Meet the Composer

Next deadline: Early 2011
The Cary New Music Performance Fund provides general operating support to professional music organizations and presenters in the five boroughs of New York City that operate with an annual over-all budget of $600,000 or less. The program welcomes organizations of all budget sizes within this parameter to apply; past recipient’s budgets have ranged from $14,000 to $555,000. Organizations most likely to be supported are those that demonstrate excellence in innovative programming and/or performances consisting primarily of new music by living composers, improvisers, sound artists or singer/songwriters working in any style or genre.

Meet The Composer recognizes that small, grass-roots or emerging organizations are an important part of the total arts community and have much to offer, but may have limited access to corporate and foundation support. These grants have enabled recipients to continue their commitment to new music by programming additional concerts, creating more energized and far-reaching publicity campaigns, and strengthening their commitment to creative artists.

Winning organizations are awarded a general operating grant ranging from $3,000 to $10,000. The funds can be used for any purpose that supports the mission of the organization and promotes new music and its creators.

This program is open to organizations focused primarily or exclusively on new music and living composers, improvisers, sound artists or singer/songwriters. For the purposes of this program, organizations may include ensembles, collectives, and non-commercial concert venues or promoters. There are no limits or restrictions on the style or genre of music performed or presented. 501c3 non-profit status is not required.

All organizations must meet the following criteria to be eligible for consideration:

• Based and working in one of the five boroughs of New York City
• In continuous operation for three or more years at the time of application
• At least three year’s history performing or producing events in New York City which feature music by living composers, improvisers, sound artists or singer/songwriters
• Average over-all annual budget of $600,000 or less over the last three years

For more information contact:
Scott Winship, Program Manager, ext. 102 or swinship@meetthecomposer.org
Lorna Krier, Program Assistant, ext. 110 or lkrier@meetthecomposer.org

• Download Guidelines and Application Instructions (2010 deadline has passed, for reference only)
• Final Reports: Please refer to these instructions for fulfilling your reporting requirements.
• Download the Meet The Composer Logo (suitable for print)

The Cary New Music Performance Fund has been made possible with a leadership grant from the Mary Flagler Cary Charitable Trust, and with major funding from the Booth Ferris Foundation.