Application Instructions
Detailed instructions for completing your application are below. Click on the links below to read the appropriate section.
- Preparing your information
- Filling out the “Composer and Project Information” page
- Adding composers to your application
- Adding venues to your application
- Project information
- Filling out the “Project Budget” page
- Submitting your application for review
If you need further help please contact Meet The Composer at mtc@meetthecomposer.org.We will respond to your questions as quickly as possible.
Leadership support for Meet The Composer’s MetLife Creative Connections is generously provided by: 
Items marked with an asterisk (*) are required. You will not be able to submit your application without supplying these required items.
The MetLife Creative Connections on-line application is divided into two sections: Composer and Project Information and Project Budget. Before beginning the application you should have the following materials prepared:
Project Description covering the following points:
specific information about the public performance(s) of the composer’s work (i.e. who is performing, what work s are being performed, etc.)
a concise description of all of the com poser’s public activities related to the performance(s)
the impact of the activities on the com poser, the organization, and the community/audience
media and publicity plans to promote the com poser’s activities and performance(s)
Composer Biographies
Description of the Sponsoring Organization
We suggest compiling this information into a single word process document so you can easily cut-and-paste your responses into the appropriate boxes on the application form. With these materials prepared and proofread ahead of time, the application should take no more than 20 minutes to complete.
Filling out the “Composer and Project Information” screen
The Composer and Project Information screen is made up of three sections. First, you will enter information about the composer(s) for whom you are seeking funding. Second, list the venues where performances and other activities will take place. Third, provide information about the four aspects of your project that are the most relevant to this program.
Adding composers to your application
N.B. Items marked with an asterisk (*) are required. You will not be able to submit your application without supplying these required items.
Click on the Add button in the Composers section, this will take you the Composer Information screen.
Provide the composer’s contact information
Provide the requested fee information.
Provide the composer’s biography.
Participation Fee: this is the fee offered to the composer for professional services such as public speaking engagements, master classes, school visits and other similar activities
Performance Fee: this the fee offered to the composer for performing or conducting their own works
Click on the Save button to save this information and return to the Composer and Project Information page.
If there is more than one composer on your application you may repeat the steps above. Please refer to the MetLife Creative Connections guidelines for eligibility requirements and limits on the number of composers allowed.
Adding venues to your application
N.B. Items marked with an asterisk (*) are required. You will not be able to submit your application without supplying these required items.
Venues listed on your application should include both the venues for public performances and any other educational or community activities. You may add as many venues to an application as you like, but please be sure they are relevant to the project and reference them in your project description.
To add a venue to your application:
Click on the Add button in the Venues section, this will take you to the Project Venue screen.
Provide the venue’s name, and the city and state where it is located
Click on the Save button to save this information and return to the Composer and Project Information Screen.
N.B. Items marked with an asterisk (*) are required. You will not be able to submit your application without supplying these required items.
Provide start and end dates for your project. If your project involves only a single event or takes place all in one day, fill in only the start date.
Provide a total audience number for both public performances and other activities combined.
Provide concise descriptions of the four aspects of your project listed on this form. Though you can write more, try to limit responses to 150 – 200 words each. Responses longer than this are likely to reflect poorly on your application.
Click on the Save button to save your information and return to it later. If you’re ready to go on to the next page of the application, Project Budget, click on Next Page. Your information will be saved and you’ll be taken to the next page of the application.
Filling out the “Project Budget” screen
The Project Budget screen requests a few key pieces of financial information about your project to help the application reviewers asses its feasibility and scope. This is not meant to be an exhaustive summary of every financial aspect of the project but rather focuses on a few key elements related to the composer’s involvement.
Expenses eligible for MetLife Creative Connections support
Please supply the requested numbers. If applying with one composer, these should match the number provided in the Composer section. If applying for multiple composers, please provide totals for all composers listed on the application.
Participation Fee: this is the fee offered to the composer for professional services such as public speaking engagements, master classes, school visits and other similar activities.
Performance Fee: this the fee offered to the composer for performing or conducting their own works.
Expenses not eligible for support
Please supply the requested numbers. If you wish to include expense categories other than those listed, you may do so by describing them on the form and providing a total amount. Leave blank any items that do not apply to your project.
The total project expenses will be calculated automatically.
Project Income
MetLife Creative Connections requests must be between $250 and $5000. Please fill in your request amount in the first box. Other income sources should be specified in the other boxes. If you have income form sources other than those listed, you may add them by describing the source and providing a total amount. Leave blank any items that do not apply to your project.
Income and Expenses should be equal. Unbalanced budgets will reflect poorly on an application during review.
To save and continue click on Save. You’ll be asked if you want to submit your application for review or save it for later.
If you wish to change something on the previous page, click on Previous Page. Your information will be saved and you’ll be taken back to the Composer and Project Information page.
Submitting your application for review
Once you’ve filled in both pages of the application, click on the Save button at the bottom of the Project Budget page. This will save all supplied information and then give you the option of submitting your application for review. Once submitted an application can not be changed.
After submitting your application you may download a PDF copy of it for your records. Application review takes approximately two months. Applicants will be notified by email using the address supplied when you registered.