Application Components

The IAS application consists of electronic and non-electronic components. Each component must be completed in full and submitted in the format outlined in these guidelines by the application deadline.

Electronic Components:

The electronic portion of the application is found on the eGrant website and consists of form fields and the uploading of required documents. 

The electronic form includes:

• Applicant information
• Project Information
• Attachments Upload Page
• Certification
• Finish and Submit

The required attachments to be uploaded are:

• Attachment A - Project Narrative
• Attachment B - Project Budget (template supplied)
• Attachment C - Artist Resume/Bio
• Attachment D - Artist/Cultural Statement
• Attachment E - Work Sample Inventory
  

Non-Electronic Components:

In addition to the application submitted through eGrant, applicants must submit the following required materials to the Illinois Arts Council by mail or hand-delivery:

• Certification Form signed in blue ink (this form must be printed out from your eGrant application once it has been successfully submitted)
• One copy of Proof of Residency (see eligibility section)
• Work Sample(s) in the number and format specified for the artistic discipline (see work sample section)
• One copy of the Work Sample Inventory
• Self-addressed stamped (not metered) envelope of appropriate size and protection (if applicant wishes samples to be returned).
  

The required materials must be postmarked or hand-delivered no later than Tuesday, February 2, 2010. Hand-delivered materials must be received by 5:00 pm.

Required Attachments

The attachments outlined below are required for all applicants and must be uploaded as part of the eGrant application. Read directions carefully, IAS applications submitted without the required attachments outlined below will be ruled ineligible.

• All attachments for which a template is not provided must:
  • be typed on 8 ½ " x 11" white paper, single-sided copy only. Handwritten attachment pages will not be accepted
  • have at least a 1” margin at the top, bottom, and sides of each sheet
  • have your name on the top of each page
  • use black, 12-point type or a larger type size
  • not photo reduce or exceed margins.

 

• All required documents must be saved as PDF files.
  • Each document should be labeled as follows:
    • Lastname_Firstname_Attachment Letter.pdf
      • Example:
        • Smith_John_A.pdf = Attachment A (project narrative)
        • Smith_John_B.pdf = Attachment B (project budget)

 

• If you do not have software to convert documents to PDF files here are three PDF converter options:
• Adobe Acrobat (for purchase): -  http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobatstd/
• Adobe Acrobat converter Online  - https://createpdf.adobe.com/
• CutePDF (free download) - : http://www.cutepdf.com/Products/CutePDF/writer.asp

Attachment A: Project Narrative – There are different questions and page requirements for IA-PD and IA-Project tracks.

 

Project Narrative for Professional Development Track (IA-PD) applicants only.

Address the following three areas in no more than one single-spaced, single-sided page:

1. Provide the relevant facts of your professional development opportunity (e.g. attend writer’s workshop, hire a web designer, etc).
2. Describe the unique and significant gain this opportunity will provide for your work and your career.
3. Describe the specific expenses you intend to pay for using this grant (e.g. conference fee, professional design fee, etc.)

Project Narrative for Artist Project Track (IA-Project) applicants only.

Address the following three areas in no more than two pages:

1. Project Description
   1. Briefly describe the project to be funded by this grant.  Include descriptions of the work to be created during the grant period. 
   2. Describe the specific type(s) of expenses you propose to pay with IAC grant funds, e.g. materials and supplies costs, pay dancers, rent performance space, hire marketing/pr firm. 
   3. Describe who is responsible for carrying out the proposed project/activities described above?  Include the role of the applicant and the names, backgrounds, and roles of any other creative artist, organization(s), or representative(s) of organization(s) whose involvement is required to successfully carry out the proposed project/activity.
   4. Describe why this project/activity is important to you/your career at this time.
2. Public Presentation/Target Audience
   1. Describe the target audience for your project and the type of public presentation that will be made during the grant period.
   2. What is the estimated number of individuals who will attend, view, or hear the public presentation(s) of grant-related activities during the grant period? 
   3. How did you arrive at this figure?
3. Promotion
   1. How will you promote and market your project and the required public presentation to the targeted audience described above?

Project Narrative document should be saved as a PDF file and labeled as follows: lastname_firstname_A.pdf

 

 

Attachment B - Project Budget

Complete a budget for the project using the template provided. The budget consists of Project Expenses and Project Income. For Example Budgets see the FAQ section of these guidelines.

• EXPENSES -Itemize a brief list of expenses for your opportunity that this grant will cover.  Be specific about items, amounts, and note whether the expense is actual or anticipated.
• INCOME - Itemize your sources of income both cash and in-kind. Indicated if the source is Confirmed (C) of Anticipated (A). *
• Note: Your project income should be equal to your project expenses.

*Applications for the Artist Project Track (IA-Project) require a minimum of 25% cash match. The cash match required is as follows:

• $5,000 request = $1,250 cash match required
• $3,500 request = $ 875 cash match required
• $2,000 request = $ 500 cash match required

 

TIPS FOR WORKING WITH THE BUDGET TEMPLATE

1. Make sure you have the most recent copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader or the full version of Acrobat. You can download it from the Adobe website - http://get.adobe.com/reader/
2. Download and open the template
3. You will find the document has fields you can tab through and fill out, the budget items should total on their own.
4. When you have completed your budget save the document with the following name:Lastname_Firstname_B.pdf (Smith_John_B.pdf).
5. Make sure to use the "Save As" function to save your document. Do not use the "Save A Copy" function as it will remove the ability to save data to your form.
6. Upload this document on the Attachments upload page.
7. Before you submit your application make sure that the budget document you uploaded was saved with your budget figures.

Download the Budget Template (PDF File)

Completed Budget should be saved as a PDF file and labeled as follows: lastname_firstname_B.pdf

 

Attachment C - Artistic Resume/Bio -

Submit an artistic resume or bio of no more than two pages. Academic resumes are not encouraged.

Artistic Resume/Bio document should be saved as a PDF file and labeled as follows: lastname_firstname_C.pdf

Attachment D - Artist/Cultural Statement -

Submit an artist or cultural statement of no more than one page (single sided).

• Ethnic and Folk Arts applicants must use this statement to describe:
  
  
  • the traditional art form you practice and how you learned it,
  • from whom, when, and where you learned it,
  • how the art form and your experience express the culture and communities from which it springs, and
  • how the practice of this traditional art enrich your life and the life of your community?

 

• All other applicants should use this statement to describe:
  
  
  • your evolution as an artist,
  • what challenges you currently face in your career/work, and
  • what your plans are for the future.
Artist/Cultural Statement document should be saved as a PDF file and labeled as follows: lastname_firstname_D.pdf

 

 

Attachment E  - Work Sample Inventory -

Submit a work sample inventory of no more than one page (single sided).

• Label the Work Sample Inventory in the upper right-hand corner with your first and last name.
  • DVD or CD submissions - indicate the following:
  • title of work,
  • date completed,
  • length, and a brief description of the work submitted including the cued segment and its relationship to the entire piece;
  
  
  
  • Digital Image submissions - indicate the following for each image in the order to be reviewed:
    • file name/number,
    • title of work,
    • date of execution,
    • medium,
    • dimensions (height x width x depth)
    
    
    
  • Literature manuscript submissions - indicate the following for each piece submitted in the order it appears in the manuscript:
  • title of work,
  • genre (poetry, fiction, creative non-fiction),
  • number of pages, and
  • date completed;
  
  
  
• Play or Screenplay script submissions - indicate the following:
  • title of work,
  • title of excerpted scene or act
  • genre (e.g. stage play, screenplay, teleplay, libretto, radio play, audio drama, etc),
  • number of pages,
  • date completed or if work in progress anticipated date of completion, and
  • a brief synopsis of the script
  
  
  
• For all submissions:
• If the production of the work involved others, explain your role.
• If you are performing with others, describe yourself to help the panel identify you. For example, “I am the singer in the green costume,” or “I am playing the middle viola".
• DO NOT attach additional pages to further describe your work.
• In addition to uploading this attachment, you must submit a hard copy with your work samples.

If you feel your work cannot be represented or described in the manner outlined, contact the IAC staff to discuss alternatives

Work Sample Inventory document should be saved as a PDF file and labeled as follows: lastname_firstname_E.pdf