Chris Clark Fellowship Program for Creative Professionals
2012 Guidelines
About the Program
Chris Clark, a greater Lansing area native, saw the Arts Council of Greater Lansing as one of the chief
agents of change in the region and wanted to see it flourish. He had a passion for scene building and
promotions and envisioned a region where arts and culture were the city’s true wealth. In addition,
Chris worked hard to bring artists and business people together, understanding that each needs to work
together for a community to thrive and prosper.
To this end, the Chris Clark Fellowship Program for Creative Professionals was established through a
legacy gift from Chris to the Arts Council of Greater Lansing. The goal of the program is to support
creative capacity building for individuals such as artists, arts administrators, arts business owners, and
arts instructors in greater Lansing. The Fellowship provides access to professional development
opportunities and business resources through a cash grant reimbursement of up to $1,500.
1. Definition of Artists, Arts Administrators, and Arts Instructors
Who is an artist? For the purposes of this fellowship program, we define an artist as an individual with
a dedicated career commitment to the arts that shows exceptional promise and that has mastered the
basic techniques in his/her art form. Additional considerations:
a.
Eligible artists will have been working in, or pursuing their field, for at least one year.
Preference will be given to artists who have been out of school for at least one year.
b.
Artists should not currently be pursuing a degree. (Funds can be used for credit-bearing
coursework not related to obtaining a degree.)
c.
Age of the artist is not a consideration. Individuals who consider themselves emerging,
or consider themselves mid-career artists, are both equally eligible.
d.
An artist who may have a “day job” at the time of application but can demonstrate that
he/she is pursuing their art form also as a full-time career.
Who is an arts administrator? For the purposes of this fellowship program, we define an arts
administrator as an individual with a dedicated career commitment to the arts that shows exceptional
promise in an administrative role.
Who is an arts instructor? For the purposes of this fellowship program, we define an arts instructor as
an individual with a dedicated career commitment to arts instruction that shows exceptional promise
and that has mastered the basic techniques in his/her art form, and has the knowledge and expertise to
educate others in the arts.
2. Eligibility Requirements
These are general eligibility requirements; each individual’s situation is different. It is the
responsibility of the applicant to make the case in the application for meeting the eligibility
requirements.
a.
You must be a current member in good standing of the Arts Council of Greater Lansing.
b.
You must be pursuing a professional career in the arts (in the performing, literary, or
visual arts) and must have been working in the arts for at least one year (not necessarily
with the same art form).
c.
You must currently reside in Ingham, Eaton, or Clinton County and shall make a good
faith effort to reside in the greater Lansing area for at least two years following the
conclusion of the fellowship activities.
3. Restrictions from Funding
a.
Funds cannot be used for tuition or tuition expenses at any college, university, or
degree-granting institution if enrolled in a degree-granting program.
b.
Funds cannot be regranted or redistributed (e.g. as a pass-through or fiscal sponsorship)
to any other person, organization, or entity.
c.
Funds cannot be used for debt reduction, debt elimination, student loans, penalties, or
litigation costs.
4. Amount of Fellowship Awards
The amount of funding for the fellowship awards is determined by the funds bequeathed to the Arts
Council by Christopher D. Clark.
a.
Requests of up to $1,500 will be considered. Partial funding of a single request is
possible.
b.
Each fellowship recipient will be required to submit an IRS W-9 form so that an IRS
1099 income statement can be issued by the Arts Council for the fellow’s tax records.
All taxes and reporting of taxes will be the responsibility of the fellowship recipient.
c.
The amount of the Fellowship will be reimbursed upon completion of the funded
activity and presentation of a receipt by the Fellow for the funded activity. Please note
for planning purposes that the Arts Council issues checks twice a month.
5. 2012 Deadline for Applications
All application materials are due in the Arts Council of Greater Lansing office (1208 Turner St.,
Lansing, MI 48906) on July 1, 2012 by 5:00 p.m. Incomplete applications and/or applications not
submitted according to the instructions will be considered ineligible. Applications sent by fax or e-mail
will not be accepted. No application materials or attachments will be returned to the applicant so
please do not include originals and remember to keep a copy of your completed application for your
files.
6. Examples of Fellowship Activities
The fellowship will be awarded for activities occurring in a 12 month period beginning August 2012
(August to September 2013). There is no minimum time frame for duration of funded activities.
a.
The Fellowship provides funding for business support and professional development
opportunities. Applicants could apply for funding that includes, but is not limited to:
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.
vii.
viii.
ix.
Fundraising classes;
Training, apprenticeships, conference attendance and workshop participation;
Business planning classes;
Personalized legal and accounting help;
Start-up funds for renting and securing workspace;
Purchase of capital equipment / supplies related to the artist’s work (for
example: a sewing machine, audio equipment, a printmaking press, etc.);
Tools, material, or experience related to the exploration of a new body of work;
Instruction; and/or
Rental of studio space or rehearsal space.
b.
Fellowship activities may be conducted anywhere. Funds may be used for travel,
housing, and/or the equipment necessary to conduct proposed activities. Funds may
also be used for materials necessary to create artwork in preparation for an exhibition or
performance. Fellows will be responsible for making all arrangements and/or purchases
for fellowship activities. Fellowship funds may not be used for tuition at a degreegranting institution as part of a program to obtain a degree for themselves.
c.
Applicants should link their fellowship activities to their career goals
or creative interests in the request for funding.
d.
There is a 12 month time frame for reimbursement for Fellowship activities starting
from the point of notification (notification will occur August 2012).
7. Evaluation Process & Selection Criteria
Fellowships will be awarded to applicants who are actively pursuing professional careers in the arts.
Finalists may be interviewed prior to final selection in order to tailor a professional
development/mentoring experience. The Arts Council of Greater Lansing Board of Directors grants
final approval for funding Fellows.
a.
Applicants must complete an application asking for the following information:
i.
ii.
iii.
What category are you applying for funding to support activity: artist, arts
business, arts instruction, or arts administration.
Discipline: visual/performing/literary art, business assistance, instruction
expenses, skills building.
What activity do you want funding for?
iv.
v.
vi.
vii.
b.
How will this activity advance your creative business or career in the creative
sector?
Provide official documentation of the cost for the activity. For example,
invoice, or official letter on organizational letterhead with signature.
Provide a current CV or resume.
Optional: letters of support for the activity, documentation of work (will not be
returned), additional materials that support your request.
Applicants will be evaluated according to information provided in the application that
demonstrates the following:
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
Overall excellence of the applicant’s work and the demonstration of exceptional
talent.
Commitment to professional growth and the applicant’s art form.
Contribution of the proposed activities to the artist’s career goals and artistic
development.
Feasibility of the proposed project, including timeline, budget, and scope of
activities.
8. Administration and Funding
All aspects of the Chris Clark Fellowship Program are administered by the Arts Council of Greater
Lansing. The Fellowship Program is funded through the Arts Council’s Chris Clark Fund with
additional financial support from the Arts Council and individual contributions.
9. Notification and Awards
Fellowship recipients will be notified of their selection by mail by mid-August 2012. Formal
announcement of the fellowship recipients will be made by press release from the Arts Council of
Greater Lansing. The fellows will be asked to attend an Arts Council of Greater Lansing event as
special guests where they will be publicly recognized. Once the official awards announcement has
been made, a fellowship agreement, an IRS W-9 form, and payment vouchers will be mailed to fellows
to complete and return.
10. Timeline
April 23, 2012
Early June 2012
July 1, 2012
Early August
Mid August
Aug 2012-July 2013
2013 Date TBA
Chris Clark Fellowship Launch event
Fellowship Workshop & Consultations
Deadline for Fellowship Applications
Determination of Fellows
Notification to Fellows & Press Release
Voucher Acceptance for Reimbursement
Fellows Recognized at Clark Fellowship event
Fellowship timeframe: August 15, 2012 – July 15, 2013
11. Fellowship Agreement
a.
Fellows must enter into a written agreement with the Arts Council of Greater Lansing,
which, when executed, has the legal effect of obligating the fellowship award, and
which states the rights and obligations of the parties. No fellowship funds will be
awarded in the absence of a signed fellowship agreement.
b.
Fellows will be reimbursed for the funded activity upon presenting the proof of
payment and reimbursement voucher to the Arts Council of Greater Lansing along with
documentation of the funded activity in the form of a check list to be provided by the
Arts Council of Greater Lansing.
12. Publicity Materials
a.
Fellows must agree to provide a headshot or other appropriate photograph of themselves
for publicity purposes, including use on the Arts Council’s website. The Arts Council
reserves the right to use selected images or products generated from fellowship
activities for as documentation for the Clark Fellowship Program.
b.
Fellows must agree to complete, as fully as possible, their online Profile in the Arts
Council Artist Directory at www.lansingarts.org.
13. Meetings
a.
Fellows are required to participate in special fellowship meetings convened by the Arts
Council throughout the fellowship period.
Fellows will be invited, and are strongly encouraged, to participate in the Arts Council’s
SmArts Workshop series. Workshop fees will be waived for Clark Fellows for a period
of 12 consecutive months, commencing with the signing of the Fellowship contract.
b.
14. Contact Information
Questions concerning the Clark Fellowship Program for Creative Professionals that are not answered
in the above guidelines should be directed to:
Leslie Donaldson
Executive Director
517-372-4636 ext. 2
[email protected]
-ORKatie Robiadek
Program Manager
517-372-4636 ext. 3
[email protected]