Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
Download a copy of the FAQ's for reference (pdf)
FAQ #1. What do you mean by “main contact?”
This is the person who serves as the main contact and primary financial conduit for the project. If this is a collaborative project or work by a collective we ask that you choose one person to serve as the “main contact.” We will give you a chance to add collaborator information towards the end of this Inquiry Form.
Please provide contact information (email especially) that will remain valid through January 2013 when awards are announced. When changes occur, please update us at grants [at] creative-capital [dot] org.
FAQ #2. What do you mean by “professional name?”
If you are known professionally by a name different from that on your official identification documents, please provide it here.
FAQ#3. Why is it beneficial for me to share my website information?
While evaluators are not required to visit your website and work samples are not accepted at this stage, websites focused on your creative practice can often help round out information on an applicant when needed.
FAQ #4. Why do I need to provide information about my student status?
Please note that full-time students are not eligible for Creative Capital awards. If you mark “Yes,” your Inquiry Form will not submit. We do, however, strongly encourage you to apply when you are no longer a full-time student.
FAQ #5. Why do I need to provide information about my age and citizenship?
These questions refer to our eligibility requirements, which require that applicants must be at least 25 years old and a U.S. citizen or a permanent legal resident.
FAQ #6. Why do you ask about my gender and ethnicity?
As an organization, we are committed to diversity in all its forms. The questions regarding gender and ethnicity are optional but help us to document the diversity of our applicants and artists. By tracking this information we are better able to determine if we are fulfilling our commitment. In addition, our funders regularly request this statistical information.
FAQ #7. What do you mean by “collaboration?”
Your collaboration should fall into one of two categories:
- Ongoing Team or Collective Collaborations: Two or more people who have an established history of collaboration, sometimes organized under a group name.
- One-time Collaborations: An arrangement between two or more people who have agreed to stay in partnership while completing the proposed project.
FAQ #8. What do you mean by “collaborator?”
You may name up to 5 collaborators or collective members who are artistic co-owners of a proposed project, not “workers for hire.” Each person must meet the eligibility requirements and submit a separate bio as well as describe his/her role in the project.
Please refer to the guidelines for full information regarding collaborations and note that each artist may be included on only one Inquiry Form.
FAQ #9. How do I determine which discipline area I should check?
You should choose the area where you expect the evaluators reviewing the proposals to be the best informed to evaluate your artwork. For that reason we recommend that you select the discipline area in which your work is best known.
For instance, if you work with moving images and often show in visual arts spaces, you should choose moving image under Visual Arts; however, if you often show at film festivals, you should you choose Film/Video.
FAQ #10 What do you mean by “Projected completion date?”
This refers to the date you expect the proposed project to be done and ready for a public debut. This should be a realistic estimate and not dependent on the time frame of this application. To take full advantage of the funding and services that are made available to our artists, your project should not be released, premiered or published in its final form before September 2013. Projects that premiere before that date are ineligible to apply as our experience has shown that they do not benefit fully from the suite of resources which the Creative Capital Award can provide.
Should I apply if my project will be completed before September 2013?
No. However, if the project you’re currently considering will be completed too soon, consider proposing another one that is at an earlier stage of development.
FAQ #11. What do you mean by the terms Development and Production?
• Development: The preliminary research into issues of content or technology necessary to complete the project, working on the ideas behind the work(s), and/or making the blueprint from which the work(s) will be made. For example, it might mean conducting archival research and interviews or testing available technologies.
• Production: The process of transforming an artistic idea or blueprint into an actual production or work. Some examples are writing, editing, and revising book chapters, scores, or code.
Please note that Creative Capital does not fund completed projects looking for presentation, distribution, or publication only.
FAQ #12. What do you want me to tell you about the project? Does this refer to one stand-alone piece, a specific series or work designated for a particular venue?
It may mean any of the above. Since Creative Capital is not a fellowship program, we are interested in projects that have a discernible beginning, middle and end. We have funded projects that consist of a single work (e.g. installation, film) as well as a clearly defined body of work such as a series (e.g. series of shorts or paintings).
What do you mean by the “final form” my project will take?
We have found that in the excitement of discussing the concepts behind their projects, many applicants forget to tell us how the project will ultimately manifest (e.g. an episodic film for the web or a time-based installation that includes painting and performance). Please be as specific as you can at this stage in your project’s development. We understand that this may change as the project develops and that your project may have multiple manifestations.
What if I’m not good at writing about my work?
Don’t worry about writing the “perfect” proposal—there’s no such thing! What is essential at this stage of the application process is that you articulate your ideas clearly and with passion. We suggest asking a colleague to review your Inquiry Form for clarity and completeness before submission. If you use descriptions of your work that were written by others (i.e., articles, reviews, catalogue descriptions), please cite your sources.
Why does this Inquiry Form include word counts?
We limit the word count so that each inquiry can receive thoughtful review.
FAQ #13. Why are you asking me to place my work in context?
We are looking for artists who are articulate about their work and have an understanding of the professional landscape, so this is an opportunity to tell us what your work as an artist is about and how it fits into a larger context, be that aesthetic, social, philosophical, etc.
FAQ #14. Why are you asking about the original nature of my project?
Supporting pioneering, original, idea-driven work is part of our stated mandate. We encourage you to tell us how your work is pushing boundaries, taking risks and/or exploring an idea in a new or different way.
FAQ #15. Why are you asking me about the potential impact of my project?
We seek to support ambitious artists striving to contribute to and expand artistic, intellectual, communal, civic and/or social dialogue using artistic means. How do you envision your project doing this?
FAQ #16. What do you mean by “audiences” for my work?
What kind of individuals, communities or organizations would be most responsive to and appreciative of your work? We encourage the artists we work with to begin thinking, at the earliest possible phase of their project, about whom they hope to reach. Please be specific.
FAQ #17 Does it hurt my chances of receiving an award if I don't have existing relationships with venues, professional representation or management?
No, it will not. This question just gives us an idea of your ideal venues for presentation or publication.
FAQ #18. What do you mean by “catalyst for your artistic and professional growth?”
We want to know how you envision your work changing in the next few years and the part this proposed project will play in your goals. Your answer provides us with a sense of your artistic ambition and the level of engagement you have in your own artistic and professional development.
FAQ #19. Why do you want to know what non-financial resources Creative Capital might provide to help me complete my project?
We work closely with our artists to help them fulfill their project goals. We remain engaged with funded projects beyond the initial award by also providing additional funding, advisory services and community network opportunities. These services include (but are not limited to) artist retreats, ongoing professional project management, legal, public relations and financial planning resources. Please read more about Our Approach here: http://creative-capital.org.
FAQ #20. What do you mean by “Total Project Budget?”
This means the total cost of doing the project and should include reasonable fees for the artist(s) involved. We expect that this amount will often exceed the total that Creative Capital might contribute to a project. If you are invited to submit a formal application, we will request a detailed budget at that time.
FAQ #21. What do you mean by "Amount Raised to Date with Confirmed Sources?”
This refers to the amount of money that has already been definitively raised towards completion of the project and the organizations or individuals providing said funds. This should not include anticipated funding, in-kind resources, personal funds or the amount you are requesting from Creative Capital. If you have not raised any funds to date, then enter “0.” Your proposal will not be penalized if you do not have any confirmed sources.
FAQ #22: What is a biography?
A bio is simply a narrative form of your résumé. While focusing on your creative practice, please include major professional highlights, mainly from the last five years.
FAQ #23. What do you mean by “Professional Reference?”
Your professional reference should be someone who can provide a knowledgeable evaluation of how you and your creative practice might benefit from receiving support from Creative Capital. This is meant to be a professional reference, not a personal character reference. If deemed helpful to better evaluate your inquiry, we may contact them briefly, but they will not be required to write a letter on your behalf.
FAQ #24. Why do you need an “Institutional/Community Reference?”
By designating a partner in the community where you intend to work, you help us determine the level of commitment, sensitivity and community involvement that you have designed into your project. If deemed helpful to better evaluate your inquiry, we may contact them briefly, but they will not be required to write a letter on your behalf.
|
