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NYC Department of Cultural Affairs

nomination@culture.nyc.gov

CDF Panelist Nomination Form

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Cultural Development Fund Open Call for Panelists

The Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) is currently inviting submissions for paid panelists to evaluate FY25 grant applications on behalf of the Cultural Development Fund (CDF).  CDF grants are awarded through an open and competitive application process to eligible nonprofit organizations throughout the five boroughs. Organizations request programmatic support from DCLA for cultural activities in New York City that cover a broad range of arts disciplines and provide cultural experiences for the City's residents and visitors. You can find the most recent CDF criteria for applicant eligibility at this link: https://www.nyc.gov/assets/dcla/downloads/pdf/cdf_guidelines_annual.pdf.

DCLA strives to maintain a high level of integrity and impartiality in its decision-making processes. To ensure an inclusive perspective, DCLA encourages submissions for peer panelists who represent the diversity of New York City’s arts ecosystem with respect to race, ethnicity, disability, age, gender, and sexuality. DCLA considers a variety of factors when compiling each panel and may not be able to utilize the services of all qualified nominees.

Self-identifying demographic and other information is intended for DCLA’s post-panel evaluation process and will not be used to determine panelist eligibility or qualification. All identifying information submitted will be held confidential.

Prospective panelists should have demonstrated expertise in and knowledge of the nonprofit arts and cultural landscape of New York City. See the Requirements section below for details regarding expectations and compensation.

DCLA accepts CDF panelist submissions on a rolling basis; and we are now in the process of confirming panelists to review Fiscal Year 2025 applications.  Panels are expected to take place virtually during the spring and early summer of 2024. Panelists will independently review and score approximately 20 applications and then attend a virtual panel meeting day.

If you are interested in serving on a panel, please follow the instructions below. If you would like to nominate someone other than yourself, please send them the link to this form. Please do not submit this form more than once.

A complete submission consists of two parts:

  • The digital submission form below
  • Upload of a current resume

Panelist Submission Form

Contact Information

We envision the FY25 CDF panels will take place from May – August 2024. Please check the months you are available for panel service below.

How did you hear about this opportunity? (select all that apply)

Relevant Expertise

Select the broad discipline(s) in which you have 1-3 years of professional experience. (Note that for this and the following questions, responses may be based on participation in and/or administration of programs within the indicated areas. Experience may include both paid and volunteer work.) (Select all that apply.)

Select the broad discipline(s) in which you have more than 3 years of professional experience. (Select all that apply.)

Select the artistic discipline(s) in which you have 1-3 years of professional experience. (Select all that apply.)

Select the artistic discipline(s) in which you have more than 3 years of professional experience. (Select all that apply.)

Select which type(s) of position(s) you have the most professional experience holding. (Select up to 3.)

Select the skills with which you have the most professional experience. (Select up to 3.)

What is the smallest budget size you have experience working with and are comfortable reviewing?

What is the largest budget size you have experience working with and are comfortable reviewing?

Self-Identifying Demographic Information

Racial / Ethnic Identity (select all that apply)

Do you currently identify as a person with a disability? (select one)

Gender Identity (select all that apply)

Sexuality (select all that apply)

Indicate the NYC Borough(s) in which you currently live and work (select all that apply)

Requirements

Following confirmation and prior to panel assignment, candidates will be asked to indicate any scheduling conflicts or limited availability.

Upon panel assignment, we expect panelists to submit conflicts of interest and affirm all information and commitments to participate fully in the panel process, including preparatory application review and evaluation. Panelists will also be expected to attend one virtual training session prior to application review.

In the weeks leading up to the panel service day, each panelist should allot at least 12 to 15 hours of preparatory time to review, score, and generate written feedback for approximately 20 proposals. These initial evaluations will be due one week prior to the panel meeting day.

Each panel meeting will be held virtually over the course of one day from 10:00am to 4:30pm EST (with 45 minutes for lunch and additional scheduled breaks). Panelists will be expected to use their own hardware (including camera) and internet to access the panel materials, training session, and virtual panel via Zoom.

Participation in the panel meeting will require attentive engagement and analytical dialogue with peer experts, as well as additional written and quantitative scoring on each proposal.

Panelists will receive $480 compensation in the form of an honorarium for their time spent preparing for and serving on a FY25 CDF panel.

I agree I understand and agree to the above commitments.

Conflicts of Interest

If selected to serve, you will be given an opportunity to update your conflicts of interest when the applicant organizations for your panel are shared.

A DCLA panel member will be considered to be "affiliated" with an organization eligible for DCLA support if they are related to the organization as:  

  • director, officer, trustee or employee;  
  • fund raiser or public relations officer;  
  • independent contractor who has received fees or payments in the year preceding the filing of the affiliation statement or any amendment thereto;  
  • holder of a financial advisory or policy making role; or  
  • direct or indirect financial beneficiary of a DCLA grant or loan to or other contract with such an organization.  

A DCLA panel member will be considered to be "affiliated" with an individual if they are related to the individual:  

  • as an employee, employer, agent or dealer; or  
  • by blood, marriage, partnership, joint venture or any other business association.

Relevant Experience

Indicate any experience serving on a grant panel in the last five years (select all that apply)

Upload Resume / C.V.

Please upload your resume or C.V. no longer than two pages as a PDF file with the naming convention: Last Name_First Name_Panel Submission

Click Here to Upload

To Recommend Another Panelist

If you would like to recommend someone other than yourself to serve in a panel, please send them the link to this form: https://nycculturalaffairs.seamlessdocs.com/f/cdfpanelistsubmission