By CORDELIA BURPEE
A graduate student in community arts
management at Sangamon State University,
she was co-founder of two touring puppet
theaters in upstate New York and is
currently working under grant from the
Illinois Arts Council as community arts
development intern.
When planning an arts project, an organization should focus on excellence and community involvement
How to get your project funded by the Illinois Arts Council
"PEOPLE can't come in with the expectation that they're going to get a grant right
off."
"There's nothing mysterious about it.
Getting a grant is a very simple procedure."
Contradictory? Not according to Michael
Dunbar, executive director of the Galesburg
Community Arts Council, who says that
both his statements accurately depict the
process of obtaining a grant from the Illinois
Arts Council. Dunbar says that "while
getting a grant is not a mysterious process at
all, it does involve some standard procedures
as well as some insight into the functioning
of the State Arts Council." The surest way
for an organization to get an arts grant, he
says, is through organization, planning, and
persistence.
"In going for a grant," says Dunbar, "one should look to the total picture." When considering applications, he explains, the Council is interested in how a grant is going to support the state's total program, a program designed to bring the best arts projects to the most people. Too often an artistic group expends its energies on projects lacking any real focus or direction for the local community.
An example of this kind of focus can be seen in the rotational exhibition of large outdoor metal work in and around downtown Galesburg. "I have always been interested in the possibilities for art in public places," said Dunbar. When a group of downtown businessmen approached him about getting some sculpture in the downtown plaza, Dunbar saw the possibilities of a project that would not only satisfy Galesburg businessmen, but would also educate the community. Such a program could also serve as an experiment in obtaining the support of the business sector for arts projects.
Chairman's grant
Dunbar located an artist (Barry Tinsley of
Stanford) willing to temporarily donate his
work. The Downtown Village Council
donated $100 toward costs, and the First
Galesburg Bank provided an additional
$100. In calculating the cost of the exhibit
(publicity, insurance, use of a crane to install
the sculpture, etc.), Dunbar saw that he would need an additional $400. He then
made application to the Illinois Arts Council
for a chairman's grant. "Chairman's grants,"
explained Dunbar, "can be made for
requests of up to $500. While such a grant is
subject to most of the same kinds of
limitations as regular grants, generally a
letter stating who, what, where, and why and
including a budget is sufficient. Chairman's
grants need not meet any funding deadline,
but it is best to allow three to four months
for processing the grant."
Success of exhibit
Dunbar's planning paid off. The Arts
Council was interested in his project and was
especially encouraged by local financial
support. Galesburg got its grant and the
results have been impressive. Newspapers
statewide have covered the exhibit, and now
a new outdoor exhibit is planned. The
community has become so fond of the
present sculpture that a citizens' committee
has been formed to explore the possibilities
of purchasing it with a grant from the
National Endowment for the Arts.
While the procedure used in getting a chairman's grant is less complicated than the one for larger grants, the kind of planning displayed by Dunbar is applicable in any case. The factors to consider in making application are:
1. Know your organization. What are its long-range plans? Does the project for which you seek funding reflect these plans? How does it fit in with other programs you are planning for the year?
2. Know the Arts Council, its purpose,
procedures and expectations in considering
grant application. A great deal of time and
energy can be saved by becoming familiar
with this basic information.
a. The Council cannot fund grant proposals for construction, deficit financing,
out-of-state touring, nor will it subsidize an
individual's academic study. Funded organizations must be nonprofit and, in most eases,
operating for at least a year to be eligible for
a grant.
b. Application for funds must be made by
certain deadlines. These deadlines are a fact
of life and will not go away. In fiscal 1977,
grant submission deadlines were set for December 1, 1976, and April 5, 1977.
c. Know what the Council is looking for.
Matching funds and the development of
professional standards are prime considerations in the funding of projects.
"The ideal application," says Dunbar "sets forth the position that 'All we need from you is a little financial push to help us get over the edge'." Generally, the Arts Council will not pick up more than half the total cost of a project. The smaller the percentage of total program cost the Council is asked to provide, the greater the chance for funding. In this regard, it is important in estimating the cost of a program to include "in kind" services (use of facilities, mailing, and telephone costs, etc., or in the case of Dunbar's grant, donation of the use of a crane). Such services are often essential to the success of a program, and quite often these services are donated. Including these costs in your total budget will increase the dollar amount of local support indicated on the application.
The Arts Council has a particular interest in programs that are "geared to the most professional standards possible." If you are seeking funds for an organization, the fact that part of the money will be used to raise artistic standards — through the employment of an artistic director or consultant, for example — will make your proposal more attractive.
3. Make contact. If you have any questions about procedures, call the Arts Council. Ask for the staff person involved in the area in which you are making application. These staff people can provide detailed information. Make sure you both understand how your proposal matches up with Council expectations. (Staff personnel evaluate proposals and make recommendations to the Council. The more clearly they understand your project, the better your chance of getting a good hearing.)
4. Be persistent. Priorities and budgets change from season to season. If your project doesn't get funded, find out why. Perhaps you can rework your application and reapply. You are up against a new set of requests every funding period, so your chances may be just as good the second tirme.
There is nothing mysterious about the process of getting a grant. The key word is communication. All it takes is some planning, a little imagination and an understanding of how your community and the Arts Council can work together in providing support for your activities.
10 / February 1977 / Illinois Issues