The Illinois Arts Council Starts Series is designed to support the interaction between professional Illinois artists and communities through workshops and classes sponsored by an Illinois not-for-profit organization. This program encompasses previous Illinois Arts Council programs QuickStart, S.T.A.R., and the Arts in Literacy.
Goals of the STARTS Series
- To engage the public in the creation of arts activities (i.e. visual arts, dance, theater, music, and literature)
- To promote professional Illinois artists
- To assist not-for-profit organizations in the implementation of arts programming
- To increase an understanding and appreciation for the arts and artists.
Residencies can range from 5 to 30 contact hours within a time period of no more than six weeks. Residencies may incorporate up to three individual artists in a collaborative project. Applicants must contact IAC staff prior to submitting a request for a collaborative residency. Activities must be hands-on learning experiences and not lecture/demonstrations. Project must serve a well-defined, consistent core group. Applicant organization must identify an individual affiliated with the organization that will serve as a project supervisor and act as a liaison between the artist and the organization. Note: The IAC will not support on-going projects.
Applicants may apply for a short-term residency with any professional artist that is currently a resident of Illinois. Artist cannot be paid staff of the applicant organization or of an affiliated organization. Residency cannot fufill credit requirements for artists enrolled in a degree seeking program. The artist is responsible for helping to design the program and supplying the applicant with the necessary attachments. Applications must have the artists’ original ink signature.
Community organizations, school organizations and literacy organizations can use this program. Past grants have supported residencies sponsored by libraries, park districts, churches, schools, school districts, colleges, universities, local arts agencies, municipalities, hospitals, community centers, youth organizations and senior centers.
This program is open to any Illinois not-for-profit organization that is registered with the Illinois Secretary of State or that is a part of a governmental body (i.e., school, school district, park district, college, or university). Eligible organizations may also include parent/teacher organizations, senior citizen centers, hospitals, festivals, local arts agencies and community organizations. Applicants may request funding once through the NEW program per IAC fiscal year.
IAC will support 50% of the artists’ fees and allowed
program expenses. Refer to the Companion
to the Application for details. The maximum request to the IAC is $2,000.
The Applicants are responsible for securing a cash match for the remaining 50%
of the artists’ fees and any additional program expenses. Note: IAC funds
cannot be used for capital expenditures or refreshments.
Illinois Arts Council staff will review the application using the following criteria:
- a quality and complete application with all required attachments
- application received no less than 8 weeks prior to the project start date
- professionalism of the selected artist
- quality and appropriateness of core group participants hands-on activities
- evidence of planning as demonstrated in project schedule
- evidence of an effective evaluation plan
- project inventiveness
making your program accessible
One of the conditions an organization agrees to in accepting a grant from the IAC is to make every attempt to ensure that the program is accessible to persons with disabilities. According to state and federal law, every organization receiving public funding must ensure that it is in a position to provide accommodations when persons with disabilities make requests for services. Accessibility involves both location (the facility) and the content (the activity) of the program. Thinking about accessibility issues in the early planning stages of a project is the key to ensuring that persons with disabilities will be able to participate in the program.
This program has an open deadline. Applications are reviewed in the order they are received and must be received no less than 8 weeks before the project start date as identified on the first page of the application. Applications received less than 8 weeks before the project is scheduled to start may not be reviewed.
Thoroughly review application paying particular attention to IAC policies and priorities and program guidelines. Contact IAC staff for clarification, when necessary.
- Complete the enclosed application form
- Compile required attachments, refer to the Companion to the Application for more information
- Make two copies of the application packet as outlined below
- Assemble application packets with correct number of copies and in order specified below
- Submit application to the IAC at least eight weeks prior to project start date.
- Original application packet collated and stapled in the following order: original signed application, budget page, 2-page narrative, residency schedule plan, artist statement, and artist resume. Refer to the Companion to the Application for requirements of the attachments.
- Two copies of the application packet
- One signed letter of agreement
- One copy of proof of not-for-profit status. What is accepted as proof of not-for-profit status?
- Artist work sample
Applications must be postmarked by the deadline. Hand delivered applications must be received by 5pm. If the deadline occurs on a weekend or legal holiday, the next weekday automatically becomes the deadline date. Applications may be mailed or hand-delivered to the following address:
Illinois Arts Council
James R. Thompson Center
100 W. Randolph, Suite 10-500
Chicago, IL 60601-3298
NOTE: Applicants hand-delivering their applications must visit the building’s SERVICE CENTER on the ground floor to have their application package scanned prior to delivering it to the IAC offices on the 10th floor. In addition, applicants must bring photo identification, such as a driver’s license, to gain access to the IAC offices.
- Applications are reviewed in the order that they are received. Applicants are encouraged to apply well in advance of the 8-week deadline.
- Applications are received at the IAC office and assigned an application number. Acknowledgment of receipt of the application will be sent to the applicant and will include an application number to be used in future inquiries regarding that application.
- Applications that have been ruled ineligible or incomplete will not be reviewed.
- The Illinois Arts Council staff reviews the application in depth, insuring that it meets the program requirements. The applicant may be asked to answer questions or submit further written information.
- If funded, this notification will include grant agreement and cash request forms, which must be completed and returned. Once the appropriate documents are returned to the IAC, it will take about ten to twelve weeks to process the documents. Grant monies will be paid no sooner than 45 days before the starting date of the program. Funds are sent directly from the State Comptroller to the applicant who is responsible for paying the artist.
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grant notification requirements
Organizations that receive an IAC grant will be required, as part of their grant agreement, to notify by letter their state representative, state senator and the Office of the Governor indicating the IAC grant amount and the project or program it helps support. Copies of these three letters must be submitted to the IAC with the signed grant agreements, cash request and other required documents before grant funds will be released. Names of the individuals to be addressed can be obtained from your County Board of Elections or at www.elections.state.il.us
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Any grant funds, which are determined to have been misspent, or which are being improperly held are subject to recovery according to the terms of the Grant Funds Recovery Act of 1984, as amended. Project expenditures are deemed to consist of grant funds and matching funds including in-kind contributions in the same proportions as defined by the matching requirement for the project grant.
You are encouraged to print this section as a reference for completing the application.
It may be helpful to use the printout as a checklist for compiling your application.
Application Narrative
In no more than two pages address the following points. Indicate each section of the narrative with the bold heading given. The application narrative must be typed in a font of 10 point or larger with reasonable margins.
APPLICANT ORGANIZATION
- Describe the organization.
- Describe the organizations’ existing arts programming.
- Explain how the proposed ‘project will initiate, diversify, and/or expand current arts programs.
- Identify the individual affiliated with the organization that will serve as the project supervisor. Explain his/her role in the project.
- Address plans for pursuing this residency, should the IAC not provide funding.
PROPOSED PROJECT
- Summarize the project and where it will take place.
- Describe the core group of participants and how they will be selected.
- Describe the project activities.
- Describe the organization’s plan for evaluating the project.
- Explain how this project relates to the goals and mission of the organization.
PROPOSED ARTIST
- Explain why this artist was selected.
- Detail why this artist is especially suited for this project.
residency schedule plan
In no more than one page provide a session by session breakdown of activities, indicating the length of each session.
Artist Statement
In no more than one page the artist must address the following points. This statement must be typed in a font of 10 point or larger with reasonable margins.
- Explain why you want to participate in this project.
- Describe what makes this project unique to this site.
Note: Artist not currently listed on the Arts-in-Education Artists or the Artstour Rosters must also address the following points.
- Describe your artistic vision.
- Detail the specific skills and expertise that you bring to this project.
- Provide information on the work sample submitted. When appropriate, include the media, the dimensions, when the work was produced, the performance/venue audience, and the total running time along with any additional information required to review the documentation. If the work presents several artists, indicate your specific involvement in the work.
artist resume
Note: Artists currently listed on the Arts-in-Education Artists or the Artstour Rosters are not required to submit an artist resume.
Artist Work Sample
Note: Artists currently listed on the Arts-in-Education Artists or the Artstour Rosters are not required to submit the following.
In addition to a resume, a work sample must be submitted that provides evidence of the residency artist’s professional work as well as their ability to carry out the proposed residency activities. The work sample should be submitted in the following formats: videotape (VHS format ONLY), manuscript, audiocassette tape, CD, CD-ROM or no more than nine slides. IAC staff makes every effort to handle documentation with care; however, the IAC cannot be responsible for any loss or damage. Include a self-addressed envelope with appropriate postage if work sample should be returned.
Letter of Agreement
Below is a sample of a Letter of Agreement. The sponsoring organization may
wish to draft its own letter following this example.
Sample Letter of Agreement
The above named sponsor will pay the above named artist the total sum of $_____________ which includes (artist’s fee, travel, etc.) for (number of hours) to conduct (planned activity). The above named sponsor will pay the above named artist as follows: (i.e. one-half at the beginning of the residency and one-half upon the completion of the residency—OR—the entire fee at the completion of the residency—OR—the entire fee at the starting date of the residency, etc.) The residency is scheduled for (dates, hours, location)
The artist agrees to follow the activity schedule as attached.
____________________________________________ |
| ARTIST CASH EXPENSE | |
| 1. | Note: The IAC will support no more than 50% of the Artist Fee up to $2,000. The Applicant Match must meet or exceed the IAC Request. Artist must be paid no less than $50 for their contact time with participants. Applicants cannot request funding for artist consulting, planning, and prep time. The applicant must indicate the artist hourly fee and the total number of contact hours that the artist will be spending with the participants to calculate the total artist fee. The contact hours will be reflected in the Residency Schedule Plan. |
| ADDITIONAL CASH EXPENSES | |
|
Note: Additional Cash Expenses may be included only if the IAC Request for Artist Fee is less than $2,000. The IAC Request for Additional Expenses is limited to the lessor of the following: $500 or the amount indicated in the IAC Request for Artist Fee. |
|
| 2. | Applicants may include in their request funds to reimburse the artist for travel and lodging if the artist resides more than 30 miles from the residency site.
|
| 3. | Applicants may include in their request funds to pay for supplies related to the residency. Detail the supplies needed and the cost. |
| 4. | Applicants may request funds to cover costs of marketing the program to the community in which it will take place. These expenses may not exceed $100. |
| 5. | Applicants must indicate any additional expenses related to the residency. Note: IAC funds cannot be used for capital expenditures or refreshments. |
| 6. | To calculate the Total Additional Expenses, total the amounts for lines 2-5. If this amount is less than $500 and less than the IAC Request for Artists Fees, the applicant is not required to provide a match for Additional Expenses. |
| SOURCES AND AMOUNT OF CASH MATCH | |
| The Applicant Cash Match covers at least 50% of the Total Artist’s Fee, and the cost of Total Additional Expenses exceeding the IAC Request limit. | |
| a. | Provide a breakdown of the amounts and sources of the applicant cash match. When necessary, indicate if these amounts are pending and/or confirmed. |
| 7. | Calculate the Total Applicant Cash Match. |
| PROJECT EXPENSES–The total cost of the project. | |
| a. | Transfer the Total Artist’s Fee from line 1. |
| b. | Transfer the Total Additional Expenses from line 6. |
| 8. | Calculte the Total Project Expenses. |
| IAC REQUEST | |
| a. | Distribute up to 50% of Total Artist’s Fee from line 1. The remaining portion will be included in the Applicant Cash Match. |
| b. | Distribute all or a portion of Total Additional Expenses from line 6. |
| 9. | Calculte the Total IAC Request. This amount may not exceed $2,000. |
| APPLICANT CASH MATCH | |
| a. | Distribute remaining portion of Total Artist’s Fee from line 1. |
| b. | Distribute the remaining portion of Total Additional Expenses from line 6. |
| 10. | Calculte the Total Applicant Cash Match. This amount must be equal to line 7. |
| PROJECTED INCOME | |
| a. | Transfer the IAC Grant Request from line 9. |
| b. | Transfer the Total Applicant Cash Match from line 10. |
| 11. | Calculte the Total Projected Income. This amount must be equal to line 8. |
| IN-KIND DONATIONS | |
| In-kind donations are goods and services donated to the project. In-kind donations do not affect the budget and merely show a level of support for the project. Detail the donation, the source providing the donation, and the estimated value of the donation should it be necessary to pay cash for that item. |
An interactive PDF (Portable Document Format) file is available for download. In order to open this file, Adobe Acrobat Reader must be installed on your computer. It is free and easy to download from www.adobe.com
iac staff contacts FOR SCHOOLS
Marissa Hockfield
Arts in Education Program Representative
312/814-6780
aie@arts.state.il.us
Tatiana Gant
Director of Arts-in-Education Programs
312/814-6765
Tatiana.Gant@Illinois.gov
iac staff contacts FOR COMMUNITIES
Artists and Community Services Office
312/814-2815
communityarts@arts.state.il.us
iac staff contacts FOR LITERACY
Rose Parisi
Supervising Director of Programs
312/814-4991
Rose.Parisi@Illinois.gov