Attention online developers: the National Endowment for the Arts has released new guidelines for funding, and grants are now available for interactive digital games. The NEA's Arts in Media rules replace the agency's older Arts in Radio and Television rules, and the new ones are far more expansive when it comes to categories for funding.

"We'll continue to support television and radio," explains Alice Myatt, Director of Media Arts at the NEA, "but we are also going to support content developed for the web, for theatrical release, for mobile phones, content to be distributed via satellite, and even content for game platforms."

How much government largesse are we talking about here? NEA grants come in all monetary shapes and sizes. They typically range from $10,000 through $200,000, "based on the platform and the complexity and scope of the project."

To be considered

Does this mean that we can expect games like Brink and L.A. Noire to suddenly show up in NEA grant announcements? As is often the case with these sort of opportunities, there are strings attached. In this case, they seem pretty reasonable, but they definitely complicate the application process.

The bottom line is that grants are available to support the development, production, and national distribution of media projects "about the arts" and "media projects that can be considered works of art" (NEA's italics).

So we called up the NEA Media Arts staffer Mary Smith to ask what seemed like a pretty fundamental question. How does the NEA define "works of art"? Turns out, the agency doesn't. "We usually leave that up to our panels," Smith explained "Peer advisory panels evaluate the project."

And who will constitute these panels? "We don't know yet because we need to see who applies," she said. "Then we'll see what kind of expertise we'll need."

Thus, the question of whether a given proposed gaming project adequately discusses or constitutes art will be answered by those whom the NEA picks to tackle the problem. (We assume Roger Ebert won't be asked to participate.)

High standards

The rules aren't quite as vague as they sound, though. The NEA does require the proposal to demonstrate "artistic excellence," defined as the "quality and artistic significance of the project." And agency stresses four outcomes that it looks for in its grants.

Creation. Artistic endeavors that meet "the highest standards of excellence across a diverse spectrum of artistic disciplines and geographic locations." This could be a request for money for a design competition or for a series of design workshops.

Engagement. These are projects that promote some art form. Among the listed possibilities are those "that extend the arts to underserved populations—those whose opportunities to experience the arts are limited by geography, ethnicity, economics, or disability."

Learning. Projects that encourage professional development among artists.

Liveability. These include artistic activities "that are intended to foster community interaction in public spaces" and "cultural sustainability activities that contribute to community identity and sense of place."

We can see a variety of ways that an aspiring game developer could fit into these themes. If you want to try to get in on this opportunity, keep in mind that you've got to be (or be sponsored by) a nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3). The NEA will soon hold three webinars to further explain the new guidelines. They'll stream on June 15, July 13, and August 10.

The application deadline date is September 1. "But please," Myatt adds, "don't wait until the last minute. Especially if you've never applied to the NEA before."