THIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED FOR 2012-2013 DUE TO BUDGET CUTS

Folklife grants support documentation and presentation of North Carolina's traditional arts. Applicants may submit a grant proposal once Arts Council staff has determined that their project meets the guidelines for Folklife grants. Potential applicants should contact:

Sally Peterson
Folklife Specialist
sally.peterson@ncdcr.gov
(919) 807-6507

What We Fund

• Documentary projects that document and present specific living traditions and traditional artists of North Carolina.
• Community Survey projects that discover and document a range of living traditional arts and folklife resources practiced within a specific community in North Carolina. A community may be defined by geography and/or by ethnicity, language, occupation, or other social networks. 
• Traditional Artist projects that produce, publicize and distribute materials to promote an individual traditional artist, ensemble or group.

Documentary projects focus on specific traditional arts and artists, traditional events and community engagements with local traditional arts. Primary source materials created through fieldwork may include sound recordings, videography, photography and/or transcribed interviews. Projects must culminate with a public presentation of selected documentation either through an exhibition, public event, printed materials, film and/or video or through a Web site publication. Grant funds support project-related costs including stipends for project personnel, honoraria for traditional artists, travel, supplies and materials. Copies of primary source materials created through the grant should be deposited in a publicly accessible archive.

Community Survey projects use folklorists and ethnographers to document a range of artists and/or cultural traditions within a community. Survey projects are appropriate for documenting diverse artists and traditions within a county or geographic region or, alternately, focusing on traditions practiced within new immigrant communities in our state (for example: Latino, South Asian, African, Eastern European and Southeast Asian neighborhoods and communities). Community Survey projects may also document established, culturally or linguistically distinct communities (for example: Gullah-Geechee culture, American Indian tribes or “Down-east” dialect speakers).  Primary source materials created through fieldwork may include sound recordings, videography, photography and/or transcribed interviews. A report summarizing the fieldwork, often taking the form of a cultural inventory, is one of the products of a community survey.

Artist Projects support compact disc recordings, Web site development, brochures and pamphlets, podcasts, video projects and other products that publicize and promote an individual traditional artist or group. Grant funds support project-related costs including stipends for project personnel, honoraria for traditional artists, travel, supplies and materials.

The minimum grant award for organizations is $5,000 and the maximum amount rarely exceeds $15,000. All grants to organizations must be matched dollar for dollar except those serving rural, low-wealth counties, which are eligible for 75 percent to 100 percent funding. Organizations must make a strong case for financial need if the cash match is less than one-to-one.

The minimum grant award for individuals is $2,500. Individuals applying for Folklife grants are not required to provide matching funds.

Who May Apply

• Nonprofit arts and cultural organizations located in North Carolina. (Funded projects from previous years must be completed before applicants can apply again.)
• Folklorists or cultural specialists living in North Carolina who are knowledgeable about North Carolina's traditional arts and who have experience conducting documentary fieldwork. (Funded projects from previous years must be completed before applicants can apply again.)
• Traditional artists living in North Carolina who seek greater visibility and public access for their work and products.
• Alumni of the Community Folklife Documentation Institute who continue to reside in North Carolina.

Note: Folklife organizations that receive General Support funding are not eligible to apply for Folklife grants.

How Funding Decisions Are Made

Applications will be evaluated on the following criteria:

Artistic Merit

• Participation of accomplished North Carolina traditional artists
• Quality of artistry documented or presented
• Appropriate compensation to artists

Project Impact

• Potential to promote understanding and appreciation of the state's folklife traditions
• Involvement of racially and culturally diverse participants as appropriate to the project
• Geographic impact of project

Potential for Successful Implementation

• Quality and clarity of project plans
• Involvement of experienced professional folklorists, cultural specialists or other qualified consultants
• Strength of management and availability of resources necessary to carry out project
• Completion of previously funded projects
• Marketing or publicity plan

How to Apply

Making an application involves three steps:

1. Applicants are required to conduct a phone consultation with Folklife Program DirectorSally Peterson in order to determine eligibility.
2. Following the phone consultation, applicants may be asked to submit a Letter of Interest describing the project concept, traditional artists involved, project partners, the project timeline and the relevance and benefit of the project to local communities and other stakeholders.
3. Finally, applicants will submit a formal application electronically through North Carolina ARTS Grants Online (AGO) and must also submit a print version of the form along with required support materials by 5 p.m. on the deadline day. Much of the information and writing included in the Letter of Information may be repeated in the grant narrative (see questions below).

Instructions for Organizations Applying for a Folklife Grant

Narrative

Applicants will be asked to provide the following information on the application form. Make sure that the information you provide addresses the evaluation criteria.

1. Provide a clear and concise overview of your proposed project. Summarize what will happen, who will be involved and state the project goals. Explain the importance of the project and its meaning for individuals, communities or the region.
2. Provide a detailed description of the traditional artists, events and/or community traditions involved in the project, how and why they were chosen, and how participants will be compensated for their services. Provide a detailed description of the activities that will take place during the project period.
3. Include a projected timetable for implementing the project.
4. Explain the role of professional folklorists, cultural specialists or other qualified consultants involved in the project, and the responsibilities of key personnel.
5. Provide a description of the intended audience and participants and how your proposed activities will engage them. Include estimated numbers and racial and cultural composition. Describe how the project will be publicized and promoted to reach intended participants and how they will benefit.

Work Samples

Applicants must include samples of artists' work, examples of documentation or other work accomplished by folklorists and other key personnel, and products from the applicant's previous projects. Include in writing any identifying or contextual information that will help the panel evaluate the materials submitted. Include a stamped, self-addressed envelope if work samples are to be returned to the applicant. All work samples should also be labeled with the applicant's name.

• Photography
  Submit images online using the work sample section of the AGO application. Or submit a CDRW with photo files or PowerPoint file. Check with staff to ensure that the Arts Council has compatible software for digital retrieval.  Or submit a selection of up to 10 prints no smaller than 5" x 7" and/or up to 25 slides in a slide sheet.
• Audio Recordings
  Submit a standard CD.
• Film
  Submit film samples on a standard DVD. Check with staff to ensure that the Arts Council has compatible software for digital playback or if you are using video.
• Interview transcriptions
• Publications
  Publications or research papers on traditional artists written by key project personnel may also be submitted.

Support Materials

• Submit brief résumés (no more than three pages) of the project director, folklorists, consultants and other collaborators or technical assistants who will contribute significantly to the completion of the project. Submit references or profiles of traditional artists and local and/or scholarly references for community traditions to be documented.

• Include letters of support from project partners, including traditional artists and cooperating community organizations. Applicants may also submit letters of support for the project from individuals familiar with the work of key project personnel and knowledgeable about North Carolina's traditional culture.

Instructions for Individuals Applying for a Folklife Grant

Individuals should follow instructions above in Instructions for Organizations Applying for a Folklife Grant for completing the narrative and for submitting support materials and work samples with their applications. Individuals applying for grants do not need to follow instructions regarding organization information. Individuals must respond to budget questions and attach an itemized budget. Individuals do not need to provide a cash match.

For more information, contact Sally Peterson at (919) 807-6507 or sally.peterson@ncdcr.gov.