GRANT WORKSHOP
Online Grant Workshop 1.
General Requirements
2.
Grant Deadlines ×
Annual Grants
×
Arts Builds Communities Grants
×
Rolling Grants
×
Student Ticket Subsidy Grants
3.
eGrant Instructions
4.
Additional Information
Tennessee Arts Commission Staff ●
Hal Partlow: Associate Director of Grants
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Vickie McPherson: Arts Programming Administrative Assistant
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Diane Williams: Director of Grants Management
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Lee Baird: Director of Literary Arts
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Ann Brown: Director of Arts Education
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Bradley Hanson: Director of Folklife
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William Coleman: Director of Arts Access
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Dana Everts-Boehm: Folklife Program Assistant
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Shannon Ford: Director of Community Arts
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Jared Morrison: Director of Performing Arts
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James Wells: Arts Education Special Projects Coordinator
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Krishna Adams: Director of Visual Arts, Craft, Media and Design
1 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
General Eligibility Requirements A variety of distinct funding opportunities in the arts exist to serve all Tennesseans and their communities. Eligible applicants for grant funds include: 1.
Federal 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit arts and non-arts organizations
2.
Governmental organizations including units of government, schools, colleges, and universities
3.
Professional individual artists, arts administrators and educators
General Eligibility Requirements Nonprofit arts and non-arts organizations must provide copies of their: 1.
501(c)(3) letter of determination
2.
Charter (articles of incorporation) as filed with the Tennessee Secretary of State.
3.
Most recent organizational bylaws.
General Eligibility Requirements DUNS Numbers ●
All applicants, except individuals, are required to have a DUNS number because the federal government has adopted the use of them as a way to keep track of how federal grant money is awarded and dispersed.
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Dun and Bradstreet (D&B) is the company that provides the "data universal numbering system" known as DUNS. They issue unique 9-digit numbers that are used by businesses and the federal government to keep track of more than 70 million businesses worldwide.
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Because a DUNS number is specific to a physical location, some entities (such as states, public school districts and universities) will have distinctly separate DUNS numbers OR what is known as "DUNS + 4," which is used to identify specific units within a larger entity.
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Follow this link, as provided in all guidelines, to learn more.
General Requirements Individuals 1. Resident of Tennessee 2. Professional artist, arts administrator or educator 3. Meet specific grant eligibility requirements
Any questions about eligibility should be directed to Commission staff before starting an application.
General Requirements HELPFUL DEFINITION Arts Organization: An organization whose mission statement clearly states that the majority of its goals and activities are arts-focused, and whose budget clearly demonstrates a focus on the arts for the majority of the organization’s annual activities. The Tennessee Arts Commission’s definition of art encompasses the fine arts as well as ethnic, folk and traditional forms.
General Requirements HELPFUL DEFINITION Organization of Color: An organization whose board is 50% or more people identified racially as Asian, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, American Indian/Alaska Native, and/or Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander.
General Requirements HELPFUL DEFINITION Statewide Organization: Applications for “statewide” organizations may only be submitted by membership service or single-discipline arts organizations whose board of directors and officers geographically represent the entire state and whose statewide mission can be legally demonstrated in the language of their bylaws. Geographic representation means that at least half of the organization’s board, membership, and officers reside outside the grand division in which the statewide organization is based.
Application Requirements × Use current eGrant application form and submit electronically × Application must be filled out on a computer (using Adobe Reader 8.0
or higher, a free shareware program) × When required, hard copies of the application and supplemental
materials must be turned in to the Commission office by the due date × Most applications require two different original signatures
Multiple Applications × The number of grants you can apply for in a given fiscal year is
explained on the Commission website under Multiple Applications. × Eligible applicants can only submit 1 application in each grant
category per fiscal year, except for the Student Ticket Subsidy. × If you intend to apply for more than one grant category during the
fiscal year, it is prudent to discuss your plan with a staff member and clearly demonstrate that each application is for a separate and distinct project.
What Can the Commission Fund? × Projects that involve and promote Tennessee artists × Visiting artists conducting a variety of activities × Specific aspects of workshops, festivals and conferences × Public performances, productions and exhibitions produced by the applicant × Exhibitions of art or touring productions by Tennessee artists and artists from
outside Tennessee × Promotion, publicity and newsletters × Administrative and artistic staff support × Consultancies and residencies for
administrative and artistic purposes ● See specific guidelines for eligible activities
What the Commission Cannot Fund: × Capital improvements (buildings or construction) × Programs not open to the general public × “Seed money” × Elimination of an accumulated deficit × In-school, curriculum-based projects, except under Arts Education × Applications for colleges or universities that do not involve
community planning, implementation and participation × Applications to begin, match, add to, or complete any type of endowment campaign or program × Planned fundraising events
What the Commission Cannot Fund: ×
Elimination of an accumulated deficit ×
Organizations with a standing deficit must submit a detailed plan to reduce that deficit with the application
× Faith-based organizations may not apply for faith-based projects × See specific guidelines for ineligible activities.
For a full list of Commission funding restrictions see the legal requirements on the Commission website.
Matching Requirements
Most grant categories require at least a one-to-one (1:1) dollar match of any funds requested from the Tennessee Arts Commission.
Accessibility All Commission programs, services, and facilities are fully accessible to all Tennessee artists.
No person on the grounds of race, color, national origin, disability, age, religion or sex shall be excluded from participation in, or be denied benefits of, or otherwise be subject to discrimination of services, programs, and employment provided by the Tennessee Arts Commission and its contracting agencies.
2 APPLICATION DEADLINES & GRANT CATEGORY DESCRIPTIONS
Types of Grants TYPE 1 - SPECIFIC DEADLINES × Annual Grants These grants are directly administered by the Tennessee Arts Commission with staggered deadlines in January of every year. ! Grants for Individuals × Individual Artist Fellowship ! Grants for Arts Education × Arts Education Community Learning, Arts Education Teacher Training, Arts Education Artist-in-Residence, & Funds for At-Risk Youth ! Grants for Project Support × Arts Access, Arts Project Support, & Rural Arts Project Support ! Grants for Operating Support × Partnership Support, Cultural Education Partnership, Major Cultural Institution × Arts Build Communities Grants 13 designated agencies across Tennessee administer and distribute funds for project support on behalf of the Tennessee Arts Commission. Deadline is July 1 of every year.
Types of Grants TYPE 2 - VARIABLE DEADLINES Deadline is a minimum of 30 days prior to the activity × Rolling Grants Applications available for projects that start July 1 of every year, and remain available until funds are depleted. ! Grants for Individuals × Professional Development Support & Arts Education Teacher Incentive (the later for educators only) Grants ! Grants for Arts Education × Arts Education Mini-grants & Arts Education Teacher Incentive Grants ! Grants for All Organizations × Technical Assistance and Touring Arts Grants ! Grants for Special Opportunities (as defined by the Tennessee Arts Commission) × Special Opportunities Grants ! Grants for Arts Access organizations × Arts Access Mini-grants and Touring Arts Grants
×
Student Ticket Subsidy Grants Applications available August 26, 2014. The application date varies each year, depending upon school year opening, and remain available until funds are depleted. Available to public schools only.
A ANNUAL GRANTS
FY2017 Application Deadlines Annual Grants January 4, 2016 × Cultural Education Partnership × Major Cultural Institution January 11, 2016 × Arts Education ! Artist-In-Residence ! Community Learning (notify AE director at least 1 week prior) ! Funds for Underserved Youth ! Teacher Training January 19, 2016 × Arts Access (notify AA director at least 1 week prior) × Arts Project Support / Rural Arts Project Support × Partnership Support January 25, 2016 × Individual Artist Fellowship
Annual Grant Category Descriptions OPERATING SUPPORT GRANTS
1. Major Cultural Institution (MCI) category provides operating support to well-established arts
organizations chartered in Tennessee that represent the highest level of quality programming and have administrations primarily dedicated to one art discipline. Arts councils which serve a broad population and interact with local arts organizations are also eligible. (Arts festivals, arts centers, and presenting organizations are not eligible for this grant category.)
2. Cultural Education Partnership (CEP) category offers general operating support to well-
established, freestanding 501(c)(3) college/university level arts educational institutions that focus on training and/or accreditation in one or more arts disciplines, and offer the highest level of quality art education and administration.
3. Partnership Support (PS) provides operating support for qualified arts organizations chartered in
Tennessee. Applicants must be responsible for their own programming. Colleges, universities, and government units are not eligible for PS unless the unit is an official arts agency.
Specific category eligibility requirements can be found under Operating Support Grants on the Tennessee Arts Commission Website.
Annual Grant Category Descriptions PROJECT SUPPORT GRANTS 1. Arts Project Support (APS) AND Rural Arts Project Support (RAPS) categories provide funds for community-valued
arts projects in urban (APS) and rural (RAPS) counties. 2. ARTS ACCESS (AA) category offers direct support for arts projects run by organizations of color or to organizations
primarily benefiting people with disabilities. Project Support grants: ×
$500 - $9,000 for arts organizations
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$500 - $10,000 for statewide arts organizations
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$500 - $7,000 for non-arts organizations (e.g. universities, health care and social service agencies, senior citizens centers, etc.)
×
Dollar-for-dollar match required
×
Single project focus (request in up to 2 expense categories on budget page of application)
Specific category eligibility requirements can be found under Project Grants on the Tennessee Arts Commission Website.
TN Rural and Urban County Designations based on the physical address of the applicant organization
RURAL (RAPS) ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Bedford Benton Bledsoe Campbell Cannon Carroll Carter Cheatham Chester Claiborne Clay Cocke Coffee Crockett Cumberland Decatur DeKalb Dickson Dyer Fayette Fentress Franklin Gibson Giles Grainger Greene Grundy Hamblen
● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Hancock Hardeman Hardin Hawkins Haywood Henderson Henry Hickman Houston Humphreys Jackson Jefferson Johnson Lake Lauderdale Lawrence Lewis Lincoln Loudon Macon Marion Marshall McMinn McNairy Meigs Monroe Moore Morgan
● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Obion Overton Perry Polk Rhea Roane Robertson Scott Sequatchie Stewart Picket Smith Tipton Trousdale Unicoi Union Van Buren Warren Wayne Weakley White
URBAN (APS) ● Anderson ● Blount ● Bradley
● Putnam
● Davidson
● Rutherford
● Hamilton
● Sevier
● Knox
● Shelby
● Madison
● Sullivan
● Maury
● Sumner
● Montgomery
● Washington ● Williamson ● Wilson
Annual Grant Category Descriptions ARTS EDUCATION (AE) 1. Artist-In-Residence (AE-AR): for public school, curriculum-based projects
using Commission-approved artists in residence (as listed on the teaching artist roster)
2. Teacher Training (AE-TT): for arts organizations that provide professional
development for educators and teaching artists (nonprofit arts organizations, arts councils, 501(c)(3) public or private schools or school districts, institutions of higher learning)
Annual Grant Category Descriptions ARTS EDUCATION (AE) 3.
Community Learning (AE-CL): Innovative arts education projects that are in non-traditional K-12 school settings (nonprofit organizations or government agencies with a primary mission of education, libraries, nonprofit arts organizations, private pre-K-12 schools with nonprofit 501(c) 3 status) or meant for adult learners. Note: Public pre-K-12 schools are ineligible to apply in this grant category.
4. Funds for Underserved Youth (FUY): After-school or summer camp arts programs designed specifically for underserved elementary and secondary school students ( open to nonprofit organizations or government agencies, libraries, nonprofit arts organizations, and K-12 schools or school systems).
Annual Grant Category Descriptions ARTS EDUCATION (AE) × Award amounts range between $500 and $6,000 ($10,000 for certain types of AE-TT) × Projects may be curriculum based for K-12 students or involve adult learners in community arts education activities depending on the grant × Projects must be hands-on and not demonstration or presentation based × AE funds may not be used to hire guest directors, conductors, or set designers
Specific category eligibility requirements can be found under Arts Education Grants on the Tennessee Arts Commission Website.
Annual Grant Category Descriptions INDIVIDUAL ARTIST FELLOWSHIP (IAF) ● Fellowships recognize outstanding work by professional Tennessee artists ● Must be a legal resident of Tennessee ● May apply in only ONE category per year ● For professional artists only - minors and full-time students may not apply ● Artists who have received fellowships in the past may not reapply or apply in another category ● Fellowships are generally offered in Craft, Dance, Literary Arts, Media, Music, Theater, and Visual
Arts; categories within each disciplines may rotate annually ● Check the current guidelines to verify the actual category for a given year
Specific discipline eligibility requirements can be found under Individual Artist Fellowship on the Tennessee Arts Commission Website.
Annual Grant Cycle ● October: Online grant application & guideline posted for applicants ● October – December: Commission staff consultations ● January: Grant application deadlines ● February: Applications processed at Commission ● March: Applications sent to panelists ● April: Panel review meetings ● May: Staff allocations ● June: Commission meets to approve grant awards ● July 1: Grant announcements and projects begin ● July 1 - June 15: Funded projects occur ● 30 days after project - June 30: Awarded grants are closed out by recipient
FY2017 Annual Grant Panel Review Dates March & April 2016 Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
March
20
21
22 MCI
23 MCI
24
25 Good Friday Holiday
26
March/ April
27
28
29
30
31
1 Dance APS & PS
2
April
3
4 AE-TT
5 6 Folklife APS & PS Music APS & PS
7 RAPS I
8 RAPS II
9
April
10
11 AE –CL
12 13 Theater APS & PS Community Arts APS & PS
14 Literary Arts APS & PS
15 FUY
16
April
17
18 Inter-Arts APS & PS
19 Visual Arts & Craft APS & PS
21 AE-AR
22 Arts Access
23
20 Media & Design APS & PS
Advisory Panel Review × Panelists will be sent the applications to be reviewed in March. × Commission staff will facilitate the meeting. × Staff will provide a brief (approximately five minute) overview of each
application at the meeting.
× Mission of the applicant organization
Staff presentation will include the following information about the application
× Outreach to underserved populations × Organization description, including: target
× × × × ×
audience(s), artist(s)/staff info., overall planning, partnerships, financial support Budget, including Commission request, match, and income Evaluation Advocacy Areas of concern (math or spelling errors, ambiguity, missing information, etc.) Strengths of application
Discussio n Phase
×
After the presentation of the proposal, panelists may direct questions to the Commission staff presenter.
×
If the staff member does not know the answer (or cannot answer the question fully), the question may be directed to the representative from the applicant organization.
× All panel meetings begin promptly at 10:00 AM
CST and most end mid-to-late afternoon. Applicants will be sent a schedule of an approximate time of their review. × Panelists base evaluation ratings on value, quality,
Important Review Information
and excellence - not on the organization’s perceived need for the money. × Panel meetings are open to the public. Applicants
are notified of date, time, and place. It is not mandatory to attend, but it is recommended.
Evaluation Criteria × Evidence that the proposed project demonstrates artistic, cultural and/or educational value to the community being served × Evidence that the proposed project advances the organization’s mission to the community being served × Evidence that the organization understands and is responsive to the diverse interests and needs of the community it serves × Evidence that the proposed project supports the work of artists through payment of fees, services or appropriate benefits × Evidence that the organization understands and acts as an advocate for the public value of the arts in the community × Evidence that planning procedures are comprehensive, inclusive and communicated
Evaluation Criteria × Evidence that the organization understands principles of documentation and evaluation and results are used to guide future planning and programming × Evidence that the organization understands and demonstrates the value of public and private partnerships × Evidence that the organization demonstrates financial stability and a broad base
of financial support
× Evidence of the organization’s ability to carry out proposed project based on
history of Commission funding
× Evidence that the organization’s application is well planned, addresses all
questions, and is correct and complete in all information provided
B ARTS BUILD COMMUNITIES GRANTS
Arts Build Communities ARTS BUILD COMMUNITIES (ABC) Designed to provide support for arts projects that broaden access to arts experiences, address community quality of life issues through the arts, or enhance the sustainability of asset-based cultural enterprises.
The Tennessee Arts Commission offers the ABC program through a decentralized decision-making and distribution process in partnership with regional designated agencies.
Through ABC, the Commission seeks to build communities by nurturing artists, arts organizations (including local arts agencies), and arts supporters in each of Tennessee's 95 counties.
Arts Build Communities DESCRIPTION ● 13 designated agencies administer the ABC program statewide on behalf of the Tennessee ● ● ● ● ● ●
Arts Commission in all 95 counties. Funds a variety of quality arts projects Awards range from $500 to $2,000 Single project focus (request in up to 2 expense categories on budget page of application) Grant funds in this category must be matched dollar-for-dollar (please review “Matching Requirements” in the guidelines) Only one grant application may be submitted per applicant per year in this program Those organizations receiving operating support not eligible for this category.
Additional category eligibility requirements can be found in the Arts Build Communities guidelines on the Tennessee Arts Commission website.
Arts Build Communities ABC funds may be used to: ●
Provide innovative arts experiences that are new or unfamiliar to community residents
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Offer arts programs that are designed to help affect positive change in community social issues
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Develop arts programming that strengthens social networks through community engagement
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Undertake cultural arts initiatives that enhance a community’s identity and/or economic development
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Offer training that helps experienced or emerging artists/arts administrators develop entrepreneurial skills or innovative strategies for building sustainability
Arts Build Communities
Designated agencies are trained to help ABC applicants identify eligible activities, provide feedback on draft applications, administer local grant review panels, and assist grant recipients with tracking the success of funded activities. To identify the appropriate designated agency, look for the applicant’s home county in the following list. If you need help, please contact one of the designated agencies or the Tennessee Arts Commission.
Arts Build Communities Grant Cycle ● April: Guidelines posted for applicants ● April – May: Designated agencies host grant workshops ● May 1: Online grant application available to applicants ● July 1: Grant application deadlines ● July 1 - 21: Applications processed ● July 21 – mid August: Designated Agency Panel review meetings ● Following Designated Agency Penal meeting: Allocations approved & Awardees
notified ● Mid August – June 15: Funded projects occur ● 30 days after project-June 30: Awarded grants are closed out by recipient
C ROLLING GRANTS
Rolling Grants
Designed to meet the specialized needs of applicants, these grants occur throughout the fiscal year until funds are depleted. Often used to address unexpected opportunities to strengthen capacity or career development, rolling grants are available to organizations and individuals.
Rolling Grants 1.
Arts Education Mini-Grant
× Provides funds ranging from $500 to $1,000 to provide support to arts education providers who
have unanticipated short-term (maximum one week) or one-day arts education projects. × Projects may consist of, but are not limited to, community activities for adult learners, after-school programs for underserved youth, in-school curriculum based opportunities, arts-based service learning, or teacher training.
2. Arts Education Teacher Incentive × Provides funds ranging from $100 to $1,000 to help full-time educators, including arts specialists,
general classroom teachers, principals, roster teaching artists, and arts education administrators who work directly in or with K-12 schools to take advantage of unique opportunities that significantly will benefit their work or career development in arts education and arts integration. × Arts integration involves integrating standards-based performing, visual, and literary arts into nonarts subjects such as math, science, and reading.
Rolling Grants 3. Special Opportunities
Ă— Provides assistance to individuals and organizations for specific
opportunities recommended by the Tennessee Arts Commission.
4. Touring Arts Ă—
This category supports Tennessee presenters by providing grant funds up to $5,000 to offset the costs of professional artist fees for performing artists and groups that present to the public and offer an educational component with their engagement. The grant funds cover 50-100% of the artist fees, depending on the funding requested.
Rolling Grants 5. Technical Assistance Ă— Provides non-matching funds between $500-$1,500 to enhance organizational development by funding training opportunities for organization staff and/or trustees and for improvements to technology. Ă— Funds arts organizations that wish to strengthen their capacity by addressing the challenges of a fast-changing environment for the arts through either: (continued to next page)
1. Short-term consultations on particular artistic or organizational problems, with the staff of the applicant organization carrying out the resulting plan of action. 2. Sending administrators, board members, and other authorized representatives to conferences or seminars which will increase job effectiveness.
Rolling Grants 6. Professional Development Support Ă— Provides up to $750 to assist Tennessee artists and arts administrators with
funding support for participation in professional development and skillsbuilding activities which contribute to significant professional growth.
Specific eligibility requirements can be found under Grants-At-A-Glance on the Commission website.
Rolling Grant Cycle × June 1: Guidelines and Online grant application available to
applicants × Grant application deadlines: Ongoing, 30 days prior to project
activity start date × July 1 - depletion of funds in the category: Applications processed × July 1 - June 15: Funded projects occur × 30 days after project – June 30: Awarded grants are closed out by
recipient
D STUDENT TICKET SUBSIDY GRANTS
Student Ticket Subsidy Grant
The program provides funds for ticket costs and transportation fees in order for Tennessee public schools to expose students to a broad variety of cultural experiences, arts disciplines, and artists.
Student Ticket Subsidy Grant REQUIREMENTS Please read the following information carefully: ● Schools should make application directly to the Tennessee Arts Commission. ● Artists must be selected from the Tennessee Arts Commission’s online roster. ● A school may apply for a maximum of $3,000 in STS funds per fiscal year. ● No later than thirty (30) days after the completion of the STS activity, the organizing teacher must complete the STS Evaluation in the eGrant system. Failure to complete the Evaluation within 30 days will disqualify the school from receiving future STS funding. ● All applicants are required to have a DUNS number. Information and application instructions can be found here. Additional category eligibility requirements can be found in the Student Ticket Subsidy guidelines on the Tennessee Arts Education website.
Student Ticket Subsidy Grant Cycle × June 26: Guidelines available to applicants for preparation purposes × July 28: Applications available in eGrant for public schools × Grant application deadlines: ongoing, 30 days prior to project activity start
date × August 28 – depletion of funds in the category: Applications processed × September 28 – end of school year: Funded projects occur × 30 days after project - June 30: Awarded grants are closed out by recipient
3 eGRANT INSTRUCTIONS
eGrant Instructions × These instructions are for general reference only. Follow the detailed
instructions provided in each guideline. × All applications must be filled out online through the eGrant. You should always read the guidelines prior to filling out an application. × After completing and submitting the eGrant online for: 1. Annual Grants: Print your application and make the required number of copies. Attach all required information, collate as directed, and send packet to the Tennessee Arts Commission by the deadline indicated in the grant guidelines. 2. Arts Build Communities, Rolling, and Student Ticket Subsidy Grants: You are finished with your application.
eGrant Instructions Ă— All grant guidelines and links to eGrant are located on the right-
hand menu of each grant page. Ă— Example: next slide
eGrant Instructions Ă— eGrant
eGrant Instructions LOGIN & PASSWORD Applicants should always use the same log-in and password for every eGrant application submitted to the Tennessee Arts Commission. Do NOT create separate log-in and password information for each application! Individuals should create their own log-in and password and NOT use those associated with organizations. New applicants, click the “eGrant Registration Instructions” provided on the eGrant home page for instructions on creating an account. BE AWARE THAT… “Required Documents” contained in the eGrant system require Adobe Reader Version 8.0 or newer. Click here to download free reader software.
eGrant Instructions CREATING THE APPLICATION Once you have logged in to the eGrant system, you will need to create a new application from the Applicant Menu. 1. On the left side of the screen, click the “Opportunities” tab and select for example, “2016 Commission Organization Application (AA, APS, CEP, MCI, PS, RAPS)”, OR the appropriate grant year and category for the application you are interested in. Begin filling in the application. 2. Once you start working on an application, it will appear in the draft tab of your main page until you successfully submit the application. Then it will appear under the history tab. See next slide.
eGrant Instructions You may reenter an application to edit it prior to submitting it. To do so, click on the Drafts tab, check the box to the left of the application and press the edit button at the top of the list.
4 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Arts Program Staff Hal Partlow, Associate Director of Grants (615) 741-2093 hal.partlow@tn.gov
William Coleman, Arts Access (615) 532-9797 william.coleman@tn.gov
Vickie McPherson, Arts Program Administrative Assistant (615) 741-1705 vickie.mcpherson@tn.gov
Dana Everts-Boehm, Folklife Program Assistant (615) 532-0169 dana.everts-boehm@tn.gov
Diane Williams, Grant Manager (615) 741-6395 diane.williams@tn.gov
Shannon Ford, Community Arts (615) 532-9796 shannon.ford@tn.gov
Lee Baird, Literary Arts (615) 532-0493 lee.baird@tn.gov Ann Brown, Arts Education (615) 532-5939 ann.brown@tn.gov Dr. Bradley Hanson, Folklife (615) 532-9795 bradley.a.hanson@tn.gov
Krishna Adams, Visual Arts, Craft, Media & Design (615) 532-9798 krishna.adams@tn.gov Jared Morrison, Performing Arts (615) 532-9801 jared.morrison@tn.gov James Wells, Arts Education Special Projects Coordinator (615) 532-5934 james.wells@tn.gov
Additional Information GENERAL TIPS AND HINTS × × × × × × × × × × × × × ×
Start planning your application early. Save your work frequently. Always keep a printed copy of your application for your records. Read the grant guidelines thoroughly. Stay informed of current trends in your community and in your arts discipline. Consider pursuing new, innovative ideas for projects. Check any prepopulated information about yourself or your organization to ensure that it is up-to-date and accurate. Applications should be complete, concise and correct when they arrive at the Commission. Typographical, grammatical and mathematical errors will lower your rating. Provide all that is requested in the instructions and guidelines – no more and no less. Have someone else read a draft of your application for clarity and accuracy. Board diversity, services to underserved constituents, accessibility, and arts advocacy are important. Commission program staff are available to review a draft of your application, if provided well in advance of the deadline. Collate application and additional materials in the order that is diagrammed in the guidelines. Placing applications in folders, stapling application sections independently, collating applications incorrectly, including cover letters and dividers, and/or submitting applications that do not adhere to the guidelines will increase the chances that your application will receive a reduced rating.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION GENERAL TIPS AND HINTS × Have your application postmarked or delivered to the Commission by the deadline. Consider using certified mail or a courier service that will track your package. × Involve a diverse group of community members in your planning. × When writing your application, remember that the panelists probably don’t know your organization or your community. × Use the legal, federally recognized name of your organization on the application. How does your name appear on your IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter? That’s how it should appear on your application! × Confirm your legislative districts. × Check your math on the budget forms. Do not use commas or decimal points as it will cause calculation errors on the form. × Two different signatures are required – the board chair and the project director. Obtain proper signatures for your application before making copies. × After making all required copies, write “original” on the top page of the packet with original signatures. × Keep a copy of the final application packet for your file and bring it to the panel review. × Be certain to have your application(s) postmarked or delivered by hand to the Commission on or before the deadline date. × Consider using certified mail or a courier service like FedEx or UPS to track your package.
HINTS & SUGGESTIONS Here are some important items to think about when filling out an application‌
Arts Advocacy Advocacy is about educating and communicating to the public, including public officials, the importance of the arts and how public support for the arts can and will impact your community.
Ă— The application contains a narrative
portion where applicants address their commitment to arts advocacy on the state and local levels. Ă— Examples include: membership in
Tennesseans for the Arts, attendance at Arts Advocacy Day, legislative receptions, and letters to elected officials, etc.
× Varied funding sources. For example,
Diversified Funding Base
contributions from individuals, corporate donations, earned income (such as ticket sales), fundraisers, rentals, and grants from a variety of sources.
× Grants from sources in addition to
Commission: organizations should not become too dependent on one source of funding.
× An organization’s financial statement will
help assess this.
× Relative worth, merit, or importance × Implies intrinsic excellence or desirability
Value
× Value is unique to each community × Quality and excellence have always been
important in the review of Commission grant applications, however, value is also important as a determinant of time, money and energy
Examples of Value ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Contribute to education and development of children Stimulate creative thinking/thought provoking Benefit local economy Provide entertainment and enjoyment Increase cultural understanding Provide opportunities to socialize Inspire personal creativity Increase connection to community Promote diversity and understanding Improve quality of life Foster pride in community Support lifelong learning for adults Preserve cultural heritage Recognize local artists
Ă— Evaluation is instrumental in developing and
Applicant's Evaluation Tools & Methods
sustaining good work. Evaluation is for the organization’s benefit. An organization should plan to use evaluation methods that will help them improve their projects and/or their organization in the future. × Evaluation can be the most effective advocacy
tool an organization can create. It can also produce hard evidence to place in the hands of funders, policy makers, journalists, teachers, principals, parents and the general public about the value of the arts in their communities.
Examples of Evaluation Methods ● Collect audience data for future marketing and
● ● ● ● ●
promotional efforts (zip codes, home addresses, county of residence, etc.) Count website hits, use online survey tools such as SurveyMonkey, SurveyGizmo, Zoomerang, etc. Collect verbal and written audience feedback, published reviews, comment cards, student thank-you letters, etc. Accurately count audience and/or participants for comparison Administer a pre- and post-test to participants (adults and children) to determine impact Sample evaluation tool on Commission Website
QUESTIONS? Please contact a staff member