PURPOSE
QuickFund$ support professional development and new or exemplary arts projects. 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. The Commission’s emphasis is on increasing the skill of the applicant; focusing on the process rather than product; production rather than promotion. Grants also provide arts administrators with funding to increase their skills or professional growth.

• When multiple applications are of equal merit, preference will be given to applicants who have not previously received grants.
• University and college educators should emphasize how the activity will enhance their growth as an artist.
• Teachers of grades K-12 and educators must apply under QuickFund$ for Art Education.

QuickFund$ Grant Categories

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. The Commission recommends that arts organizations include funding in their budgets that allow for arts administrators to attend annual activities. (See eligibility below.)

QuickProjects supports artist-initiated activities, significant and specific projects, or new works that will be shared with the public. The scope of eligible projects is flexible, such as expenses for presenting work to the public in innovative ways through film or media, exhibitions, demonstrations, performances, readings, or public art projects.

Examples of eligible QuickProject expenses:

• One-on-one study with an accomplished mentor, such as an editor, artist, or traditional master; or to participate in a residency or retreat.
• Release time for an applicant to create or complete a significant work.
• Materials, supplies, or resources necessary to create work that will be 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 promotion or for mass production and distribution.)

ELIGIBILITY

Applicants must meet the general eligibility criteria for individuals.

Work samples should be of work created within the past 5 years.

Applicants may receive one QuickFund$ grant per fiscal year (See deadlines).

TRAap age limit waiver applies to QuickFund$ grants when minor applicant works with a master in a shorter or season-related apprenticeship.

Applications will not be accepted for consecutive attendance at events that occur annually.

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.

GRANT AMOUNTS
Quick Projects requests can be for up to $1,500 with a cash match of 1:3 (example: request $1,500, match $500). Individuals in all disciplines may apply for a project or activity, with a maximum request of $1,500.

Professional Development requests can be for up to $750 with a cash match of 1:1. This reimbursement is for direct expenses only and recipients must submit a final report and receipts.

HOW TO APPLY
Application should be in 12-point font or neatly handwritten. Since copies will be duplicated, please do not use staples. Fill out the checklist [pdf] include the narrative, all required materials, and comply with the postmark deadline.

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 application is clear and complete; the budget is realistic and correlates with the narrative.

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

NARRATIVE QUESTIONS

Submit a one-page clear and concise narrative that responds directly to the questions below. Number, repeat the four (4) 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. (Include support materials with information about the opportunity.)

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 Deadline page for quarterly deadline dates.) Courtesy review deadlines are three weeks before the postmark deadline. When possible, 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
Final reports must be submitted within 30 days after completion of the project. See more info on final reports.

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