The purpose of the Artist and Community Collaborations Grant (ACC) program is to encourage collaborative projects between artists and their communities that support the development of the
individual artist and projects that use the power of the arts for community renewal. Funds are available for artists to develop special projects in collaboration with a community-based organization
partner.
Objective
A grant is available to artists who initiate a partnership project with a community organization that will also act as the fiscal agent (nonprofit, community resource agency). Projects engage
community members as active participants.
Eligibility
Any individual artist who:
- has resided in Wisconsin a minimum of one year prior to application;
- is currently working with a nonprofit organization or wants to create a working partnership with a community-based organization; and
- wants to create a community arts project that involves community members.
Grant Amounts & Matching Requirements
Grants may be requested for up to fifty percent (50%) of the total cost of a project. The maximum request that can be considered is $5,000.
Grants must be matched at least dollar for dollar in either cash or a
combination of cash and in-kind contributions. At least one-half of the amount
requested must be matched with cash (e.g., if you request $5,000 then you must
match that with at least $2,500 in cash).
Evaluation Criteria
Each application will be evaluated based on the purpose of the ACC program and specifically on the following criteria:
- The project actively involves the community
- The application includes a specific timeline for project completion.
- There is a clear collaboration between the lead artist and the non-profit organization.
- The completed project includes a public presentation/exhibition.
- The application budget balances (income must equal expenses).
Priority will be given to projects which promote artistic excellence and create new work in underserved communities.
Strong Artists and Community Collaborations Projects will exemplify at least one of the following:
- Projects that focus the power of the arts on community renewal.
- Partnerships that include a longer-term vision for building community, beyond this project.
- Collaborations that infuse the arts into the everyday work of arts and non-arts, sectors. Collaborations with/among businesses, arts organizations, Main Street programs, community centers, care
facilities, correctional settings, schools and other community based
organizations are encouraged.
- Projects that use the arts to catalyze the community, that acknowledge the power of differences as well as shared history within a community, involve intergenerational participants, and/or
involve the diversity that is reflected in the community.
- Projects that create common ground; begin intimate work among small groups and then share in larger settings with others.
Application Process
To apply in FY09, artists must complete and submit an ACC eGRANT application by no later than October
15, 2008 (the application will be available on
eGRANT in
early September, 2008). After submitting the ACC application through eGRANT, a paper application is also required. Copies of the completed ACC application and supplementary
materials (outlined below) must be mailed under single cover to the Wisconsin Arts Board, postmarked on or before October
16, 2008.
After a peer panel review of the application and Board ratification, the applicant will be notified if the project is recommended for funding. PLEASE NOTE: Requests may not be funded
in full and the applicant must be prepared to scale the work according to the amount given, or to find additional funding from other sources. An Arts Board staff person is available to assist with
any revisions necessary.
A check will be issued to the non-profit partner once all the required contractual materials have been submitted to the Arts Board.
Narrative
An application narrative must be uploaded in eGRANT and included in the paper application submission. The narrative must be typed in standard 12 pt. font and should not exceed two pages in length.
The narrative must:
- Address how the proposed project meets each of the five evaluation criteria listed on the first page of these guidelines.
- Describe the goal(s) of the project, and identify specifically how the artist will evaluate how successfully the project met the goal(s), during and afterward.
(Please call WAB for evaluation ideas.)
- Describe how the project will engage the community members as active participants.
- If the project is focused on engaging one part of the community—youth, people with disabilities, etc.—explain why that choice was made.
Supplementary Materials
- Five copies of the completed application form. Both the applicant and an authorizing official from the partner organization must sign on page 2 of the application form.
- Five copies of the Project Narrative
- Five copies of the artist’s resume or a history of artistic experiences to date
(no more than 2 pages, please)
-
Five (5) copies of a one-page letter of commitment from the participating nonprofit organization. The letter must include:
-
a statement outlining the reason(s) the partner organization supports this project,
-
information on the partner organization’s roles and responsibilities in the project,
-
the resources that it will provide, and
-
the relationship to the artist (is he/she an employee?, previous work with the artist, etc.).
-
One copy of the partner organization’s Letter of Tax Exempt Determination from the IRS.
Technical Assistance
First time applicants should contact the staff of the Wisconsin Arts Board before applying. The staff of the Wisconsin Arts Board is available for technical assistance throughout the year.
The staff can explain and clarify guidelines and eligibility requirements, review criteria and definitions. Discussions with the staff do not influence funding decisions. Call (608) 264-8191,
weekdays between 8:30am and 4:30pm for assistance.
Guidelines
Read the most recent Artist and Community Collaborations Grant guidelines by opening the following document with Adobe Reader:
FY09 ACC Guidelines
(41KB). FY10 ACC guidelines will be posted in fall,
2009.
Updated:
September 04, 2008
Fax: 608/267-0380