New York State Council on the Arts makes annual announcement about The Musical Instrument Revolving Loan Fund (MIRF), a program designed to make high quality musical instruments available to nonprofit music organizations and member musicians to help stimulate the artistic growth of musicians. The announcement includes eligibility requirement as well as the application procedure.
For more information about this program, read the full announcement below.
MUSICAL INSTRUMENT REVOLVING LOAN FUND
The Musical Instrument Revolving Loan Fund (MIRF) is a low-interest loan program designed to stimulate the artistic growth of musicians and ensembles by making high quality musical instruments available to nonprofit music organizations and member musicians. Financed directly by the New York State Legislature and administered by NYSCA, the project makes loans for instruments to eligible nonprofit organizations at an annual finance charge of 3% over a period of up to eight years. Only organizations already funded by NYSCA may apply. Individuals may not apply.
These are the eligibility requirements. The applicant organization:
• Must have received funding from NYSCA for at least three consecutive years prior to the application for MIRF.
• Is of high professional caliber and has as its sole purpose the creation, production, and performance of musical events; or, in the case of organization not primarily involved in music (for example, an arts center, multi-media organization, arts council, museum, other cultural organization) has a proven track record of musical performances undertaken on a year-round basis;
• Has a year-round administrator;
• Has an active Board of Directors; and
• Has a proven track record of fiscal stability.
• If the applicant is a music presenter, it must have an ongoing series of at least a dozen musical events annually.
Examples of requests to the MIRF are (but are not limited to):
• An orchestra seeking to purchase a harp, percussion instrument (s) and carrying case for same;
• A music presenter in need of a piano or percussion or electronic musical instrument.
An organization may apply for up to the entire cost of the instrument; a down payment is desirable but not essential.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE:
The applicant organization sends a letter signed by an officer of the board, specifying the particular instrument(s) to be acquired and, if appropriate, for which musician (s); the cost of the instrument(s); where the purchase is being made; and what sort of insurance would be provided. Most importantly, the applicant must describe how the instrument(s) would benefit the ensemble and/or the player(s). After receipt and examination of applicant letters and materials, the NYSCA Music Program staff and advisory panel will review each request and make a recommendation to the Council for a final decision. Additional background information that might be helpful to the panel would be welcome. Please keep materials as brief and clear as possible.
Applications and inquiries should be addressed to:
New York State Council on the Arts
175 Varick Street
New York, NY 10014-4604
Attention: Music Program
APPLICATION DEADLINE IS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2009.
Loan recipients will be notified in January, 2010. Loan notification will be made by NYSCA; contracts and purchases will be issued through the Theatre Development Fund, Inc.
INDIVIDUALS MAY NOT APPLY. THEY MUST APPLY THROUGH THE NONPROFIT CORPORATION OF WHICH THEY ARE A MEMBER.
PLEASE NOTIFY ALL MEMBERS OF YOUR NYSCA-FUNDED ENSEMBLE ABOUT THIS OFFER.
