JFLA MINI GRANT FOR JAPANESE ARTS & CULTURE PROGRAM    

Overview

This grant aims to support projects that will enhance further understanding of Japanese arts and culture. Successful candidates may be granted up to $5,000 (average $1000-$2000). The Japan Foundation Los Angeles handles Arts and Culture grants for the 13 states west of the Rocky Mountains. These include Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

The Japan Foundation New York handles applications for the remaining states that are east of the Rocky Mountains along with Japanese Studies Grants. Please visit New York office website for additional information.

  

Eligibility Requirements

  1.  The applicant must be designated by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit
       organization. 

  2.  Applications can be accepted only for projects that take place within the 13 states west of the Rocky
       Mountains. For projects to be held in the other 37 states, please contact the JFNY.

  3.  The purpose of the applicant’s project must be to nurture further understanding of Japanese arts and
       culture, or to produce U. S.-Japan collaborative projects through performing arts, exhibitions, film
       screenings, lectures, and / or symposia.

  4.  For organizations that have continually received support from the same program for the past three
       fiscal years, our policy is not to provide grants for a fourth consecutive fiscal year, unless the Japan
       Foundation believes there is a compelling reason for them to continue receiving such support.

 

Ineligibility

  1.  Applicants who have already received funding from other Japan Foundation grants for the same
       project

  2.  Organizations that have already received a JFLA grant in the last fiscal year have a lower priority than
       organizations who have not received a grant from us this year.

  3.  Language education programs

  4.  Medical, Technical, and Scientific projects

  5.  Political activities, religious activities, social welfare activities, fundraising and charity activities, and
       commercial activities

  6.  Projects with effects that are restricted to exchanges between specific groups/individuals

 

Grant Coverage

The following expenses are ELIGIBLE for support by a JFLA mini grant:

  1.  Expenses for inviting artists/lecturers to the proposed program (ex. honoraria, per diem, transportation, and accommodation)

  2.  Expenses for facilities (ex. rental fee for venue, equipment rental, service fee for tech support)

  3.  Publicity fees (ex. printing cost for handouts, flyers, and posters)

  4.  Shipping cost of films, exhibits, and other materials necessary for the proposed project

 

Unsupported Costs

The following expenses are NOT ELIGIBLE for support by a JFLA mini grant: 

  1.  Indirect costs that are not directly essential to carrying out the application's specific project

  2.  Administrative costs, office management costs, regular operating costs of programs, and salaries of current staff

  3.  Rental fees for facilities owned by the applying organization or group that would otherwise be used long-term

  4.  Costs to purchase tools that may be used on an ongoing basis, such as computers, PC supplies, office supplies, or furniture

  5.  Cost of production of artworks

  6.  International airfare exceeding the estimated fare for the shortest route from the city of boarding to the destination using economy class   

 

Review Criteria

  1.  Strength of educational and community activities

  2.  Capacity to provide future continuity

  3.  Organizational ability to carry through with the project

  4.  Balanced budget estimate

  5.  Accessibility by a diverse audience

In addition to the above-mentioned criteria, projects related to the arts will be judged according to the following:

  1.  Artistic quality of project (as demonstrated by the work samples submitted and the artists’ record of
       professional achievement)

  2.  Expected impact on the audience and the U.S. arts scene

   

The Application

Applicants must send the following materials in PDF format:

  1.  Completed application form
           Download Mini Grant Application Form (Word)

  2.  Proof of non-profit status, such as letter of notification by IRS (501(c)(3))

  3.  Biographies of principal applicants

  4.  The most recent annual report of applicant

  5.  Any relevant materials that you wish to include in the application (audiovisual data can be submitted as a YouTube link or attached as an MP4.

Please submit the application package to JFLACulture@jpf.go.jp

*Subject line must be "Application JFLA Mini Grant (APPLICANT NAME)"   

 

Review Procedure

Applications must be received by JFLA at least three months prior to the beginning date of the project. If you are not contacted by JFLA within three weeks after your submission, please follow up by email. JFLA will contact you if there is a need for clarification about your application or if we require additional information.

In the case that you are awarded a JFLA Mini Grant, the grant will be paid in the form of reimbursement for the approved expenditures. The reimbursement will be remitted upon receipt of the final report and proofs of payment.

For complete details regarding the grant, please read the Mini Grant Guideline (PDF).

 

Contact

To contact The Japan Foundation, Los Angeles, Mini Grant team, send an email to JFLACulture@jpf.go.jp. Please note that while JFLA will provide general guidance about the mini grant procedure, we cannot comment or advise on the contents of an application.