Chamber Music America Artistic Projects

Since its inception, Chamber Music America has defined chamber music as music for small ensembles between two and ten musicians, with one musician per part, generally without a conductor. This broad interpretation of chamber music includes many different styles—classical, contemporary, jazz, and folk, from Eastern, Western, Indigenous, Latin American, and African traditions—and encourages artists to find a home and a network of colleagues and collaborators in Chamber Music America.

Artistic Projects was created to offer opportunities for small ensembles and presenters, based in the five boroughs of New York City with operating budgets under $250,000, to bring their creative ideas to completion and to compensate artists appropriately for their work. The projects funded through this program will represent the artistic visions, concepts, and priorities of the applicants, regardless of musical genre or style. Projects may include performances, recordings, new compositions, and residencies among other artist-generated ideas. If the proposed project is interdisciplinary, small ensemble music must be at the centerpiece of the work and not serve as an accompaniment to another discipline.

Through the panel review process, CMA hopes to arrive at a final slate of grantees that is representative of the field in terms of race, gender and musical style. Learn more about CMA’s Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity.

All activities must take place within the boroughs of New York City between January 1, 2022 and
December 31, 2022. Applicants and their primary collaborators (if applicable: presenters, ensembles,
composers) may be part of only one Artistic Projects application per grant period.

FUNDING
The program will fund 100% of eligible expenses up to a maximum of $20,000 per grant. No matching
funds are required.
Eligible expenses:
• ensemble and guest artist(s) fees;
• ground transportation/cartage fees for the ensemble/guest artist(s)/instruments;
• concert or streaming production expenses;
• recording studio and sound engineer fees;
• equipment rental
• rehearsal/performance space rental;
• marketing/advertising specific to the project.
This program does not fund:
• faculty or administrative staff salaries;
• capacity building;
• fees to student musicians;
• master classes for music students;
• classes or workshops at music camps;
• private or fundraising event expenses;
• general operating, or other indirect costs.
The grant includes a complimentary CMA membership for the duration of the grant period.
Please Note: Grant funds are taxable income; grantees must comply with all applicable city, state, and
federal laws, ordinances, codes, and regulations regarding the reporting of grant funds.

Requirements

Applications may be submitted by ensembles or presenting organizations
An Ensemble
• must be based in one of the five boroughs of New York City*;
• must consist of 2-10 professional musicians including guest musician(s);
o student groups are not eligible;
o soloists with accompanists are not eligible;
• may perform any style of small ensemble music;
• must have an annual operating budget under $250,000;
• must not have any outstanding financial obligations to CMA;
• must not be a current grantee of the Howard Gilman Foundation.
Ensemble grantees must provide proof of New York City residency.
A Presenter
• must be based in one of the five boroughs of New York City;
• must be a 501©(3) organization or otherwise eligible for charitable contributions for federal
income, estate, and gift-tax purposes;
• may present any style of small ensemble music;
• must have an annual operating budget under $250,000;
Chamber Music America 2022 Artistic Projects Guidelines Page 2 of 6
• must apply with an ensemble whose annual budget is also under $250,000;
o ensemble must consist of 2-10 musicians including guest musician(s)
o ensemble may only appear on one presenter’s application
• must not have any outstanding financial obligations to CMA;
• must not be a current grantee of the Howard Gilman Foundation.
*Presenter grantees must provide proof of a New York City-based venue.

Application Instructions

CMA uses an online application system called Submittable; only applications received through this
platform will be accepted. Go to https://cma.submittable.com to create a free Submittable account or to
log in to an existing account.