Excellence:

• The mission statement is straight-forward, clear describes and programs/activities fully support the mission.
• Goals and objectives are aspirational, appropriate and in service of the mission.
• There did not appear to be specific activities listed but some of the objectives functioned in dual manner (i.e., “create development plan” was one of the bulleted objectives listed under the Goal: Implement Strategic Plan).
• Consider adding quantitative targets and stretch targets to help the organization set baselines for assessment data collection that should yield usable information that can be analyzed to prescribe corrective actions, and/or establish new benchmarks, goals, objectives and activities.
• Clearly describes partnerships and collaborations
• Confident in the ability of the organization to carry out the proposed programs
• Confident in the applicant’s ability to sustain the program after the funding cycle concludes.

Impact:

• Attributes one line to economic impact from AFTA’s economic prosperity calculator, our organizational and audience expenditures have a combined economic impact of over $1,100,000, including 37 FTE jobs and $60,000 in local and state tax revenues. The scope and significance of this creative economy ROI could be expanding if the full American’s for the Arts, Arts & Economic Prosperity 5 report (that includes statistical data, testimonials, case studies) was used.
• Provides significant cultural services and opportunities to the community
• The marketing and promotion plan is appropriate and effective.
• The educational outreach activities (Locust talks, ARTS AMPLIFIED, LAB + LAB MFA, artist-led Locust roundtables, etc.) serves broad populations and benefit an appropriate number of individuals (creatives, community members, visitors, cultural tourists, etc.).

Management:

• Very confident in the ability of the organizations fiscal well-being and the ability of applicant to carry out project/programing during the grant cycle and sustain successful programming and the grant funding expires (e.g., the Operating budget has quadrupled and membership has risen 800% since 2009)
• Does not clearly articulate a traditional evaluation plan (but have very minimal concerns about organizations fiscal well-being or project/programing sustainability)

Accessibility:

• Appears to meet ADA accessibility criteria (504 Self Eval, compliance staff person, etc.)

Excellence: Strong synopsis and mission. Smart to focus on leveraging 20th anniversary and impressed to see focus on administrative efficiency. Can strengthen this section with how statements (ie. expand programming into the community by engaging new neighbors X, Y, Z.) Given that goal, I would expect to see your partnership section grow in the future.

Impact: Public art projects greatly extend your impact. Economic impact section is strong. Contradictory information on ARTS AMPLIFIED (4 times per year or 6?). Nice to see past topics listed under Locust Roundtables. Under marketing, what physical piece do you produce?

Management: Very strong fiscal condition. Quadrupled operating budget since 2009, strong fundraising efforts, and an 800% membership increase since 2009. Any debt or long term liabilities?

Accessibility: Great to see participation in LEAD conference. Do you have plans to address other kinds of physical or intellectual disabilities in the future?

Big fan of this org, as someone who used to work there! keeping focus on support for artists and experimental work - building on important track record. Missing Locust Talks program.