Q: Since you are only awarding four ArtPlace/Creative Work Fund, grants, will I reduce my chances of receiving support if I apply for one?
A: No. You will be part of a smaller pool of applicants if your project addresses the ArtPlace theme. Also, four is the minimum number of place-focused grants to be awarded: it equals the amount of regranting money provided by ArtPlace to the Creative Work Fund. If the Fund receives many strong place-focused projects, it could award more than four such grants using other resources.
Q: I’m an artist working on a project idea of my own, but a friend who is applying with a group of artists asked if I would be part of their project, too. Would that jeopardize my own letter of inquiry?
A: It is fine for you to participate in both projects as long as you are not the “lead artist” for more than one of them. However, the Fund tries to support a range of projects and artists; the two projects will be competing against each other; and in a “close call” it might influence a decision.
Q: What if I want to work with a new organization that does not yet have its 501 (c) (3) nonprofit status?
A: You may use a fiscal sponsor. If you choose to do so, the Creative Work Fund will assess the financial stability and organizational reliability of the fiscal sponsor and will evaluate the genuineness of the collaborative partnership between the applying artist and the organization that does not yet have nonprofit status.
Q: I am part of a theater ensemble whose members regularly make work together. We have no “leader” and our process is very collaborative. May we apply?
A: Your group could apply to collaborate with another nonprofit organization. One member of the group would need to put his or her name forward as the “lead artist” on behalf of everyone. Or an artist who is not a member of your ensemble might collaborate with you. For example, playwright Cherrie Moraga collaborated with the ensemble Campo Santo.
Q: I want to collaborate with an organization that previously presented my work or hired me to lead a workshop. Would that be acceptable?
A: Yes, that would be fine. A lead artist may not be an employee or a board member of the organization with which he or she is collaborating. However, having occasionally done a project with or volunteered for the organization is fine. If you have questions about your eligibility, call the Creative Work Fund.
Q: Does the Creative Work Fund require matching funds?
A: No, the Creative Work Fund does not mind being a project’s only source of support. It also does not mind project budgets that are higher than $40,000 as long as the project partners have reasonable plans for raising the balance of funds needed.
Q: Can my fiscal sponsor be part of more than one project?
A: Yes, a fiscal sponsor may be part of an unlimited number of projects
Q: I want to apply with an organization that received a Creative Work Fund grant in the past. Is it eligible?
A: Organizations and artists that received grants in 2008 or earlier are eligible to apply if they have completed their projects and submitted their final reports.
Q: How competitive is the application process?
A: The Fund likely will receive 100-140 letters of inquiry each in media arts and performing arts. From among these, it will invite up to 60 full proposals—30 in each category. It will be able to award an estimated 20 grants—10 in each category.
Q: What portion of the budget should support artists’ fees?
A: A minimum of two-thirds of the project budget must be dedicated to paying the artists or covering their direct expenses for creating the work.
Q: Will my proposal be more competitive if I ask for less than $40,000?
A: Not necessarily. Project budgets should be reasonable and well-considered. It’s just as much of a disadvantage to request a grant that appears to be too low to meet your goals as it would be to request a grant that appears higher than is reasonable to complete your project plan.