A project is defined as a discrete set of connected activities with a distinct beginning and end. Projects may be single pieces, like one painting or installation or poem, or a defined series of works such as a series of drawings or songs. Projects with multiple components must show that there is a cohesive theme connecting the components together. This grant is focused on enabling artists, working on their own or in collaboration, to create work. The proposal must have specific goals for what will happen during the funding period, but completion of works and/or public showings are not required.

• Example One: Three artists will work toward creation of a new, site-specific performance piece. They will spend time together developing work and experimenting using Viewpoints. The artists will work around a theme of climate change and flooding, with the long-term plan being to perform this piece at Salty Brine Beach in Rhode Island. During this period, the three artists will create a framework for the performance and an outline of the script.
• Example Two: An artist will complete the final three pieces in their series of abstract sculptures. The series is themed around mental health in artist communities, and there are currently seven completed mixed media sculptures. This grant will allow the artist to create larger, more intricate pieces, and experiment with incorporating steel into the pieces.
• Example Three: Rooted in the history of storytelling, an artist will create an hour-long performance based around their immigration to the United States with their parents at 12-years-old. This engaging oral history will be created with youth ages 8 and up in mind, though will be appropriate for all ages.

Additional examples review past grantees.

You must be:

• Be 18 years of age or older.
• Have been domiciled in Rhode Island for at least one year at the time of application. This means Rhode Island is your primary residence, and is the address you use for legal forms, state income taxes, car registration, driver’s license or state issued identification, and voter registration - regardless of whether you own or rent your home. You must reside in the state for at least 183 days per year.
• Be a legal resident of the United States with a tax identification number (either Social Security number or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number). This includes refugees, immigrants, and temporary residents. This does not include people in the country on a tourist visa.
• Be a practicing artist. RISCA defines practicing artist as: A person that intentionally creates or practices art in any discipline that:
  • Has sought learning or training in the artistic field from any source, not necessarily in formal academic institutions.
  • Is committed to devoting significant time to artistic activity, as is possible financially.
  • Is or is working toward earning some portion of their income from their art.
  • Disciplines include, but are not limited to, musician, painter, poet, choreographer, teaching artist, ceramicist, storyteller, performer, playwright, sculptor, photographer, wampum artist, printmaker, animator, cartoonist, textile and fashion designer, and filmmaker.
• Submit only one application per grant deadline to the Make Art Grant program. You may only receive one MAG per state fiscal year (July 1 to June 30).
• All funded project activity must take place in Rhode Island.

Ineligible

If you are:

• A current recipient of the General Operating Support for Artists grant.
• A staff member or Council member of RISCA, or an immediate family member of a staff or Council member.
• Currently enrolled in an arts degree seeking program or attending high school full time.
• Proposing a project that is part of a nonprofit or other formal entity’s work. You can receive in-kind donations from formal entities (like donated rehearsal space or materials).
• Not the primary artistic force behind the project.
• Applying for or receiving support for this project or aspects of this project through another RISCA grant program.
• Delinquent on any final reports for previous RISCA grants.

• All grant awards are contingent upon the availability of funds from the Rhode Island State General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA).
• The maximum grant award in this category is $3,000. You can apply for any amount between $500 and $3,000. We strongly encourage you to apply for the least amount of funding you need to do this project. Money is limited, and we want to be able to support as many artists as possible.
  • Note: No partial grants will be awarded – meaning you will either receive the full amount you apply for or no funding.

• Grant applications are considered on a competitive basis. Grant awards may vary in amount cycle to cycle depending on available funds, number of applications, and the panel decision-making. For more information on our Decision-Making Process, visit our Applicant Resources web page.
• You have the option of declining the grant award with no penalties.

If you receive a grant, you must credit RISCA on all marketing materials. See Acknowledging RISCA.

Allowable

• Grants can be used for expenses related to your project and its production or presentation, marketing, and accessibility efforts. This includes paying any artists or arts administrators involved for their time, including the applicant. You will use the grant for the expenses you planned for in the budget you submitted.
  • We understand that your budget is just a plan, and that you may spend the funds in slightly different ways. You only need to inform RISCA staff once your program is complete.

Not Allowable

Grant funding cannot be used for the following:

• Capital projects, including the construction or renovation of buildings, or additions to buildings.
• Any fundraising expenses – like creating rewards for a Kickstarter or hosting a fundraising event for any purpose.
• Food or beverage that is not integral to the project. Purchase of alcohol with grant funds is strictly prohibited. You may not spend grant funds on hospitality, travel, or food and beverage expenses if it was not described in the budget you submitted with your application.
  • Please contact the Artist Programs Director with specific questions.
• Addressing, eliminating, or reducing existing debt.
• Prizes and awards for an event, person, and/or organization.
• Regranting funds to support grants to other artists or organizations through an application or award process.
• Activities that are associated with a graduate or undergraduate degree program or for which academic credit is received.
• Applications for projects that proselytize or promote religious activities, or which take place as part of a religious service.­­
• Expenses incurred or activity happening outside of the award period. For applications submitted at the April 1 deadline, the award period is July 1- Dec. 1 of that year. For applications submitted at the Oct. 1 deadline, the award period is Jan. 1-June 30 of the next year.

Per the National Endowment for the Arts’ (NEA) enabling legislation, The NEA requires that state arts agencies include artistic merit and artistic excellence in their evaluative criteria. However, the NEA allows state arts agencies to define artistic merit and excellence for themselves and in conversation with their communities. For this grant program, artistic merit and artistic excellence is defined as “Artistic Vibrancy and Intention.”

Artistic Impact and Growth (50%)

• This project will positively impact the applicant’s artistic practice in clearly identified ways.
• The work samples provided are relevant, cohesive, and speak to the potential of the work to be created.
• Success is clearly defined, with specific goals for the project period.
• This work is a logical and purposeful extension of the artist’s existing practice, including both previous work and style and technique.

Feasibility/Likelihood of Success (25%)

• The application clearly states:
  • what will be done.
  • when and where things will take place.
  • how the applicant will go about organizing, managing, and evaluating the project.
• Budgets are clear, detailed, and accurate; the planned allocation of funds supports project goals.
• There is evidence that what is proposed is achievable by the applicant, on their own or in partnership with others. In the absence of past experience, information is provided that helps make a convincing case that this project will succeed.

Artistic Vibrancy and Intention (25%)

• Personal voice, vision, and authenticity shows in the proposal.
• Applicant demonstrates a clear understanding of and commitment to their craft, both in look and feel and technical skill.

Application and support materials demonstrate a consistency of actions, values, methods, and goals.

You are required to submit a budget and a timeline, using the provided templates. You must use the templates and upload them as either Excel or PDF.

• Budget template (see top right)
• Timeline template (see top right)

You may submit up to 10 support materials, along with a website if you have one. All support materials are optional, but strongly recommended. The support materials should help tell the story of your application and be directly related to the project you are proposing.

• You must include a numbered list of the materials you are submitting, with a one to two sentence description. This must be either a Word Document or a PDF.
  • Support Materials List template (see top right)
• The website will be submitted as a link and must be to the website of either the lead artist applicant or the project.
• Up to 10 attachments that tell the story of your application and relate to the review criteria. Examples of support materials can include artist resumes/CVs; images/video/audio of work by applicant and/or participating artists; letters of support from community members, past participants, project partners; marketing collateral for past projects.

Note: If you are submitting video or audio, please link to YouTube, Vimeo, SoundCloud in the text box and on the support material list. File formats you can directly upload to the application include JPG, PDF, Word, Excel. Please do not submit files in Pages or Numbers format. Our grants system is unable to read files in these formats.

Practicing Artist: A person that intentionally creates or practices art in any discipline that:

• Has sought learning or training in the artistic field from any source, not necessarily in formal academic institutions.
• Is committed to devoting significant time to artistic activity, as is possible financially.
• Is or is working toward earning some portion of their income from their art.
• Disciplines include, but are not limited to musician, painter, poet, choreographer, teaching artist, ceramicist, storyteller, performer, playwright, sculptor, photographer, wampum artist, printmaker, animator, cartoonist, textile and fashion designer, and filmmaker.

Rhode Island residency:  Have been domiciled in Rhode Island for at least one year at the time of application. This means Rhode Island is your primary residence, and is the address you use for legal forms, state income taxes, car registration, driver’s license or state issued identification, and voter registration - regardless of whether you own or rent your home. You must reside in the state for at least 183 days per year.