Forecast Public Art Annual Grant Program 2015

Forecast Public Art is offering three grant opportunities for emerging and mid-career Minnesota-based artists. The application deadline for all grants is October 15, 2014, and the grant period will run January 1 - November 30, 2015.

Jerome Planning Grant ($2,500): Supports emerging public artists in the development phase of a freely accessible public art installation/activity in Minnesota, including research, planning, community dialogues, site or budget development, and model building. Planning grants may be used for the development of proposals for other public or nonprofit agencies, but not for private commissions. Application materials include: 1-page narrative, resume, and up to 5 work samples.

Jerome Project Grant ($8,000): Supports the creation of a publicly accessible temporary or permanent artwork anywhere in Minnesota by an emerging Minnesota-based public artist. Projects may be in any form or discipline, including performance, dance, storytelling, photography, film, sculpture, painting, etc., as long as there is a visual focus. The project site must be secured by the application deadline with written documentation of site approval. Projects may be additionally supported by public or nonprofit agencies or through in-kind sources, but private commissions are not eligible. Application materials include: 2-page narrative, resume, up to 10 work samples, project budget, and written documentation of site approval.

McKnight Professional Development Grant ($5,000): Provides funding for mid-career Minnesota-based public artists to assist with the development of a project idea or to participate in activities that will further their careers as public artists nationally, including residencies, apprenticeships, conferences, travel, study, and creation of project models or prototypes. Professional Development grants may be used for the development of proposals for other public or nonprofit agencies, but not for private commissions. Application materials include: 2-page narrative, resume, and up to 10 work samples.

Eligibility: Applicants must be residents of Minnesota, having physically lived in the state for 12 of the past 24 months, and remain a resident throughout the project period. An artist may only apply for one grant opportunity per cycle. The project must be original and not duplicate previous work. No ticket sales or fees may be charged; all events and installations must be freely accessible. Organizations, full-time students, and Forecast Public Art staff, Board, and Committee members are not eligible. Jerome applicants must be emerging artists and McKnight applicants must be mid-career artists.

Forecast actively supports the advancement of grantees through professional development activities. In addition to funding, all grant participants are invited to events designed to enhance their learning experience during the grant period, which may include networking events, portfolio reviews, feedback sessions, themed talks and workshops, opportunities to connect with professional public artists, and grantee meetings.