Explore grants provide arts organizations who have fully developed ideas with the resources to test and implement the concept.
Donor Name: The Arts Work Fund
State: Illinois
County: Chicago County (IL), Cook County (IL)
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 12/15/2024
Size of the Grant: Not Available
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
These grants hope to foster the creativity and risk-taking that is essential to creating new and better ways of operating in the current COVID-19 world and addressing some of the aspects of arts organizations that were not working well before the pandemic. Priority will be given to projects that have maximum potential benefit for the organization and the field.
Eligibility Criteria
- Organizations with an arts-based mission and IRS 501(c) (3) public charity designation or a fiscal agent that has this designation.
- Arts organizations led by, for, and about black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) with operating expenses of $2 million and below.
- Any arts and culture organization with operating expenses of $800,000 and below.
- Located in and serves Chicago and Cook County.
Grant Process & Criteria
- At least 65% of grants will be allocated to arts organizations by, for, and about BIPOC communities.
- Proposals are reviewed by a panel of artists, arts leaders, and AWF funders.
- Applicants do not need to present a “new” idea. Funds can support an existing change effort or be used as part of a larger effort with funding from several sources. However, the review panel will consider how an AWF grant helps propel the project forward.
- Organizations decide whether to apply for a THINK or EXPLORE grant. An organization can apply for an EXPLORE grant without receiving a THINK grant. Organizations can only apply for one grant at a time.
- Collaborative proposals can include organizations that fall outside AWF’s budget guidelines but must show how they advance the work of eligible organizations. For collaborative projects, prepare a budget that provides for equitable resource distribution for all partners.
- Cross-sector proposals (working with a non-arts organization or individual) are eligible. For cross-sector proposals, describe the benefit to the arts organization and prepare a budget that ensures the arts organization benefits from most of the funding provided.
Selection Criteria
A panel made up of artists, arts administrators, and AWF funders reviews applications using the following criteria:
- Idea/Need: The clarity of the question or issue to be addressed and a case or why it is important to the organization or group of organizations right now.
- Adaptation: The request represents an adaption in organizational process or practice related to the Idea/Need.
- Plan: The clarity and appropriateness of the proposed plan as it relates to the organization’s stated Idea/Need and Adaptation
- Capacity: The appropriateness of the proposed budget and the ability of the organization to undertake the project.
- Impact: The project’s potential to have a meaningful impact on the organization and its potential to create more sustainable operating structures and processes.
- Broader Learning (EXPLORE GRANTS ONLY): The potential for what is learned from this project to be helpful to others in the field.
For more information, visit AWF.
