Project Creosote: New Works Artist Project Grant Guidelines

Overview

The New Works Artist Project Grant seeks to support the depth and breadth of innovative new artwork created and produced in the City of Tucson and Pima County. The grant program supports individual artist projects that meet the highest standards of excellence across a diverse spectrum of artistic disciplines and cultural expressions. Proposed projects must include the production of new artwork, an original and imaginative approach to content and form, and a public presentation of the work (virtual or in-person premieres are acceptable).

Application Deadline: Monday, April 4, 2022 at 11:59 p.m. Arizona Time

Award

Up to five awards of $5,000 each will be granted to selected projects.

Eligibility

Open to individual artists that meet all of the following criteria at the time of application:

• [Criteria 1.] Applicant must be a working artist in any arts and culture discipline.
• [Criteria 2.] Applicant must currently reside within the City of Tucson, Pima County, City of South Tucson, Pascua Yaqui Reservation, or The Tohono O’Odham Nation.
• [Criteria 3.] Grantee will be required to complete a w-9 and be responsible for the financial reporting on grant funds.
• [Criteria 4.] Grantee will be required to submit a brief final report 30 days after the end of the funding period to document expenses and provide a brief description of programming.
• [Criteria 5.] Grantee will be required to premier new artwork during the timeframe of the funding period. New work may be presented in its completed state or presented
  as a work in progress.
• [Criteria 6.] Public presentation of new artwork must premier within Pima County limits, or be virtually accessible to Pima County residents.
• [Criteria 7.] Funded project activities must take place between June 1, 2022 – June 1, 2023.
• [Criteria 8.] Collaborative projects submitted by a group of individual artists are permitted. A “collaborator” or “collective member” is an artist considered to be a co-owner of the project and a generative part of the team. This is not someone who provides services on a “work-for-hire” basis. Collaborators are not required to reside in Pima County.
• [Criteria 9.] Artist (primary applicant) or Collaborator may only apply for one single project.
• The following entities are ineligible to apply:
  • [Criteria 10.] Grantees of the New Works Artist Project Grant from June 2020 – June 2021.
  • [Criteria 11.] Organizations, corporations, schools, government agencies. This grant is not an organizational support grant. Collaborations should not be a part of already
    established season or regularly scheduled programming for an organization.
  • [Criteria 12.] Undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in half-time or more status during the grant funding period.
  • [Criteria 13.] Previous grantees or contractors who have delinquent final reports or projects from any past Arts Foundation award or contract (formerly the Tucson Pima Arts Council).

Eligible Expenses

Project related expenses including supplies, Artist Fees, honorariums, and contractors. (See FAQ for details)

Application Timeline

• Application Window Opens: Thursday, March 3, 2022
• Application Deadline: Monday, April 4, 2022
• Review Period: April 7- May 24, 2022
• Notifications and Award Materials: Week of May 30, 2022
• Funding Period: June 1, 2022 – June 1, 2023

How to Apply

1. Visit the Arts Foundation’s web page to access guidelines and application link.
2. Review the complete guidelines, application questions, and FAQ’s (Frequently Asked Questions).
3. Prepare responses, including contact information, Narrative Questions, Resume or Artist Bio, Work Samples, Work Sample Description Sheet, and Budget Form. See Submission Material Guidelines for details.
4. Go to the online application form on Submittable: https//artsfoundtucson.submittable.com/submit
5. Refer to the correct listing for Project Creosote- New Works
6. Create a Submittable account. If there is a pre-existing account, just login.
7. Complete the online application form.
8. Submit all Submission Materials. Refer to Submission Material Guidelines and Website for templates.
9. Complete additional demographic information.
10. Review application one last time! Then, click “Submit Form” to submit.
11. Submit the complete online application before the deadline. We cannot accept late or incomplete applications.

Call-In Application Interview

To improve access to our application, applicants may schedule a 30-45 minute phone interview with Arts Foundation staff to complete the application form over the phone. The Call-In application method is available as an option for creatives who request assistance due to 3 accessibility, limited technology, or internet connectivity. Applicants who request this option will complete the application over the phone or video conference, where responses will be recorded and transcribed by the Arts Foundation staff on behalf of the applicant. The applicant will need to prepare responses in steps 1-4 well in advance of the scheduled Call-In Interview. Phone interviews must be completed one week prior to deadline to allow time for transcription.

To schedule a Call-In Application Interview: call (520) 460-4483 or email grants@artsfoundtucson.org

Review Process

A panel of artists, arts administrators, community advocates and cultural workers representing geographic, discipline, and ethnic diversity will review, deliberate, and score the materials submitted by each applicant. Materials will be assessed based on eligibility, completeness, and clarity based on the published review criteria. Panel recommendations will be submitted to the Arts Foundation Board of Directors for formal approval and authorization.

The following criteria will be considered during the review of applications:

1. Artistic Excellence- Applicant demonstrates the skills and techniques relevant to carry out the New Work project. Applicant demonstrates a professional approach to process and presentation. Applicant exemplifies highest standards of excellence within their chosen field of expertise, including artistic discipline and cultural expression. Artwork samples demonstrate artistic excellence in content and form (within the artist’s chosen genre, style, discipline and/or theme). There is clear evidence that the proposed project is comprised of new artwork.
2. Idea- The proposed project is original and imaginative in its approach to content and form. The proposed project exemplifies the depth and breadth of innovative new artwork created and produced in the City of Tucson and Pima County. The idea is actionable, and takes into consideration its direct and indirect impact.
3. Capacity- Capacity to successfully complete project is shown through past experience, related projects, or appropriate work samples. Applicant has a reasonable budget for scope of project. Applicant demonstrates a deep relation with the intended audience of the work. There is consistency between the narrative, the work samples and the budget. The degree to which the intention of the project has the capacity to align with its desired impact (ie: artist career; contribution to the arts sector; community impact; or social impact). The artwork premier will be accessible to Pima County communities.

Equity

The Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona has an equity strategy that aims to identify and eliminate barriers that have prevented undercapitalized groups’ full participation from the agency’s programs and to strengthen equity, diversity, and inclusion in the arts and culture sector for all communities of Southern Arizona. The program is committed to a just and equitable distribution of funding. To that commitment, the Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona will consider equity and geographic parity as part of our decision-making and will work to expand the reach of this relief opportunity to a broad, diverse community of arts organizations.

Application Assistance

• [Assistance 1] Bilingual Information Webinars- The Arts Foundation Team will host and record an online information session. Visit Website for details.
• [Assistance 2] Bilingual Consultations- The Arts Foundation Team will provide technical assistance sessions in English and Spanish on zoom, over the phone, or via email. Click Here to sign-up for a consultation or call (520) 460-4483.
• [Assistance 3] Frequently Asked Questions- Click Here to view a guide with Frequently Asked Questions or submit a question here.
• [Assistance 4] Call-In Application- To improve access to our application, applicants may schedule a 30–45 minute phone interview with Arts Foundation staff in Spanish or English to complete the application form over the phone. Answers will be transcribed, and a follow up phone call may be conducted to verify transcription. Phone interviews must be completed one week before deadline. To schedule a Call-In Application Interview call (520) 460-4483, email grants@artsfoundtucson.org or Click Here to schedule the call.
• [Assistance 5] Other Questions?- If you have questions about the application process or content of your application, please contact Yurika Isoe, Grants and Services Manager, at grants@artsfoundtucson.org or (520) 460-4483.
• [Assistance 6] Submittable Technical Questions- If you encounter any technical issues with the online application platform, please reach out to the Submittable team at support@submittable.com or (855) 467-8264.
• To request this agency publication in an alternative format, contact Yurika Isoe at grants@artsfoundtucson.org or (520) 460-4483.