(L-R) Eli Lakes and Zac Manuel behind the camera at ROOTS Weekend-Atlanta. Photo: Melisa Cardona
FALL 2018 ARTISTIC ASSISTANCE PROJECT DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION SCHEDULE
In 2018, we’ll be offering 2 rounds of Artistic Assistance: Professional Development in the spring and Project Development in the fall.
Application Available: July 24, 2018
Technical Assistance Calls: Monday, August 6 at 1pm EST & Thursday, August 30 at 7pm EST
Proposal Coaching Deadline: Friday, August 31 at 5pm
Application Deadline: September 11, 2018 at 5pm EST
Notifications: December 2018
To support your application process, Alternate ROOTS offers proposal support, including conversations of intent, technical assistance calls, and proposal coaching. For more information on these and other grant writing resources, click here.
WHAT IS ARTISTIC ASSISTANCE?
Artistic Assistance is a program of Alternate ROOTS that provides direct support to individual artists and cultural workers in the South to enhance their skills, create unique projects, and build community. The program has two funding areas: Professional Development and Project Development.
WHY DOES ROOTS VALUE SUPPORTING SOUTHERN ARTISTS?
ROOTS’ mission is to support southern artists and organizers working at the intersection of art, community, and activism. Our members create original work that is rooted in communities of place, tradition, or spirit and is dedicated to the elimination of all forms of oppression. By supporting community based social justice artists in the U.S. South, ROOTS leads the field by infusing resources where they are most needed. It is imperative that individual artists, culture workers, and culture bearers have access and opportunity to fund not only their art, but also the social justice movements they are connected to; in this way, ROOTS and our membership are working to transform the South and the nation.
ARTISTIC ASSISTANCE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
ROOTS aims to transform from an organization that is a formidable network of artists and cultural workers, leveraging their creativity, talent, and training, to become a significant resource for artists and local communities throughout the region.
The primary objective of the Artistic Assistance program is to provide financial resources to artists throughout the South and, thus, strengthen the capacity and impact of their work. Artistic Assistance offers direct funding to our individual members. It also aims to support grant recipients beyond the financial resources this program offers. As with our Partners in Action program, we see this as an opportunity to build strong partnerships and collaborations with our members that extend or deepen their presence within a community, at home, or on the road. ROOTS wishes to support projects that highlight existing community assets or address critical local issues in communities that are deeply impacted by social, economic, and environmental injustices.
WHAT KINDS OF PROJECTS ARE ELIGIBLE? HOW DO I APPLY?
In 2018, we’ll be offering 2 rounds of Artistic Assistance: Professional Development in the spring and Project Development in the fall.
Artistic Assistance Project Development: $250-$5,000
Artistic Assistance Project Development grants support the creation of members’ artistic projects. Project Development can include, but is not limited to collaborative partners, consultant and artists fees, administration, space rentals, studio time, supplies, and travel. No more than 50% of the funds can be used to pay the applicant.
Funds may not be used for travel or registration fees to an Alternate ROOTS event (e.g. ROOTS Week or a ROOTS Weekend).
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY?
To be eligible to apply for an Artistic Assistance grant, all of the following must be true for you:
- You are a current dues paying General or Voting Member living within the ROOTS region as of August 14, 2018.
- You have not received a ROOTS grant or partnership in the 18 months prior to awards. If you received a Spring or Fall Artistic Assistance award or Partners in Action notification between March 2017 and September 2018, you are not eligible to apply this round.
- Your project development takes place between December 2018-December 2019.
- You do not have any outstanding ROOTS grant or partnership final reports due.
If you have more questions, please contact Wendy Shenefelt, Programs Director, at wendy@alternateroots.org or (404) 577-1079 ext 306.
ROOTS REGION
All projects MUST take place within the Alternate ROOTS service area: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington D.C.
ROOTS is especially interested in receiving applications from artists working in: Alabama, Arkansas, and West Virginia. These states are an organizational priority. ROOTS will also prioritize applications from members of Native and Indigenous communities, trans people of color, and youth.
With the rise in the number of Artistic Assistance applicants, priority may be given to applicants who have not received project development support within the past 24 months.
ROOTS ARTISTIC ASSISTANCE POLICY STATEMENT
Alternate ROOTS values and is committed to the protection of the natural world and the elimination of all forms of oppression. Therefore, unlike typical funding models, ROOTS’ selection processes consider geographic distribution and diversity in terms of race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, ability, and class, in addition to seeking projects that reflect the goals and objectives of the program.
To achieve these goals, the organization accepts applications in any one of the following formats: written, video, audio, and large print. We strive to convene peer panels that reflect the diversity we seek to achieve in our programs. The panelists review applications and recommend proposals for funding to staff. Final decisions are made by staff to ensure that all program goals are met to the best of our ability.
First time applicants and previously unfunded applicants are required to have a Conversation of Intent prior to submitting an application. To schedule a Conversation of Intent, email Wendy Shenefelt at wendy@alternateroots.org by September 4, 2018.
HOW TO APPLY
Final applications are due September 11, 2018 by 5pm EST.
To submit your application:
- Click the 2018 Artistic Assistance Project Development application form link here.
- Fill out the form.
- Attach application narrative and budget documents (download these below).
Word: 2018 Artistic Assistance Project Development Application – You MUST fill out the entire document. Failure to complete all sections could affect your ability to qualify. Attach work samples to the application, and submit as one complete file. Note: The file size must not exceed 25 MB.
PDF: 2018 Artistic Assistance Project Development Application
This Budget Template may be used for Artistic Assistance applications. You may also submit your own budget document. Please clearly mark where ROOTS funds will be used for budgets that greatly exceed the request:
Excel: Artistic Assistance Budget Template
PDF: Artistic Assistance Budget Template
The following is a Sample Completed Budget, to serve as an example:
Excel: Artistic Assistance Sample Budget
PDF: Artistic Assistance Sample Budget
EVALUATION CRITERIA
The Artistic Assistance granting panels are made up of cross-disciplinary artists, organizers, ROOTS members, and individuals from peer organizations. The panelists will use the following criteria to evaluate all applications:
30%: Articulation of Artistic Vision
Did the applicant clearly articulate the artistic vision and aesthetic direction of the project?
30%: Alignment with ROOTS Mission
Is the proposal rooted in a particular community of place, tradition, or spirit? How does it connect to social, economic, and/or environmental justice?
20%: Goals and Outcomes
Did the proposal clearly define the goals and outcomes that the applicant will use to evaluate the project? Are the applicant’s goals and outcomes realistic and feasible within the proposed timeline?
20%: Budget
Is the budget clear and accurate? Are the artist fees appropriate for the level of engagement required of participants?