The Creative Capital Grant: The Gift That Keeps on Giving
Save the Date! On
February 1, 2012, Creative Capital will begin accepting online Letters
of Inquiry for grants in Emerging Fields, Literature and Performing
Arts. The Inquiry Form will be open until March 1. Visit creative-capital.org/apply to read the grant guidelines and learn more about the application process, or attend an in-person or online information session.
Creative
Capital provides integrated financial and advisory support to artists
pursuing innovative and adventurous projects. Acting as a catalyst for
the development of exceptional and imaginative ideas, we support
artists whose work is provocative, timely and relevant; who are deeply
engaged with their art forms and demonstrate a rigorous commitment to
their craft, yet are also boldly original and push the boundaries of
their genre; who create work that carries the potential to reshape the
cultural landscape. Selected grantees receive up to $50,000 in direct
support and a suite of services valued at more than $40,000.
To be eligible to apply, an artist must be:
* A U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident
* At least 25 years old
* A working artist with at least five years of professional experience
* Not a full-time student
Questions? Visit creative-capital.org/apply or email [email protected].
Welcome to Mira's List
This blog provides information on upcoming grants, fellowships and residencies for artists, writers, composers, and media artists. It is for serious professionals only, from emerging to mid-career to established. I also publish information for graduate students from time to time. However, I do not publish information on exhibition or publishing opportunities, nor do I advertise artist retreats and workshops that charge money. At least that is my current policy. For more info on where to exhibit or publish, please see my links section which I try to periodically update. I sift through hundreds of search engines and websites to find opportunities for YOU dear artist. In return, I ask you to pass the information along to those who need it. Also, since this is a free blog, I don't always have the time to weed carefully through everything. If you find a grant or website or residency that is not up-to-date, is dodgy in some way, or is no longer in existence, please let me know! Also, if you stay somewhere at one of the residencies I suggest and have a good experience, I want that feedback too. Please check my FAQs at the top right side bar if you have questions before starting your search. Best wishes and happy hunting!
5 comments:
I think the Creative Capital organization is great, but it's important that people know that it is not a no-strings-attached grant. It's an investment, and if the project financed by Creative Capital makes any money, the artist is expected to return the Creative Capital funds in full. If you read the 'sample contract' posted on the website, it states this clause clearly under 'Financial Terms.' Still, seems like a great organization, just want people to be aware.
Thanks so much for posting, Mira!
Hello Chidelia, thanks for your comment. I just want to clarify things a bit. Yes, Creative Capital does have a payback provision; however, we work very closely and individually with our artists to ascertain if/when that threshold is reached. In fact, from the start, we insist that our artists generate a true budget--including an artist fee to themselves and all other contributors to the project, related travel costs, promotion costs, etc. We also allow them to update their budgets as our projects often morph and grow. It is only after an artist ascertains that they have indeed broken even that a discussion about payback even begins.
Creative Capital's payback provision is very much tied to our greater philosophy of creating circles of generosity that build a stronger arts community overall. All payback monies are used to support other artists whose projects may never payback. Of the 372 amazing projects we've supported since 1999, five has paid back. In fact, just this morning, we received word of an artist offering a 2nd payback payment!
Most importantly, potential for payback is *not* a criteria for our support. We *never* allow that to be part of the consideration. As risk capital for the field, we are committed to supporting imaginative, original, adventurous work across all disciplines. Ultimately, we are invested in *artists* not payback clauses.
If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to contact me at grants [at] creative-capital [dot] org.
Thanks and GOOD LUCK to everyone applying this year!
Kemi Ilesanmi
Director, Grants & Services
Creative Capital Foundation
Thanks Kemi---I have heard as much so thank you for weighing in. And I also just got a message from a former Creative Capital grant recipient who said this in response to the other comment above about the financial contract:
"Dear Mira, Creative Capital only gets money back if you make money over your projected budget. I think in all of their over 400 projects that they've supported, something like 5 have made them any money. But if you make money over and beyond your budget, then they get a very small percentage of what you make from the project.
Frankly, for all they do for you, they deserve the small amount they'd get. Their philosophy is very different from all other grants. They really invest in "you" and your work, like a venture capitalist.
It is the best grant I've ever received. And the people there are the best people. Truly transformative."
Thank you for following up! I plan on attending your Chicago info session next week to learn more. ~chidelia
Chidelia, I'll let Ruby Lerner, our Executive Director, know to keep an eye out for you!
Mira, thanks for posting that wonderful quote. We have truly fantastic grantees, and it's a real pleasure to work with them!
And sorry for the typo above. Five of our projects have paid back so far.
Kemi Ilesanmi
Director, Grants & Services
Creative Capital Foundation
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