3. If space on the application form is inadequate, attach additional sheet(s), do not attempt to make the boxes larger than they appear on the form .

4. Send in the mail to our office one original of the grant application.

5. Applications must be postmarked by the deadline dates listed on the cover above to be eligible.  Remember that it takes our office two months to process the grant application so your activity dates must be two months after the deadline in order to qualify.

6. E-mail your grant questions to mara@nwrdc.org or call Mara Wittman at 218-745-6733.  Remember that only schools with official addresses within our seven county service area are eligible to apply, they include the Minnesota counties: Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake, and Roseau.

GENERAL INFORMATION

The Arts Council of the Northwest Regional Development Commission is one of eleven regional arts councils in the State of Minnesota. The regional arts council system provides a decentralized mechanism for the distribution of arts funding.

The Northwest Regional Arts Council offers granting programs, information services, technical assistance, and arts programs to residents of the seven counties of northwestern Minnesota. The seven-county area includes Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake and Roseau Counties.

The Northwest Regional Arts Council developed the Hispanic Arts Project Grant program with McKnight Foundation funding to promote traditional and contemporary Hispanic arts in the region. There are three categories of Hispanic Arts grants available:

(1) Individual Artist Grants are made directly to Hispanic artists. Funds of up to $1,200 may be requested to assist an artist to complete an artistic work or to take advantage of an opportunity.

(2) School Residency Grants are awarded to a school for a Hispanic artist-in-residence project. The school completes and submits the application. Funds of up to $1,200 may be requested.

(3) Community Project Grants are awarded to help an organization sponsor or produce an arts project or event such as an arts workshop, a play, an exhibit, or a performance. The sponsoring organization completes and submits the application. Funds of up to $1,200 may be requested.

Assistance with your application is available from Mara Wittman, Arts Council Director. If you are applying to the November 1, 2007 grant deadline, your project must be completed by December 2008.

APPLICANT ELIGIBILITY

(1) Individual Artist Grants
• An applicant must be Hispanic and a resident of Minnesota and have resided in the seven-county northwestern Minnesota area for at least one year prior to the deadline date of the application.
• An applicant must be at least 18 years of age.
• Artists are not eligible to receive a grant two consecutive years. Artists who have never received a grant might be given priority during the review session.
• Applicants may not apply for funds to be used toward completion of a degree.
(2) School Residency Grants
• Any public or private school in our Northwest Region is eligible to apply. Northwest Region includes Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake, and Roseau Counties.
• The residency must significantly involve a Hispanic artist.
• Artists are to be paid a minimum of $125 per day.
• Schools may only repeat the same artist two years in a row.
(3) Community Project Grants
• Any community group or organization in the Northwest Region is eligible to apply. Northwest Region includes Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake, and Roseau Counties.
• The project must include a significant Hispanic artistic component. Which can be involving a Hispanic artist or the participants being primarily Hispanic.

HOW TO APPLY

Submit the application materials required below. Please keep a copy for your records; you will need to refer to it if we call you with any questions. Applications may not be faxed nor e-mailed.

The main deadline date is November 1, 2006; if funds remain a second deadline date will be February 1, 2006. Applications must be postmarked by the deadline date, there will be NO EXCEPTIONS. You are responsible for determining how late your local post office will be open to cancel mail with the necessary date. If you prefer to deliver your application directly to our office, you may do so, however, it must be given directly to our staff by 4:00 pm of the deadline date.

Mail applications to : NW Regional Arts Council, 115 South Main, Warren, MN 56762

APPLICATION MATERIALS THAT YOU NEED TO SEND IN

(1) Individual Artist Grants
If you are applying as an individual artist, complete and submit the following materials:
a. Application Form: Applications must be submitted on the NWRDC/McKnight Hispanic Arts Project Grant Application form found in this packet.
b. Artist Statement. This should be a personal and thoughtful page about yourself and your art. The type of information you may want to include is : information on your artistic style, the ideas behind your art, your goals as an artist, what motivates you to do your art, philosophical or historical context for your art, etc. Your artist statement should refer in some way to your proposed project.
c. Artist's Resume: Your resume may have a structured format, or it may be a less formal narrative. It should describe any training or experiences that you've had in the arts. As an example, you can list any classes you've taken; list any studies you've had with another, more experienced artist; list any exhibitions where your work has been shown; list any special awards that you've received for your art; list places your work is for sale; list pieces of your work that have been purchased. Please do not let a lack of exposure as an artist keep you from applying.
d. Project Narrative. This narrative should clearly explain your project. It should relate to you goals as an artist. The narrative should include a time line for your project. Remember that your project should be completed within one year of the deadline date to which you are applying. If you cannot complete your project within that timeframe call Mara Wittman at 1-800-646-2240 to discuss options do not assume that you should not apply.
e. Work Samples.
Samples of the artist’s work should be submitted as indicated:
Dancers and Theater Artists and Media Artists - A 5-minute sample on a standard 1/2" VHS videotape or standard DVD, cued for review. Please include short sections of two contrasting works.
Musicians - A 5-minute sample on a standard 1/2" VHS videotape or on a standard audio cassette tape, cued for review. Please include short sections of two contrasting works.
Visual Artists, Set Designers, Costume Designers and Photographers - Submit up to 10 slides or photographs of you art work.
Writers and Play writers - Ten page sample, must be original work, typewritten.
f. Description of Work Samples. A maximum of one typewritten page describing all of the work samples must be submitted. Any information pertinent to better understand the work samples should be included. For visual artists, the information must include the size of the work and the medium used.
g. Letter of Recommendation (Optional). Letters of recommendation serve to enhance the application and improve your overall rating during review. Note: We are looking for an individual who can speak on your behalf that you complete projects on time with a high degree of commitment and professionalism.

(2) School Residency Grants or (3) Community Project Grants
Schools and organizations may apply for funds for Residency Grants or Community Project Grants. Complete and submit the following materials.
a. Application Form: Applications must be submitted on the NWRDC/McKnight Hispanic Arts Project Grant Application form found in this packet.
b. Resumes: Resumes for all artists involved with the project. The resume may have a structured format, or it may be a less formal narrative. It should describe any training or experiences that the artist has had in the arts. As an example, the artist can list any classes they've taken; list any studies they've had with another, more experienced artist; list any exhibitions where their work has been shown; list any special awards that they've received for their art; list places their work is for sale; list pieces of their work that have been purchased.
d. Project Narrative. This narrative should clearly explain the goals, activities, timeline, and location of your proposed project. Include the names of project directors, artists, teachers, and others who will be involved with the project. If your project involves a performance or exhibit, be sure to tell us when an where this will take place. We strongly recommend sharing your project back with the community.
You must include information which will help us evaluate the ability of your school or organization to do the project that you are proposing. Tell us about other projects that your school/organization has successfully done; tell us about the qualifications of the people your project, etc.
You must also tell us how this proposed project will benefit your school, your organization, and/or your community.
Please make sure that your project will be completed within a year from the deadline date that your are applying.
e. Work Samples.
Your should include some type of work sample from each of the artists involved, so that the artistic merit of the project can be evaluated. If you wish the work samples returned, please include a return addressed and postage paid envelope.
Dancers and Theater Artists and Media Artists - A 5-minute sample on a standard 1/2" VHS videotape or standard DVD, cued for review. Please include short sections of two contrasting works.
Musicians - A 5-minute sample on a standard 1/2" VHS videotape or on a standard audio cassette tape, cued for review. Please include short sections of two contrasting works.
Visual Artists, Set Designers, Costume Designers and Photographers - Submit up to 10 slides or photographs of you art work.
Writers and Play writers - Ten page sample, must be original work, typewritten.

REVIEW PROCESS AND CRITERIA

• The Northwest Regional Arts Council Director will review the applications for accuracy, completeness, and eligibility.
• Council members with a conflict of interest in regard to a specific applicant or project, declare such and comply with the Northwest Regional Arts Council Policies and Procedures.
• Applications will be reviewed solely on the application form and supporting materials submitted.
• In reviewing the applications, the Council members will first determine the eligibility of the application, based both on the individual’s eligibility and the project restrictions. Any projects which are determined to be ineligible shall be eliminated from the review process.
• Through majority vote, the Council will make a recommendation for full funding, partial funding, or denial of funding based on the following review criteria:
a. overall excellence of the artist’s work and demonstration of exceptional talent as demonstrated by the work samples;
b. evidence of serious professional commitment as demonstrated in the application form, the resume, and letters of recommendation,
c. the project’s contribution to the artist’s creative and professional growth as demonstrated in the application form and the letters of recommendation.
d. evidence that the artist will share this activity with the public as demonstrated in the application form.
• If an application is recommended for funding, the Council will then rate the application.
• Applications will be ranked in descending numerical order. A copy of the Northwest Regional Arts Council’s Rating Form is available upon request.
• Grants are awarded to the extent of funds available. If two applications receive identical ratings, the application with the earliest receipt date will be given first priority. Applicants should be aware that even though an application may be recommended for funding, its ranking may fall below the line of available funds.
• If the funds available are insufficient to cover the lower- ranked request, the applicant will be offered partial funding. If accepted, a revised project description and budget must be submitted within thirty days of notification. The revised budget is required to illustrate the project’s potential for completion as stated with reduced funding. Failure to provide the required documents within the prescribed time can result in the cancellation of a grant commitment.
• The recommendations of the Regional Arts Council will be submitted to the Northwest Regional Development Commission for action.
• All applicants will receive a notification letter of acceptance or rejection within 20 days after final review of the application by the NWRDC, except when a revised budget and/or project description is necessary.

APPEALS POLICY

Any applicant who can show cause that established grant review procedures were not followed may file an appeal according to NWRDC policies which are available upon request. There is no right of appeal for dispute of decision of the NWRDC with respect to artistic quality, artistic excellence, the quality of the artistic activity, or the work of an individual artist.

GRANTEE RESPONSIBILITIES

If a grant is received, the grantee must:

1. Sign and submit to the NWRDC within 45 days of receiving the funding notice, the contract and a request for payment form.
2. Agree that the project will be carried out within the project calendar year. Any changes must be requested and approved, in writing and in advance, with the Arts Council office.
3. Include the following credit line in all publicity, advertising, news releases, printed programs, and promotional material:
“This activity is funded by a grant from the McKnight Foundation through the Northwest Regional Development Commission.”
4. Insure that access to participation in the project will not be limited on the basis of national origin, race, religion, age or sex.
5. Be legally responsible for the completion of the project and for the proper management of the grant funds.
6. Submit the final report form along with supporting materials and documentation of expenses within sixty (60) days of the project’s completion to ensure no future penalty.
7. Permit the NWRDC reasonable access to all activities supported by the NWRDC for purposes of an audit or evaluation. The NWRDC shall have access to any books, documents, papers, and records regarding the granted project. These records and supporting documents shall be retained for a period of three (3) years following the completion of the project.
8. Return the entire grant award to the NWRDC in the event the project cannot be completed as stated in the application.
If necessary, additional but clearly outlined conditions will be added to the contract.
 

GRANT PAYMENT AND FINAL REPORT

Payment of 80% of the grant award will be sent to the grantee within forty-five (45) days after the signed NWRDC/McKnight Individual Artists Grant Contract and Request for Payment are received by the NWRDC office.

APPLICATION  DEADLINE	ARTS COUNCIL REVIEW	NWRDC ACTION	EARLIEST STARTING DATE	LATEST ENDING DATE
Nov. 1, 2007	Nov. 28, 2007	Dec. 2, 2007	Jan. 1, 2008	Dec. 31, 2008
Feb. 1, 2008	Mar 6, 2008	Mar. 27, 2008	Apr. 1, 2008	Mar. 31, 2009

The review dates are based on regular meeting dates of the Regional Arts Council and the Northwest Regional Development Commission. Consult the Regional Arts Council Director regarding the availability of funds and potential changes in meeting dates.