This rule amendment establishes a new grant program entitled Culture Builds Florida Grant Program, which implements the Division’s 10-year strategic plan entitled “Culture Builds Florida’s Future,” and which will expand the reach of Florida’s ...

 

DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Division of Cultural Affairs

RULE NO: RULE TITLE
1T-1.001: Division of Cultural Affairs

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: This rule amendment establishes a new grant program entitled Culture Builds Florida Grant Program, which implements the Division’s 10-year strategic plan entitled “Culture Builds Florida’s Future,” and which will expand the reach of Florida’s cultural programs to new audiences. Although this amendment eliminates the International Cultural Exchange Grant Program, international projects may continue to be funded under three other grant programs.

SUMMARY: This rule amendment describes the Culture Builds Florida Grant Program, application procedures, and scoring criteria. This amendment also provides for a REDI cash match waiver for qualifying applicants to the Culture Builds Florida Grant Program.

SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS: There are no regulatory costs associated with this proposed rule. Any person who wishes to provide information regarding the statement of regulatory costs, or to provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.

Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.

SPECIFIC AUTHORITY: 255.043(4), 265.284(5)(d), 265.285(1)(c), 265.286(1), (6), 265.2861(2)(b), (f), 265.2865(6), 265.605(1), 265.608(1), 265.609(1), (4), 265.701(5), 265.702(8) FS.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 215.97, 255.043, 265.284, 265.285, 265.286, 265.2861, 265.2865, 265.601-.603, 265.605-.607, 265.608, 265.609, 265.701, 265.702, 286.011, 286.012, 286.25, 288.0656, 288.06561 FS.

IF REQUESTED WITHIN 21 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THIS NOTICE, A HEARING WILL BE HELD AT THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW:

DATE AND TIME: December 11, 2007, 11:00 a.m.

PLACE: Room 307, 3rd Floor, R. A. Gray Building, 500 South Bronough Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0250

Pursuant to the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person requiring special accommodations to participate in this workshop/meeting is asked to advise the agency at least 48 hours before the workshop/meeting by contacting: Morgan Lewis, Division of Cultural Affairs, [phone]. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the agency using the Florida Relay Service, 1(800)955-8771 (TDD) or 1(800)955-8770 (Voice).

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Morgan Lewis, Division of Cultural Affairs, [phone]

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

1T-1.001 Division of Cultural Affairs.

(1) through (5)(e)3. No change.

4. REDI Waiver. Cash matching requirements will be waived The Division will waive the cash matching requirements on Division project grants for applicants that are an applicant that has been designated as REDI qualified in accordance with Sections 288.0656 and 288.06561, F.S. Such waivers are only available for This cash waiver is applicable only to the following project programs: Cultural Support Specific Project, Quarterly Assistance, Arts in Education, Culture Builds Florida International Cultural Exchange, and Challenge Programs. In lieu of cash match, the equivalent of total match must be instead shown in the proposal budget as in-kind match. To obtain a cash match waiver, the applicant must submit, with its application, a letter from the local county government that acknowledges the grant application and requests the waiver; this letter must accompany the grant application. The list of REDI counties and communities is reviewed and updated annually, and is available on the Division’s website. REDI-qualified counties with approved waivers may use up to 100% in-kind match, which must be shown in the proposal budget. A list of REDI counties and communities is reviewed and updated annually, and is available on the Division’s website.

5. through (12) No change.

(13) Culture Builds Florida Grant Program. This program supports projects, with grants up to $25,000, that make connections between the arts and the key areas of learning and wellness, strengthening the economy, leadership, and design and development. International Cultural Exchange Program. The purpose of this program is to support international cultural exchange projects of outstanding artistic and cultural merit. Projects may be developed and originate in Florida for travel outside of the United States, or may be developed or originate in another country and be brought to the state by a Florida sponsor. The program aims to provide support for international cultural exchange projects of arts organizations, including museums, theatres, dance companies, sister city organizations, art centers, and others. Projects are expected to demonstrate the ability to build on the international reputation of Florida artists and organizations.

(a) In addition to the basic eligibility requirements in subsection (5), the following are required: (i) the grant must either fund a new project or initiative in at least one of the four key areas above, or fund a new facet of an existing program in at least one key area; (ii) only one organization may apply for those organizations working in partnership on one project; and (iii) the cash match requirement is $1 to $1, with no more than 25% of the match from in-kind revenues. Cash match waivers will allow in-kind substitutions of up to 100% of the cash match requirement for REDI designated counties. See subparagraph (5)(e)4. of this rule for further information on cash match waivers. In addition to the basic eligibility requirements detailed in subsection (5), the following proposal conditions are applicable: the application submitted is to fund a specific project, not international elements of existing programs; multiple applications from different organizations for the same general project at the same venue or facility are not appropriate; and the maximum amount requested cannot exceed $25,000.

(b) Application review, scoring, and funding recommendations. Applications will be evaluated by a multidisciplinary review panel based on (i) Artistic Excellence of the Project; (ii) Sustainability of the Project; and (iii) Program Management for the Project, including planning and evaluation procedures. The maximum total average score is 100 and a minimum average score of 85 is required to be considered for funding. Funding recommendations will be made by the panel based on evaluation of all proposals and anticipated funding for the program. A minimum average score of 85 will not guarantee funding, if available funding will not allow. Application review, scoring, and funding recommendations. Applications will be evaluated by a multidisciplinary review panel according to the following criteria: Artistic and Cultural Merit (up to 50 points); Public Impact (up to 30 points); and Program Management (up to 20 points). The maximum total score is 100 and a minimum average score of 75 must be achieved to be considered for funding. Funding recommendations will be made by the panel in consideration of the overall group of applications, the relative merits of each proposal, and the anticipated funds available for the program. The panel is not required to fund all proposals that achieve the minimum average score of 75.

(14) through (20) No change.

Specific Authority 255.043(4), 265.284(5)(d), 265.285(1)(c), 265.286(1), (6), 265.2861(2)(b), (f), 265.2865(6), 265.605(1), 265.608(1), 265.609(1), (4), 265.701(5), 265.702(8) FS. Law Implemented 215.97, 255.043, 265.284, 265.285, 265.286, 265.2861, 265.2865, 265.601-.603, 265.605-.607, 265.608, 265.609, 265.701, 265.702, 286.011, 286.012, 286.25, 288.0656, 288.06561 FS. History–New 11-23-82, Formerly 1T-1.01, Amended 10-1-96, 2-2-97, 6-2-97, 7-17-97, 9-10-97, 1-4-98, 7-26-98, 8-2-98, 10-5-98, 10-25-98, 8-17-99, 8-1-02, 12-29-02, 10-14-03 (17), 10-14-03 (20), 11-16-03, 2-5-05, 5-16-05, 6-21-05, 12-20-05, 5-22-06, 6-5-06, 6-27-07, 8-20-07, 9-16-07,_________.

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Morgan Lewis, Division of Cultural Affairs

NAME OF SUPERVISOR OR PERSON WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Sandy Shaughnessy, Director, Division of Cultural Affairs

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: September 13, 2007

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT NOTICE PUBLISHED IN FAW: October 12, 2007