FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
 

(If you have a question that you think belongs on the FAQ page, contact the Division of the Arts.)

What is the Delaware Division of the Arts?

The Delaware Division of the Arts (DDOA), a branch of the Delaware Department of State, is dedicated to promoting and developing the arts throughout the state. Together with its advisory body, the Delaware State Arts Council (DSAC), the Division administers grants and programs that support arts programming, educate  the public, increase awareness of the arts, and integrate the arts into all facets of Delaware life.

Where does the Delaware Division of the Arts get its money?

The Division of the Arts receives annual appropriations from the Delaware State Legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) for grants and fellowship programs, and for administrative costs. In addition, the Division may accept donations from foundations, businesses, individuals, and others.

Who can apply for a grant?

The following are eligible to apply for grants from the Delaware Division of the Arts: arts organizations, community-based organizations (including government agencies), schools, and individual artists. Organizations must be non-profit, and incorporated and based in Delaware. Individuals must be Delaware residents and at least 18 years of age.

What is involved in getting a grant?

Grants are completed by eligible applicants. Division staff are available for assistance and to answer questions regarding the applications.

The receipt of all applications is recorded. A Division staff member checks applications for completeness, and copies of the application are sent to members of the grant review panel or appropriate staff members (in the case of Opportunity Grants). The Division reserves the right to request additional financial or organizational information as needed. To further evaluate the quality of an organization's programs, Division staff, members of the Delaware State Arts Council, grant panelists, or program evaluators may also visit the applicants and attend their events.

For Opportunity Grants, appropriate staff members review the application with the Division director and make funding recommendations. For all other grant categories, grant review panels meet to discuss the merits of the applications and rank each application utilizing a scoring system based on the criteria listed for the particular grant. Applications, panel comments, and a funding formula that incorporates the panel rankings, the organizations' budgets, and funding histories are then forwarded to the Council for review.

Calculated funding amounts are reviewed and voted upon by the full Council in June. Although panel rankings are important, the Council is responsible for making all final funding recommendations. Applicants are notified of final funding decisions after July 1, following the Council funding meeting and passage of the state budget.

Grant review panels and meetings of the Council are open to the public. Information on the locations and times of panel and Council meetings is posted in advance and is available from the Division office and the Division web site.

What is the Division's funding deadline?

Applications must be postmarked by the deadline date or hand-delivered to the Division office no later than 4:30 p.m. on the deadline date. Late or incomplete applications or applications submitted via fax or e-mail will not be accepted.

March 1

• General Operating Support
• Technical Assistance
• Delaware Arts Stabilization Fund
• Education Resource Grants
• Education Partnership Grants
• Project Support

August 1

• Individual Artist Fellowships

Artist Residency Application Deadlines

Artist Residency Application forms are accepted on an ongoing basis. Applications should be submitted at least six weeks before the proposed project or activity.

Opportunity Grant Application Deadlines

Opportunity Grants are available to artists and organizations six times during the year. Applications must be received in the Division office no later than 4:30 p.m. on the following dates:

• The first Monday of February, April, June, August, October, and December.

How can I get grant applications and guidelines?

The Division's grants available on line. Click here.

How do I link to the Division of the Arts web site from my own web site?

Any artist (and any website) can link to the Division's website by creating a link to http://www.artsdel.org

For example, you may create a Link to the Delaware Division of the Arts Site by putting this code into your web page:

<a href="http://www.artsdel.org" target="_blank">Link to the Delaware Division of the Arts Site</a>

As a contractual obligation, all arts organizations receiving funding from the Division of the Arts that have World Wide Web sites shall electronically link their sites to the Division's site utilizing the following credit:

"This program is made possible, in part, by grants from the Delaware Division of the Arts, a state agency committed to promoting and supporting the arts in Delaware, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts."

Note: The grant recipient shall place a hyperlink on the words "Delaware Division of the Arts", creating an electronic link to the Division web site (http://www.artsdel.org).

A Delaware Division of the Arts logo may be downloaded for use by grantees in print or electronic publications at www.artsdel.org/logos.shtml. Use of this logo is reserved explicitly for recipients of Delaware Division of the Arts grants. Use of this logo other than in conjunction with Division-sponsored activities is strictly prohibited.

How do I get a link to my web site included on the Division's web site?

Organizations producing art and providing services to the arts may have a link to their Web site from ours contacting the Division or by completing the mailing list questionnaire with a request to include your site with our links.

Where are the Division of the Arts offices located?

Our main office is located on the fourth floor of the Carvel State Office Building, 820 N. French Street, Wilmington (at  the corner of 9th and French streets). For a map and directions, visit MapQuest.com. This office is open from 8: 00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday – Friday.

We also have a Dover office at the Division of Libraries, Edgehill Shopping Center on Route 13. For a map and directions, visit MapQuest.com. This office is open by appointment. Call 302-577-8278 or 302-739-4748 (ext. 181 or 182) to set up an appointment.

Where can I direct my questions and comments about the Divions's services, information, events and website?

The Delaware Division of the Arts welcomes any and all questions, comments and feedback regarding the Division's services, information, events and website by means of our feedback form; which can be found here.