Public Art Lecture Series

In an ongoing effort to support publicly accessible art in Maine, the Maine Arts Commission proudly announces a one-time competitive grant program offering up to $4,000 each to at least six successful applicants in order to host outstanding lecturers on the theme: “Public Art: What’s the Use?”.

This theme is intended to attract topics and lecturers that reflect current innovations in the realm of public art, with an emphasis on work – whether ephemeral or permanent, material or performative, large-scale or small – that serves some purpose that extends beyond merely artistic considerations. Applicants may employ the broadest possible definitions of “public” and “art” when nominating a speaker, topic and venue.

There are no restrictions on who/what may be proposed, but applicants must provide a detailed description (in 500 words or fewer) of the speaker, topic, and lecture event for which grant support is requested, along with details related to venue, scheduling, promotion, follow-up, and the speaker’s qualifications or curriculum vitae.

The goal of this lecture series is to support a wide range of speakers, topics, and venues throughout the state and across the 2009 calendar. At the end of the series, the Maine Arts Commission will host a concluding event bringing together select series speakers and hosts to share highlights with the public and to reflect on the many accomplishments of the Percent for Art program since its inception 30 years ago.

Deadline

The application deadline is September 30, 2008, for projects taking place from January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2009.

Completed applications must be submitted no later than 5:00 p.m. E.S.T. by mail, a delivery company or be hand delivered to the Maine Arts Commission office, 193 State Street, Augusta, Maine on the date of the deadline.

Late applications will not be accepted under any circumstances.

eGRANT will not be available as a means of submission for this program.

Who is Eligible to Apply

A professional Maine arts organization that:

is nonprofit and legally established in Maine, and
has tax exempt status 501(c)(3) from the Internal Revenue Service or is a unit of local, county, state or tribal government, and
has completed and filed all final reports required for previously awarded Maine Arts Commission grants.

The maximum award for Public Art Lecture Series projects is $4,000.

Review Process

The Maine Arts Commission’s public art committee will review applications.

Recommendations will be presented to the Maine Arts Commission at their next scheduled meeting. The Maine Arts Commission approves the selection process.

Review Criteria

All grant proposals are reviewed on a competitive basis using the following criteria:

The qualification and quality of the presenter chosen for the lecture
The innovation of the presenters approach
Relevance of the lecture topic to the series theme
Availability of matching funds from the hosting organization
The location and quality of the venue
Sophistication of the venue promotional strategy
Diversity in relation to other proposals

How to Apply

Guidelines are available in large print format by request. All Maine Arts Commission programs are accessible;all programs founded by the Maine Arts Commission must also be accessible.

Accessible Print Symbol Telephone Typewriter Symbol Sign Language Interpretation Symbol

Please review the following guidelines carefully in preparing your application materials. Failure to comply with these requirements will result in disqualification of your application. Only complete applications will be accepted.

Applicants who have been encouraged to proceed must submit:

Please submit the following:

One Maine Arts Commission Application Form.
One State of Maine Vendor Form.
Resumes of key personnel.
Answers to each of the following questions addressed sequentially and by number. Answers should not exceed in two pages:
1. Describe the overview for the presenter and the project.
2. Outline the location, date and time of event; and if there is any flexibility to the proposed schedule.
3. Identify the presenter. Attach a resume or other material describing the presenter such as work samples, CV or a link to an artist site.
4. Concisely describe what specific topic will be the theme of the lecture.
5. Define how the lecture topic relates to art and the public sphere.
6. Identify efforts that will be made to make the presentation available to the public.
7. State your expectations for the project.
8. Outline your financial commitment to the project

Please include one original application with all related materials. Please do not submit applications in elaborate file folders or packaging or use fonts below 12-point print. Make copies of all forms and other application materials for your records prior to submitting them to the Maine Arts Commission.

If you have questions about your Public Art Lecture Series application, please contact Kerstin Gilg, public art associate at 207/287-6719, 877/887-3878 - TTY/NexTalk or kerstin.gilg@maine.gov.

Follow-up with Kathy Ann Shaw, senior development associate & accessibility coordinator at 207/287-2750, 877/887-3878 - TTY/NexTalk User ID Kathy.Shaw or kathy.shaw@maine.gov may be recommended.