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APPLICATION GUIDELINES & FAQS
PROGRAM PURPOSE - PROGRAM PARTNERS - ELIGIBILITY - DEADLINE
GRANT INFORMATION SESSIONS - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
PROGRAM PURPOSE
The Regional Artist Project Grant Program provides an award for individuals and groups of unincorporated artists to pursue projects that further enhance their artistic development.
PROGRAM PARTNERS
The Regional Artist Project Grant Program is administered by the Arts & Science Council, Charlotte-Mecklenburg, Inc., in partnership with the arts councils in Cabarrus, Cleveland, Gaston, Lincoln, Rowan, Rutherford and York (SC) counties. The program is supported by the North Carolina Arts Council, a state agency, the Blumenthal Endowment, and the participating arts councils. Please contact the Arts Council representative in your county with questions about the program.
ELIGIBILITY
The Regional Artist Project Grant Program alternates disciplines every year. Performing and literary artists are eligible to apply for the upcoming 2009 deadline. Performing artists may include musicians, dancers, composers, choreographers, theatre professionals, storytellers, spoken word performers, etc. Literary artists may include fiction and nonfiction writers, poets, playwrights, songwriters, etc. (Visual artists and filmmakers will be eligible to apply for the 2010 deadline.)
• Applicants must be a permanent resident of the region (e.g., have resided for a minimum of twelve (12) months prior to the deadline) of one the following counties: Cabarrus, Cleveland, Gaston, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Rowan, Rutherford or York (SC).
• Applicants must be 18 years of age or older and must be a US citizen or permanent resident.
• Eligible applicants and recipients may not enroll in, or be currently enrolled in, an undergraduate or graduate degree-granting program during the time their funded project is in progress.
Please note: Artists on the staff of one of the participating arts councils OR artists who received a Regional Artist Project Grant within the last four fiscal years (July 2005 and later) are not eligible to apply.
DEADLINE
All applications and work samples must be submitted no later than 12:00 NOON on Wednesday, August 26, 2009. Unfortunately, applications received after this deadline cannot be accepted. All applicants must apply through the online application system. Funded projects must take place between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2010.
Deadline: Wednesday, August 26, 2009 - 12:00 NOON
Written Notification: By November 30, 2009
Grant Cycle: January 1, 2010 – December 31, 2010
INFORMATION SESSIONS
In order to assist applicants with the Regional Artist Project Grant process, we will be conducting free Grant Information Sessions on the following dates:
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
6:30 - 8:00 pm
Charlotte Museum of History
3500 Shamrock Dr., Charlotte, NC
Thursday, July 23, 2008
6:30 - 8:00 pm
Arts Council of York County
121 E. Main Street, Rock Hill, SC
Tuesday, July 28th, 2009
6:00 - 7:30 pm
Cleveland County Arts Council
111 S. Washington St.
Shelby, NC 28150
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: Am I an emerging or established artist?
A: This is up to the applicant to determine. In general, an emerging artist is defined as an individual who has fewer than ten years of experience and is in the early stages of their career or is changing disciplines. An established artist is defined as an individual who has more than ten years of experience and is at a mature stage of their career, with an extensive body of work and a history of public exhibition, etc. Applicants may be either emerging or established artists, but in either case must have a record of artistic achievement appropriate to the stage of their career.
Q: How much can I request?
A: Established artists can apply for a maximum of $5,000. Emerging artists can apply for a maximum of $3,000. Please note that this is a competitive process; an application is not a guarantee of funding. Last year, 120 applications were submitted and 20 (17%) received awards. Applicants are encouraged to develop a strong application and be realistic with regard to project timeline, budget development and funding expectations.
Q: Am I required to match the grant?
A: Although matching funds are not required of Regional Artist Project Grant applicants, they are strongly encouraged. All else being equal, a proposal showing a serious financial commitment from the applicant will be looked upon more favorably than one that does not.
Q: How will my application be reviewed?
A: A panel of professional artists, each selected as a recognized authority in their art form, will review all applications. Examples of past judges include professional artists (including previous grant recipients), college and university professors, gallery owners, professional dancers, award-winning writers, theatre managers/directors, museum curators, etc.
Panelists first review the work samples provided and evaluate artistic merit based on the following criteria:
• Evidence of overall artistic excellence (based on individual artistic level).
The panel then reviews applications based on project merit:
• Evidence of a commitment to pursing or maintaining a career as a practicing artist.
• Evidence that the proposed project contributes to the individual’s/group’s artistic growth.
• Evidence that the proposed project is feasible and the budget is realistic.
Q: What types of projects have been funded in the past?
A: In the past, artists have been awarded grants for the following types of projects:
• To work with master artists in their field
• To support the cost of an exhibition or production
• To cover studio expenses and/or post-production costs
• To purchase equipment (laptop, art supplies, etc.)
• To pay for conference or workshop fees and associated costs
• To develop or upgrade promotional materials such as website, brochures, etc.
Please click here for a list of FY2009 grant recipients.
Q: What can grant dollars be used for?
A: Regional Artist Project Grant dollars can be used for project-related fees and expenditures, marketing & advertising expenses, supplies & materials, workshop & conference fees, etc. If you are unsure if you can use grant funds for a specific expense, please see the ineligible costs below or contact your local arts council.
Q: Is there anything that I am unable to use grant dollars for?
A: The Regional Artist Project Grant Program will not support:
• Projects that have already taken place.
• Tuition to assist artists in obtaining an undergraduate or graduate degree.
• Projects that do not primarily further your own development as an artist (e.g. teaching, curatorial work, etc.)
Q: What assistance is provided to applicants?
A: It is strongly encouraged that you contact the Arts Council representative in your county as you develop your application. Up to five days before the deadline, by appointment, a staff member from your local arts council will be available to review a DRAFT of your application. Draft reviews are strongly encouraged. Please note - we are unable to accept requests to review draft applications 7 days prior to the deadline.
For helpful grant-writing tips, click here.
Q: If I receive a grant, what will I be required to do?
A:
• To accept the grant, you must complete and return a signed Grant Agreement, for the first 80% of your award, and a revised budget and narrative (if you receive less than your requested amount).
• Credit the Regional Artist Project Grant consortium, your local arts council, and the North Carolina Arts Council in all printed materials related to the funded project.
• Upon completion of the project, submit your final paperwork for the remaining 20% of the grant award. Final paperwork includes a final report, at least two forms of project documentation (program, photos, receipts, etc.), and other paperwork as required.
• Please note, all grant recipients are required to pay any required state, local or federal taxes on grant awards.
Q: What type of work samples will I need to submit?
A: The following materials documenting work that has been completed in the last three years must be submitted with your application. Clearly label all support materials with your name, title of work, and date of work.
For dance and theater artists: DVD (three (3) copies) – No more than three minutes will be reviewed by the panel. Please indicate which three minutes you want the panel to view. If no indication is given, the panel will review the first three minutes.
For musicians: CD (three (3) copies) - No more than three minutes will be reviewed by the panel. Please indicate which three minutes you want the panel to view. If no indication is given, the panel will review the first three minutes.
Literary artists: Up to 10 pages of manuscript (Literary artists may upload their work sample through the online application system. All others will need to deliver their work samples to their local arts council. Work samples more than three years old will not be considered by the panel. All work samples must be submitted by the grant deadline date and time.)
Please note: Original work samples will not be accepted. (Original works can be defined as the actual pieces of artwork, original recordings, master copies, etc.)
Q: What other materials will I need to submit?
A: In addition to the work samples listed above, you will be asked to upload a project narrative, project budget, work sample list and resume onto your online application form.
You may also submit up to five (5) pages of additional support documentation. This could include reviews of your previous work, articles, (newspaper, journal, magazine, etc.), cost estimates, etc. A maximum of five (5) additional PAGES of support documentation may be submitted. Documentation can be submitted through the online application system or delivered to your local arts council.
Please note, artists who reside outside of Mecklenburg County are required to submit a letter of acknowledgement from their local county arts council.
More information about these materials is available within the online application. All work samples and additional support materials must be received by the deadline.
Q: I have more questions. Where can I get help?
A: Your local arts council representative is available to answer questions as you develop your application. Please click here for a list of contacts for each arts council.
Q: When do I have to turn in my application?
A: Applications and work samples must be received by 12:00 NOON on Wednesday, August 26th, 2009. Upon submitting your online application, you will immediately receive an e-mail confirmation. If you do not receive this confirmation e-mail, your application has not been successfully submitted. Unfortunately, applications submitted after the 12:00 noon deadline will not be accepted.
Q: How do I apply?
A: All applicants are required to apply through our online application system.
CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE ONLINE APPLICATION FORM
CLICK HERE TO ACCESS A PREVIOUSLY-STARTED APPLICATION
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