To help ensure that the excellence, diversity and
vitality of the arts in the United States are represented at international
visual and performing arts festivals.
TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:
Project Grants. Place Cursor Here for Definition
USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:
The Fund makes grants to independent curators and nonprofit museums and
galleries that have been recommended by a peer committee following a
competitive solicitation nationwide from some 400 curators of contemporary
art. Curators and artists must be mindful of the diplomatic context under
which U.S. exhibitions are presented given their sponsorship by the U.S.
Embassy. All exhibitions and accompanying publications should advance mutual
understanding and respect between the U.S. and the host country.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
Applicant Eligibility: Applications are accepted
from nonprofit museums, galleries, artists cooperatives, or independent
curators. Applications are not accepted from commercial galleries. Applicants
should not have kinship or close personal ties to proposed artists.
Beneficiary Eligibility: Proposed artists must be
working at a professional level as painters, sculptors, photographers,
printmakers, or working with electronic media, installations or traditional
arts.
Credentials/Documentation: All applications must
include resumes of curators and artists.
Pre-application Coordination: Curators are invited to
contact project coordinator Tom Carmichael. Telephone: (202) 619-4809. Fax:
(202) 619-6315. Email: TCARMICHAEL@PD.STATE.GOV, to discuss planned project
and clarify details of venues, on-site coordination, budget, publication, etc.
This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.
Application Procedure: Curators wishing to submit
a proposal for an international visual arts festivals should contact the
project coordinator described in 091 Preapplication Coordination, or request
an application from: The Fund for U. S. Artists, Arts International, 251 Park
Avenue South, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10010-7302. Telephone: (212) 674-9744,
ext. 107. Fax: (212) 674-9092. Website: WWW.IIE.ORG.
Award Procedure: Letters are sent periodically to
curators describing upcoming festivals for which an official U.S.
representation is sought. The event is described, giving parameters of media,
scale, format, etc. required by event organizers. The letters also describe
the application process, required format, theme, budget and deadlines. After
receipt, the proposals are reviewed by the Federal Advisory Committee for
International Exhibitions (FACIE), a standing committee of the National
Endowment for the Arts consisting of seven curators and directors of
contemporary art museums and galleries. The committee recommends the proposal
it thinks would best represent the U.S. at a particular event.
Deadlines: Deadlines vary depending on receipt of
information from event organizers concerning opening dates and themes. There
are normally two deadlines each year, usually in the Spring and Fall.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time: Six weeks.
Appeals: None.
Renewals: None.
ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:
Formula and Matching Requirements: The Fund is
supported by the Department of State and the National Endowment for the Arts
-- and two foundations -- the Rockefeller Foundation and The Pew Charitable
Trusts. There is no matching requirement. However applications which exceed
the amount budgeted for that project by the Fund must describe how additional
funds will be raised. The Fund looks for evidence of an institution's
commitment in terms of contributed salaries and infrastructure support.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance: Variable.
POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Reports: Reports are required from grantees of the
Fund within 90
Audits: Subject to audit.
Records: As prescribed by grant terms.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION:
Account Identification: 19-0201-0-1-154.
Obligations: (Grants) FY 01 $450,000; FY 02 est
$450,000; and FY 03 est $450,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance: Each
project is budgeted by the Fund at a different level, depending on the scale
of the event, expected local costs, etc. These range from $60,000 for the
Cuenca (Ecuador) Bienal, to $300,000 for the Venice Biennale.
The Festivals Fund supports a number of official U.S. artists at from three to
five international biennials each year. In addition, another three to five
self-curated biennials receive grant support.
REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:
Consult websites of Department of State at WWW.USIA.GOV or Arts International
at WWW.ARTSINTERNATIONAL.ORG; or write or phone Arts International, 251 Park
Avenue South, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10010-7302. Telephone: (212) 674-9744
ext. 107. Fax: (212) 674-9092.
INFORMATION CONTACTS:
Regional or Local Office: Not applicable.
Headquarters Office: Exhibitions are managed by
the Cultural Programs Division, Department of State, Washington, DC 20547.
Contact: Tom Carmichael. Telephone: (202) 619-4809.
Web Site Address: http://exchanges.state.gov.
EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:
For 2000: Anticipated events include grants to the Saaremaa Bienaal in Riga,
Latvia, the Havana Bienal, the Kwangju (Korea) Biennale, and the Sydney
Biennale. For 2001: The Fund will support U.S. artists at the Venice Biennale,
Cairo Biennial, and the Cuenca (Ecuador) Bienal.
CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:
Eligible proposals are reviewed based on the following criteria: (A) artistic
excellence; (B) extent to which proposal represents the vitality and diversity
of contemporary U.S. visual arts; (C) suitability of the exhibition for the
specific venue; (D) ability of applicant to carry out the proposed exhibition;
(E) record of professional activity and achievement by
individuals/organizations involved.
