Durham Arts Council - Emerging Artists Grants

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Artist Information

Q&A: Emerging Artists Grant Program

Download an Emerging Artists Grant Application PDF, file size 106k

Download the Press Release 6-15-2007, "Emerging Artist Grant Program Applications Available & Information Sessions"

What is the deadline for application?
Applications must be at Durham Arts Council by 9:00 p.m. on Monday, September 10, 2007.

What is an emerging artist?
An emerging artist is an artist that has mastered the basic techniques in her/his art form and who is attempting to launch a professional career in the arts or an artist taking his/her established career in a new direction. An artist is not required to have any particular degree or type of education to qualify as an emerging artist. .

What is the Emerging Artists Program?
The Emerging Artists Program (EAP) is a project grant program that provides financial support to developing or established professionals by funding a project pivotal to the advancement of their careers as artists. Pivotal projects may happen at different stages of a career, therefore Emerging Artists Grants are not restricted to un-established artists. 2007-2008 Emerging Artists Grants are intended to fund a particular project that will conclude by September 30, 2008. The Emerging Artists Program begins its 24th year in 2007-2008.

Who is eligible to apply for a grant?
Artists practicing any art form are eligible to apply for a grant. Applicants must have resided in Chatham, Durham, Granville, Orange, or Person Counties for at least one year immediately prior to the application deadline (since September 10, 2006). Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and cannot be currently enrolled in a degree or certificate program in their art form at the time of the application deadline. Applications for grants are available at the DAC Website, www.durhamarts.org or from the Arts Council/Commission for each county. Recipients of 2006-2007 Emerging Artists Grants may not apply for a 2007-2008 grant.

What selection criteria will be used?
The criteria are:
• Overall excellence of the applicant's art work and demonstration of exceptional talent,
• The applicant's serious professional commitment to her/his art form,
• Contribution of the proposed project to the artist's professional development,
• Feasibility of the proposed project,
• Timeline--project should happen between January 1 and September 30 of the year following the application date.

Who funds the Program?
The Emerging Artists Program is funded through grants from the North Carolina Arts Council, an agency funded by the State of North Carolina and the National Endowment for the Arts, The Mary Duke Biddle Foundation, the Orange County Arts Commission, the Chatham County Arts Council, the Granville Arts Council, the Person County Arts Council, gifts to the Durham Arts Council Annual Arts Fund, the Ella Fountain Pratt Fund, The Wainwright Fund for New Works and private & corporate donations.

Who decides which artists receive awards?
Grant applications and support materials are reviewed by local professional artists in each art form, their comments are then forwarded to the EAP Committee who reviews applications, recommendations and then makes the final award decisions for all EAP grant applications.

What type of projects are likely to be funded?
The Emerging Artists Grant Committee is interested in assisting the development of an artist’s career as is appropriate to the particular artist’s needs, so be sure to define clearly the relationship of your project to your career development. In the past, grant awards have provided funds for the following types of expenses: • Promotion/Presentation: the cost of producing a demonstration audio tape or CD for a composer, a video tape or DVD for a choreographer, a portfolio for a graphic artist, editorial assistance for a writer, etc. • Travel: to specific workshops, auditions, retreats or seminars; or to do research intrinsic to his/her art form. • Services: rental of equipment or facilities for presentation or creation of a new work. • Supplies: purchase of supplies, materials or equipment necessary for the completion or production of a new work which is considered by the artist to be essential to her/his career. • Training: advanced workshops, master classes or coaching that will enhance the artist’s abilities. This program does not support work towards a degree.

Can I get assistance in filling out the grant application?
Yes, Durham Arts Council and partner counties will offer information sessions to explain the program and answer any questions you may have about completing the grant application. These sessions are free, although we would appreciate your calling the appropriate contact number so we know how many people to expect. You need not attend the session in your own county - attend the session that is most convenient for you, regardless of which county you live in. We expect each to last 60-90 minutes.

August 1, 2007 - 6:00 p.m. (Wednesday)
Multi-purpose Rm., Building 2, Central Carolina Community College, Pittsboro
Contact: Molly Matlock, Chatham County Arts Council, 919-542-0394.

August 2, 2007 - 6:00 p.m. (Thursday)
Duke Power Energy Rm., Durham Arts Council, 120 Morris St., Durham
Contact: Margaret DeMott, DAC Director of Artist Services, 919-560-2720.

August 6, 2007 - 6:00 p.m. (Monday)
The Kirby Gallery, 213 North Main Street, Roxboro
Contact: Doug Newell, Person County Arts Council Director, 336-597-1766

August 7, 2007 - 6:00 p.m. (Tuesday)
Meeting Rm., Chapel Hill Public Library, 100 Library Dr., Chapel Hill
Contact: Martha Shannon, Orange County Arts Commission Director, 919-245-2335.

How much money can I expect to be granted?
While no specific minimum has been established, the maximum amount an applicant can request is $1,500. We generally try to support full funding of the requested amount.

Will I be required to provide a final report of my use of the grant?
Yes, we require both a financial and narrative report. A report form will be sent to those receiving awards. Future awards will be contingent upon the submission of a final report.

What is the timeline for the process?
Applications available ... July 1, 2007
Deadline ... September 10, 2007
Notification ... By the end of November, 2007
Grant checks issued ... mid-January, 2008
Project completion by ... September 30, 2008
Final report due by ... September 30, 2008

Submit applications to Durham Arts Council ONLY. Do not drop application off at any other location.

Where do I get the application form?
• You can pick up an application at the front desk of the DAC Building.
• You can call the Artist Services Office, (919) 560-2719 and request an application.
• You can download the revised form and guidelines from this site (at the top of this page) using Adobe Acrobat.

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