Opportunity Information: Apply for ECA PE C CU 09 50
Apply for ECA PE C CU 09 50
- The Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Visual Arts Initiative Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 00.000 Not Elsewhere Classified.
- This funding opportunity was created on Apr 20, 2009 and posted on Apr 20, 2009.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 19, 2009. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $500,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $500,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification) Private institutions of higher education Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Public and State controlled institutions of higher education.
- Please see full announcement
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Opportunity Summary:
The Visual Arts Initiative (VAI) Program is a U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) funding opportunity designed to support U.S. Embassy-sponsored visual arts programs overseas. The main purpose is cultural diplomacy: using American visual arts programming to build good will, engage foreign audiences, and offer insight into American culture and values. Rather than funding a single exhibition or tour directly, the program funds one primary organization to help ECA manage and administer a portfolio of embassy-driven visual arts projects over a two-year period.
Under this cooperative agreement, the selected grantee serves as ECA's key operational partner for the initiative. The work centers on the logistical and administrative backbone of the program: running recurring (cyclical) solicitations for project proposals submitted by U.S. Missions abroad, reviewing those proposals using criteria established by ECA, and then packaging and forwarding recommended proposals to ECA for final selection decisions. Once projects are approved, the grantee is responsible for extending financial support to the selected U.S. partners involved in implementing the overseas programs, and for collecting and delivering reporting on activities and results. The opportunity is framed as supporting "one-way exchanges" in the visual arts, meaning the activity is primarily oriented toward showcasing American artists, curators, or visual arts expertise overseas through embassy platforms.
Funding for the initiative is expected to total about $500,000, with an award ceiling of $500,000, and ECA anticipates making one award. A cost-sharing or matching requirement applies, so applicants are expected to contribute non-federal resources (cash and/or in-kind) consistent with the full announcement's guidance. The assistance instrument is a cooperative agreement, which typically indicates substantial involvement by the federal agency during implementation, such as coordination, approvals, and ongoing program direction alongside the grantee.
Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations with IRS 501(c)(3) status, private institutions of higher education, and public or state-controlled institutions of higher education, with eligibility details referenced in the full announcement. ECA signals a strong preference for organizations with deep subject-matter strength in the visual arts, a clear institutional commitment to cultural diplomacy and the U.S. role in the arts, and a demonstrated track record running international arts programs and exchanges. Organizations that have the right expertise and commitment but lack direct exchange-program experience are encouraged to apply through consortia arrangements with more experienced eligible partners; in those cases, the proposal needs to clearly define each partner's role and include any subgranting agreements as part of the submission.
The opportunity was posted April 20, 2009, with a closing date of May 19, 2009, and it is now archived (archive date May 20, 2009). The funding opportunity number is ECA-PE-C-CU-09-50. For access issues with the full announcement, the listed program contact is Hans Posey (poseyhe@state.gov), Program Specialist at the Department of State.
Visual Arts Initiative (VAI) Program - FAQs
What is the Visual Arts Initiative (VAI) Program?
The Visual Arts Initiative (VAI) Program is a U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) funding opportunity that supports U.S. Embassy-sponsored visual arts programs overseas. Its core aim is cultural diplomacy: using American visual arts programming to build goodwill, engage foreign audiences, and provide insight into American culture and values.
What is the main goal of the VAI Program?
The program is designed to advance cultural diplomacy by showcasing American visual arts through embassy platforms abroad, helping foster positive engagement and mutual understanding with overseas audiences.
Does the VAI Program fund a single exhibition or a single international tour?
No. Rather than funding one standalone exhibition or tour directly, the VAI Program funds one primary organization to help ECA manage and administer a portfolio of U.S. Embassy-driven visual arts projects over a two-year period.
How many awards does ECA expect to make under this opportunity?
ECA anticipates making one award.
How much funding is available?
Total funding is expected to be about $500,000, and the award ceiling is $500,000.
What type of federal assistance instrument is used?
The opportunity uses a cooperative agreement. This generally means ECA is expected to have substantial involvement during implementation, such as coordination, approvals, and ongoing program direction alongside the grantee.
What does it mean that this is a cooperative agreement with "substantial involvement" by ECA?
It indicates the selected grantee would not operate independently; instead, ECA would remain actively involved throughout the initiative, including working with the grantee on coordination, approvals, and program direction while projects are being managed and administered.
What is the role of the selected grantee?
The selected grantee serves as ECA's key operational partner. The work focuses on providing the logistical and administrative backbone for the initiative, including managing a portfolio of embassy-driven visual arts projects over a two-year period.
What kinds of activities is the grantee expected to carry out?
Based on the description provided, the grantee is expected to:
- Run recurring (cyclical) solicitations for project proposals submitted by U.S. Missions abroad.
- Review submitted proposals using criteria established by ECA.
- Package and forward recommended proposals to ECA for final selection decisions.
- After approvals, extend financial support to selected U.S. partners who implement overseas programs.
- Collect and deliver reporting on activities and results.
Who submits the project proposals that make up the portfolio?
Project proposals are submitted by U.S. Missions abroad (for example, U.S. Embassies) through the recurring solicitation process administered by the grantee.
Who makes the final decisions on which projects are selected?
The grantee reviews proposals and forwards recommended proposals, but ECA makes the final selection decisions.
What is meant by "one-way exchanges" in the visual arts?
In this opportunity, "one-way exchanges" refers to activities primarily oriented toward showcasing American artists, curators, or visual arts expertise overseas through embassy platforms, rather than an exchange that brings foreign participants to the United States.
Is the program focused on domestic U.S. activities or overseas programming?
The program is focused on overseas programming sponsored by U.S. Embassies, aimed at engaging foreign audiences.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include:
- Nonprofit organizations with IRS 501(c)(3) status
- Private institutions of higher education
- Public or state-controlled institutions of higher education
Eligibility details are referenced in the full announcement.
What types of organizations does ECA prefer for this role?
ECA signals a strong preference for organizations that demonstrate:
- Deep subject-matter strength in the visual arts
- A clear institutional commitment to cultural diplomacy and the U.S. role in the arts
- A proven track record running international arts programs and exchanges
Can an organization apply if it has the right expertise but limited experience running exchange programs?
Yes. Organizations with the right expertise and commitment but without direct exchange-program experience are encouraged to apply through consortia arrangements with more experienced eligible partners.
If applying as a consortium, what should the proposal include?
The proposal needs to clearly define each partner's role and include any subgranting agreements as part of the submission.
Does this opportunity require cost sharing or matching?
Yes. A cost-sharing or matching requirement applies. Applicants are expected to contribute non-federal resources (cash and/or in-kind) consistent with the full announcement's guidance.
What is the period of performance described for the initiative?
The program funds one primary organization to manage and administer the portfolio of embassy-driven projects over a two-year period.
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is ECA-PE-C-CU-09-50.
When was this opportunity posted and when did it close?
It was posted on April 20, 2009, with a closing date of May 19, 2009.
Is this opportunity still open?
No. The opportunity is archived. The archive date is May 20, 2009.
Who should be contacted for access issues with the full announcement?
For access issues with the full announcement, the listed program contact is Hans Posey (poseyhe@state.gov), Program Specialist at the U.S. Department of State.
What federal bureau is sponsoring this opportunity?
This opportunity is offered by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA).
What does it mean that the program is "Embassy-sponsored"?
It means the visual arts programs supported under this initiative are driven by U.S. Missions abroad and implemented through embassy platforms overseas, with the grantee providing administrative and logistical support and ECA providing final approvals and direction.
What happens after ECA approves projects?
After projects are approved, the grantee is responsible for extending financial support to the selected U.S. partners implementing the overseas programs and for collecting and delivering reporting on activities and results.
Is reporting a required part of the grantee's responsibilities?
Yes. The grantee is responsible for collecting and delivering reporting on activities and results for the projects supported under the initiative.
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