper documentation.

Can I apply for funding for a commercial recording project?

No, the Foundation does not support recording projects.

Funding for recording projects is available through organizations such as The Alice M. Ditson Fund and The Aaron Copland Fund for Music.

NOTE: If you are making a recording of the works of Elliott Carter, please review the Elliott Carter Special Grant Program guidelines to see if your project is eligible.

Will the Foundation fund activity that occurs before the application deadline?

No. The Foundation provides funding for programming that occurs between September of the current year through August of next year. The current cycle provides funding for programming between September 1, 2024 and August 31, 2025. Activity that occurs before this period is no longer eligible. Activity that occurs after this period should be submitted as part of a future application.

What is "contemporary concert music”?

The Foundation considers music composed within the last 50 years to be contemporary. Concert music includes opera, orchestral and chamber music for instrumental and/or vocal ensembles, as well as concert music in experimental genres and similar formats. (For more information, please review the guidelines.)

Does The Amphion Foundation consider diversity and inclusion in its grantmaking?

The Amphion Foundation encourages programming that whenever possible celebrates a broad spectrum of diverse creators and strives to reflect the communities served by the organization.

The Amphion Foundation encourages applicants to consider the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion in their programming decisions whenever possible.

Does the Foundation support jazz music?

No, generally speaking, jazz is not within the scope of the Foundation’s mission.

Funding for jazz programming is available from organizations such as the National Endowment for the Arts, The Aaron Copland Fund for Music, Chamber Music America, and New Music USA.

Can I apply to the Foundation for a commission?

No, the Foundation does not provide grants for commissioning fees.

Does the Foundation support musical theater?

No, Broadway-style musical theater projects are generally not supported. Opera and dance projects involving live performances of contemporary concert music are supported.

Does the Foundation support music by non-American composers?

Yes, but the Amphion Foundation supports contemporary concert music with a preference for music by American composers. However, organizations based outside of the United States and its territories may only apply for support for contemporary concert music by American composers.

Does the Foundation provide funding for educational institutions or initiatives?

No, educational institutions and organizations seeking funding for educational outreach may not apply for activities involving school-age students, student ensembles, or credit-bearing university activities. Such organizations may apply for performances or other eligible projects that involve professional musicians (including faculty).

Youth choruses that perform contemporary concert music specifically composed for children’s voices may be considered. Please inquire with the Grants Manager.

Are international applicants eligible to apply?

Yes! Organizations based outside of the United States may apply for support exclusively for contemporary concert music by American composers.

Will the Amphion Foundation consider funding for holiday or pops concerts?

No, but pops and holiday concerts will not have an adverse effect on your application if there is sufficient eligible contemporary concert music activity throughout your season.