Creative Capital's Application Advice Chats

Chat #1 ­ February 18, 2004

Please note that this transcript has been edited. The order of questions and responses, and mistakes in spelling have been changed in some cases to clarify the  content of the online conversation.

Moderated by:

AdamAtCC: Adam Silverman, Webmanager, Creative Capital

CreativeCapApp: Aaron Landsman, Program Coordinator for Grantmaking

AskSeanAtCC: Sean Elwood, Director of Grantmaking and Artist Services.

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bexar0909: What are you looking for in the first round if not work samples?

AdamAtCC: I want to encourage everyone to look at the online guidelines. The guidelines are at http://apply.creative-capital.org, and you will see, we ask for descriptions, as well as personal information about you as an artist, and about your artistic choices. Then you describe the project and make a proposal.

AdamAtCC: I'll also refer everyone to http://www.channel.creative-capital.org/exclusive-grantseekingtips.html. Our staff talks about how to be clear and make a good case for your project.

A5V4E1C38: how are people discerning if they are for 2004 or 2005.... is it about when the bulk of the work will be done?

AskSeanAtCC: No, it’s by artistic discipline, so Film/Video and Visual Art are our two categories this year.

treester bunny: Do early applications receive preferential treatment?

CreativeCapApp: No they do not. All submissions are given equal treatment.

immerflow: Do most applicants apply online? I am suspicious that all the information will be transmitted.

AdamAtCC: 80% of our applications come in online. What do you mean suspicious that all the information will be transmitted?

immerflow: It just seems a bit intangible. Unlike a paper application.

AskSeanAtCC: You have the option of applying on paper. Just make sure you send us a self-addressed envelope with 60 cents postage, by March 1, to Creative Capital, 65 Bleecker Street, New York, NY 10013.

Out of sorts9: I was wondering about a project I have been working on for the past three years. In it, I am giving artwork away to people who participate, rather than paying them, and so my expenses are not very high on paper. When I am making out the expense budget, how do I figure all that in?

AskSeanAtCC: If I understand, don't worry too much about a detailed budget right now. If you’re invited to send a full application, it will figure in then.

coffeehead@mac.com: Will the foundation be able to view sample works such as QuickTime movies with the initial Letter of Inquiry?

AdamAtCC: Not initially. Work samples will be dealt with in the second round, the "application round". For now, we are accepting inquiry forms, which do not require work samples.

A5V4E1C38: Can we submit a multi-staged project? One that we intend also to write to the Rockefeller for?

AskSeanAtCC: Yes, that is fine.

naxsmash@mac.com: tell us more how you view the project as a cultural product and experimental?

AdamAtCC: re: "project as a cultural product and experimental," please see the guidelines - we describe it there. You can also view art projects we have funded on http://channel.creative-capital.org for examples of what we consider experimental.

Out of sorts9: I was wondering also if there would have to definitively be an end date to the project.

AskSeanAtCC: We prefer that, but you can ask for funding for a specific phase of the project, and the project can be ongoing.

modacity@mac.com: if my DVD is mastered but not manufactured or distributed, may I apply?

CreativeCapApp: No we do not fund distribution.

helloartist: for the project description, are you more interested in the "what" and "why" of the project, and not so much in the "how"? how much info on the nuts and bolts of how I plan to execute the project do you want?

AdamAtCC: We are very interested in the "how" - you must be able to bring this project to its conclusion. The what and why is important as well, but there should be a synergy between all aspects.

easylinus: How much art-speak is preferred in the proposals. Do you guys like it in plain language? Can you say?

naxsmash@mac.com: assume you like clear, short, concise, non-jargon?

A5V4E1C38: What we are doing is giving you the gist of our project, who will do it, how, and the cost....no big philosophical.... I passionately believe in this project, will that pathos get in the way of being invited to submit?

AdamAtCC: Good question. You should be as clear as possible, since the panelist might not be exactly in your area. Express that passion, as best you can, while being clear about the concrete details of the project.

A5V4E1C38: Is this CC grant for multi-year projects in every case? Like if we had a project that has the potential to grow, morph into something larger... we want to do a multi-disciplinary piece that involves murals/music, a play/with video and then would like to see a short documentary come of it. In our budget, should we anticipate all of where we would like to see the project go?

AskSeanAtCC: Your project is allowed to grow. I suggest you apply for the first phase. We don't need a full budget now.

A5V4E1C38: But we are anticipating having theatrical presentation added to our visual art...a real complete interdisciplinary project that will also involve film. So there are additional CC funds to help support such... I read about 3-4 years support?

AskSeanAtCC: Yes, at least to a small degree ­ there is a second round application process for continued funding.

AdamAtCC: The Creative capital grant is for projects that do not complete until June 2005 at the earliest, and Creative Capital is especially interested in helping projects through different stages of production.

coffeehead@mac.com: What is the maximum allocation of funds per project?

AskSeanAtCC: The max is $20,000, but that can be a portion of the over all budget.

helloartist: Are projects evaluated at all based on the amount of $ they are requesting? Is it necessarily beneficial to not ask for the full $20K max, even if my project's total budget is $35K and has no funding as of yet?

AskSeanAtCC: You may request 20k of 35K budget. Current funding is not a criterion for approval.

helloartist: Understood. But is there any advantage to not asking for the full $20k max?

AskSeanAtCC: No, as long as the description of project seems of the right scale with the budget.

immerflow: Do you want us to list a detailed budget breakdown of how the money will be used in this round?

AskSeanAtCC: No, we don't require a detailed budget at this point. Only in the second round.

naxsmash@mac.com: In budget, does one account for artist support with, let’s say, x dollars for the time involved, x dollars for the equipment, x dollars for travel.

AskSeanAtCC: Yes.

treester bunny: Can I include my business studio overhead for a photo documentary project?

AskSeanAtCC: Yes, but again we don't need a detailed budget yet.

A5V4E1C38: Part of our project involves the creation of some large murals that will be a part of our multi-disciplinary project. We are renting a barn already for such projects, so...we get to use the rent as an expense?

AskSeanAtCC: Yes, but don't spend all your time on a budget; it’s more an issue in the next phase.

Out of sorts9: My project also covers a lot of different styles but is ultimately a visual artwork on paper. My question is, do I push the visual idea or do I tend more toward the overall concept even though the visual art is kind of a bi-product of the overall goal.

AskSeanAtCC: You should talk about the visual portion as an outcome.

helloartist: I am wondering whether my project is eligible for a Film/Video grant in 2004, or whether it would be deemed an Emerging Fields project, thus making it only eligible for the 2005 grant period. My project is an experiment documentary project that will be exhibited in an installation. The installation components are key to the delivery, but the media is video documentary.

AskSeanAtCC: Then it's okay to submit this year.

naxsmash@mac.com: if a video project is interactive via electronic technology (online etc) is it for 2005?

CreativeCapApp: Yes, it sounds like your project is for the Emerging Fields category in '05.

Out of sorts9: isn't the inquiry form a one-time shot or can we go back and forth.

CreativeCapApp: You can go back and make changes, until you lock the application and submit it. Then you can’t go back.

naxsmash@mac.com: How do you consider non-interactive photo/video work that is edited digitally? Conventional presentation in physical installation, no interactivity ­ is that Emerging Fields, or Visual Art?

AdamAtCC: Digitally edited photo work is Visual Arts.

immerflow: I am proposing a video installation but feel I am better known in the area of Visual Arts and want to apply in that category. Is this acceptable?

CreativeCapApp: You should apply in the category in which you think the panel will best understand your project.

Out of sorts9: I have a little problem with the audience section. What if your audience isn't any one group.

AskSeanAtCC: With that question we want to know who your work appeals to?

Out of sorts9: That is kind of hard to say - it is interactive with the public. I have gotten interest from all races, classes and creeds.

AskSeanAtCC: Then your audience is the general public.

treester bunny: Who is on the panel?

AdamAtCC: We can't announce that now, but you can see a list of past panelist on our website at http://www.creative-capital.org/application/panelists.html.

exit3apple: Is there a requirement for the ultimate audience for a proposed video work? I guess by that I mean the distribution. Are projects for festivals given precedence? What about museum-bound projects?

AdamAtCC: No precedence necessarily, but some projects are funded because they interact with the audience in an innovative way.

exit3apple: Thank you. And interacting through electronic media puts us into the 2005 category of 'new media,' right?

AdamAtCC: Yes it does, but work hanging on a wall is visual art, digitally edited or delivered.

modacity@mac.com: A university is offering equipment and staff to work on the complex video aspect of a live performance piece . . . Should I apply in video this year, or in Performance next year?

CreativeCapApp: You can apply for the video component this year, and if it is not successful, apply in Performance next year.

naxsmash@mac.com: Are you interested in non-institutional audiences (outside museums festivals)?

AdamAtCC: Sure - all audiences are valid.

exit3apple: I’m looking at video nontraditional narrative/installation, not visual art.

AdamAtCC: Fine - it's film/video. If we determine it's in the wrong category, we'll automatically consider it for the other.

naxsmash@mac.com: are you interested in international venues or see this as for the US audience?

treester bunny: I am working on a photo documentary, with the end goal of publishing an editioned book, by hand. I am currently attending school to receive a post doc degree in book arts. Does CC consider the tuition as part of expenses?

AskSeanAtCC: No, and full time students are not eligible.

treester bunny: I'm not a full-time student as of yet, currently just taking book arts related classes. I'm assuming I can then apply for money then for the actual project, but not include school in my budget?

AskSeanAtCC: Yes, that's right.

coffeehead@mac.com: If members of an art space are applying for the grant, can the space's expenses be counted for in the project budget?

AskSeanAtCC: They really can't apply. But if it is your project and you are renting space from them, it’s okay.

naxsmash@mac.com: you don’t fund past projects, but can we write for a grant for a new project just now under research and initial concept, with some production, is that okay?

CreativeCapApp: Yes, that's eligible

helloartist: in the question about "experimental content and form", is it acceptable to discuss the delivery of the video media, i.e. the physical installation component of the piece?

AskSeanAtCC: Yes.

wichitaphoto: How experimental is Creative Capital looking for the projects that it supports to be?

naxsmash@mac.com: I think the guidelines say it’s a non-educational grant. What if I have a funding partner from the humanities side as well, so long as the work is art production not education per se, is such additional partnering fine with you?

AdamAtCC: That is fine. You can list partners on the inquiry form, under "funded already secured for project"

Out of sorts9: I read once that you guide artists you fund through their career. How involved do you get in that

AskSeanAtCC: That depends on the artist's desire for involvement

easylinus: I am interested in applying for the grant, but I wonder if painting and collage is too mundane. Is Creative Cap still interested in these things, or do they fund mainly cutting edge/experimental projects?

CreativeCapApp: We have funded a broad range of work that includes painting and collage

A5V4E1C38: I also understood from reading within the web site that you are available past the award to 'incubate' and counsel...right?

AdamAtCC: Yes, we work with artists on general career and life-management if a need arises. We hold consultations with each artist at several times during the three years that follow the grant.

A5V4E1C38: We have what we consider a passionate people dilemma that is facing rural communities...is this too boring?

AskSeanAtCC: Any issue is fine, it's what you do with it that will affect the panel.

easylinus: How much emphasis is put on the artist's education in the review process?

AdamAtCC: Experience and education are considered as part of the whole artistic picture. We are mostly concerned with the project overall.

naxsmash@mac.com: Do you gather the funded artists together for workshops along with others in cultural production?

CreativeCapApp: We have an annual retreat for funded artists. See http://creative-capital.org/whatwedo/retreats.html

wichitaphoto: In listing a professional artist on the inquiry form, Will you be contacting that person? Would it help if they were in the same field or just that they can speak about the project?

AdamAtCC: We may contact them if we need more information ­ their field depends on the situation, but it helps if they are authoritative in some way.

easylinus: So having an MFA vs. no education at all is totally irrelevant, or does it still hold some weight? percentage-wise?

AdamAtCC: It is only relevant if it pertains to the artistic outcome. We look for credentials, but those can be experiential as well as academic.

naxsmash@mac.com: Do you look at geographic distribution of awards?

AskSeanAtCC: Yes, but quality is first criterion.

jzvanwinkle: Can a visual art proposal include performance art and/or sound art?

CreativeCapApp: Yes, and you should emphasize the visual art component

easylinus: is the panel interested in funding artists for using mediums they may not have ever tried in the past, and in that way, is it kind of a gamble of the org's part?

AskSeanAtCC: That's hard. They need to see why you are changing. And how it relates to what you have done in the past.

jzvanwinkle: If submitting as a collaboration, do both people need to sign the proposal if it is submitted online?

AdamAtCC: Not sure how you would sign it online...But you do need to submit info for all collaborators; that is if they are full collabs, not workers for hire.

jzvanwinkle: If submitted a collaborative proposal, can two persons of reference be on the form or only one?

AdamAtCC: Only one. They should be a reference for the project

xtina ulke: Could I bring another collaborator on board after I submitted the proposal?

AskSeanAtCC: You may, but we won't know about it unless you are invited to submit an application

treester bunny: Is only the one grant awarded each year?

AskSeanAtCC: We give out approximately 20 grants in Visual Arts, 20 in Film/Video, so 40 total.

naxsmash@mac.com: One of my projects has been able to be performed and is online but has not had a chance for installations in physical sites. It’s been in development two years. Is this already too developed a project to be considered?

AskSeanAtCC: That sounds like distribution, so yes it is too far along.

immerflow: Do you ever show a grantees application responses online? I think this would be helpful to read. After applying for grants for several years - including Creative Capital - and not getting one, I’m wondering what I’m doing wrong.

CreativeCapApp: Part of it is that it is a very competitive field, and time right now...also, we aren't able to give feedback on submissions, because of the volume we receive. But if you are invited to apply and do not make the final cut, we do offer feedback then

xtina ulke: if I had a sculpture that uses wireless tech to change on of its parameters - that interdisciplinary?

AskSeanAtCC: Sure.