PURPOSE
QuickFund$ support new or exemplary arts projects and professional development. Open to emerging and established artists who have attained a certain level of proficiency as represented by work samples, the grants provide timely assistance for projects, activities, or travel to seminars, workshops, and conferences. Grants also provide arts administrators with funding to increase their skills or professional growth.

Note: Teachers and educators should apply under QuickFund$ for Education.

QuickFund$ will make grants in two main areas: Professional Development and QuickProjects.

Professional Development
Artists and arts administrators may receive reimbursement for attending a conference, seminar, workshop, or other form of career advancement. Traditional artists may request funds to attend gatherings where they will teach or learn from peers.

Multiple QuickFund$ professional development applications for the same event or opportunity will not be accepted from members or staff of single organizations with budgets over $50,000. Two applications for the same event will be allowed for those organizations with budgets under $50,000.

The Commission recommends that arts organizations build funding into their budgets for arts administrators to attend annual activities. Applications will not be accepted for consecutive attendance to annual events such as the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies, Americans for the Arts, Arts Northwest, or Western Arts Alliance conferences.

QuickProjects support artist-initiated activities that allow them increased time to develop significant and specific projects or new works that will be shared with the public. The definition of eligible projects is flexible. They might include production or mounting expenses for a performance, presentation, or exhibition opportunity; presenting work to the public in innovative ways through exhibitions, demonstrations, performances, readings, or public art projects. Examples of QuickProject expenses eligible for QuickFund$ support include:

Release time for an applicant to create or complete a significant work.
One-on-one study with a mentor of noteworthy accomplishment, such as an editor, artist, or traditional master.
Materials, supplies, or resources necessary to complete work that will be presented to or shared with the public.
Funds for a traditional folk artist to collect materials for a traditional arts project.
Preserving an art form, such as the production of a master recording. (Note: Commission funds cannot be used for items intended for mass production or distribution.)

ELIGIBILITY
Applicants must meet the general eligibility criteria for individuals.

TRAap age limit waiver applies to Quick-Fund$ grants when applicant is to work under a master in a shorter or season-related apprenticeship.

Applicants may apply quarterly for available funds but may receive only one QuickFund$ grant per fiscal year.

GRANT AMOUNTS
Quick Projects requests can be for up to $1,000 with a cash match of 1:3 (example: request $1,000, match $333) Individuals in all disciplines may apply for a project or activity, with a maximum request of $1,000.

Professional Development requests can be for up to $500 with a cash match of 1:1. This reimbursement is for direct expenses only. All recipients must submit a final Report and receipts to receive reimbursement.

When multiple applications are of equal merit, preference will be given to applicants who have not previously received grants.

HOW TO APPLY
Your QUICKFUND$ application should be reproduced on a computer or typed in 12-point, or neatly handwritten. Since copies will be duplicated for panel review, please do not use staples. Download the checklist (word document) for required materials.

EVALUATION CRITERIA
Artistic Quality (50 points)
Artist's work is of excellent quality and a logical extension of applicant's previous work or aesthetic interest.
An arts administrator's past work history indicates professional experiences with high quality arts organizations or projects, or the organization for which they work produces programs of high artistic quality appropriate for its stated mission.

Feasibility (25 points)
Ability and plan demonstrates the applicant can realistically accomplish the project or activity.
The budget is clear and correlates with the narrative. (All necessary expenditures are included.)

Artistic Growth (25 points)
Opportunity has the potential to significantly affect or enhance applicant's ability, career, artistic development, technique, or managerial skills.
Where appropriate, a public aspect (exhibition, performance, reading, or demonstration) is present.

NARRATIVE QUESTIONS

ALL APPLICANTS answer FOUR questions below.
Submit a one-page clear and concise narrative. Number, repeat the questions, and answer in order. Keep in mind the evaluation criteria above.

QUICKPROJECTS
1) Briefly describe what you propose to do, how you plan to accomplish it, and why your project merits funding.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
1) List the name, dates, and location of the conference, workshop, or seminar you will attend.

ALL APPLICANTS
2) Explain how this activity will affect or enhance your ability, career, technique, artistic development, managerial skills, or support continuation of an art form or your cultural heritage.

3) Explain the relationship between your work samples and the proposed project or activity.

4) Describe how you will share the knowledge gained, involve your community, or how this activity will benefit participants.

POSTMARK DEADLINES
See deadlines page here.

Courtesy review deadlines are three weeks before the postmark deadline. Apply for the deadline closest to your project. The project may not begin and expenses may not be incurred before you are notified of your award, approximately three weeks after the deadline.

Final reports (word document) must be submitted within 60 days after completion of the project, but no later than August 31, whichever comes first. More about Final Reports here. Failure to submit a final report results in the applicant forfeiting the 10% final payment and will affect future funding.

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