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Request for Proposals: Culture Builds Communities
Click here for an application form using Acrobat Reader.
Information Sessions: Although not mandatory, applicants are strongly encouraged to attend one of these information sessions to review grant guidelines and the application process. Please R.S.V.P. to Clare Gunther, (585)473-4000, ext. 210 or cgunther@artsrochester.org. Sessions are scheduled on the following dates at the Arts & Cultural Council, 277 N. Goodman Street:
Guidelines
Click here to download these guidelines using Acrobat Reader.
General Description: Culture Builds Communities (CBC) is a neighborhood art program in city neighborhoods. CBC is a joint project of the Arts & Cultural Council for Greater Rochester, the City of Rochester, and Citibank. The program is an outgrowth of the Arts Council’s plan to build collaborations between the arts and community development. Citibank has a longstanding commitment throughout New York State to strengthening communities through the arts. The City of Rochester is providing opportunities to strengthen neighborhoods through NBN (Neighbors Building Neighborhoods).
Application Deadline: Tuesday, December 20, 2005 for projects to be implemented beginning January 2006. Send or deliver to: Clare Gunther, Arts & Cultural Council, 277 North Goodman Street, Rochester, NY 14607.
Announcement of grants: January 2006.
Completion date: All projects should be completed by December 31, 2006.
Questions and Technical Assistance: Contact Michael Futter, Director of Development and Grant Services of the Arts & Cultural Council, at (585) 473-4000, ext. 202; fax, 473-4051; e-mail, mfutter@artsrochester.org.
Primary objective: To support neighborhood pride through participatory projects that involve visual artists and/or cultural organizations and that result in the creation of a lasting work of art that celebrates the neighborhood. By participatory, it is expected that the neighborhood members will be engaged and take an active part in the planning and execution of the project.
Who can apply? Neighborhood and/or resident-based nonprofit organizations or public entities in the City of Rochester. Projects funded in the past must be completed before an organization can submit an application for additional funding. Preference will be given to organizations not previously funded.
What kinds of projects will be funded? Projects must be in the city of Rochester and include the creation of a lasting work of visual art that celebrates the neighborhood. Neighborhood groups are required to work with professional artists to plan and execute the project. Neighborhood events can be organized around the project, but events are not the primary focus. Projects can include public improvements and aesthetic amenities on public property such as decorative pavements, outdoor artscapes, sculptures, and other works of permanent art. Facilities and improvements must be owned by either a public entity or a non-profit entity.
What kinds of projects are NOT eligible? Projects that do not involve the participation of neighborhood residents are not eligible. Playground equipment, banners, or signs are not eligible. One-time events or festivals are not eligible.
Property access, legal issues, insurance, etc. It is the applicant’s responsibility to investigate legal and insurance issues, e.g., whether a building permit is required, if the proposed work must meet ADA standards, or if liability insurance will be required. The applicant may include the cost of insurance and any permit fees in your budget. You must gain approval of property owners for site-specific projects, and include a letter of permission from the owner as part of your application. If it is City property, you will need to submit a letter from the City's Housing and Project Development Office detailing that you have had preliminary discussions about licensing, leasing, and permits. For assistance on these issues, contact Robert Zimmer at 428-6913.
How much money is available? You may request between $1,000 and $20,000. A total of up to $70,000 will be distributed.
What can the money be spent on? The money should go primarily to pay artists’ fees, and the cost of supplies and materials needed to create the art. Neighborhood groups may also apply for reasonable administrative expenses (telephone, postage, printing, etc.) for the project. You may not apply for staffing or salary expenses, unless the staff member is an artist working directly on the project, which is not part of his/her normal responsibilities.
What kind of artists can be involved? The program is open to collaborations between neighborhood groups and visual artists.
What qualifications do the artists need? Artists will be asked to provide documentation of their experience in creating art. Please note: artists do not need previous experience in this kind of community program, but a commitment to working on a team toward a common goal is required. The experience can give an artist the beginning of a public art portfolio or add to one already begun. Artists who live in city neighborhoods are particularly encouraged to participate with their own neighborhood groups. More than one artist may participate in a project, and/or artists of different media may be teamed together. An artist may participate in more than one project. Preference may be given to artists new to the program. In addition, it is requested that artists awarded in the most recent funding cycle (2004) refrain from applying in the current year.
How can a neighborhood group find the right artist(s)? Arts Council staff will serve as a resource, and provide information about artists who are interested in participating. Check the Arts & Cultural Council's web site at www.artsrochester.org for the online Artists’ Directory.
What should the neighborhood group expect from the artist?
- to assist in developing the project theme;
- to develop sketches or designs of the final product;
- to work with neighborhood residents, from young to old, to help execute the design, where appropriate;
- to complete work on a mutually agreed-upon schedule;
- to keep within the agreed upon budget;
- to be comfortable and committed to working in the neighborhood.
What are the neighborhood group's responsibilities?
- to take on the overall responsibility for the project;
- to obtain permits, insurance, or arranging details for performance venues, etc;
- to collaborate with other community stakeholders;
- to monitor the project;
- to comply with reporting requirements of the grant.
What are the evaluation criteria? (It is important to address these in your proposal.)
- Thorough planning and collaboration between sectors, neighborhood groups, and artists and/or cultural organizations;
- Participation in the project by neighborhood residents of any age
- Appropriateness of the project to the neighborhood;
- Willingness to bring other resources to the project, such as in-kind contributions from local businesses;
- Collaboration and cooperation with local schools, churches, neighborhood businesses, etc.
- Projects must be of a permanent nature, which have long-term visibility and accessibly to the community.
Who will make the funding decisions? Arts Council staff will administer the grant review process. A team of neighborhood representatives, City planning staff, and Arts Council staff will review all proposals and make the decisions. The panel will be selected after the proposals have been submitted, to ensure that there are no conflicts of interest.
Other resources: You are strongly encouraged to obtain other resources, such as contributed materials or volunteers. Rochester Area Community Foundation's NeighborGood program provides grants to resident-driven, neighborhood-based organizations in the City of Rochester. Designed to work in concert with the City's Neighbors Building Neighborhoods community planning process, NeighborGood grants are available to east and west side neighborhood associations in alternating years. Between $30,000 and $40,000 is available annually; grant maximum is $2,000 for neighborhood organizations, and $500 for block clubs. Guidelines and applications are available on-line at www.racf.org, or contact Woody Green at (585) 271-4271.
CHECK LIST AND ATTACHMENTS 
Check List (You must submit one original and 8 copies of the application and attachments. Applications should be typed.)
Have you:
- Completed the full application form and enclosed the original plus 8 copies?
- Provided the required signatures on page 1?
- Researched the legal permits that may be needed to implement your project?
- Determined who owns the property for a site-specific project and obtained written permission for constructing the work on that site?
- Has your group investigated the durability, weather resistance and/or graffiti resistance of the materials for your proposed project?
- Investigated liability insurance?
Required Attachments
Please attach the following to your application:
- Resume(s) or brief one-page biographies of project director and participating artist(s). (attach one copy to each application)
- Copies of correspondence with property owner; liability insurance provider; etc. If City property, submit a letter from the City's Housing and Project Development Office (Robert Zimmer at 428-6913) detailing that you have had preliminary discussions about licensing, leasing, and permits. (attach one copy to each application)
- Documentation of the artist(s)’ work: (one copy only)
- Visual artists: up to 10 slides, clearly labeled with name of artist, medium and dimension of work. Video artists should submit a VHS tape.
- Performing artists: audio or visual tapes, clearly labeled with name of artist, work performed, origin of work, etc.
- Poet or writer: samples of work
- 501(c)3 or NYS Charities registration, if applicable (1 copy only, attached to original application)
- Optional: Letters of support for the proposed CBC project from neighborhood businesses, schools, churches, etc. (attach to each application.
Click here for an application form using Acrobat Reader.
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