Arena Stage has been gathering input on the development of the guidelines and is in the process of drafting them at present. While we are working on those, here’s a look at the essential criteria which are likely to play a part in them.
The selections will have to meet the criteria of the NEA for artistic excellence and artistic merit. So you may want to familiarize yourself with those criteria if you are not in the habit of applying for NEA support. The details are found at www.nea.gov/grants/apply/GAP09/ApplicationReview.html >.
The Arena proposal committed to aiming for a
pool of projects that displayed the following properties:
- Geographic, cultural, and aesthetic diversity
It is our hope that the selected projects reveal the depth and breadth of aesthetic and cultural diversity at work in the American theater today.
- A range of proposed processes for developing new work
It is our hope that the selected projects will reveal the vibrancy and diversity of approaches to new play development at work in the country. Whatever the process you anticipate for the development life of the proposed work, be sure it is fully articulated in the application.
- An organic relationship between the proposed process and the proposed project
The selected projects will very likely demonstrate a plan for the process of the play’s development that is fully integrated with the desired outcome of the work. So you will want to be thinking about how the design of the development path effectively supports the working process of the playwright and is tailored to the specific project you are all at work on.
- The capacity, within each organization, to design and produce a quality experience along the development path articulated in the application
The selected organizations will very likely demonstrate a record of excellence in developing work in the manner proposed in the application. We take seriously the NEA’s stated goal of documenting and promoting best practice in new play development through this initiative, and so it is likely that a demonstrated history of effectiveness with the type of work proposed will be an important criteria for the panel. In other words, lead with your best foot here, and focus on what you do well. If you are applying for something you’ve never done before, you’ll want to make the case for this as the right project, the right moment, and the right step for both the playwright and the institution.
- An organic relationship between the development process and the goals of audience engagement which are central to the Endowment’s mission
Just as you’ll want to convey the intrinsic relationship between the project and its proposed development process, you’ll want to be able to articulate the relationship of the audience to the development process of this particular artist and project. There are many different approaches to involving the audience in new play development and there is no ‘right answer’ to audience engagement. Make certain the approach you are planning is one designed to advance the effectiveness of the development process for the playwright and the project.
- A commitment to documenting the process and engaging the purpose of the NPDP to disseminate learning about effective practices in new play development
It is a major commitment of the Endowment, and therefore of Arena Stage, that this entire project help develop a deeper understanding of how new plays are being created in this country and what practices are most effective in support of writers and plays. So, you will want to articulate your own commitment to participating in this effort to document and disseminate the learning that accompanies the development path of your proposed new work. You don’t have to anticipate the ways in which you will participate but you will be required to commit to full participation as a condition of receiving this support. So, it is likely that the selected projects will make an effective case for how this aspect of the NPDP opportunity relates to and enhances their own interest in participating in the program.
Many organizations are already well down the road in terms of planning a proposal directly to the NEA for new play development as part of other funding opportunities in the Theater Program. Others have received NEA support already for the development process of a play they’d like to submit for consideration in our selection process. So the question will naturally come up “Can we apply for support directly from the NEA and for support from the New Play Development Project administered by Arena Stage for the same play? Here’s the deal:
You cannot apply to both programs for support of the same expenses of a single project. And you cannot use the NPDP money as part of a matching requirement for another NEA grant. But, if your development path has multiple steps with discrete expenses and you are supporting one set of activities with NEA money and propose a different set of activities for support from the NPDP funds, you’ll be eligible.
Again, more will be clear once the guidelines are complete, but if you want to start thinking about which project you’ll be submitting to this new program, keep in mind the rules around funding the same set of expenses twice or matching NEA grants with other NEA dollars.
At present, all projects selected for support through the NPDP will be required to match the dollar amounts 1 to 1. At the Humana Festival it was discussed that this requirement could be onerous for smaller organizations and, in many cases, a selection as one of the Outstanding New Plays could force the smaller companies into a situation where they are matching an amount that is bigger than their budget for the premiere.
We are exploring possible solutions to this particular challenge with the NEA. Stay tuned here and on the blog for more discussion and news about the results of the effort.
For questions or more information,
e-mail npdpinfo@arenastage.org.
