The Trials + Tribulations of a City Art Grant Application: Art Funding Melodrama Melancholia

3 Very Simple Ways City Governments + Non-Profits Can Make Applying for Individual Artist Grants Easier for Artists, Engender Trust,+ Not Make Them Crazy

No, 'art funding melodrama melancholia' isn't an officially declared disorder but I am callin' it y'all. It's real.

After recently applying for the Artist Grant Program: Operational Grants for Individual Artists which is a city-funded individual artist grant through the Cultural Council in Jacksonville, Florida, I developed a case of art funding melodrama melancholia. Not because I was not awarded a grant-everyone can't be a winner- but because first, the process and second, my application did not even have a fair shot at consideration, but just wait. I will get to that in a couple minutes.

First, let's celebrate! This is the art award's inaugural year. Yaaaaayyyyy!!! Congratulations to all those who took the time submitted their applications and are winners. Putting together a complete application that represents an artist as a complete package is a feat.

I commend Mayor Donna Deegan and her administration for making arts funding a priority. I commend the Cultural Council for doing their due diligence to have informational sessions for the existing art community and other Cultural Council-y things. Congrats.

I am not a part of the arts intelligentsia, but I am an artist with a melange of experiences in all things art. Not an expert, just experienced; in the nonprofit world, in arts administration and as a working artist. The experiences I've had that weren't so great we can just refer to them as 'lessons'. You can read about some of those here. The application process for this grant has been one of these 'lessons'.

Last year, a temporary Art, Culture, and Entertainment Committee (through the City of Jacksonville) convened and held series of meetings to determine the needs and potential solutions for the progress of the Jacksonville creative community. This funding was one of several solutions proposed to help artists in the Jacksonville community. The Artist Grant Program is providing $10,000 in grant-like money to local creatives. Which is really great.

It's a reimbursement/matching grant.

Not so great y'all. Not so great.

We don't have to do art funding this way... (insert crying emoji face). Please be willing to receive my unsolicited advice. As this advice is 100% free you should take it. It's a good deal. Just your time to read this. I am not saying that I am completely right and still I feel that my suggestions are more right. Insert a shrug and a wince. Can I say that? Sure I can. We're all adults here and can take constructive feedback. I also love a good art convo. So bring it. I welcome respectful discourse.

So here they are! A few suggestions on how to make things better next go round.

3 Very Simple Ways City Governments + Non-Profits Can Make Applying for Individual Artist Grants Easier for Artists, Engender Trust,+ Not Make Them Crazy:

1. Community Engagement.

I will begin from the beginning...Once upon a time I was a member of the Art In Public Places Committee (through the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville). The committee facilitated the process of public art acquisition for the city. Kind of. Mostly. The Committee helped with the process of choosing art for the City of Jacksonville's collection as well as the artists commissioned to do the work. During this time I, nor anyone in my family could be considered for a commission. Because of course this wouldn't be fair and unbiased; it would also present a clear conflict of interest.

My personal primary focus for the 7 years I served on the committee was to ensure that all communities had access to art. It was a road with lots of speed bumps to say the least. Unexpectedly, not everyone believed all communities should have access to, for example, a sculpture. Surprise. Sure you could have your chicken logo spray painted on the side of your restaurant (which I do consider art) but a city funded thing? Nope. So I advocated.

To help others understand the importance of art in the community I went to CPAC (Citizens Planning and Action Committee, essentially community meetings) meetings, city council meetings. standing committee meetings. I had individual meetings with city council representatives. For years there were lots of meetings. All of them about ensuring that all communities have access to all types of art. I am also an artist. That work resulted in 2 large sculptures ($75,000 in total value) in two communities that didn't have public art. The advocacy worked!

There's a first time for everyone to have the confidence to submit their work for such a huge opportunity so we should make sure that as many people as possible hear about it.

Quite a bit of my work is about...you guessed it! Arts access. And once again all of this advocating I was doing for public art I once again wasn't eligible for a commission but I advocated for other artists also. There were artists who were favorites and more than once I heard someone say: "Why don't we just call...(insert favorite artist here)? I would say: Because everyone should have the opportunity. There's a first time for everyone to have the confidence to submit their work for such a huge opportunity so we should make sure that as many people as possible hear about it. This means that if there are great opportunities that everyone should know about them; the well established artists as well as the artists who, for the first time, have had the courage to submit their work and who not only work as an artist but also at a hardware store to earn money to make their art or to buy a sound system for their recording studio. At the same time, you want to reach the people in need. The same funding that could help a creative fund their 2nd or 3rd business and and another their 5th festival may not be the same funding to help another creative to simply pay rent in their first studio space. This should be considered as well.

Building a local support system and grant giving program that actually works for artists in need should be the goal. If you want the arts community to grow (in Jacksonville in this case) you have to talk to the entirety of the community not just established and already knowledgeable artists.

It is awesome to hear that there were over 300 applicants, but to see with just 60 award recipients, some of the same awardees of many other local arts opportunities doesn't inspire any confidence in the process; it won't encourage those first time applicants. Then the community doesn't grow and isn't strengthened. The same applicants submitting their applications on repeat happens not because these people are "trying to hog all the money", but because they are familiar and somewhat comfortable with the process of grant writing, funding, and a variety of other professional art opportunities. When you are simply telling the same people you always tell about these opportunities you are not going to add any new and fresh folks to the crew. You're "preaching to the choir" so to speak. And to continue with my church metaphor: If you want to grow your congregation and reach those who really need to be reached you will go into the community and preach to the masses. You will go to the CPAC meeting or ask city council representatives if you can share about this great art opportunity with their constituents at their next town hall meeting representatives.

For example I told two DJs I know. One had just made a major purchase for his business. One person I spoke with about the funding opportunity wasn't familiar with how grants work. This is why you reach out even in some unconventional ways that could possibly reach a new and still applicable demographic. This is the way you grow the art community by engaging with the entirety of the larger community that supports it.

...it could be seen a little like insider trading or at least insider trading adjacent.

2. Transparency + Fairness.

I had the opportunity to read the meeting minutes of the temporary Art, Culture, and Entertainment Committee, which once again was the catalyst for this individual artist award being created.

Interestingly, (or sadly depending on how you look at it) several names of the temporary committee members were also on the list of awardees. This would present a conflict of interest. Just as it did when I sat on the Art In Public Places Committee.

As I mentioned, the entirety of the time I served on the Art In Public Places Committee I was not eligible to even think about submitting to any requests for proposals APP issued.

It sucked. I got over it though.

A rule similar to this would have been great even for the temporary committee, if you would like the process to be unclouded and unbiased that is. The committee members/awardee knew in advance about this award that the rest of us knew nothing about. If you helped to conceive of the funding maybe you shouldn't necessarily be able to benefit from the funding the first time around. Maybe the former committee members would not be eligible to participate for this round of funding but for the next year. There are many grants that have former recipients of an award to sit out 1-2 years or more to give new applicants an opportunity. In this case it could be seen a little like insider trading or at least insider trading adjacent.

Artists already have to deal with the weight of antiquated stereotypes that frame us as less than ethical and reputable; not to mention worthy of investment. Look at almost any type of school university, high school, elementary; when funding needs to get cut, administrators come for the arts with the (metaphorical) sharp scissors to cut spending not the rounded safety scissors.

When a really great change is implemented maybe the first time around maybe those who are on this type of steering committee might have to be satisfied with knowing that you contributed to the changes that will be taking place. That's good right? You can tell all your friends to apply though. You will have the opportunity to participate next time.

If this metaphorical line of demarcation isn't drawn, those who are on the guiding committee are now an immediate beneficiary of the funding that they helped to conceive and design. Just a smidgen unfair.

3. Facilitation + Management

First, make sure you keep the same rules throughout the process.

I was told there would be a 300 application limit.

I was also told that applications would be accepted over the 300 application limit.

I was also, also told that all applications would be accepted up until the time deadline on the Cultural Council website.

I attempted to submit my application based on guidance I received when I contacted facilitators and found that I could not submit my application.

The system used for this system locked applicants out (...or maybe just me. LOL) before the application deadline.

I sent an email to facilitators and received an email acknowledging the problem telling me my application would be counted. The next time I saw anything about the award it was in my Instagram feed as someone was announcing they won. I congratulated them...and I was baffled as to why I hadn't heard anything else from grant facilitators.

My lesson: Follow up.

The Lesson for Cultural Council: Set the example for professionalism. I understand this is the era of 'ghosting'. It would be great though if you send the follow up you promise to applicants so there is a mutual understanding of next steps.

So please next time be consistent with the process so that it doesn't turn into a guessing game for applicants.

Last, make sure the application system works! Period. Wait...unless the system was working the way you intended. I'm still not sure...*sigh*

BONUS: 4. Jacksonville Just Give Artists (and Community Organizations) the Money

The Individual Artists grant is what I refer to as a reimbursement grant. Meaning the recipient of the award will have to spend the money first then will be reimbursed or has already spend the money and will be reimbursed.

This artist award in particular is a $10,000 award. So, you guessed it, you have to either have $10,000 to spend first (or have spent it already on your art business) to then be reimbursed. I can honestly tell you I don't have $10,000 to spend so I can then be reimbursed. For those of you who say this is an example of an ungrateful artist. I am not ungrateful, just an experienced one. I do still think it's great to have even a facade of funding.

I'll tell you another story...Once upon a time (again) I was awarded the very similar Neighborhood Matching Grant through the City of Jacksonville. I had a very ambitious plan for a multi-pronged community project named Small Changes, Big Differences. It was a series of small projects; one of which was a mural. The City of Jacksonville went all out engaging community organizations to submit projects. There were several info sessions where potential applicants were able to ask questions and set up meetings for further guidance. I did it. I even called the facilitators. I listened to their guidance and direction. I essentially had to submit a budget including projected volunteer hours for the grant. Grant facilitators were really trying to help me (and other applicants) through the process. See, I'd submitted my application the first year of this grant being revived after many years inactive. So it was freely admitted that we as applicants that year were an experiment of sorts. The complete cost of my project was about $2,500. I was told having to have the money up front was a sort of 'community buy in'.

Two things happened:

1. I hustled to raise the money for the projects which was a very challenging process. Then I was accused of trying to 'game' the system.
2. I was only reimbursed for half the money. This was after I followed the guidance of the facilitators and grant administrators. They decided to change the rules without sharing it with awardees.

Another example of the rules being changed mid-process.

It was a lesson.

I have spent lots of time over the years at Jacksonville City Council meetings; not so much recently, but I've put in my time. Over the years I've seen where Jacksonville City Council representatives have had to recuse themselves from votes where they have an obvious conflict of interest. There have been other moments where City Council members were blind to obvious conflicts.

City Council members have received more money with less scrutiny.

From a 2021 Jacksonville.com article: "...the council?approved three other funding requests of $100,000 each for nonprofits run by three other council members...None of the nonprofits had to compete for the grants, which is what the city ordinarily requires; the council explicitly agreed to waive those rules for the three $100,000 grants."

It took these events for representatives to later propose legislation to regulate this process.

They obviously didn't initially believe that the nonprofit organizations run by city council members needed the valued 'community buy in' though.

I do believe, actually I'm quite sure, this lack of oversight was a problem before 2021. It may have been some specific demographics at play but that is a story for another day.

My point here is that a small community organization requesting $2500 and an individual artist award for $10,000 is requiring more oversight than one of those grants which was $500,000. Which to me simply means there is a lack of trust and an overall aura of suspicion that an artist will misuse the money they are awarded.

In the future can we trust the artists? Help and oversight can be helpful to keep recipients on track but don't make them work for the funding over and over again.

Even after my personal experience I think this grant is amazing.

It is even more important that our processes regarding funding are sound at this moment. The art community guided by nepotism, elitism, or any other 'ism' that leads to an imbalance and lack of access in our community.

I have no idea if sharing my experience will make a difference. I hope it does.

I do have the blessing of having the experience of someone acknowledging my work and wanting it to progress and go forward. All creatives contributing to the greater good should have that feeling.

So now my hope is that all of the winners of this award go foward and make the world a better place with their art. It is what I plan to do no matter what...I do prefer funded and supported though.

This is progress. Progress isn't perfection. We all have to continue to take the steps toward where we wish to be.

Tracie is an artist, community and arts advocate|activist and always looking for even small ways to make the world a better place. Tracie started Urban Phoenix Creative the umbrella under which she houses all of her artwork in various media as well as The Aesop Project (artist collab focusing on politics, civil rights + voting) and The Urban Atelier She’s spent quite a bit of her life working in the nonprofit world as a volunteer, volunteer coordinator, and/or project facilitator. Tracie started a neighborhood organization that became Renewed Community Initiatives with her Mom (ReCI).

Tracie is currently working on her project New Slave Matrix documenting her family's experience with the Prison Industrial Complex. Past projects include TalkTalkConvo for which she received a Community Foundation Art Ventures Grant.