Elliott Carter Special Grant Program

Elliott Carter Special Grant Program

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Amphion Foundation
Last Updated: November 18, 2025

Summary

The Elliott Carter Special Grant Program, funded by the Amphion Foundation, supports projects that involve the performance or recording of less frequently performed works by Elliott Carter. It is open to various organizations, including orchestras and chamber ensembles, with a focus on contemporary concert music. Eligible applicants must have a history of commitment to this genre and can include both for-profit and non-profit entities, provided they meet specific criteria.

Overview

NOTE: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and reviewed semi-annually in the spring and fall.Please note that organizations based outside the United States and its territories are only eligible for funding of works by American composers. Elliott Carter Special Grant Program Program Objective The Elliott Carter Special Grants Program provides funding for significant projects involving the performance or recording of less frequently performed or recorded works by Elliott Carter. The Elliott Carter Special Grants Program is open to the following organizations: Chamber EnsemblesChamber Orchestras Orchestras Choral or Vocal Ensembles Opera Companies Ballet or Dance Companies Experimental or Performance Art Groups Commercial Recording Companies Music Service/Advocacy Organizations Professional Development/Training Artist Residency Programs Libraries/Archives Radio/TV Presenters Festivals

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Eligible applicants must:Be one of the following:A publicly supported non-profit or fiscally sponsored organization with a history of substantial commitment to contemporary concert musicAn individual applying with a fiscal sponsor A a non-profit or commercial recording companyHave a minimum of two years of performance or, for groups other than performing groups, programmatic activity prior to the time of application.Please note that performing and presenting organizations that do not normally perform a substantial amount of contemporary concert music but propose to undertake a project of extraordinary significance involving Carter’s music should contact the Grants Team.Organizations based outside of the United States may apply for support exclusively for contemporary concert music by American composers.Eligible organizations include:Chamber-sized ensembles of any instrumentation Chamber orchestras Symphonic or other full-sized orchestras Opera companies Dance companies and/or ensemblesThe Program’s primary focus for dance applicants is the quality of the music and musical performance, which must be by live musicians. While choreography is a secondary focus, it must enhance the performance of Carter’s music.Vocal ensembles and choruses Presenters FestivalsPresenter/ensemble hybrids Commercial recording companiesCommercial recording company grantees will be subject to required IRS expenditure responsibility forms.Non-profit recording companiesFundable projects include performances, recordings, and other activities that broaden the reach of Elliott Carter’s music.The following activity will be considered eligible:Presenting and performing activity Professional recordingsAny other activity which has been reviewed and approved in advance by the Foundation.Special Provisions for Recording Projects:The Elliott Carter Special Grants Program provides funding for commercial recordings of Carter works that are currently not available for sale. Commercially made digital recordings are eligible for funding. Grantees will be required to post liner notes and credits online and provide a permanent copy of the funded recording for the Amphion Foundation’s archive. Archival recordings and those that will not be available to the public are not supported. Once a recording project grant is confirmed, the award funds must be requested within two years. If the recording(s) is not released within two years of payment of the grant award, the Foundation reserves the right to cancel the grant. If a recording funded by the Elliott Carter Special Grant Program should become unavailable in any form, either physical or digital, the Foundation reserves the right, on thirty (30) days written notice, sent to the grantee at its last known address, to make it available on the internet, subject to the payment by the Foundation of all required royalties and fees to performers and publishers.

Ineligibility

The Elliott Carter Special Project Grant Program does not provide funding for the following:Individual performers except via fiscal sponsor or recording company Unincorporated or for-profit organizations except via fiscal sponsor or recording company Endowment funds Music publishing projects Student ensemblesSuch organizations are not generally eligible but may apply if authorized in advance by the Grants Team. Educational institutions may not apply for activities involving school-age students, student ensembles, or credit-bearing university activities but they may apply for performances or other eligible projects that feature professional musicians (including faculty).Volunteer, community, and amateur ensemblesSuch organizations are not generally eligible but may apply if authorized in advance by the Grants Team. Educational institutions may not apply for activities involving school-age students, student ensembles, or credit-bearing university activities but they may apply for performances or other eligible projects that feature professional musicians (including faculty).Educational institutionsSuch organizations are not generally eligible but may apply if authorized in advance by the Grants Team. Educational institutions may not apply for activities involving school-age students, student ensembles, or credit-bearing university activities but they may apply for performances or other eligible projects that feature professional musicians (including faculty).Archival recordings Music composed by anyone other than Elliott Carter.For funding for the performance of compositions by other composers, please review The Amphion Grant Program guidelines.