Public Arts Grant Applications are Due May 11
The exciting news is that the Urbana City Council has approved the Grant Program and we’re accepting applications starting tomorrow.
The applications should be available online tomorrow at www.city.urbana.il.us/arts.
Drafts of Public Arts Grant Programs
Here and Now: Urbana Residents Grants
Envision 365 (formerly called “Emerging and Professional Artists Grant”)
Creative Mix Grants – grants for organizations, groups, classes, ensembles, etc. (formerly called “Groups, Troupes, & Ensembles”)
February 10th: Grants Program and Art in Available Spaces
Tonight’s big agenda items were Sara and my proposal for our grants program, and Katherine and Pat’s “Art in Available Spaces” proposal.
I’m hoping we’ll formally launch the grant program after next month’s meeting, but you can start thinking about putting together your proposals now. Here’s an overview to get you started, I’ll post the draft versions ASAP.
All three grant opportunities must feature a public arts component. The public art must be exhibited/performed within one of the Urbana TIF districts as shown on this map.
Program Goals:
- integrate the arts into the urban environment, creating a sense of place and purpose, and promoting tourism and commerce
- encourage emerging artists and art forms
- preserve and commemorate local multicultural traditions and histories
- enrich the lives of urbana residents and visitors
- increase oportunities for residents to engage in the arts in its many forms
- represent the community in all its diversity
THE GRANTS
1. Here and Now: Urbana Residents 6-Month Grants
Just like the name says, you’ve got to be living in Urbana to apply for this grant and your show must take place within 6 months of award notification. Awards will be between $200-$1,500.
2. Envision 365 Grants
Emerging and professional artists are encouraged to apply for this grant. The show must take place within 12 months of award notification. Awards will be made up to $2,500.
3. Creative Mix Grants
This is our “group grant.” We’re using “group” here to mean everything from ensembles to orchestras to class projects to scouting troops. This grant also has a 12 month deadline and applicants can ask for up to $5,000.
4. Festivals Grant?
This grant will be largely funded through the Urbana Business Association’s “Business Backs the Arts” initiative. I was under the impression that it would focus on downtown Urbana, but other committee members heard a wider message — that the funding could be applied to other business districts in Urbana as well, and could be expanded beyond the festival model. I’ll let you know, as soon as I know, in which direction the UBA wants to move. We’re happy to use their money to support the arts, which in turn will draw residents and visitors into business districts.
Art in Available Spaces
This is really two programs — the first (the Storefront Art Series), is designed to brighten storefront windows with work by local artists. The second (Urbana Space Program), features performances in underutilized spaces. In the first program, artists could receive a stipend of $100 to pay for set-up costs.
But That’s Not All
Geoff Bant shared his ideas for gathering community input on community art as applied to projects like the Philo Road Beautification Project. More on that later as drafts develop.
Studio Space for Rent
Nicole Pion from Urbana’s Independent Media Center talked about their organization and its contributions to the community. I knew they had office space available, but I didn’t realize they had studio space available for rent right now. They charge $250-$400/month.
What Was I Thinking?
Sarah and I volunteered for another subcommittee, one which explores putting together judging committees for the grant programs. Got input? Leave a comment below.
What is the Urbana Public Arts Commission?
I promise, I’ll stop using questions to title my posts. Soon. Very soon.
Timeline
- 2005 — Urbana City Council includes the creation of a Public Arts Program in its Common Goals
- 2006 — Urbana Public Arts Task Force is established to research the feasibility of a Public Arts Program
- 2006-2008 — Task Force and city staff gather research and public input, then prepare a recommendation on the structure of a Public Arts Program
- 2008 — Urbana Mayor and City Council establish a Public Arts Commission and Permanent Public Arts Program for the City of Urbana. Commission members appointed (including yours truly.)
So what do we do? That’s what we’re figuring out right now. We meet once a month and spent the first few meetings getting up to speed on the work done by the task force, finding out about projects currently underway, learning about how the funding works (check the City of Urbana site for information on TIF districts and explain it all to me if you can), and figuring out where we go from there. This includes proposing projects (no shortage of ideas in our committee), then voting on our top priorities.
We’re now at the point where things get interesting. We’ve broken up into subcommittees of two to work on those priority projects: art in vacant spaces, special city projects, and grant programs. We could only have two members on a team because three would mean a quorum. A quorum means the meeting must be open to the public, publicized in advance, and televised (my least favorite aspect of this endeavor.) Thus, we have subcommittees of two.
Our next meeting is on February 10th in the Urbana City Council Chambers on Race Street. Don’t watch on TV, come by and introduce yourself instead.
What’s This Blog For?
I’m Michele Plante, FAA Instructor and Career Services Coordinator. If you are an FAA student, you get a lot of spam from me.
In 2008, I joined the Urbana Public Arts Commission, partly because I think there should be a strong connection between the community and The College of Fine and Applied Arts, and partly because I want to be able to share what’s going on with our students. I’ll be using this blog to keep students informed about arts opportunities and ways they can be involved in the community. I’ll also be sharing my insights about how granting agencies work (art from the other side.)
I’ll start with a quick overview of the Commissioners. I’ll also tell you that there were some visions of Batman floating in my head when I found out I was going to be a Commissioner. So far no one has addressed me as Commissioner Plante and I haven’t received any special “signals” from superheros. To be honest, it’s kind of a let down.
Anna Hochhalter, Public Arts Coordinator — Anna is amazing. She’s got about 20 different jobs, one of which is serving as the information hub. Last September, Melissa Merli interviewed Anna for the News-Gazette about what she does and what we’re supposed to be doing.
Robin Hall, Chair — Robin is the former Executive Director, Urbana Park District and is “the man” who made Meadowbrook ’s Wandell Sculpture Garden happen. He’s my arts administration hero.
Barbara Hedlund, Musician, Teacher, Publisher — We’re extremely lucky to have this Emmy winning cellist and experienced arts administrator on the committee. Check out her amazing bio.
Michele Plante, Painter, Graphic Designer, Jewelry Maker, Glassblower, Teacher, Arts Administrator — After fifteen years as a graphic designer, I’ve switched my focus to teaching students about marketing and self-promotion.
Geoffrey Bant, Studio Supervisor and Teacher, Champaign Park District — Next time you get a chance to watch the rerun, check out the sculpture prototypes Geoff had his class make for our meeting. They’re creative and incredibly engaging. Geoff has a lot of fantastic ideas on how to improve life for Urbana residents — including an “arts warehouse” where people could drop off supplies, instruments, or equipment they don’t need for use by Urbana students.
Robert Lewis, Musician — Whatever our commission proposes has to be approved by the City Council, of which Robert is a member. It’s a huge plus to have someone doing double duty!
Sarah Ross, Adjunct Professor (sculpture, art survey), Illinois State University; Artist — One of our most proactive members, Sarah has been bringing presentations of art installations and draft proposals to each meeting. I’m grateful that she’s my teammate on the grant proposal project (more information on that to come.)
Katherine Lamb, Freelance video editor — I’m sorry to say, I don’t really know Katherine yet, but I’m very glad to have video represented on the committee.
Patricia Samman, Writer, Developmental Editor — I’m just getting to know Pat too, but her sharp wit is hard to miss.
