Jazz Touring Network

BACKGROUND
Jazz has a particularly rich history and thriving presence in the mid-Atlantic region, especially in
the major urban centers of Baltimore, New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Washington, D.C.
The culture and context for the presentation of jazz have evolved in recent years as the number
of commercial jazz venues has declined, and jazz artists have been turning to nonprofit
presenting organizations to sustain their ability to tour. To facilitate this shift in the touring
environment and to bring jazz to new audiences across the region, especially outside of its major
metropolitan areas, Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation (“MAAF”) created the Jazz Touring Network
(“JTN”).

The JTN was established in 2001 to expand the presentation of jazz throughout the mid-Atlantic
region. The underlying premise of the program is that by supporting nonprofit presenting
organizations through professional development, experiential learning, and fostering collaborative
relationships, JTN participants will acquire the skills and connections necessary to present jazz
regularly and successfully at their own venues as well as across the region. Since its founding, 40
presenting organizations have participated in the program receiving performance fee subsidies
for jazz engagements and support to attend annual network meetings that further provide
opportunities for professional development and peer interaction. A list of the current JTN
membership can be found on the MAAF website at www.midatlanticarts.org.

The JTN is made possible through the generous support of the National Endowment for the Arts’
Regional Touring Program.

PROGRAM GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

The primary objective of the JTN is to increase the number of nonprofit venues in the mid-Atlantic
region that present jazz on a regular basis, particularly in communities underserved by the arts
(defined for the purposes of this program as populations whose opportunities to experience the
arts are limited by geography, ethnicity, age, economics, or disability).

The goals of the program are:

 for presenters to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to program jazz effectively
at their organizations,
 to establish an active, functional network of jazz presenters within the mid-Atlantic region,
 to increase touring of exemplary jazz artists to venues of program participants as well as
those of experienced jazz presenters in the region.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The JTN is a presenter-based membership program that provides support for professional
development opportunities and performance fee subsidies for its participants. New members are
selected on an annual basis through an open, competitive selection process. The focus is on
performing arts presenters from within the mid-Atlantic region that have had limited experience
presenting jazz and that also work with communities underserved by the arts. Once selected,
membership in the program is ongoing, contingent upon meeting annual participation
requirements.

Network Meetings
Annual meetings are the primary vehicles used for professional development, peer mentoring,
facilitating collaboration, and building and sustaining relationships among the membership.
Currently, JTN meetings are scheduled to coincide with the annual Association of Performing Arts
Presenters conference in January in New York City. Meetings include workshops and
presentations by experts in their respective fields on subjects relevant to the presentation of jazz,
including: audience development, booking, corporate sponsorship, jazz programming and

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aesthetics, marketing and promotion, and technology. All professional development sessions are
offered free-of-charge. To maintain membership in the network, JTN participants are required to
attend the annual meeting in its entirety.

Performance Fee Subsidies

To foster the presentation of exemplary jazz artists across the region, MAAF provides
performance fee subsidies to JTN members for engagements that are part of block-booked tours
comprising other JTN members and may, on occasion, also include presenters from outside the
network. Presenters outside the network do not receive fee subsidies from MAAF. Funded
engagements must include at least one public performance.

Members of the network collaboratively develop JTN tours. American and international
professional jazz artists are eligible for consideration for touring through the network. Tours must
consist of a minimum of three presenters from, at least, two different jurisdictions within the mid-
Atlantic region. If the number of proposed tours exceeds available funds in any given year, priority
is given to those tours that exceed the minimum requirements for eligibility. To maintain
membership in the network, JTN participants must participate in, at least, one network block-
booked tour per year.

FINANCIAL SUPPORT
The following financial support is available to members of the network:

 Travel expenses relating to attendance at the annual network meeting are reimbursed by
MAAF.
 Performance fee subsidies (toward artist fees and travel-related expenses) are provided
for engagements meeting touring eligibility requirements on a two-tiered basis as
follows:
o Presenting organizations entering the JTN for the first time are eligible for
support of up to two engagements per year at 30% of performance fee not to
exceed $5,000 per engagement, with up to five engagements total over their
initial three years in the program.
o Thereafter, JTN members are annually eligible for up to $2,500 in fee subsidies
not to exceed 30% of the fee for any given engagement.
 An additional ten percent of fee subsidy, not to exceed $1,000, is provided to JTN
members who program community engagement activities in addition to performances,
such as residencies, master classes, lecture demonstrations, moderated pre- or post-
performance discussions, exhibitions, etc., which provide the public with greater
appreciation for the work of jazz artists.
 JTN members who act as “lead” presenters in developing tours receive an additional
$100 for each network colleague participating in a tour.

ELIGIBILITY
Only organizations that present the performing arts are eligible to apply to the JTN. For the
purposes of this program, MAAF defines a presenter as an organization that selects, engages,
and pays touring artists for public performances at their venues and within their communities.
Presenters manage all local arrangements for the performance (providing space, local technical
support, marketing and promotion) and facilitate the interaction between artists and audiences.

Eligible applicants must:

 be a legally incorporated nonprofit organization with 501(c)(3) status as determined by
the Internal Revenue Service, or a local or state unit of government;
 be located in Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York,
Pennsylvania, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Virginia, or West Virginia;

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 have at least a three-year continuous history of offering multiple presentations each year
to the general public by touring performing artists;
 primarily serve and market to the general public;
 have an annual operating budget of $100,000 or above;
 be experienced in presenting other performing arts disciplines, but have significantly
less experience presenting jazz;
 have the capacity to present jazz artists in performance and in community engagement
activities, including access to the minimal technical and equipment requirements included
in a jazz contract (such as a grand piano, drum kit, and amplification); and
 be in good standing with MAAF and not be delinquent in any of its reporting
requirements.

Under these guidelines applicants cannot:

 be commercial, for-profit entities; or
 primarily serve and market to K-12 schools, young people’s audiences, summer camps,
nursing homes, senior centers, healthcare facilities, social service agencies, or solely
student-based college or university programs;

APPLICATION REVIEW CRITERIA

Applications will be evaluated based on the following criteria (these criteria are neither ranked nor
given specific weights):
 Artistic excellence as represented by quality of presenting activity over the past three
years,
 Limited experience presenting jazz as represented by presenting activity over the past
three years,
 Capacity to implement and sustain high-quality jazz presenting as represented by
organization’s available financial, human, and physical resources,
 Commitment of organization to JTN as evidenced by the individual selected to serve as
their representative to the network,
 Potential to reach communities underserved by the arts, as defined in these guidelines.

APPLICATION DEADLINES AND NOTIFICATION DATE

JTN applications must be received by MAAF on or before the deadline listed in these guidelines
at the address listed below:

Jazz Touring Network

Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation
201 N. Charles Street, Suite 401
Baltimore, MD 21201

Or via electronic transmission to Christopher Zimmerman, Program Officer, Jazz at

christopher@midatlanticarts.org.

Application Deadline: September 15, 2015

Please note this is a receipt deadline, not a postmark deadline. Applications received after
the application deadline will not be considered for review.

Notification Date: October 15, 2015

Questions concerning the JTN should be directed to Christopher Zimmerman, Program Officer,
Jazz at christopher@midatlanticarts.org or 410-539-6656, x116.

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APPLICATION PROCEDURE
To assist the review process, it is important to adhere carefully to the instructions below, including
presentation of materials in the order specified.

1. Presenter Application Form signed by the authorizing official of the organization.

2. Application Narrative (four-page maximum). Each page should be numbered and

include the applicant’s name as the heading of each page. Applicants must use the
lettered headings as referenced in the list below and address all of the following
questions:

a. Provide a brief history of the organization and its mission. Include information
about the community in which the organization resides and the constituency that
comprises its audience.
b. Describe your venue(s) for presenting the performing arts. Please include venue
type (auditorium, black box, open air, other), stage size, and seating capacity.
c. Describe why it is important for the organization to begin or increase
programming jazz, and how it relates to the overall presenting goals of the
organization. Include information on program personnel and artist selection
process.
d. Describe if there are other entities, such as: presenters, clubs, restaurants,
commercial venues, or other nonprofit venues that currently present jazz on a
regular basis in your community.
e. Describe how membership in the JTN will facilitate reaching the organization’s
goals for programming jazz.

3. Biography of Proposed JTN Representative (not to exceed one page).

4. Job Description on file with the organization for position of individual proposed as JTN
representative.

5. List of performing artists/companies presented by the organization over the past two
years and scheduled for the current season listed in chronological order and including the
dates of engagements. The list should not include engagements programmed by other
organizations or rentals.

6. Three-Year Budget Summary Form. Budget information submitted in any other

format will not be accepted for consideration.

In addition, include the following information with your application:

7. The Statistical Information Sheet

8. Your most recent season brochure and/or two examples of other recent promotional
material.

9. A letter on organizational letterhead signed by an authorizing official confirming the

applicant’s status as a unit of government, if applicable.

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PRESENTER APPLICATION FORM

APPLICANT INFORMATION

Legal Name of Applicant      

AKA, if applicable

Federal Tax Identification Number    -       DUNS Number   -   -    

Applicant Address      

Applicant City Applicant State    Applicant Zip Code +4       -      (See http://zip4.usps.com)

Contact Person and Title      

Phone     -     -      Fax     -     -     

Website       Email      

Designated JTN Representative Name and Title       Email      

CERTIFICATION

I certify that this organization meets all the eligibility requirements and that all information contained in this application is
accurate based on data available at the time of the application.

By signing this application, I certify that I have been duly authorized by the governing body of the applicant and have the
authority to execute this application on behalf of the applicant. I further certify, that the applicant nor any of its principals is
presently debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, declared ineligible, or voluntarily excluded from participation in
Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation’s programs by any federal department or agency, nor is delinquent in the repayment of any
federal debt.

Typed Name and Title of Organization’s Authorizing Official      

Address of Authorizing Official      

Signature

Date      

THREE-YEAR BUDGET SUMMARY

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INSTRUCTIONS
If applying as an entity within a larger organization, such as a college or university, or as a unit of
state or local government, the information should represent only the appropriate departmental or
arts programming budget.

Indicate the term of your fiscal year: Start Date:       End Date:      
(month/day) (month/day)

Please list your annual operating budget for your current and past two fiscal years.

Year:      Year:      Current Year:     

BUDGET Actual Actual Projected

INCOME                  

EXPENSES                  

SURPLUS/(DEFICIT)                  

If your organization experienced an annual operating deficit in the past two years or is anticipating
a deficit for the current fiscal year, include a brief statement explaining the reason(s) for the
deficit(s), and how the deficit was or will be addressed. (Maximum 750 characters)

     

Please indicate if your organization currently has an accumulated deficit, Yes No

If yes, indicate the amount of deficit, and summarize plan(s) to address the deficit. (Maximum 750
characters)

     

Range of fees paid per performing arts engagement in the past three years: $       to $      

Total performing arts presenting budget for the 2014-2015 season: $      
APPLICATION CHECKLIST

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Please go over the following checklist carefully prior to sending your application to ensure
that it is complete.

Provide two copies of the materials listed below, collated in the order listed and without staples.

Signed Presenter Application Form

Application Narrative
Biography of proposed JTN representative
Job Description of proposed JTN representative
List of three-year presenting history
Three-Year Budget Summary Sheet

Provide following.

Statistical Information Sheet

Letter on organizational letterhead signed by an authorizing official confirming the applicant’s
status as a unit of government, if applicable
Current and past year’s season brochure and/or two examples of other recent promotional
material.

STATISTICAL INFORMATION
Legal Name of Applicant      

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Information requested on this page is for statistical purposes only and will have no bearing on
grant-making decisions.

To answer this section, please consult the “National Data Standard Codes” listing at the end of
this application.

Enter the appropriate numerical codes as they apply to your organization or project:

     
_____ Organization Status

     
_____ Organization Institution

     
_____ Organization Discipline

     
_____ Project Discipline

RACIAL CHARACTERISTICS
Using the chart below, check the ONE box that best represents 50% or more of the racial
make-up of your organization’s staff, or board, or membership.

Staff Board Membership

A. Asian
B. Black/African American
N. American Indian/Alaska Native
H. Hispanic/Latino
P. Native American/Pacific Islander
W. White
99. No Single Group

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NATIONAL DATA STANDARD CODES
STATUS 40 Government-Legislative House 07 Crafts
Which category best describes your 41 Government-Legislative Senate A Clay
organization’s legal status? 42 Media-Periodical B Fiber
43 Media-Daily Newspaper C Glass-includes Neon
01 Individual 44 Media-Weekly Newspaper D Leather
02 Organization-Nonprofit 45 Media-Radio E Metal
03 Organization-Profit 46 Media-Television F Paper
04 Government-Federal 47 Cultural Series Organization G Plastic/plexiglass
05 Government-State 48 School of the Arts H Wood
06 Government-Regional 49 Arts Camp/Institute I Mixed Media
07 Government-County 50 Social Service Organization 08 Photography
08 Government-Municipal 51 Child Care Provider 09 Media Arts
99 None of the above 99 None of the above A Film
B Audio-Radio, Sound
INSTITUTION DISCIPLINE Installations
Which category best describes your Select the discipline that best describes C Video
organization? the D Technology/Experimental
primary area of work as applies to the 10 Literature
01 Individual Artist applicant A Fiction
02 Individual Non-Artist and/or project. B Non-fiction
03 Performing Group C Playwriting
04 Perf Group-College/University 01 Dance D Poetry
05 Perf Group-Community A Ballet 11 Interdisciplinary: Pertaining to
06 Perf Group for Youth B Ethnic/Jazz/Folk-Inspired art forms/works that integrate
07 Performance Facility C Modern more than one discipline to form
08 Museum-Art D New/Avant Garde a single work. Includes
09 Museum-Other 02 Music performance art.
10 Gallery/Exhibit Space A Band-not Jazz/Pop 12 Folklife/Traditional Arts:
11 Cinema B Chamber Pertaining to oral, customary,
12 Small Press C Choral material & performance traditions
13 Literary Magazine D New/Experimental/Electronic informally learned and transmitted
14 Fair/Festival E Ethnic/Folk Inspired in contexts characteristic of ethnic,
15 Arts Center F Jazz religious, linguistic, occupational,
16 Arts Council/Agency G Popular-includes Rock and/or regional groups.
17 Arts Service Org. H Solo/Recital A Folk/Traditional Dance
18 Union/Professional Org. I Orchestral/Symphonic B Folk/Traditional Music
19 School District 03 Opera/Music Theatre C Folk/Traditional Crafts/Visual
20 Parent-Teacher Organization A Opera Arts
21 Elementary School B Musical Theatre D Oral Traditions (include
22 Middle School 04Theatre storytelling)
23 Secondary School A General/Classical/Contemporary 13 Humanities
24 Vocational/Technical School B Mime 14 Multi-disciplinary: Pertaining to
25 Other School D Puppet Theatre two or more of the art disciplines
26 College/University E Theatre for Young Audiences above
27 Library F New/Avant Garde A Exclusively Performing Arts
28 Historical Society 05 Visual Arts B Exclusively Visual Arts
29 Humanities Council/Agency A Experimental/
30 Foundation B Graphics/Printmaking Book Arts
31 Corporation/Business D Painting
32 Community Service F Sculpture
Organization 06 Design Arts
33 Correctional Institution A Architecture
34 Health Care Facility B Fashion
35 Religious Organization C Graphic
36 Senior Citizens’ Center D Industrial
37 Parks and Recreation E Interior
38 Government-Executive F Landscape Architecture
39 Government-Judicial G Urban/Metropolitan

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