GQprez: Is the Creative Capital grant only available for new works in theatre?

CreativeCapApp: We are funding the performing arts category this year and we encourage new projects in the development or production phase.

GQprez: Would a project that took an already existing work and adapted it to fulfill a more immediate context or bring out a more topical issue be eligible?

CreativeCapApp: Yes, it would.

carlaleonore: Our current status is definitely development/composition. However by the time the review process is over, and the money available should we get a grant, we'd be in production. So which do I check off on the app?

AskSeanAtCC: Development would be fine.

carlaleonore: Our goal at the moment is to premiere in summer 2006 which seems to fall into your guidelines. Would you fund the premiere?

AskSeanAtCC: That’s fine. Just be clear in your description about your time line.

GQprez: What are the other resources that are provided by Creative Capital when a project has been selected?

CreativeCapApp: Please visit our website for more info regarding our artist services program: http://www.creative-capital.org/programs/index.html

FrankFDixie: How much can a writer ask for in the budget? Does he have to raise matching funds?

AskSeanAtCC: No matching funds required. As for your budget, consider the length of time you need to complete the manuscript, pay yourself a salary, and include rent, materials, etc. We expect that a writer’s budget might well be substantial.

FrankFDixie: What are “venues” for writers?

AskSeanAtCC: Magazines, literary journals, anthologies, and full-length books are all possible venues.

carlaleonore: Should we include money that we have raised but already spent on several developmental workshops as part of the "amount raised to date"?

CreativeCapApp: Yes, you should include that.

carlaleonore: Sorry if I'm being dense, but where would I put timeline info? Simply as the projected completion date?

CreativeCapApp: At the inquiry stage, that is correct.

Catmeow604: If a project includes multiple aspects - book publishing, audio/video production, museum exhibition - would it be better to carve out one part of the project as the basis for the grant application or to include all of it?

AskSeanAtCC: Describe it all, but itemize the parts.

Catmeow604: Do you mean itemize the entire budget for the total project, but apply for the grant to use for only one or some parts?

AskSeanAtCC: Explain the whole project. We'll want to understand the ambition. But explain that you may want our particular help with one subset of the project.

FrankFDixie: Is another writer a professional reference?

AskSeanAtCC: Yes.

FrankFDixie: The composer for the project is named in the description, but does he have to be a collaborator? He wants to submit his own project.

AskSeanAtCC: An artist cannot appear as a primary artist or collaborator on more that one project. He may be listed as a work-for-hire for your project; allowing him to apply separately for his own project. Note that a work-for-hire will not have access to the same in-depth artist services as a primary artist or collaborator.

Jnice43: I am working on a project that combines 3D animation with digital video. I believe it’s a perfect fit for the Emerging Fields: Digital Arts category; however, I fear that its possible relationship Film/Video might work against my application. How are the lines drawn between these two categories? Is there is anything I should watch out for in my letter of inquiry in order to best secure my eligibility for a grant in this cycle?

CreativeCapApp: Apply under Emerging Fields and contextualize your work as such. See our guidelines and FAQ for more info on how we define categories. Last, read the program directors interview for more suggestions re your Inquiry Form: : http://www.creative-capital.org/programs/index.html

Catmeow604: This is a technical question about filling in the Inquiry form - a few times I've had trouble with strange format codes in text that I've composed in MS Word - and then cut and paste into an internet document.

AskSeanAtCC: We suggest you save it as “text only” before you cut and paste.

Catmeow604: With regard to salaries - is there a ballpark range that's considered appropriate?

AskSeanAtCC: A good rule of thumb is 15% to 25% of the total project budget.

Catmeow604: Would the 15% to 25% include total salaries for all participants?

AskSeanAtCC: That's for the primary artist. Otherwise, salaries should be commiserate with professional standards.

Catmeow604: Regarding influences on my work - may I discuss influences on both my work and that of my main collaborator?

CreativeCapApp: Yes, but your word limit still holds.

gavemegasoline: Not sure whether a piece that is a fusion of theater and looped installation would go under theater/performance art or "interdisciplinary project". Any thoughts?

CreativeCapApp: Please submit under the category where you think you would get the best evaluation. Interdisciplinary may offer the most flexibility.

gavemegasoline: Probably, but since the project is partially intended to stretch the boundaries of theater, I guess I should ask if people from theater or performing arts would be reading the interdisciplinary applications? Especially since my strongest credentials are in theater.

CreativeCapApp: If you're best known in theater, you should probably apply under that category. The reviewers will be knowledgeable across the various categories.
emcic1: How far along do we need to be on a project?

CreativeCapApp: We like to partner with a project, so the development or production stage is best.
emcic1: I'm working with a collaborator. We have a script, some play around footage, and a bunch of notes. We’re aiming for a multimedia theatre piece.

CreativeCapApp: That sounds fine.
emcic1: Also, this is a first collaboration for us. Will that be an issue?

CreativeCapApp: It’s not a negative. You will be given a chance to discuss your collaborative history or intentions on the Inquiry Form. Please note that we do expect even one-time collaborations to last the 3-year duration of the grant.

emcic1: Oh, yes, this thing is massive and unruly! But we're having fun! I'm probably going to be the primary artist...I'm a playwright...but the piece is experimental...so should we apply in the performing arts or literary category?

CreativeCapApp: I would advise performing arts.

cforcoll: I wanted to get a few details about Creative Capital's Emerging Fields/Innovative Literature category. I'm working on a choral piece including poetry from some endangered/non-majority languages. Would this fall into that category?

AskSeanAtCC: Sounds like Emerging Fields, but I’m not sure about Innovative Literature. Might be performing arts too. Please review the past grantees on our website: http://channel.creative-capital.org/. What kind of work have you done in the past? Where is your work best known?

cforcoll: I'm a theater artist looking to include some video in writing systems such as Tigrinya and excerpts of poetry from Welsh and songs in Mandinka.

AskSeanAtCC: What is the audience? Online, in a theater, gallery?

cforcoll: Right now it's a possibility for the opening night in 2005.

AskSeanAtCC: I suggest submitting in performing arts. If our evaluators feel it would be better viewed in Emerging Fields, we'll move it. Also, watch the premiere date, it sounds early for our guidelines.

cforcoll: Would late February/March 2006 be too early?

AskSeanAtCC: Since we like to "partner" with a project, that would be possible, but not ideal. Remember we announce our grants in January 2006.

karylnewman: I am working on a performance piece utilizing live computerized manipulation of text, audio and visuals. But there will be live performers and a musician. I am right to categorize this piece as performing arts?

CreativeCapApp: Yes, that sounds right.

emcic1: I have a collaborator who is not a US citizen.

AskSeanAtCC: He or she must be a permanent US resident or citizen.

emcic1: Can I set him up as a work for hire and mention him in the application?

AskSeanAtCC: Yes, you may.