Illinois Arts Council
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Artists who work in the following artistic disciplines are eligible to apply for funding.
Note: Applications for the IA - Project Track will be accepted from creative/originating artists only (i.e. choreographers, composers, playwrights, visual artists, etc.).
Each track has specific limitations and requirements. Please read the entire guidelines thoroughly to determine which track best suits the nature of the proposed project. Artists may submit only one application. Applications submitted to the incorrect track will be rendered ineligible. Awards will be equal to the amount requested by the applicant.
| Track | Professional Development (IA-PD) | Artists Project (IA-Project) |
| Focus | Professional Development opportunities related to an artist's career | Completed project culminating in a public release, presentation, performance or exhibition by a creative/originating artist. |
| Example Projects | Artist residency as related to the development of your career, e.g. writer’s workshop or retreat | Costs associated with marketing and distribution of a manuscript/book published within the past twelve months |
| Attendance at conferences, symposia, and/or workshops | Exhibitions / Exhibition catalogues | |
| Demo reel production | Media Arts Post -Production | |
| Documentation of artwork | Music Studio Recording | |
| Duplication costs of manuscripts or media (film, video, audio, etc.) | Performances/Readings | |
| Website development for individual artist | Web-based artist project | |
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| Does Not Support | Applicant compensation | Applicant compensation |
| Apprenticeships or Mentorships | Apprenticeships or Mentorships | |
| Capital purchases, capital improvements, construction, or purchase of permanent equipment | Capital purchases, capital improvements, construction, or purchase of permanent equipment | |
| Enrollment in higher education classes or programs | Enrollment in higher education classes or programs | |
| Presentation of classes or workshops | Presentation of classes or workshops | |
| Vanity Press publishing | Vanity Press publishing | |
| Website development for a specific project | Website development for artists | |
| Out of state and International travel | Out of state and International travel | |
| international projects | international projects | |
| Collaborative projects | Attendance at conferences, symposia, and/or workshops | |
| Artist Residencies | ||
| Project Dates | 2/1/12 - 8/31/12 | 2/1/12 - 8/31/12 |
| Request Amount | $500 or $750 | $1,500 0r $2,500 |
| Cash Match | No |
Yes - 25% of request amount |
| Review Process | Reviewed & approved by IAC Program staff, the Executive Director and the Council | Applications that meet all eligibility requirements will be reviewed in two rounds, first by discipline specific panelists who will make selections to forward to a multi-disciplinary panel of in-state experts who will make final recommendations. These recommendations will be approved by the Council. |
| Deadline | eGrant Application: 10/27/11, 11:59:59 pm Work Samples and other required materials - postmarked or hand - delivered by 4:30PM 10/28/11 | eGrant Application: 10/27/11, 11:59:59 pm Work Samples and other required materials - postmarked or hand - delivered by 4:30PM 10/28/11 |
| Notification Date | Late January 2012 | Late January 2012 |
An artist may submit an application for support of a project that involves the joint creation of a single work of art or a body of works of art by the applicant artist and up to two (2) other artists. Only one artist of the collaborative team may be the applicant. The applicant must play a principal artistic role in the proposed project and is responsible for all legal and contractual issues related to the grant. All other collaborating artists must meet the requirements listed in the “Eligibility” section. Any artist who indicates they are part of a collaborative team must demonstrate an ongoing record of collaborative work with the collaborating artists as named in the application.
All applicants must:
Applicants must submit a copy of one of the following items at the time of application:
Applications will be evaluated on the following:
eGrant provides an electronic notification of application submission. In addition, applicants will receive notification via email of receipt of their application and required materials from the Illinois Arts Council within four weeks of the application deadline. Receipt of application will not be acknowledged by phone.
Applicants will be notified of the Council's decisions on their applications via email by late January 2012.
As you should be aware, the state of Illinois is experiencing an ongoing fiscal crisis. This crisis may affect the amount of funding available for grant awards. As it did in Fiscal Years 2010 and 2011, we expect the state’s financial situation to continue to impede the timely payment of its bills and obligations, including Illinois Arts Council grants.
Although payments from the State Comptroller’s Office will, more than likely, run several months behind schedule, grantees are legally obligated to complete their proposed activities as outlined in their grant agreements. Activities must be completed within the time frame and by the manner specified in the grantee’s application even if the grantee has not received the IAC funds awarded for this activity.
While we believe this is a valuable individual artist support program and we want artists to take advantage of these resources, we strongly advise potential applicants to thoroughly understand the possible implications for them of the verities of this initiative. If you are awarded an IA-PD or an IA-Project grant you need to be throughly aware of the almost certain and potentially significant delay in receiving grant funds. For example, in FY2010 and in FY2011 many grants to individuals were delayed well over six months.
Therefore grantees should ensure they have access to available resources (monetary and otherwise) with which to fully complete the funded activity in the timeframe and manner specified before they receive the actual grant award.
The Internal Revenue Code provides that the full amount of an Individual Artist Support Initiative award is taxable to its recipient. If applicants have any questions about their own income tax liability, contact the Internal Revenue Service or tax counsel.