artist access

Tigertail Productions / Miami-Dade County
Department of Cultural Affairs
Artist Access Grants Program
For online application go to: www.miamidadearts.org

This program is made possible with the assistance of the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, Cultural Affairs Council, Mayor and the Board of County Commissioners.

WHAT IS ARTIST ACCESS?

The Artist Access Grants Program is designed to assist practicing, professional and emerging artists residing in Miami-Dade County. The program provides support for artists to take advantage of specific and exceptional professional development, skill-building opportunities to advance their work and careers as working artists. Funds may be used for such endeavors as: attending advanced workshops, conferences, master classes, or seminars; participating in artist residencies; engaging in activities that are specifically capable of advancing or propelling a professional career; etc. This program is not intended to provide assistance in funding project-oriented applications, the costs of creating or producing art or an artwork, equipment purchases, touring engagements or academic or certification conferring endeavors.

Grant awards range from $100 to $1000, depending on need and program specifics.

Prospective applicants must call and request a phone consultation with the Artist Access program administrator, Mary Luft, 305-324-4337, at least one week prior to submitting an application by the postmark deadline.

ELIGIBILITY

Applications are encouraged from professional artists who are permanent residents of Miami-Dade County and are working in any medium or discipline. A professional artist is defined as a person who has created a recognized body of original work within an artistic discipline over a sustained period of time, and who is pursuing this work as a means of livelihood and/or a way to achieve the highest level of professional recognition. Applications will be evaluated based on evidence of the artist's serious professional commitment, significance of the opportunity, and the experience's potential contribution and impact on the artist's artistic growth. Artists may receive assistance through this grants program only once per year.

Eligibility Requirements and Restrictions:

1. Artist must be at least 18 years of age.
2. Artist must currently reside in Miami-Dade County, and must have resided and worked in Miami- Dade County for at least one year at the time of application deadline. In addition, Artist must agree to maintain residency during the fiscal year in which the grant is awarded.
3. Grants will be awarded for career-developing opportunities and experiences only.
4. Priority consideration will be given to opportunities located outside of Miami-Dade County. Local opportunities within Miami-Dade County will only be considered on a case-by-case basis.
5. Grant activities must be completed within twelve months of the start date listed in the application.
6. An artist may only apply once in a program-funded year (October 1 - September 30).
7. Artists enrolled in high school or college/university courses are not eligible.
8. Activities leading to a professional certification, certificate or degree are not eligible.
9. Grants may not be used for debts incurred before the start date or after termination of the activity.
10. Grants may not be used to support project-oriented or commercial activities, touring engagements, equipment purchases, or production costs.
11. Current members of the Artist Access grant review panel are not eligible to submit an application to the program.

An Artist Access Grant carries no commitment for future support beyond the time of the project.

REVIEW CRITERIA

Applications will be evaluated through a peer panel process using the following criteria:

• Professional Growth / Career Advancement: Evidence that the proposed activity is related to the artist's professional experience and that the proposed activity supports the professional and creative goals, making a significant contribution to the artist's career advancement.
• Professional Commitment: Evidence of the artist's commitment to the art form, as evidenced by work samples, resume, support letters and other support materials that demonstrate a proficiency of the art form and relevancy of the proposed activity
• Planning/Confirmation: Evidence that the artist has been invited or registered for the activity/opportunity (as substantiated by attached support materials including background information on the opportunity and letters of invitation, etc.), and evidence that the artist has developed an appropriate budget and timeline.

HOW AND WHEN TO APPLY

An artist may only apply once in a program-funded year (October 1 - September 30). There are three (3) deadlines each calendar year to submit an ARTIST ACCESS grant application. Retroactive grant requests will not be considered.

APPLICATIONS MUST BE POSTMARKED BY ONE OF THE FOLLOWING DATES (NO EXCEPTIONS):
• Fall Quarter (postmark deadline):	November 9, 2012
• Winter Quarter (postmark deadline):	February 8, 2013
• Spring/Summer Quarter (postmark deadline):	May 3, 2013
Prospective applicants must call and request a phone consultation with the Artist Access program administrator, Mary Luft, 305-324-4337, at least one week prior to submitting an application by the postmark deadline.

YOUR APPLICATION PACKAGE MUST INCLUDE ALL OF THE FOLLOWING:

• APPLICATION FORM (REQUIRED): One (1) signed complete and original, typed application form in 11-point font. All text materials must be submitted as hard copy documents (paper based). Program administrators will not print materials for you.
• RÉSUMÉ (REQUIRED): This should be a current professional artist résumé specific to your discipline. If you are unsure of the correct format and information to list, please consult Internet or library sources, or contact the Artist Access program administrator. You may also include a BIO as an additional, optional attachment, but not in place of your résumé.
• WORK SAMPLES AND SUPPORT MATERIALS (REQUIRED):
  • Visual Art: maximum eight (8) slides (in slide sheet), prints or
    digital images on CD or DVD (DO NOT EMAIL). Provide a detailed list of works identifying the name of the piece, medium, size and date created.
  • Dance/Theater/Film: video (cued to start position) or DVD, labeled
    with name of piece, year created and name of choreographer / writer / actor / director. Limit between 5-8 minutes.
  • Music: CD labeled with title, year created and composer's name. Limit between 5-8 minutes.
• BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON OPPORTUNITY (REQUIRED): This can include information from Internet and/or catalog sources providing a brief overview of the opportunity. Be sure that the information demonstrates the quality of the experience and its significance to the artistic discipline.
• LETTER OF INVITATION / REGISTRATION INFORMATION (REQUIRED): Information specific to the opportunity available must evidence that the artist has been invited or is already registered to participate. If neither of these is possible, please explain the circumstances under which you will be invited or registered to participate.
• PROOF OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY PERMANENT RESIDENCY (REQUIRED): The Artist hereby attests that he/she has lived in MIAMI-DADE COUNTY for at least one year at the time of the application deadline and must remain in residence in Miami-Dade County during the fiscal year in which the grant is awarded. Artist will provide proof of residency** in Miami-Dade County during this term by submitting clear evidence including, but not necessarily limited to any two (2) of the following:
• Current rental agreement or lease in artist's name;
• Current utility bill in artist's name;
• Current mortgage payment, prooperty deed or property tax bill in artist's name;
• Current Florida Driver's License with Miami-Dade County address;
• Current voter registration card issued by Miami-Dade County;
• Current federal income tax return filed by Artist.

**If permanent residency cannot be established based on documents submitted, the Panel will deem the Artist's application ineligible for funding.

• CONSULTATION: Prospective applicants must call and request a phone consultation with the Artist Access program administrator, Mary Luft, 305-324-4337, at least one week prior to submitting an application by the postmark deadline.

REQUIREMENTS, PAYMENTS AND REPORTING

Grant applications are reviewed through a peer panel process three times per year. Artists will be notified of panel recommendations within four weeks of the grant deadline.

Grant funds are issued by reimbursement ONLY based on copies of paid receipts and/or canceled checks submitted by the artist. It is extremely important to keep all receipts for everything related to the opportunity. Reimbursements will not be made in advance and will not be made without appropriate documentation of expenditures.

FINAL REPORTING: In addition to submitting copies of all paid receipts and/or cancelled checks, grantees must also submit a 1 to 2-page Final Report, which should include a brief narrative on funded activities and grant expenditures, along with a summary of the experience and how this opportunity has contributed to your artistic growth.

Click here to see a list of award recipients to date.

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