The Trust's Project Grant program supports activities in the fine arts: painting, drawing, design, sculpture, architecture, ceramics, glass works, literature, film or other video recordings, and performing arts including but not limited to music, dance and theater. Grant support is intended to make it possible to present or produce a fine arts activity.
Description
The Trust project grant program will support activities in the fine arts; defined as painting, drawing, design, sculpture, architecture, ceramics, glassworks, literature, film or other video recordings, performing arts, including but not limited to, music, dance and theater. Grant support is intended to make it possible for you to present or produce a fine arts activity.
If you receive a Trust organization grant, you will have eleven (11) months to complete the project, unless the Trust board has been contacted prior to the project deadline and approves an extension. Final reports are due 60 days after the completion of your project. If you are applying the following year, final reports must be received before the grant deadline.
If major changes are anticipated in the project or how the dollars will be spent, the organization must receive prior approval by the Trust board.
If funds are not used as stated in the grant application; 1) all or a portion of the grant dollars will need to be refunded to the Trust, or 2) the organization may not be eligible to apply for funding in the future.
Awards
Organization Project Grants are typically limited to $2000. However, award limits for each grant round are listed on the application start page. Please refer to these limits when applying in the event that a change has been introduced for that specific grant round. Any application requesting more than the limit will be capped.
Who May Apply?
To be eligible to apply to this program, a fine arts organization or group must be registered as a non-profit in the State of Minnesota or be a federal non-profit, tax exempt 501(c)3 organization located in Ely.
A fine arts organization or group which has not yet achieved state or federal non-profit status may be eligible to apply for a project grant request:
below $1000, as long as it provides clear documentation and receipts for money spent and may be required to submit a status report halfway through the project grant.
over $1000, as long as it collaborates with another 501(c)3 organization to act as its fiscal sponsor.
Exceptions for individual artists
Individual artists may apply for a project grant in collaboration with a non-profit organization. Interested individuals must contact the executive director to discuss the proposed project.
What kind of activities does the Project Grant fund?
This list is intended to help you understand the purpose of the grant program and is NOT a complete list of
eligible opportunities.
Public performances by touring artists or companies who might also work in schools.
Presentations of assembled touring exhibitions.
Presentations of performing arts events.
Productions of exhibitions curated by the applicant organization.
Artist residencies, lecture/demonstrations, master classes and workshops that are open to the public
(the artists may also work in schools).
Project that commissions new works of art or publish literature.
Presentations of film or video screenings.
Productions of public readings by local, regional or national writers or poets.
Publications of art or literature.
Projects that provide technical assistance to arts organizations or the artists they serve.
Projects which provide technical assistance to individual artists.
Projects that may be a collaboration between an individual artist(s) and an organization.
Projects that promote or create arts criticism.
Who or what does this Project Grant not fund?
Any organization that is ‘for-profit.’
Any Trust grant recipient with an overdue final report.
This Project Grant will not fund any project that:
requires artists to pay excessive entry fees to exhibit or perform;
is designed for a private audience and is not open to the general public;
begins before the earliest possible starting date specified in the information on deadlines;
takes place in ‘phases,’ unless the proposed ‘phase’ can stand alone as a distinct and individual project;
is submitted by an educational institution or group whose primary audience for arts activities is students in a K-16 general education setting and the project replaces or substitutes for basic arts or music curriculum;
is made by an individual without organization support (see above).
This Project Grant will not fund any project that:
has funds requested for a project whose primary function is to serves as a benefit or fundraiser;
engages in political lobbying or discriminates against persons or groups;
Is for projects or services which do not result in a fine arts activity;
funding is requested for general operating support.
Note
The Gardner Humanities Trust has attempted to provide a thorough and clear articulation of its eligibility rules but reserves the right to declare an application ineligible for reasons not explicitly stated here. If you have questions about the eligibility of your project, please contact the office.
Review Criteria
The Trust board will use the following criteria to evaluate your application.
Community Impact
Project brings new opportunities or events to the community.
Project provides a measurable benefit to the community.
The Trust encourages projects that impact or engage children and families.
The Trust encourages collaboration between artists and organizations.
Artistic Quality and Merit
Artistic quality is based on the quality of the artist. The Trust will take into account where each applicant is in his/her career. Resume and work samples should demonstrate originality, technical skill, artistic vision, and professional commitment. Work must provoke emotion, intellectual inquiry or other response from an audience.
A project demonstrates merit by being closely aligned to the artistic/organization goals and current abilities, or the anticipated impact of the opportunity on the artists’/organizations’ work or career.
Ability to Complete
The applicant must demonstrate an ability to accomplish the project or program as described.
Ability is demonstrated by providing evidence of a planning process, the qualifications of the artistic personnel (resumes), publicity efforts and previous successful efforts carried out by the artist/organization.
Is the budget feasible?
Has the applicant explored other avenues of supplementary funding?
Does the applicant describe adequate plans to let the public know about the project?
Artistic Need
Applicant must demonstrate how this project will enhance their own development, or that of the
audience it serves.
Education Quality
Project expands knowledge/appreciation of the fine arts.
Application Narrative
The narrative portion of the application is designed to help your organization address the review criteria. The following questions will be asked of you when filling out your application. Take time in advance to consider your answers.
Repeat Projects
If your project is a repeat from another year/grant round, please indicate in your narrative what has changed since the last time this project was submitted. For example, are there new aspects of the project, new innovations, evaluations or increase in community impact.
Provide your organization’s mission statement or describe your organization and its goals.
Describe the project you plan to undertake.
Describe how you will implement the project (action plan or timeline).
Describe plans for promotion and publicity connected with the project.
How does this project fill an artistic need in our community?
What is the community impact of this project?
How does this project expand knowledge or appreciation of the fine arts?
What do you want to happen as a result of your activities? How will you measure these changes?
List the names of the project director and principal personnel involved in the project. What are the roles
and responsibilities of the project director and principal personnel?
What related past activities demonstrate your organization’s ability to plan and carry out a project?
List sources of income for your organization, if any.
What are your long-term funding strategies?
Attachments Checklist
In addition to the above questions, you will also need to provide the following documents.
Annual budget or profit/loss statement for the last full fiscal year.
Projected organization budget for the next year.
Relevant reviews, articles, brochures, photos, etc.
Resumes of project director and principal personnel.
Copy of the written/signed fiscal sponsor contract (if applicable).
Copy of form verifying 501(c) status.
Timeline
Board decisions and award contracts will be mailed 30 days after the application deadline. The Trust will make funds available within 4 weeks of receiving the signed award contracts.