Information and tips for Orange County Arts Grants

1. 2017 ARTS GRANTS
Guidelines & Information

2. ABOUT OUR GRANTS
• Funded by North Carolina Arts Council Grassroots Program and
Orange County Board of County Commissioners.
NEW  One annual cycle!
• Projects during 2017-18 FISCAL year (July 1, 2017 – June 30, 2018)
• All grant applications due Friday, June 2
• Awardees notified no later than August 1
• Fiscal Year 2016-17 Funds: approximately $60k
NEW  No caps on funding requests
• Suggested request range: $500 - $3,000

3. OCAC GRANTS
• Grassroots Program Grants Funded by the NC Arts Council
(NCAC) and Orange County, these grants fund arts programs,
projects, and services through area nonprofits, schools, and
municipal organizations.
• Artist Project Grants Funded by Orange County, these grants
fund individual artist projects that positively benefit the greater
community.
NEW  Two grant categories instead of five!

4. ELIGIBILITY
All projects must take place in Orange County.
Projects must take place between July 1, 2017 – June 30, 2018.
Only complete applications received by 5pm on June 2 will be
considered.
ALL GRANTS
NEW  Incomplete applications will be removed
from applicant pool 

5. ELIGIBILITY
GRASSROOTS PROGRAM GRANTS
Nonprofit organizations OR groups sponsored by nonprofit
organizations (fiscal agent)
Public or private schools in Orange County; parent/ teacher
organizations for Orange County schools. Multiple schools may apply
together for larger grants.
Municipal organizations
Must have been in operation for one year
Do not receive general support funds through NCAC

6. ELIGIBILITY
ARTIST PROJECT GRANTS
Professional artists coordinating art programs or projects within
Orange County
(artist does not have to be an Orange County resident)
Must have a positive impact on the greater community

7. • Matching Requirement
• One-to-one cash match encouraged
REQUIREMENTS
• Reporting Requirements
• Final report to Orange County Arts Commission (August,
2018)
• Thank you letters to Commissioners & Legislators encouraged
• Orange County Arts Commission: Logo
This project was supported by the N.C. Arts
Council, a division of the Department of
Natural and Cultural Resources.
• NC Arts Council Recognition: Logo and Credit Line

8. • Program expenses such as professional artists’ fees and travel,
space rental, advertising, marketing and publicity, website and
electronic media, scripts, costumes, sets, props, music and theater
equipment rental.
• Operating expenses for qualified arts organizations not already
receiving operating support from the N.C. Arts Council. These
can include salaries, office supplies, printing, postage, rent, utilities,
insurance and equipment rental.
WHAT THE GRANTS WILL
FUND
GRASSROOTS PROGRAM GRANTS

9. • Program expenses such as professional artists’ fees and travel,
space rental, advertising, marketing and publicity, website/electronic
media, scripts, costumes, sets, props, equipment rental/purchase.
WHAT THE GRANTS WILL
FUND
ARTIST PROJECT GRANTS
• Artist’s travel and training expenses for professional development
opportunities that will have a positive impact on the residents of
Orange County through future programs
• Supplies needed for an artist project that will have a positive impact
on the residents of Orange County through future programs.

10. WHAT THE GRANTS WILL
NOT FUND

11. APPLICATION
Fillable/printable PDF or Word doc at www.artsorange.org/grants

12. APPLICATION
Grassroots Apps:
Includes current year, last year and
next year’s organizational financials
(attach and enter totals)
Part 1:
Applicant Info
NEW  No DUNS


13. APPLICATION
Part 2:
Project Info
Schools:
Indicate whether or not you are
booking your program through The
ArtsCenter’s Arts in Schools
Program.

14. APPLICATION
Part 2: Narrative
Narrative:
WHO is the project going to serve?
BE SPECIFIC!
EXAMPLE: “We expect participation of 20 adults
and 300 middle-school children, approximately
64% Caucasian and 46% African American.”
*SCHOOLS: BE SURE TO INCLUDE FRL
%*
HOW will it serve the targeted
audience?
EXAMPLE: “Each art camp student will engage in a
rotating schedule of visual and performing arts classes.
This includes 20 hours a week of instruction, with 10
hours of sculpture, drawing and painting and 10 hours of
dance, theatre and musical instruction.”

15. APPLICATION
Part 2: Narrative
Narrative:
WHO is involved?
•How were artists/instructors chosen (include
credentials)
•Rate of Payment
•If the artists have not been chosen yet,
describe the process for choosing artists.
*BE SURE TO INCLUDE PAYMENT TO
MULTICULTURAL ARTISTS!*
Is this a well thought-out plan that is
likely to SUCCEED?
•How the project will be publicized and
promoted?
•How will the project be evaluated?
BREVITY is your friend! Stick to
the facts; avoid flowery
language and over-use of
adjectives.

16. APPLICATION
Part 2: Budget
Budget
Requested Amount + Matching
Funds = Total Expense
Total Expense = Total Income
You MUST fill in the provided
budget sheet.
Make sure your attached budget
matches the worksheet!
More detailed the better!

17. APPLICATION
Part 3: Checklist
One hardcopy required, no staples
or binding
(NO ELECTRONIC COPY
REQUIRED)
Electronic work samples ok
Don’t dilute your application with
too many work samples!

18. APPLICATION
Part 4: Certification
Must include to be considered!
Need project director AND
authorizing official signatures.

19. Applications must be received by (NOT postmarked by)
Friday, June 2 at 5pm
(earlier the better!)
Mail: Drop-off:
Orange County Arts Commission Orange County Arts
Commission
P.O. Box 8181 200 S. Cameron St.
Hillsborough, NC 27278 Hillsborough, NC 27278
WHERE & WHEN
to submit your application

20. • Orange County Arts Commission Advisory Board reviews
each grant
• Board must base funding decisions on the quality of the grant
application, not on their relationship with, or knowledge of, the
organization
• Panelists review each grant application and score applications
on specific criteria
HOW APPLICATIONS
ARE EVALUATED

21. • Artistic quality of the proposed project
• Community impact of project or program
• Ability to plan and implement project
• Grassroots Apps: Stability and fiscal responsibility of the
organization
• Artist Apps: Evidence that project shows planning and
cooperation between applicant and local organizations
• Artist Apps: Proof of community support and responsiveness to
community needs, such as letters of support
HOW APPLICATIONS
ARE EVALUATED
Considerations…

22. 1st
Priority: Arts organizations like symphonies, galleries,
theaters, art guilds, choral societies, dance companies and music
presenters that are not receiving any other funding through the
N.C. Arts Council.
PRIORITIES FOR FUNDING
2nd
Priority: Arts learning and Arts in Education programs
conducted by qualified artists.
3rd
Priority: Civic, municipal or community-based
organizations providing quality art experiences for the greater
community.
For Grassroots Applications

23. • Grant Contract
• Final report with
• Audience numbers
• Audience demographics
• Demonstrated use of NC Arts Council logo and credit
line and OCAC logo on promotional materials and
programs
• NOTE: Late final reports=no funding next grant cycle
• Willingness to participate in activities that showcase your
project, or contribute to the betterment of the arts
community of Orange County.
IF YOU GET FUNDED…
EXAMPLE: Demonstration at a Board of County Commissioner’s
meeting, or participation in Americans for the Arts’ Arts & Economic
Prosperity Survey

24. Q: Is there a limit on how much funding I can ask for?
F.A.Q.’s
A: Technically, no. However, there is a finite pool of funds and Orange
County has 177 arts and cultural organizations plus artists who may apply for
funding. We want to fund as many high-quality arts programs as possible. We
recommend your requests range from $500-$3,000.
Q: I need funding for multiple projects or programs.
Should I compile all requests into one application, or
submit multiple applications?
A: For the sake of clarity, we would prefer for you to submit one application
per program. Be as clear as possible with your request; we never want the
grants panel to ask, “What exactly are they asking for?”

25. Q: I received a grant last cycle. Can I apply again this
cycle?
F.A.Q.’s
A: Yes, unless you have not yet submitted a prior cycle’s report that is past
due, or you failed to execute a formerly funded program. If this is case, please
contact us at 919-245-2335.
Q: I forgot a portion of my application. Will it still be
considered?
A: No. Out of fairness to applicants having submitted complete applications,
incomplete applications will not be considered. We understand mistakes
happen, and encourage you to submit your application at least one week in
advance in order for us to review your application. Our overall goal is to have
a competitive grant program, and we will do everything in our power to help
you submit a stellar application – but please allow us time to do so!

26. Q: What are the main tips you can offer to help me
submit a great application?
F.A.Q.’s
A: First, understand the purpose of the N.C. Arts Council Grassroots Arts
Program: to ensure that every citizen has access to quality arts experiences.
Your grant should help fulfill this goal, either through programming or through
operational support that allows your arts organization to serve the public.
Second, be clear and concise. A grant application is never a place for flowery
language. In addition, don’t water down your application with tons of work
samples; rather, include several of the highest quality examples. Quality is
much more important than quantity!
Third, try new things. Except for a few rare occasions, the OCAC board
prefers to fund new, innovative projects each year rather than the same
project multiple times or in multiple forms.

27. Q: Can I request grant funds for operating expenses?
F.A.Q.’s
A: Yes, if you are an arts organization.
Q: Can I request funds for scholarships for our classes or
camps?
A: No. While we understand there are costs associated with your educational
programs, often times these costs are subjective and hard to determine. Our
grants should cover the hard costs of your programs or organization, rather
than offset revenue. A more ideal situation would be to request funding to
cover the salary of your instructor.
For Grassroots Applications

28. Q: What role does multicultural programming play in
your grant decisions?
F.A.Q.’s
A: The N.C. Arts Council requires Orange County to use at least 23% of
grant funds to support multicultural programs. Note that this is reference to
who is being hired, not the population being served. Priority will be given to
programs hiring high quality artists that are African American, Asian American,
Latino, or Native American.
Q: How do I find high quality artists, performers or
instructors for my arts program?
A: Several organizations can help you find performers, including the OCAC.
Local schools are encouraged to work with The ArtsCenter’s Arts in
Education/School Show Series Program to secure high quality, vetted,
performers. Other resources include Durham Arts Council’s CAPS Program,
and United Arts Council of Raleigh & Wake County’s
Artists in Schools Program.
For Grassroots Applications

29. Q: Can I use this grant for equipment, supplies or
professional development opportunities?
F.A.Q.’s
A: It depends. Our Artist Project Grants are intended to allow artists to
practice their craft in a way that positively benefits the community. If your
equipment, supplies, or training are going to result in a positive experience for
the community, then they would be eligible. If your equipment, supplies, or
training are for the sole purpose of advancing your arts career, then this
probably isn’t the right grant (however, we do offer the Emerging Artist Grant
Program that IS for this purpose). We know this is confusing, and welcome
you to bounce ideas off us. Just give us a call at 919-245-2335 or email
kmurray@orangecountync.gov.
For Artist Project Applications

30. Q: What are some examples of prior funded artist
projects?
F.A.Q.’s
• Fall, 2016: Carter Hubbard received a $1,000 grant to pay artist fees for
collaborators on the Florafitti placemaking project in Chapel Hill.
• Fall, 2016: Francesca Talenti received a $1,000 grant to pay actors’ fees for
an upcoming free public theater performance along the Riverwalk in
Hillsborough.
• Spring, 2016: Jeanette Brossart received a $1,000 grant to attend Lincoln
Center’s Teaching Artist Lab and Summer Forum, and then hosted a free
training course upon her return.
• Spring, 2016: Sheila Kerrigan received a $1,000 grant to cover expenses
associated with hosting two artist residences at Orange County Senior
Centers.
• Spring, 2016: Mary Carter Taub received a $1,000 grant for supplies needed
for a mural project at a local school.
For Artist Project Applications

31. Need help? Have questions? Confused?
Katie Murray, Director
Orange County Arts Commission
kmurray@orangecountync.gov
919-245-2335
Address: 200 S. Cameron St., Hillsborough
QUESTIONS?