2021 COVID 19 Artist Relief Grant - APPLICATION FORM IS OPEN
In order to qualify, you must:
- Be an individual artist, teaching artist, or arts organizer working in any artistic discipline who has facilitated an arts project, arts program, arts workshop, or arts exhibition in Northampton, Florence, or Leeds in the past three years.
- Be experiencing a loss of income that is impacting their livelihood and/or ability to carry out your artistic and programmatic mission.
- Be 18 years or older.
Click here for the application form
HOW WILL FUNDS BE DISTRIBUTED?Applications will be evaluated based on eligibility and need. The objective is to provide financial support quickly to the producers of art in our community who have lost their usual income. We expect more applications than we have funds to give, but aim to provide support to as many eligible applicants as possible.
WHAT IS THE TIMELINE?
May 15: Deadline to apply.
May 25: Awards finalized; email notifications are sent with contracts.
 |
“Artists and cultural producers play a vital role in making Northampton a great place to live and work. We want to ensure that members of our artistic community have the support they need to make it through this crisis and create beauty on the other side of it. I’m grateful to the Northampton Arts Council Board for making the decision to allocate this fund towards artist relief and to the community for an outpouring of support for local artists at this time.”
-- Brian Foote, Executive Director of the Northampton Arts Council
The Northampton Arts Council remains committed to supporting arts in Northampton, Florence and Leeds. Our monthly board meetings will continue via Zoom, under the leadership of executive director, Brian Foote. All are invited to join the Northampton Arts Council Facebook Group, which aims to create an online community for artists and arts producers. The Board will continue to seek new ways to bring our community together, even remotely, through the arts.
HOW TO HELP
HOW TO HELP
- DONATE. Even if it’s a small amount. Every dollar helps.
- SHARE/POST THE LINK to the fundraiser with a personal message about why this campaign matters to you.
- Invite people in your network to donate.
- Tag folks that might be able to help spread the word.
- Join our FACEBOOK GROUP for more information and updates
- Like our FACEBOOK PAGE
- EMAIL US with feedback/suggestions on how we can do better to support artists
________________________________________
ArtsEZ GRANT ROUND - POSTPONED UNTIL SPRING 2022
The Northampton Arts Council is a unique Local Cultural Council in that it offers a second round of grants every spring with money raised through annual events like Transperformance, First Night Northampton, and the Four Sundays in February Series.
Funds are available to projects that take place in Northampton, Florence, and Leeds in the following categories: Dance, Film/Video, Literature, Mixed Media, Music, Schools, Theater, and Visual Arts.
Last spring, the Council awarded $20,000 to 29 recipients with grants ranging from $250-$1500. This spring we will award up to $20,000 to projects that must start no earlier than July 1, 2020, and must be completed by June 30, 2021. A list of past grant recipients is here.
ONLY ONLINE SUBMISSIONS WILL BE CONSIDERED.
OUR FUNDING PRIORITIES:
--Northampton-based artists.
--If you reside in another city, your project must be held in Northampton, Florence, or Leeds.
--Work demonstrating the highest artistic/cultural merit.
--Projects that include a public component that clearly benefit the residents of Northampton such as an exhibition, literary reading or performance held in Northampton, Florence, or Leeds.
--Non-profit cultural and educational institutions that offer programs and events which bring arts and culture to a Northampton audience.
--Projects that are feasible (secured venue & other funding sources)
--Schools, not artists, should apply for projects that take place in schools.
What Happens if You Receive a Grant in the Spring?
ArtsEZ Spring Grant Reimbursement Information HERE
Funds are awarded on a reimbursement basis only. Request for payment must be made within twelve months of notification of grant award. In addition, all successful applicants must properly credit the Northampton Arts Council for providing funds to the project in all press materials, posters, programs, announcements, paid advertising by putting the Northampton Arts Council logo on the press materials. Failure to do so will result in loss of funding. An example of proper credit would be: "This program is supported in part by a grant from the Northampton Arts Council" as well as adding our logo to the marketing materials.
How does the Arts Council decide which grant proposals get funded?
The volunteer board members of the Arts Council review each grant. Each board member is assigned a grant category and carefully reads every proposal in that category, following up with the artists for additional information if necessary. Each assigned board member then presents all the grants in his/her category to the entire board during the grant review meeting. After hearing presentations on all the grant submissions, each board member scores each grant proposal in three categories: Artistic Integrity (0-10), Community Impact (0-3), and Feasibility (0-3). Each Board member’s score for each grant is calculated and averaged into a total score.
Funds are available to projects that take place in Northampton, Florence, and Leeds in the following categories: Dance, Film/Video, Literature, Mixed Media, Music, Schools, Theater, and Visual Arts.
Last spring, the Council awarded $20,000 to 29 recipients with grants ranging from $250-$1500. This spring we will award up to $20,000 to projects that must start no earlier than July 1, 2020, and must be completed by June 30, 2021. A list of past grant recipients is here.
ONLY ONLINE SUBMISSIONS WILL BE CONSIDERED.
ArtsEZ Spring Grant Guidelines are being updatedList of Local Venues/Spaces HEREFunding for project proposals that will be completed between 7/1/22 - 6/31/23ONLY ONLINE SUBMISSIONS WILL BE CONSIDEREDNorthampton Arts Council Logo & MCC Logo
--Northampton-based artists.
--If you reside in another city, your project must be held in Northampton, Florence, or Leeds.
--Work demonstrating the highest artistic/cultural merit.
--Projects that include a public component that clearly benefit the residents of Northampton such as an exhibition, literary reading or performance held in Northampton, Florence, or Leeds.
--Non-profit cultural and educational institutions that offer programs and events which bring arts and culture to a Northampton audience.
--Projects that are feasible (secured venue & other funding sources)
--Schools, not artists, should apply for projects that take place in schools.
What Happens if You Receive a Grant in the Spring?
ArtsEZ Spring Grant Reimbursement Information HERE
Funds are awarded on a reimbursement basis only. Request for payment must be made within twelve months of notification of grant award. In addition, all successful applicants must properly credit the Northampton Arts Council for providing funds to the project in all press materials, posters, programs, announcements, paid advertising by putting the Northampton Arts Council logo on the press materials. Failure to do so will result in loss of funding. An example of proper credit would be: "This program is supported in part by a grant from the Northampton Arts Council" as well as adding our logo to the marketing materials.
How does the Arts Council decide which grant proposals get funded?
The volunteer board members of the Arts Council review each grant. Each board member is assigned a grant category and carefully reads every proposal in that category, following up with the artists for additional information if necessary. Each assigned board member then presents all the grants in his/her category to the entire board during the grant review meeting. After hearing presentations on all the grant submissions, each board member scores each grant proposal in three categories: Artistic Integrity (0-10), Community Impact (0-3), and Feasibility (0-3). Each Board member’s score for each grant is calculated and averaged into a total score.
_________________________________________________________________
Northampton Local Cultural Council Grant Priorities FY21
LCC’s have the option to send denial and acceptance letters via email or postal mail. Most councils will choose to send emails. If you haven’t received news by the end of February, try contacting the council.
Will the reimbursement process be moving online as well?
No. The reimbursement process will not move online this year. More information on the LCC reimbursement process here.
I have another question that isn’t answered here.
If you have a technical issue or a question about the online application, please email MCC_help_desk@art.state.ma.us or call 617-858-2721.
BJ GOODWIN MEMORIAL FUND - Now accepting proposals
In honor of BJ Goodwin--performer, dancer, and educator--the Northampton Arts Council has formed a new grant program for the arts community. The BJ Goodwin Grant is designed to provide direct assistance to a Northampton-based artist, writer or arts organization in recognition of exceptional work and to support the further development of artistic talents. It is our hope that this grant opportunity will also provide artists with recognition and affirmation from their peers and the public. Individuals or organizations that are considered for this grant have already demonstrated their exceptional work within our community and are looking for supplemental funding to bring their work outside our region to another country or another region within the U.S. If you are interested in applying for the BJ Goodwin Grant please email bfoote@northamptonma.gov or call (413) 587-1069.
Good example of BJ Goodwin proposal is here
History of BJ Goodwin Fund here
BJ Goodwin Donation Sheet here
The Northampton Arts Council accepts donations from the community that go towards the building of this special fund. To donate to the BJ Goodwin Fund click here, please write "BJ Goodwin" in note section to define the donation. Donations are tax-deductible.
_____________________________________________________________________
TRANSPERFORMANCE MUSIC BENEFIT was established to provide support to Northampton’s most promising young artists. Every year, the Northampton Arts Council directly donates a portion of the proceeds from Transperformance to the Parent Teacher Organizations of Northampton High School, JFK Middle School, RK Finn Ryan Road, Leeds Elementary, Bridge Street School, and Jackson Street School. The funds are earmarked for arts education and enrichment. Donations are tax-deductible.
____________________________________________________________________
In honor of BJ Goodwin--performer, dancer, and educator--the Northampton Arts Council has formed a new grant program for the arts community. The BJ Goodwin Grant is designed to provide direct assistance to a Northampton-based artist, writer or arts organization in recognition of exceptional work and to support the further development of artistic talents. It is our hope that this grant opportunity will also provide artists with recognition and affirmation from their peers and the public. Individuals or organizations that are considered for this grant have already demonstrated their exceptional work within our community and are looking for supplemental funding to bring their work outside our region to another country or another region within the U.S. If you are interested in applying for the BJ Goodwin Grant please email bfoote@northamptonma.gov or call (413) 587-1069.
Good example of BJ Goodwin proposal is here
History of BJ Goodwin Fund here
BJ Goodwin Donation Sheet here
The Northampton Arts Council accepts donations from the community that go towards the building of this special fund. To donate to the BJ Goodwin Fund click here, please write "BJ Goodwin" in note section to define the donation. Donations are tax-deductible.
_____________________________________________________________________
TRANSPERFORMANCE MUSIC BENEFIT was established to provide support to Northampton’s most promising young artists. Every year, the Northampton Arts Council directly donates a portion of the proceeds from Transperformance to the Parent Teacher Organizations of Northampton High School, JFK Middle School, RK Finn Ryan Road, Leeds Elementary, Bridge Street School, and Jackson Street School. The funds are earmarked for arts education and enrichment. Donations are tax-deductible.
____________________________________________________________________
Conflict of Interest Policy
To ensure that members of the Northampton Arts Council are free from conflicts of interest, board members are required to disclose any current or prospective affiliations they or their immediate family members have with an actual or potential applicant. “Affiliations” applies to employment, board memberships, independent contractual relationships, advisory or policy relationships, substantial contributor relationships, or other financial relationships. In addition, panelists are required to disclose any past or current adversarial relationships with actual or potential applicants. Arts Council board members and staff who apply for a grant recuse themselves entirely from participating in the review process and allocation determinations of their grant application.
To ensure that members of the Northampton Arts Council are free from conflicts of interest, board members are required to disclose any current or prospective affiliations they or their immediate family members have with an actual or potential applicant. “Affiliations” applies to employment, board memberships, independent contractual relationships, advisory or policy relationships, substantial contributor relationships, or other financial relationships. In addition, panelists are required to disclose any past or current adversarial relationships with actual or potential applicants. Arts Council board members and staff who apply for a grant recuse themselves entirely from participating in the review process and allocation determinations of their grant application.
