Individual Artist Grant (City of Elgin)

Individual Artist Grant (City of Elgin) is sponsored by City of Elgin Cultural Arts Commission. This grant program encourages and supports innovative and unique arts-related projects and performances within the City of Elgin. Examples include art shows, musical or dramatic programs, storytelling, performance art, street theater, poetry readings, mime, or puppetry.

The Elgin Cultural Arts Commission (ECAC) Individual Artist Grant Program is designed to encourage and support innovative and unique arts-related projects and performances within the City of Elgin. This grant program offers grant awards of up to $2,500. 00 which are for arts programs, projects and events.

Examples include an arts show organized by an artist, a musical or dramatic program, storytelling, performance art, street theatre, a poetry reading, mime or puppetry. Funding assistance may include requests for startup costs related to a project such as: rental of space or equipment, purchase of supplies or equipment, or other project-related materials. The basic criteria for applicants and their projects are listed below.

# ELGIN CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION Applicant must be a resident of Elgin or have a documented history of contributing to the arts in Elgin. Anyone receiving funds directly from the City of Elgin will not be considered for funding. Permanent additions or improvements to property or construction.

Anyone receiving funds directly from the City of Elgin will not be considered for funding. Purchasing permanent equipment or capital expenditures. Operating expenses or scholarships or educational programs in any school.

An existing de fi cit from a previous year or previous project. Hobbies or recreational projects. Any project for a political purpose.

Any group receiving money directly from the City Council or payment in-kind agreements. Projects already funded by the City of Elgin or the ECAC. # NOT ELIGIBLE/FUNDING WILL NOT BE GRANTED FOR: Actual grant awards will be contingent on the budget available once the annual Fiscal Year Municipal Budget is approved by the Elgin City Council.

All applicants who are approved for funding under this program shall enter into a grant agreement with the City of Elgin. The grant agreement shall be signed and returned to the City of Elgin no later than fi fteen (15) days after receipt of the document. Failure to return the grant agreement within that time period will result in loss of the grant award.

The ECAC is not responsible for lost or mis-delivered mail. Payment of approved grant awards will be only after full execution of the grant agreement and the processing of appropriate cash request documents. All grant awards are processed at the same time.

The maximum grant request that will be accepted is $2,500. Submission of an application does not guarantee funding. # FUNDING REQUESTS: PROJECT GUIDELINES Type to enter textPermanent additions or improvements to property or construction.

Projects must take place within the corporate city limits of Elgin and be open to the public. The project/performance must take place within six months of the date of the grant approval by the ECAC, unless waived by the ECAC. Applications must be intended for a speci fi c project or program.

Only one approved grant proposal will be funded per year for each individual, performance, or project. Applications are due on the fi rst Monday of the month, with a 5 minute oral presentation of the proposed project taking place at that month’s regularly scheduled ECAC meeting on the second Monday of the month.

It is the responsibility of the grant recipient to complete any and all necessary permits or applications for the City of Elgin. The ECAC will review Individual Artist Grant applications based on the criteria listed below.

Successful applicants demonstrate strong operations, stable management, ongoing assessment and evaluation, and a strong commitment to making artistic programs accessible and relevant to a diverse range of participants. Applicants must also show that their programs and activities have artistic, educational, and/ or cultural value.

It is recommended that proposals not include designs that would be considered inappropriate and/or indecent by community standards. Submit your completed application and additional documentation by the Attend the ECAC meeting to present your application. ECAC votes on the application at the meeting at the time of presentation.

Staff will follow up with you following the meeting regarding the status of the application. If approved, complete any necessary paperwork, and funds will be released. Final written report is submitted to the ECAC following completion of the project.

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The ECAC reviews and evaluates each application based on the following criteria. These criteria may not apply to every application, and do not represent the only means of evaluation. What is unique about this project?

What is timely about this project? How does this project highlight artistic quality and its intended aesthetic or cultural impact on its audience? What creative risks will you take with this project?

How is your organization raising the bar with this project? How does this project expand or further your organization’s goals and mission? How is this project forward thinking?

What about this project is new or novel for your organization or the community at large? How will this project foster creativity within your neighborhood and the community? How will this project advance the arts in the community?

How does this project foster innovation and creativity in programming and artist selection? What service will this project provide to the community? How will this project draw attention to the arts in Elgin both by residents and visitors?

How will this project attract the participation of special and diverse populations? How will this project impact the underserved areas or reach and educate new audiences? What sort of economic impact will this project have on the community?

Will you partner with any local businesses, social agencies, vendors, or arts organizations? How will this project impact the quality of life in Elgin? # AWARD CRITERIA Page of 6 10 Does the project demonstrate evidence of sound management and planning and a realistic timeline?

What problems, dif fi culties, and challenges are you likely to encounter with this project? How do you intend to address them? Does the project demonstrate evidence of strong or developing fi nancial support from the community?

Does the project demonstrate a personnel/volunteer support structure commensurate with the scope of the proposed project? How will this project offer inspiration, service, support, or economic opportunities for Elgin artists? How will you include or engage new or young local artists with this project?

Does this project encourage Elgin artists to create new works or projects? How does this project promote collaboration between artists and other arts organizations? Will your project offer opportunities for Elgin artists to work with, learn from or collaborate with guest artists and professionals?

What professionals and guest artists will you employ with this project and how will they interact with the community?

Page of 7 10 Applicant Name: _______________________________________________________________________________ Title of Project: _________________________________________________________________________________ Grant Amount Requested: $2,500 (max) $2,000 $1,500 $1,000 Address of Applicant: ___________________________________________________________________________ Telephone: _____________________________________________________________________________________ Email Address: _________________________________________________________________________________ Target Audience: _______________________________________________________________________________ Admission Charge: _____________________________________________________________________________ Address of Program: ____________________________________________________________________________ Two line description of the program/performances: ________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________ E-mail: culturalarts@elginil.

gov URL: www. elginil. gov/culturalarts Address: 45 Symphony Way, Elgin, IL, 60120 Page of 8 10 If a grant is awarded, the Applicant hereby agrees that: The activities and services for which assistance is sought will be administered under the supervision of the applicant.

The applicant has read and will conform to the program guidelines. The applicant organization will expend funds received as a result of the application solely on the project and programs described herein. Any funds received under this grant shall not be used to supplant any budgeted funds.

The applicant organization will comply with all laws, acts and ordinances of the United States, the State of Illinois and the City of Elgin, and further fares that no person will be excluded from participation or be denied the bene fi ts of any program, activity or service on the basis of race, sex, sexual preference, color, religion, ancestry, age, national origin, or disability.

The applicant further agrees to make every attempt to ensure the the program is accessible to persons with disabilities. The fi gures, facts and representations in this application, including all exhibits and attachments, are true and correct to the best of its knowledge and belief. Failure to follow these guidelines will disqualify you for future grants.

Cancellation of funded projects will result in forfeiture of funds and funds must be returned within sixty (60) days of the scheduled event.

_________________________________________________ ____________________ Signature of Authorizing Of fi cial Date _________________________________________________ ____________________ Signature of Applicant Date EXPENSES BUDGETED Outside Professional Services Complete the attached budget to the best of your ability. If any of the categories do not apply to your project, simply ignore that line item.

If you wish to expand on any areas or need additional space, you may forgo this form and attach your own budget spreadsheet. Page of 10 10 # GRANT SUBMISSION CHECKLIST Please provide ONE (1) copy of the following information, in the order listed. Do not print front and back.

No late, incomplete, or digital applications will be accepted. Application: Pages 7-10 of this document should be the top of the application with page number 7 being the top page. If you are attaching your own budget, replace that page of the application with your own budget.

Narrative/Proposal: 1-3 page maximum narrative/proposal addressing the award criteria and how they apply to your proposed project. This document should include the expected timeline and the detailed care and maintenance plan. Minimum 10 point font.

Artist Resume: 1 page resume of the artist applicant. Work Samples: 5 page maximum. Visual/Media artists must submit 5 images of good quality in jpeg format, no larger than 11x17 in size.

Writers must submit a writing sample no longer than 3 pages, minimum 10 point font. Performing artists must submit a video or link to a video of work, no more than 3 minutes long. Reviews and images are also acceptable, but the video representation is preferred.

If your work samples do not fi t into these examples, submit any items you feel are pertinent to the proposed project.