Greetings FNCI members, musicians, artists, composers and performers and freinds and supporters of FNCI. Welcome! As you may or may not know; FNCI's web site is under construction. We are in the process of upgrading and revamping our website. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE!
COMMON GROUND GRANT GUIDELINES, OVERVIEW AND APPLICATION CAN BE FOUND HERE. Common Ground Grant has a POSTMARK DEADLINE OF APRIL 1, 2010. Please contact Kohl Miner or Jewell Arcoren should you have any questions about the grant or application process. FNCI will be hosting 3 technical assistance days on March 8th, 9th and 10th @ 11 AM CST. Please email Jewell Arcoren and she will send you the contact info to call into as it will be offered on a conference call in basis. Kohl Miner can be reached at: 651-251-2825 kminer@composersforum.org and Jewell can be reached at: 651-251-2839 jarcoren@composersforum.org
COMMON GROUND Overview & Guidelines COMMON GROUND is funded in part by the Ford Foundation's IllumiNation program through 2011.
COMMON GROUND OVERVIEW
The Common Ground program is inclusive, and therefore encourages Indigenous composers, performers, and sound artists working in diverse genres/mediums to apply. Artists are encouraged to take risks in their creative endeavors. Common Ground is designed to fill the gap in funding for artists who are particularly interested in creating work without the burden of artistic compromise. Common Ground aims to give timely aid to those indigenous musicians who are strongly dedicated to their art, who show artistic merit, and who propose an excellent project. We wish to award grants to varied artists from the many genres of music represented in Indian Country, and from diverse Indigenous cultures.
We are pleased to announce our NEW funding guidelines. Individual awards will now range from $500 to $5,000. Due to the current global economic situation we like everyone else have had to make some changes. These changes reflect deep thinking with an obligation to all parties.
Eligibility
Common Ground is open to Indigenous makers of new music; composers, performers, sound artists, and songwriters.
Native Artists must:
- have lived all their lives, their main identity as a First Nations and/or American Indian belonging to their tribal identities.
- a documented affiliate of a United States and/or Canadian Tribe. You must have an ID from a federally recognized nation. (Photocopies only).
- Committed to building the strength of Native communities by sharing their skills and talents with others.
Common Ground gives priority to projects that promote our goal of getting the work of Native composers and musicians into the broader community via partnership with the following four constituencies: Native musicians, Native communities, non-Native communities and non-Native
cultural institutions. Full-time students may not apply unless coursework is completed (ABD/thesis status). Individuals may not take a leadership role in more than one project in a 12-month period.
Selection Criteria
- Significance of the project to your long-term career goals;
- Artistic quality as demonstrated by persistence, commitment; entrepreneurship, and devotion to your artistry, and the significance of the project to the development of the art form;
- The projects feasibility;
- The projects contribution to any of the following: Creation - Performances - Audience/Community building.
Deadlines for Common Ground are April 1, 2010 and October 1, 2010.
FNCI staff will review all applications for eligibility and completeness. We will be calling appropriate tribal authorities to confirm your enrollment. FNCI committee members are not eligible to apply.
Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
An independent panel of (3) professionals familiar with the diverse styles of traditional and contemporary Indigenous music will review all applications and support materials. A review panel will be meeting in April and the awards will be announced the week of May 3, 2010. The decisions of the selection panel will be final.
We will be hosting (3) technical assistance conference call-ins. The time and dates for those sessions are; Monday, March 8th, Tuesday, March 9th and Wednesday March 10, 2010. The sessions are at noon CST each day. Please email Jewell to reserve a spot at
jarcoren@composersforum.org
Common Ground applicants should keep in mind:
- That your proposal will be scored by peer reviewers. Give them enough information that will allow them to make the best decisions. Include scores and recordings of the work that you are submitting. You may consider sending representative work that can help the reviewers get a sense of your range and abilities.
- While demonstration of financial need is not a requirement for Common Ground. You are encouraged to let the reviewers have any information that would speak to how receiving a grant would enable the project or enhance its success. The aim of the program is to grant funds where they will make a significant difference.
- Proposals for project-orientated funding are much better received than proposals for general career support or equipment purchase. Everyone needs to pay their rent and everyone would like a better computer, microphone, vehicle, etc. Don't apply to the program to upgrade your equipment, apply to make your project happen.
- Include a realistic budget with your proposal. This is an essential component in your application do not forget it or shortchange the process.
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
(Submit one original and 3 copies. We require 4 copies of your music samples.)
To apply, you must answer each of our questions completely. You must answer all questions in 500 words or less.
1. What do you need the money for, and how much do you need? Be specific; copying costs for an upcoming concert, extra musicians, extra rehearsal time, commissioning for a new work, transportation, demo tape, master recorder and arranger.
2. What is the goal of your project? How will you determine the projects effectiveness? Did it do what you expected? How will you know? (You will have to evaluate your project.)
3. How does this project develop your artistry?
4. How does your project help you gain wider community recognition?
5. How does your project make an original contribution to the art form?
6. How does this represent a professional step forward?
7. Please describe the artistic and/or cultural significance of this project?
8. Please describe the audience that you will be serving.
9. Outline the educational, outreach and adjunct activities planned around your project.
10. Please describe your promotional and marketing plans for this project.
11. Please provide a detailed budget.
12. Please provide work samples. NOTE: It is advisable that a composer submit samples of his/her work (recordings and/or scores) and that a performer or performing group submits their most recent recordings (CD/Tape) of a new music performance. All other supplemental materials are left to the discretion of the applicant.
PLEASE SEND 4 COMPLETE SETS OF ALL DOCUMENTATION including
WRITTEN PROPOSAL
RESUMES
ARTISTIC DOCUMENTATION
Send to:
Common Ground Grant Program
First Nations Composer Initiative
332 Minnesota Street, Suite E-145
Saint Paul, MN 55101
Supporting materials will be returned only if a self-addressed stamp envelope is included. Recipients will be expected to submit a project evaluation within four weeks of the project’s conclusion in order for final payments to be issued. Documentation of the project, via audio, video, or photography must be included in the final report.
Please call Kohl or Jewell if you have any questions at (651) 251-2825 or (651) 251-2839.
THANK YOU – PENA-GIGI