Artist Residencies

Who May Apply

PreK–12 schools and school districts in North Carolina may apply for this funding. 

Description

This category is designed to give schools and school districts funding to bring artists into the classroom, either virtually or in person, for a residency during the spring semester of 2022. Grant funding supports standards-based, long-term (10 days and longer) artist residencies that provide students with the opportunity to gain in-depth knowledge and skills in the arts. Educators and artists collaborate to design an artist residency that meets the specific needs of the school and engages students in hands-on, participatory arts learning. At a minimum, artists work with the same group of students for 10 days during the residency. Residency days and weeks do not have to be consecutive. 

Allowable Expenses

Grant amounts range from $5,000 to $15,000. Grant funds may be used for artist fees, marketing, contractual fees, artist/contractor travel, and other project-related expenses. Grants may not fund fees for student artists and ensembles. All grants must be matched dollar for dollar except those serving rural, low-wealth counties designated Tier 1, which are eligible for 75 to 100 percent funding. Organizations must make a strong case for financial need if the cash match is less than one-to-one. 

Project Period

All grant funds must be expended on activities that take place between January 1 – June 30, 2022.

How We Make Funding Decisions

Applications are evaluated based on the following criteria: 

• Artistic Proficiency
  • Quality of the artists involved in the residency (artists with a demonstrated body of work).
  • Appropriate payment to the residency artists.
• Project Impact
  • Potential for long-term impact on participants.
  • Strength of education goals and curricular connections
  • Involvement of racially and culturally diverse artists as integral to the project and participation, and reflective of student demographics when appropriate
• Potential for Successful Implementation
  • Quality and clarity of project plans and potential for proposed activities to meet project goals.
  • Strength of management and resources necessary to carry out the project (i.e., appropriate budget, appropriate resources, qualifications of project personnel).
  • Appropriate evaluation strategies and performance measurements to assess student learning that reflects attainment of specific project goals.
  • Evidence of financial commitment and letters of support from partners.

How to Apply

The deadline to apply is Monday, October 4, 2021. The application will be available on Monday, August 16, 2021. Applicants will submit the form electronically through the GO Smart portal. Applicants will be asked to provide the following information on the application. Information must address the funding criteria.

1. In one or two paragraphs, provide a clear and concise overview of your proposed artist residency project.  Summarize what will happen and who will be involved in achieving your goals.
2. Provide a brief description of the planning process that occurred prior to submitting this grant proposal. Include 1) the involvement of artists, school personnel and other key partners and 2) dates, location and purpose of all planning meetings.
3. Provide a description of each artist (artistic company members and/or independent teaching artists) and contractor involved in the project. Include: 1) their credentials; 2) relevant experience working with the target population; 3) rate of payment for their services; and 4) racial and cultural composition.
4. Provide a description of the intended participants, including the age/grade level for the core group(s) of students. For each participant group include 1) estimated numbers and 2) racial and cultural composition.
5. Include two or three participant goals. One or more of these goals must support N.C. Arts Education Essential Standards. Explain how these goals will impact participants.
6. Provide a detailed description and timeline for all project activities. For classes and workshops, include the number and length of sessions and the age/grade level of participants. Explain how these activities support the goals and arts standards identified in question #5 above.
7. Describe the specific strategies that will be used to assess student learning and evaluate the residency. Explain how these assessment/evaluation strategies support the goals and arts standards identified in question #5 above.

Support Materials and Work Samples

Applications without support materials and work samples will not be considered. Work samples should provide evidence of the quality of the artists’ work (not student work). No headshots or highly edited promotional videos will be accepted.

All applicants must upload the following support materials:

• Signed letters of intent from the teaching artist(s)
• Résumé(s) of proposed artist(s)
• For artist(s) work samples, please upload: up to 5 images, or up to 5 pages of writing, or up to 5 minutes of video