American Rescue Plan Act Funding
This copy of the guidelines is for reference only. To apply go to https://art.mt.gov/application
ARPA Artist Grant
About the Montana Arts Council
The Montana Arts Council is the agency of state government established to develop the creative potential of all Montanans, advance education, spur economic vibrancy, and revitalize communities through involvement in the arts. The Montana Arts Council is governed by 15 individuals appointed by the Governor. It is funded by the state and federal government.
Program Description
The Montana ARPA Artist Grant provides funds to Montana-based individual artists and artist collectives to carry out specific projects and activities. Funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) through the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), funds are dedicated to support presentations, performances, workshops, research, and/or creation of artwork.
Applicants are eligible to receive a one-time grant between $2,500 - $10,000. This grant may be used to fully fund a project. No match is required. Funds cannot be used to retroactively fund completed projects or portions of projects, but can be used for ongoing projects. Projects must be completed by November 1, 2022.
Professional artists of all disciplines are encouraged to apply. This includes artists working in the following disciplines*:
• Visual• Performing
• Literary
• Arts Learning
• Folk and traditional
• Media
*Awards may be equalized across artistic disciplines.
Application Deadline
All applications must be submitted by 11:59pm MST on Thursday, April 21, 2022. Applications must be submitted electronically via MAC's online grant system. This copy of the guidelines is for reference only. To apply, go to https://art.mt.gov/application
For technical assistance, email brian.moody2@mt.gov or virginia.newman@mt.gov. Or call 406- 444-6430.
Review Criteria for Artists
Proposals will be evaluated based on three criteria: 1) artistic excellence, 2) artistic merit, and
3) project feasibility. Evidence to support the criteria will come from the narrative responses and submitted supplemental materials.
The artistic excellence of the project includes the:
• Professionalism of the artist, quality of the artwork, or services that the project will involve, as appropriate to the project
• Evidence includes digital work samples, arts resumes, artist websites, or artist social media
The artistic merit of the project includes the:
• Connection of the project to the artistic practice of the applicant
• Potential for the project to reach new audiences or reach underserved groups as identified by the National Endowment of the Arts (NEA guidance HERE).
• Evidence includes digital work samples, arts resumes, letters of support, artist websites, or artist social media
The measures of project feasibility include:
• Ability to carry out the project based on the appropriateness of the budget, the proposed timeline, the quality and clarity of the project activities and goals, the resources and partners involved, and the qualifications of the project's personnel.
• Evidence of project feasibility includes a budget, project timeline, letters of support or agreement with partner artists & organizations, or project plans.
Review Process
Submissions are first reviewed by staff. Staff confirms applicant eligibility, basic compliance with grant criteria, and completeness of applications before sending them to the grant panel for review. Ineligible or incomplete applications will not be reviewed by the grant panel.
Award Amounts
Award amounts range from $2,500 to $10,000. Awards will be paid in two disbursements: half upon signing of grant agreement and half upon successful submission of final report.
Eligible Applicants
• Montana residents with at least 12 months of occupancy prior to project start date.
• At least 18 years of age
• Legal U.S. residents
• Groups of artists, or artist collectives, represented by an individual meeting the residency criteria above. Group applicants are eligible for only one award. Each artist within the group must consent to be part of the application; however, only one person should act as the lead applicant.
Ineligible Applicants
• High School students and degree-seeking college students (graduate or undergraduate) and non-degree seeking students receiving college credit for the proposed activity
• Montana Arts Council staff or members of its governing body, or anyone connected to them by one degree of relationship
• Individuals with delinquent MAC final grant reports
Contacts and Accessibility
For questions or concerns about the application process or technical assistance, or to request a large-print or alternate format guidelines, contact MAC staff: Brian Moody, brian.moody2@mt.gov or Ginny Newman, virginia.newman@mt.gov.
Eligible Projects
Qualified artists across disciplines are eligible to apply for support to carry out specific projects and activities. Grantees will demonstrate tangible results of work undertaken and completed during the award period from June 1, 2022 to November 1, 2022.
Examples of the types of projects artists of varying discipline might pursue will the support of this grant include, but aren't limited to:
• Teaching artists: curricula, digital learning modules, workshops
• Visual artists: sculptures, films, paintings, studies, installations, research
• Literary artists: manuscripts, proposals, drafts, research reports
• Performance artists: performances, tours, events, video or audio recordings,
• Folk and traditional artists: textiles, instruments, beading, dolls, exhibitions, workshops
• Media artists: films, scripts, interviews
Ineligible Projects
• Previously completed projects (though clearly defined, and demonstrable portions of ongoing projects can be eligible)
• Projects requiring international travel
• Rent or food assistance, or any type of "artist relief" to alleviate hardship without undertaking work
• Honorifics, a.k.a. "lifetime achievement awards" based on the past work without plan to undertake work during the award period
Orientation & Status Update
Successful applicants will be required to attend a grant orientation via Zoom or phone. This brief orientation will occur before the first payment is disbursed.
Prior to September 1, all successful applicants will be required to provide a project status update to MAC staff. This update can be completed over the phone or via email.
Project Name*
Choose a project name that is descriptive and will allow reviewers to quickly identify the proposal.
Character Limit: 100
Eligibility*
Refer to the eligibility requirements listed above. For questions about eligibility, email brian.moody2@mt.gov.
Choices
I am eligible to apply and can provide documentation of Montana residency if requested.
Request Amount*
Minimum request is $2500. Maximum request is $10,000.
Character Limit: 20
Project Description*
Describe the project and how it connects to your artistic practice. As applicable, include details about your artistic practice and vision, project location(s), intended audience, collaborators, partners, and contractors.
Character Limit: 3000
Project Timeline*
Describe a timeline for completing the proposed project. Consider including major project milestones that will help you measure progress. Reminder: successful applicants must provide a status update to MAC staff by September 1, 2022 and projects must be completed by November 1, 2022.
Character Limit: 3000
Project Outcome*
Describe the tangible outcomes of the project. Clearly define the deliverable end-product for your proposal. For clarifications about eligible projects and project outcomes, contact MAC staff.
In the final report, grantees will be required to provide documentation of work completed during the award period from June 1, 2022 to November 1, 2022. Consider this timeframe when planning a project.
Character Limit: 3000
Project Budget*
A detailed Project Budget is an important piece of evidence for the feasibility of the project. To view samples of filled out artist budgets, click on the following link: SAMPLE BUDGETS PDF.
File Size Limit: 6 MB
Supplemental Materials
IMPORTANT:
In order to be considered for funding, an application needs to include evidence to support the grant criteria. The arts resume field is required; the other fields are strongly recommended but may not be applicable to your submission. An application does not need to use every field below in order to be considered complete. For assistance with supplemental materials please contact MAC staff.
Arts Resume or CV*
Include information that reflects career advancements, professional accomplishments, and training, up to 4 pages. For tips on writing an effective arts resume, CLICK HERE.
File Size Limit: 6 MB
Letter(s) of Support
If applicable, upload letter(s) of support from partners, collaborators, mentors, or teachers.
File Size Limit: 10 MB
Work Sample #1
Depending on artistic discipline, work samples might include images, PDFs, video or audio clips, curricula, learning modules, press articles, or marketing materials. Additional work sample upload boxes are available below. For technical support or assistance on work samples please contact MAC staff.
File Size Limit: 20 MB
Work Sample #2
File Size Limit: 20 MB
Work Sample #3
File Size Limit: 20 MB
Artist Website
Character Limit: 2000
Artist Social Media
Character Limit: 2000
Artist Social Media
Character Limit: 2000
Online Portfolio
Character Limit: 2000
Additional URL
Character Limit: 2000
Additional URL
Character Limit: 2000
Assurances and Signature
Sign Up for MAC Publications & News
MAC is proud to produce the State of the Arts, a free quarterly newspaper. To sign up for a paper or electronic subscription, and to view archived digital issues, go to https://art.mt.gov/soa
To receive periodic email updates about the arts in Montana or upcoming funding opportunities through MAC go to https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/MTARTS/subscriber/new
MAC Added to Email Contacts*
The Montana Arts Council sends official communications related to applications via the online grant system. Some email providers will classify these messages as "SPAM". Please add "administrator@grantinterface.com" to your contact list or safe sender list to ensure you don't miss important emails about your grant's status.
Choices
I have added "administrator@grantinterface.com" to my email contact list or safe sender list.
Payment Process*
Payments will be disbursed in two installments: 50% of the award upon completion of required forms and orientation meeting and 50% upon submission of a complete final report.
Choices
I understand the payment process and the required steps to trigger payments.
State Offsets & Tax Info*
For grants related to ARPA, any debt with a State of Montana agency may be offset from the award amount. This might include back taxes and unpaid child support.
ARPA grants are classified as taxable income, and awardees will receive a 1099G form. For questions about potential tax liability, consult with your tax adviser.
Choices
I understand the award may be offset for State of MT debt and that the award is taxable income.
Reporting Requirements*
All grantees are required to submit a final report no later than December 1, 2022. The final report will collect information about the results of the proposed project as well as financial and statistical data. Failure to submit a final report will disqualify the grantee from receiving the second grant payment. Grantees with delinquent final reports will be considered ineligible for future MAC grants.
Choices
I understand that I am required to submit a final report no later than December 1, 2022.
Review Process*
Staff, panelists, and governing members of MAC will only consider the included application materials in the review process. Once submitted, no changes to application materials will be allowed. In order to maintain the integrity of the review process, contacting panelists or MAC governing members before or during the review process is not permitted. Applicants will be disqualified from consideration if attempts to contact reviewers are made.
Choices
I understand that my application will be reviewed as-is.
I understand that I will be disqualified from consideration if I attempt to contact grant reviewers.
Date*
Character Limit: 10
Please type your name in the box below*
Character Limit: 30
Signature Verification*
By clicking "I agree" below and typing my name in the box above, I am authorized to make application on behalf of this individual and the information provided is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge.
Choices
I agree
