GSA Alumna Stacey Sands with composer John Musto during her TAF-funded stay at Songfest 2011 at Pepperdine University.

Thanks to the generous support of Toytota Motor Manufacturing, The Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts Governor’s School for the Arts (GSA) is proud to offer GSA alumni the opportunity to apply for the Toyota Alumni Fund (TAF).

The goal of the fund is to support GSA alumni in their artistic development. This can include a professional development opportunity or creation and implementation of a project.

Read on to learn more! Click here to download the TAF guidelines and application.

Deadlines and Notification Dates
Spring Application Postmark Deadline: March 31, 2012. 5:00 p.m. EST
Spring Award Notification: May 2012

Fall Application Postmark Deadline: September 1, 2012 5:00 p.m. EST
Fall Award Notification: October 2012

Notifications will be received via post unless otherwise requested. All funds are distributed upon receipt of a signed contract from the grant recipient. All applicants will be notified of their award status.

Who is Eligible?

• Alumni of The Kentucky Center Governor’s School for the Arts. Individual and group applications are acceptable.
• Current TAF recipients must wait one year after receipt of their grant to reapply.
• Grantees may receive a TAF award a maximum of 3 times.

What is Funded?

• Costs associated with a training opportunity: tuition, printing, instructional fees, equipment, supplies, lodging, meals, travel, etc.
• Projects providing training opportunities for artists, e.g., a music training program for elementary aged students in a community, acting classes for adult actors, etc. Note: No more than 50% of your total budget can be devoted to artist fees.
• Costs associated with the development of an arts-based project: equipment, space rental, marketing, artist fees, etc. Note: No more than 50% of your total budget can be devoted to artist fees.
• Creation of marketing material to further promote the artist.

Awards (Maximum monies awarded per grant cycle is $ 5,000)

• Minimum award per applicant: $50
• Maximum award per applicant: $2,500
• Partial funding is at the discretion of the grant review panel.
• Applicants may apply for one grant per grant cycle.
• A final grant report is required within six months of the completion of the professional development/project. Failure to complete and submit the final report will render the applicant(s) ineligible to apply in the future.

What You Need to Submit

• Application Form (available at the link above). The form must be legible (preferably typed) and complete.
• A narrative maximum of 2 pages (this is in addition to the short description of the professional development/project in the body of the application).
  • Professional development/project goals.
  • A brief description of the professional development/project. Include how the professional development/project will further your development as an artist. Please note in this narrative if your proposal relies upon acceptance to a program.
• A comprehensive budget. �
  • List all costs associates with the project. If this project is associated with the development of an arts-based project, please include any projected revenue, e.g., ticket sales, fees collected, etc.
  • State if the ability to participate in the professional development/project is dependent on additional funds, the amount of those funds and if you have identified an additional funding source. Please list the additional sources by name and the additional amount already secured.
  • Include any matching fund requirements.
• Artist(s) Bio(s)/Resume(s) that clearly reflects potential in the art form.
• 2-4 samples of work in the art form, completed within the past 3 years that are pertinent to the project described in the application, e.g., digital images, photos, CD’s, demo tapes, manuscripts or manuscript samples no longer than 10 pages, DVD’s, etc.
• 1 Letter of Recommendation specific to your TAF application.

Questions? Call 502-562-0147.