Artist Impact Coalition Announces RFP for Projects that Increase Resources for North Adams Artists
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Register: Monday 8/24 @ 7:00 PM
Register: Tuesday 8/25 @ 11 AM
Thanks to a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts’ Our Town program, the North Adams Artist Impact Coalition (AIC) is accepting creative proposals for new or existing projects with the purpose of strengthening artists’ livelihoods and providing them with the resources they need to succeed creatively in the city of North Adams.
Eligibility: Individual artists, collectives, collaborations, and businesses are welcome to apply. Applicants must live in or have strong ties to the City of North Adams, MA. All activities must take place within the City of North Adams, MA.
What types of proposals are we looking for?
The AIC seeks projects that improve the ability for artists to live and do their creative work in North Adams. Our guiding word is Resource. How can your project be a resource for artists? What resources do artists still lack or have limited access to in North Adams and what resources require a more equitable distribution? What are your creative solutions to these needs? You might want to work with physical resources, social resources, promotional resources, educational resources, or others yet. It might be the resource of space, the resource of time, the resource of expertise, the resource of belonging. The project can be brand new or something you’re already working on, a one-off or a recurring initiative. Crucially, you must be able to demonstrate how the proposal will benefit a swath of North Adams artists (of course others can benefit too!). The best projects will show broad or sustained impact or will provide resources to an otherwise under-supported sector of the artist community.
Here are a few categories and sample ideas to get your creative juices flowing. But don’t limit yourself to these!
Initiatives that better connect artists to each other or to non-artists in the city. (e.g. facilitated happenings)
Projects that increase diversity, equity and inclusion within the artist community (e.g. anti-oppression training for white artists or peer-support opportunities for queer artists or artists of color).
Support for businesses that provide a service or venue for artists (e.g. adding quality artist supplies to your storefront).
Opportunities for artists to sell/market/perform/show their work in new ways. (e.g. a mobile art sales wagon or summer performance series)
Work that increases the visibility of North Adams as a city for artists (e.g. signage, sculpture, performance)
A project that helps artists develop skills and knowledge to do their work in North Adams (e.g. a zine for how to understand zoning laws).
What types of proposals are we NOT looking for?
Individual artistic work that does not have a broader impact on North Adams artists/community (e.g. materials to prepare for your next show)
Proposals where North Adams artists are not one of the intended beneficiaries (e.g. a workshop for elementary students). Note – A project can have more than one group of beneficiaries, such as a summer concert series that promotes local musicians and delivers music to area senior citizens.
Proposals that ask artists to “pay to play” – i.e. that make artists put down money for the “opportunity” to work.
Activities that make money from artists and their work without fairly compensating them.
Proposals that duplicate initiatives already being done in North Adams.
Note: In order to receive funding, all accepted projects must first be confirmed by National Endowment for the Arts staff to pass the National Historic Preservation Act and the National Environmental Protection Act. This basically means nothing historic can be damaged and the project can’t hurt the environment.
Budget: Projects will be supported at any level up to $5,000. You will need to submit a budget that outlines your project’s costs, any other forms of support or revenue you expect, and how the project will be affected if AIC is only able to award partial support. AIC will work with each project to determine the timeline for payment. Eligible expenses include, but are not limited to, artist fees, materials, space or equipment rentals, contractor or other service fees, marketing, food, travel, or other expenses directly incurred by the project. If you’re an artist on the project, don’t forget to pay yourself!
Timeline:
July 6, 2020 -- Call for Proposals goes live.
September 15, 2020 – Applications due.
October 15, 2020 – Awardees notified and description submitted to NEA for NHPA/NEPA approval. Work on proposals may begin as soon as NEA approval is received.
October 15, 2021 – All projects must be completed.
To Submit:
To submit an application, please fill out the Submittable application (linked below). If writing is a difficult form of communication for you for any reason, you may instead choose to submit a video of no more than 8 minutes that directly and concisely addresses each of the written questions. Upload the video to a third party site (YouTube, Google Drive, Vimeo etc.) and then include the video link among your uploaded Work Sample files.
Applicants wishing to submit multiple projects should submit each project as a unique application.
Questions: If you have a question about the application, the project process, or have great ideas but just aren't sure how to get them off the ground, please reach out! We're here for you. Email the coalition at: northadamsartists@gmail.com.
Application deadline: 11:59 PM September 15, 2020
Disclaimer: Selection committee members review applications in their role as community members and members of the North Adams Artist Impact Coalition. However, while committee members who work at the same institution as any particular applicant (e.g. MASS MoCA, MCLA, etc.) may review and speak with regard to that application, they will be asked to recuse themselves from the final vote for that particular applicant.
INFORMATION SESSIONS ON ZOOM
GET YOUR APPLICATION QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Register: Monday 8/24 @ 7:00 PM
Register: Tuesday 8/25 @ 11 AM
WHAT IS THE NORTH ADAMS ARTIST IMPACT COALITION?
The North Adams Artist Impact Coalition is a group of community arts organizers who care about making North Adams an amazing place for artists to live and work. We’re the folks who organize the North Berkshire Artist Meet-ups, monthly artist e-blasts, the North Adams Artist Census, NAMA Swap-o-Rama, Rapid Response Working Capital Grants, and more to come. Organizations, galleries, initiatives and individuals who are involved include: MASS MoCA’s Assets for Artists program, MCLA’s Berkshire Cultural Resource Center; the City of North Adams, Common Folk, Installation Space, Walkaway House, and several independent practicing area artists. Follow us on IG @artist_impact_coalition.
This is a project of the North Adams Artist Impact Coalition and its member organizations. This project is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts. To learn more about how National Endowment for the Arts grants impact individuals and communities, visit www.arts.gov.