Please read information below to apply for an art grant.
What kind of art do we fund?
We fund interactive art. We fund art that is accessible to the public, civic in scope and prompts the viewer to interact. We like art that can be experienced in more ways than visually. We are fans of art that is meant to be touched, heard or experienced, as well as viewed. We prioritize funding art that involves the audience in its creation and presentation.
We are hoping for a variety of interactive art including performances (dance, music, theatre, performance art), visual (painting, drawing, sculpture), media (sound, film, video, new media) and combination of all art disciplines.
What is Interactive Art?
- Art that belongs to the public and exists for the benefit of all.
- Art that requires human interaction to complete the piece.
- Art that prompts people to interact with one another.
- Art that responds to participants and to its environment.
- Art that causes people to reflect on the larger community.
- Art that challenges the viewers’ traditional perspective on art.
- Art that summons a culture around itself?
- Art that provokes actions.
- Art that directs attention to the surrounding world.
- Art that transforms participants into active contributors to your creative process.
Arts that transcends the static conception of an art object that is contemplated by a detached audience. Interaction may be achieved in variety of ways. Sometimes, the mere act of encounter is sufficient, as in the case of artwork spread out within a special field of space that participants explore. Artwork may impart a gift or token. Likewise, works may be designed to receive something from people. Works may be activated by participants or by forces of nature, or they may function as social environments. Interactive artworks may also be made mobile, bringing an experience to passers by. There will always be a place and time within the sphere of art for the perfect object– something so astonishing in itself that the simple act of contemplation is reward enough– and this, in a way, defines the essential nature and value of art. However, with planning, we have found nearly any form of conventional art can be engendered with an interactive aspect.
Amount of grants given
BitF 2011 had a total budget of $3000 allocated, to be distributed over three rounds. Stay tuned to hear about the 2012 program!
- The first round, closing on April 24th, is intended for larger projects which require the most build time. Typical grants for projects of this nature can range from $300-$500. Exceptional projects will always be considered, but for large sums of money a significant project, with prospects for multi-event use by the community, are required.
- The second round, closing on May 22nd, is intended for larger projects that do not require as significant a build time. Typical grants for projects of this nature can range from $200-$400.
- The third round, is for Microgrants, typically under $100. These are small, low-prep pieces; you will only be notified before the event!
What will the grant cover?
The grant will pay for a portion of production costs. It will cover some or all material, asset, or rental costs, but not for time/labor. As a matter of principle, it is preferred that you develop various kinds of non-monetary resources, such as support from friends and reuse of equipment and recycling of supplies. This effort on your part encourages collaboration and cooperation within our extended community. Typically, a grant will cover up to 50% of the project cost, and the artist is expected to raise some funds themselves.
Note: The Grant will not cover costs for food, beverages, or the cost of your ticket. We are a non-profit event and since EVERYONE is a participant, everyone is expected to buy a ticket, even those who are involved with organizing. However, we do have low-income subsidized tickets you can apply for if your are financially challenged.
How will decisions be made/what are the criteria?
All proposals will be vetted by the GVIAS Grants Committee. Decisions will be based on the following criteria:
- The interactivity of your project?.
- The creativity of your project.
- The thoroughness of your proposal.
- The team. Do you have an adequate crew to build, install and clean up your project?
- The Budget. Is the budget realistic?
- Reusability of your art at Burning Man or at other events or locations.
How will grants be paid?
75% of the grant amount will be paid in advance for the first two rounds of (larger) grants, with the final 25% paid upon receipt of a final cost reports and copies of all receipts. For Microgrants, all payment occurs after the event and submission of receipts as detailed below. A failure to execute your proposed art project at BitF may result in you either repaying the art grant or having to install it at another GVIAS event upon the discretion of the GVIAS Grants Committee.
NEW FOR THIS YEAR: All Grant recipients who intend to use the BiTF event transportation are responsible for all aspects of loading and unloading their project onto the truck, in Vancouver and at the Event, according to the Transport Pod schedule. Flailing will result in forfeiture of the art grant without exception!
How do I apply?
You must submit the following:
1) Your Legal name
2) The Name of your Art Project
3) Completed application form
Fill out Grant Application which should include:
4) A proposal (2 pages max.) that includes:
- Physical Description: including the final vision, materials, and the intended interactive component (if any).
- Philosophical Statement: What the art means to you and what you are trying to communicate to participants.
- Interactivity: Interactive art projects are most encouraged. Please describe how people will be able to interact with your proposed project.
- Proposed team: Do you have an adequate crew to build, install and clean up your project? Please describe your support team as it relates to the creation of the art, playa support and dismantling/cleanup. Describe the roles and skills needed even if you do not have a complete crew at this time.
- Timeline: pre-event construction schedule which reflects your budget e.g., when materials will be purchased, when stages of construction will be completed. Please include an onsite arrival and construction plan.
- Leave No Trace: A well thought out breakdown and clean-up plan and schedule. You may not leave anything behind.
5) Itemized budget
- list in detail all expenses for material, rental, or asset costs. Research your costs carefully and be specific. Do not list “contingency costs” or “artist’s fee” as we do not cover those expenses. You must total your costs and give us a final number.
6) Bio
- Provide a short, informal bio that describes involvement in prior projects/work of this nature – intended to assure the Grants Committee that you have the skills and wherewithal to complete the project.
7) Visual materials (if applicable)
- Detailed drawings, sketches, and plans, hand-drawn or computer generated. You may also send photographs with your proposal. Materials must directly support your proposal and are limited to maximum of twelve (12) images and/or video. Video submissions should not exceed a total of three (3) minutes in length.
- Note: Visual aids inspire the reviewers and are definitely an advantage. One picture/sketch/video is required at minimum.
6) Safety Requirements, if required (1 page max.)
- Burning Artwork: If your artwork utilizes open fire such as candles, torches, fire barrels, or raised containers, please describe in detail. If artwork is to be engulfed in flames, please describe your ground protection. Include a detailed drawing showing how the art will be situated on it.
- If your artwork utilizes flame effects, flames that are automated, switched, pressurized or having any other action than simply being lit on fire, including propane or liquid fuels, describe in detail. Include a detailed drawing of fuel lines and tanks.
- Details of any safety measures required and in operation – fire extinguish placement, shut off value labelling, signage, and fencing
How do I submit my proposal?
Send your proposal electronically using Grant Application Please use Word or PDF files for documents.
For larger files (over 1MB) please put your proposal on a URL and send us one URL for all of your files. Do not send a separate attachment for each component. A website with all info on ONE page is also acceptable.
Send your completed proposal only once – wait until it is final to send. Do not send multiple iterations with revisions, additions, etc.
Only one proposal per person and/or group will be accepted. If you cannot submit your proposal as specified above, any non-digital drawings/material can be hand delivered to a member of the Grants Committee by appointment only.
Email the art grants committee to arrange an appointment a minimum of two (2) days prior to the application deadline and the materials must be delivered within three (3) days from the initial contact. If you do not receive a confirmation of receipt of your proposal within 48 hours, please email the grants committee at the above address.
Contract
If your project is awarded a grant, you will be asked to sign a contract with GVIAS (view it HERE) as a condition of receiving the grant funds.
Cost reporting and receipt of final grant amount
Final cost reports will be due no later than 2 weeks after the event. By July 25th, 2011. You must provide copies of all receipts in order to receive full grant amount. If your final cost report or receipts provided do not add up to the full grant amount, the amount of the grant awarded will be reduced to reflect actual costs. Note that if your costs are less than the initial 75% grant award, you will be required to refund the balance to the Society. Cost reports and submitted receipts will be reviewed within 1 week of the final submission date with final grants paid no later than August 15th, 2011. You must satisfy all clauses of your contract to receive final funds. A blank cost report will be provided to all grant recipients.
Art Placement
When you arrive at the event location, prearranged volunteers MAY be available to assist you in placing your art at its assigned location. Although we prefer that you remain completely self-sufficient, we will do our best to assist you with your art if needed. All requests for this support should be included in your proposal.