NALAC Fund for the Arts Announces Fifth Funding Cycle – National Latino Arts Grant Is Open to Artists and Organizations

The National Association of Latino Arts and Culture (NALAC) announces the fifth funding cycle for its grant program, the NALAC Fund for the Arts (NFA).  The NALAC Fund for the Arts provides grant support to Latino artists and small and mid-sized organizations in all regions of the United States.  Through the NFA, NALAC has awarded more than $523,000 to Latino artists and organizations in four years, representing a significant investment in the creative and cultural assets of the nation.

Launched in 2005 with major support from the Ford Foundation, the NALAC Fund for the Arts is the only national arts fund in the country that provides support specifically for Latino artists and arts organizations working in all artistic disciplines.
“The NFA was created to support the work of Latino artists and organizations and to recognize their important role in serving the cultural needs of communities across the country,” said Maria De Leon, Executive Director of NALAC.

The NFA provides funding for projects, programs and artist fellowships.  Grants range in size from $2,500 to $10,000.  The NALAC Fund for the Arts grant program aims to:
•    Encourage the creation and presentation of works by independent Latino artists and ensembles;
•    Provide operating support to help build the internal capacity of small to mid-sized Latino arts organizations;
•    Recognize community-based projects that exhibit a high level of artistic excellence; and
•    Strengthen communities by investing in the cultural assets and human and social capital of Latinos in the U.S.

The deadline for submitting a proposal to the NFA is July 13, 2009.  Applying to the NFA is a benefit of NALAC membership.  Applications can be submitted in English or in Spanish.  2009 NFA Guidelines, application materials and information about NALAC memberships are available on NALAC’s website. For more information, visit www.nalac.org or email grantmanager@nalac.org.

The NALAC Fund for the Arts is made possible with funding from the Ford Foundation, the JPMorgan Chase Foundation, the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, the San Antonio Cultural Collaborative, Heineken USA and Southwest Airlines.

The National Association of Latino Arts and Culture (NALAC) is dedicated to the preservation, development and promotion of the cultural and artistic expressions of the diverse Latino populations of the United States. Through this effort, NALAC is committed to continuing struggle for the elimination of racism, sexism, ageism and discrimination against gay, lesbian and physically challenged populations. The objective is to recognize and support the varied standards of excellence grounded in the aesthetics and traditions of our root cultures.”

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