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Good Idea Grant - Arts Visibility
The Good Idea “Arts Visibility” Grant program supports Maine’s artists and arts organizations by providing the means with which to increase the visibility of specific artistic projects. Any "good idea" that supports an individual artist or organization through increased visibility of specific artistic projects is eligible for the grant.
Grants will be awarded up to a maximum of $1,500. An applicant may apply to only one Good Idea Grant category per fiscal year (July 1 – June 30).
The artist must communicate with Darrell Bulmer, at 207/287-6746, darrell.bulmer@maine.gov or  TTY/NexTalk 877/887-3878 User ID: darrell.bulmer, regarding the project before submitting an application. Failure to do so will disqualify the application.
Examples
The types of projects that might be funded under a Good Idea " Arts Visibility Grant" include but are not limited to:
- Support for an individual artist for the creation of various promotional materials for a particular event.
- Support for an organization promoting a particular event.
- Support to hire a web designer to provide new web features for a particular project.
The types of projects that would not be funded under a Good Idea “Arts Visibility Grant” include but are not limited to:
- Support for professional development.
- Support to purchase technology equipment and software.
- Support for infrastructure (e.g. creation of a digital editing center.)
Deadline
The application deadlines are December 12, 2008 and March 6, 2009.
E-GRANT will accept applications until 11:59 pm, E.S.T., however; agency staff is only available to answer questions until 5:00 pm, E.S.T. Because of the volume of e-GRANT submissions on the day of any grant deadline, we strongly recommend you give yourself a 24 hour buffer.
The agency is unable to accept late applications under any circumstance.
Who is Eligible to Apply?
Any artist who:
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has a valid Maine address as a full or part-time resident of the state, and
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is 18 years of age or older at the time of application, and
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is not enrolled as a full-time student in a field related to the application, and
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has resided in Maine for a minimum of one year at the time of the application and
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has completed and filed all final reports required for previous Maine Arts Commission grants.
A professional Maine arts organization that:
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is nonprofit and legally established in Maine, and
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has tax exempt status 501(c)(3) from the Internal Revenue Service or is a unit of local, county, state or tribal government, and
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promotes, presents, produces and/or teaches visual, performing or literary art(s) as its primary purpose, and
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has completed and filed all final reports required for previous Maine Arts Commission grants.
How to Apply
Guidelines are available in large print format by request. All Maine Arts Commission programs are accessible (ADA). All programs funded by the
Maine Arts Commission must also be accessible.
Defining e-GRANT
Applicants are now required to apply through the Maine Arts Commission e-GRANT system. Forms to accompany e-GRANT applications can be downloaded on your computer, filled out and electronically uploaded to the e-GRANT system. Applicants who have a compelling reason that they are unable to apply through the e-GRANT system must discuss an alternative at this time.
e-GRANT provides the following advantages over the standard application format:
- e-GRANT allows applicants who apply for multiple grants to supply contact information only once. Only one copy of the electronic application is required.
- e-GRANT guarantees that an application will be received by the deadline. Applicants are notified as soon as the e-GRANT application is downloaded.
- e-GRANT will not allow an incomplete application to be submitted, but rather will identify missing materials. Complete applications are guaranteed to be reviewed.
- e-GRANT allows an applicant to submit narrative, budget information and resumes, letter of intent, etc. by attaching word processed documents.
- e-GRANT applications may require an original signature or artist materials that can not be submitted electronically. These must also be postmarked by the deadline as well.
Please review the following guidelines carefully in preparing your application in either electronic or standard format. Failure to comply with these requirements will result in disqualification of your application. Only complete applications will be accepted.
Important! Before developing the final proposal, discuss the project with Darrell Bulmer, at 207/287-6746, darrell.bulmer@maine.gov or TTY/NexTalk 877/887-3878 User ID: darrell.bulmer, to determine whether the initiative meets the guidelines. This is required.
Individual artists who have been encouraged to proceed must submit:
- e-GRANT Application Forms: Applicant Information and Project Information. .
- Vendor Form (this is information used by the Treasury to generate a check if the grant is awarded. Applicants should be sure to indicate the address the check should be sent to.)
- Resume(s) for the applicant and any other artists to be employed by the project.
- Clear, specific responses to each of the following project description statements, addressed sequentially and numbered. Responses should not exceed two pages.
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Describe the project that your grant request would support.
- Show evidence of how the receipt of funds from the Good Idea Grant will increase the visibility of the project you described in the previous question.
Note: The project description is the central element of the grant request. The more information the reviewers have about the project and its relation to the increased visibility of the artist, the better they can judge its merits. An application that demonstrates a cash commitment by the applicant strengthens the application.
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One complete set of properly labeled Artistic Materials. A list describing these samples, including titles, dimensions, length of performance, title of poems, etc., must accompany the application.
Organizations who have been encouraged to proceed must submit:
- e-GRANT Application Forms: Applicant Information and Project Information.
- Assurances Form with original signature of authorizing official.
- Vendor Form (this is information used by the Treasury to generate a check if the grant is awarded. Applicants should be sure to indicate the address the check should be sent to.)
- Resume(s) for the applicant and any other artists to be employed by the project.
- One complete set of properly labeled Artistic Materials. A list describing these samples, including titles, dimensions, length of performance, title of poems, etc., must accompany the application.
- Clear, specific responses to each of the following project description statements, addressed sequentially and numbered. Responses should not exceed two pages.
- Describe the project that your grant request would support.
- Show evidence of how the receipt of funds from the Good Idea Grant will increase the visibility of the project you described in the previous question.
- Provide a brief description of how this project will support Maine’s artists.
Note: The project description is the central element of the grant request. The more information the reviewers have about the project and its relation to the increased visibility of the artist, the better they can judge its merits. An application that demonstrates a cash commitment by the applicant strengthens the application.
Guidelines for Submitting the Application Packet
- Use a 12-point font
- Make copies of all forms and other application materials for your record.
Questions? Please contact Darrell Bulmer, at 207/287-6746, darrell.bulmer@maine.gov or TTY/NexTalk 877/887-3878 User ID: darrell.bulmer.
Review Process
Applications are reviewed by members of the Maine Arts Commission's Communication Committee and/or members of the public selected for their expertise in specific fields.
Recommendations are presented to the Maine Arts Commission at its next regularly scheduled meeting for approval of the selection process.
Review Criteria
Good Idea Arts Visibility Grant proposals are reviewed on a competitive basis using the following criteria:
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Evidence that the funding will increase the visibility of the artist’s or organization’s project.
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Artistic excellence of project subject matter.
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Ability to demonstrate the capacity to complete the project.
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Evidence of the use of Maine Vendors.
Artistic Materials
Artists applying to the Good Idea Arts Visibility Grant program must submit materials in the format described below CDs, DVDs, web content and printed materials are the most important aspect of your presentation to the jury. It is essential that materials are of the highest professional quality necessary to represent your artwork to its best advantage.
Formats
Please use the following instructions to insure your eligibility. All applications must include one set of artistic materials and a description list.
CD ROM for Visual Submissions
- The application package must include one set of ten images, depicting individual pieces, installations, designs models or products. Detail shots may be included.
- Preferred image format is a digital/scanned image saved as a .jpg. The image needs to be at least 500 x 360 pixels in size with a maximum single dimension of 1024 and saved at a resolution of 72 dpi.
- When you save your image, use the following naming conventions to name your file:
1. Artist name_title of image_year of work.jpg (Example: JaneDoe_Untitled_2004.jpg).
2. Maximum of 72 characters in the file name.
3. Name cannot contain any spaces or characters other than letters, numbers, underscore or hyphen.
- Work samples must be accompanied by a list that includes titles, dimensions, materials and date for each image submitted.
- Represented work must be current, which means preferably within the past three years, except in the case of large-scale installations.
CD ROM and DVD for Audio and Video Submissions
- The application package must include quality recording(s) in CD ROM or DVD format.
- Required formats are:
Video: .avi or .mov files
Audio: .mp3 or .wav files
- Recording selection(s) set at a maximum of 15 minute review time and can include a single piece or multiple pieces as edited by the artist to best present the artists work and concept.
- If an artist is submitting a commercially produced CD or DVD then they must clearly indicate selected tracks or portions of tracks. These submissions should allow for jurors to hear/watch selected segments of larger works without viewing the entire piece.
- DVDs and CDs should contain enough space between selections to alert the jurors that they are beginning to assess a new work.
- Must include a separate sheet listing the artist’s name, title(s) of work(s), date(s) of completion, running time(s) when applicable, format of support material, best viewing platform (PC/MAC) and any special presentation instructions, and additional production credits.
- Represented work must be current, which means preferably within the past three years.
Web Content
- Web content can be provided using screen shot images as .jpegs, or as part of a PowerPoint presentation that should include live links where applicable.
- When submitting URLs, applicants may wish to suggest preferred web browsers for optimal vision of submitted materials.
Printed Materials
- Supporting printed materials (one copy only required) must be postmarked (on or before December 12, 2008) and delivered by mail, a delivery company or by hand to:
The Maine Arts Commission office, "GIG VISIBILITY"
193 State Street, 25 SHS
Augusta, Maine 04333-0025
In addition to grant funding, the Maine Arts Commission staff provides ongoing technical assistance to communities, schools, cultural organizations and individual artists on a wide range of topics including:
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technical workshops statewide through the agency’s annual artME program, including grant writing, portfolio development, marketing, etc.;
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gathering ideas and information about artists for conferences, workshops, demonstrations or residencies;
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reviewing professional standards for individual artists;
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identifying and/or improving facilities for cultural activities;
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publicizing and promoting community arts events;
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carrying out a public art process; and/or
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complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act and other federal mandates.
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