Opportunity Information: Apply for P17AS00199
The grant opportunity titled "Lowell Folk Festival and Summer Music Series Support for 2017 Season" (Funding Opportunity Number P17AS00199) is a National Park Service (NPS) cooperative agreement issued by the U.S. Department of the Interior to support ethnic and cultural programming at Lowell National Historical Park in Lowell, Massachusetts. The central purpose of the agreement is to fund and deliver public-facing events, such as the Lowell Folk Festival and the park's summer music programming, that align with and interpret National Park Service themes. In practice, this means using live performances and cultural events as a way to help visitors and residents connect with the historical and cultural stories the park was created to preserve and share.
The opportunity is rooted in the broader mission of Lowell National Historical Park, which was established to preserve and interpret nationally significant historic and cultural sites, structures, and districts in Lowell for present and future generations. The park's direction is tied to the recommendations of the Lowell Historic Canal District Commission, a foundational planning effort that emphasized not just protecting resources, but actively interpreting Lowell's industrial, social, and cultural history in ways that remain relevant and engaging. Within that framework, festivals and music series are positioned as a tool for interpretation and community connection, using cultural expression to highlight the diverse communities and experiences that shaped Lowell.
A key theme in the description is partnership. The underlying commission report specifically calls for the park to be a vital, contributing part of the Lowell community and to accomplish its mission through active public-private partnerships. This cooperative agreement structure reflects that goal by formalizing collaboration between NPS and a partner organization to plan and deliver programming that benefits the public, strengthens community ties, and advances interpretation of park-related themes through arts and cultural affairs.
Administratively, this listing is not an open competition. The notice states a clear intent to enter into an agreement with the Lowell Festival Foundation under an existing cooperative agreement (P15AC00438) without additional competition, and it explicitly indicates that no applications will be accepted. The opportunity is categorized as discretionary and uses a cooperative agreement funding instrument, which typically signals substantial involvement by the federal agency in carrying out the supported activities compared with a standard grant. The funding activity category is Arts (with a reference to Cultural Affairs), and the CFDA number associated with it is 15.954. The posting date is April 19, 2017, and the expected number of awards is one.
In terms of funding scale, the award ceiling is listed as $151,913, which effectively represents the maximum federal amount anticipated for this single planned award. Eligibility is broadly labeled as "Others," but given the non-competitive nature of the notice and the stated intent, the practical eligible recipient for this action is the identified partner organization connected to the existing agreement, rather than the general public or a wider pool of applicants.
Overall, this opportunity is best understood as a targeted, pre-identified cooperative agreement action intended to sustain signature cultural events in Lowell during the 2017 season, using those events to advance NPS interpretive themes, support the park's legislative and planning mandates, and reinforce the park's role as an active, community-embedded institution built on strong partnerships.Apply for P17AS00199
- The Department of the Interior, National Park Service in the arts (see cultural affairs in cfda) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Lowell Folk Festival and Summer Music Series Support for 2017 Season" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.954.
- This funding opportunity was created on Apr 19, 2017.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Notice of intent to enter agreement with Lowell Festival Foundation under existing cooperative agreement P15AC00438 without additional competition. No applications will be accepted.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $151,913.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the title of this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "Lowell Folk Festival and Summer Music Series Support for 2017 Season."
What is the Funding Opportunity Number?
The Funding Opportunity Number is P17AS00199.
Which federal agency is offering this opportunity?
This is a National Park Service (NPS) cooperative agreement issued by the U.S. Department of the Interior.
What type of funding instrument is this?
The listing uses a cooperative agreement funding instrument. This generally indicates the National Park Service expects to have substantial involvement in carrying out the supported activities, compared to a standard grant.
Is this an open, competitive funding opportunity?
No. The notice states it is not an open competition and explicitly indicates that no applications will be accepted.
Will the National Park Service accept applications for this opportunity?
No. The posting explicitly states that no applications will be accepted.
Who is the intended recipient of the award?
The notice states an intent to enter into an agreement with the Lowell Festival Foundation under an existing cooperative agreement (P15AC00438), without additional competition.
What is the central purpose of this cooperative agreement?
The central purpose is to fund and deliver public-facing ethnic and cultural programming at Lowell National Historical Park in Lowell, Massachusetts, including events such as the Lowell Folk Festival and the park's summer music programming, in alignment with National Park Service interpretive themes.
What kinds of activities or events are supported?
The description highlights public-facing live performances and cultural events, specifically referencing the Lowell Folk Festival and the summer music series, as vehicles for ethnic and cultural programming.
Where will the supported programming take place?
The programming is associated with Lowell National Historical Park in Lowell, Massachusetts.
What is the broader mission context for this funding?
The opportunity is tied to the mission of Lowell National Historical Park, which was established to preserve and interpret nationally significant historic and cultural sites, structures, and districts in Lowell for present and future generations.
How do festivals and music series fit into the park's mission?
In this description, festivals and music programming are positioned as tools for interpretation and community connection, using cultural expression and live performances to help visitors and residents connect with the historical and cultural stories the park preserves and shares.
What National Park Service themes are referenced?
The notice indicates the supported events should align with and interpret National Park Service themes, using arts and cultural programming to advance interpretation of park-related themes.
Why is partnership emphasized in this opportunity?
The description emphasizes that the park is intended to accomplish its mission through active public-private partnerships. The cooperative agreement structure is presented as a way to formalize collaboration between NPS and a partner organization to plan and deliver programming that benefits the public, strengthens community ties, and advances interpretation through arts and cultural affairs.
Is this opportunity connected to any planning or commission recommendations?
Yes. The park's direction is described as being tied to recommendations of the Lowell Historic Canal District Commission, which emphasized both protecting resources and actively interpreting Lowell's industrial, social, and cultural history in relevant and engaging ways.
Is this opportunity categorized as discretionary funding?
Yes. The opportunity is categorized as discretionary.
What is the funding activity category?
The funding activity category is Arts, with a reference to Cultural Affairs.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The CFDA number listed is 15.954.
How much funding is available under this notice?
The award ceiling is listed as $151,913, representing the maximum federal amount anticipated for this single planned award.
How many awards does the agency expect to make?
The expected number of awards is one.
What is the posting date for the notice?
The posting date is April 19, 2017.
What does "eligibility is Others" mean here?
The eligibility field is broadly labeled as "Others." However, the notice also states the action is non-competitive and identifies an intended partner (the Lowell Festival Foundation) under an existing cooperative agreement, so this listing is not presented as a general-public application opportunity.
Is this opportunity tied to an existing agreement?
Yes. The notice references an existing cooperative agreement number P15AC00438 and states an intent to proceed under that relationship without additional competition.
What is the overall goal of the 2017 season support described here?
Overall, the listing describes a targeted, pre-identified cooperative agreement action intended to sustain signature cultural events in Lowell during the 2017 season, using those events to advance NPS interpretive themes, support the park's legislative and planning mandates, and reinforce the park's role as an active, community-embedded institution built on strong partnerships.
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| NEA Our Town Application, FY2018 Apply for 2017NEA01OT Funding Number: 2017NEA01OT Agency: National Endowment for the Arts Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Produce and Televise Memorial Day and Independence Day Programs Featuring the National Symphony Orchestra on the West Lawn of the United States Capitol Apply for P17AS00274 Funding Number: P17AS00274 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $6,000,000 |
| Master Cooperative Agreement Apply for P17AS00358 Funding Number: P17AS00358 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| FY 2017 Notice of Funding Opportunity: Cultural Grants Program - Open Competition Apply for DOS PAS SLO 2017 002 Funding Number: DOS PAS SLO 2017 002 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Slovenia Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $10,000 |
| Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) Large Grant- 2018, Ukraine Apply for AFCP UKR 2018 Funding Number: AFCP UKR 2018 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Ukraine Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation Small Grants Program Apply for DOS MEX PD DF 2018 02 Funding Number: DOS MEX PD DF 2018 02 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Mexico Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation Large Grants Program Apply for DOS MEX PD DF 2018 01 Funding Number: DOS MEX PD DF 2018 01 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Mexico Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $979,000 |
| Cultural Grants Program 2018 Apply for DOS PAS SLO 2018 002 Funding Number: DOS PAS SLO 2018 002 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Slovenia Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $10,000 |
| sv-FPDT-208-prod Apply for SV FPDT 208 PROD Funding Number: SV FPDT 208 PROD Agency: General Dynamics Information Technology Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Summer Concerts: Memorial Day and Independence Day Concerts on West Lawn of US Capitol Apply for P18AS99999 Funding Number: P18AS99999 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $5,500,000 |
| Programming in the the People's Republic of China Apply for EAPBJ 18 GR 001 EAP052518 Funding Number: EAPBJ 18 GR 001 EAP052518 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to China Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| sv-sp-today616 Apply for SV SP TODAY616 Funding Number: SV SP TODAY616 Agency: General Dynamics Information Technology Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Future Leaders in Art Conservation Technology Apply for P18AS00387 Funding Number: P18AS00387 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $27,625 |
| Community Center Manager Exchange – Expanding Connections Apply for SBR25018CA0003 Funding Number: SBR25018CA0003 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Brazil Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $70,000 |
| Arts with US – Expanding Connections and Advancing American Values Apply for SBR25018CA0002 Funding Number: SBR25018CA0002 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Brazil Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $40,000 |
| U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation Apply for PAS LUS AFCP2019 Funding Number: PAS LUS AFCP2019 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Zambia Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| U.S. Embassy Lusaka PAS Annual Program Statement Apply for PAS LUS CULTURAL FY19 Funding Number: PAS LUS CULTURAL FY19 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Zambia Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $20,000 |
| NEA Shakespeare in American Communities, FY2019 Apply for NEAPS1808 Funding Number: NEAPS1808 Agency: National Endowment for the Arts Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $1,482,000 |
| Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation Large Grants Program Apply for DOS MEX PD DF 2019 02 Funding Number: DOS MEX PD DF 2019 02 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Mexico Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $800,000 |
| Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation Small Grants Program Apply for DOS MEX PD DF 2019 01 Funding Number: DOS MEX PD DF 2019 01 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Mexico Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $200,000 |
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