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Chequamegon Bay Arts Council Arts Initiative Grant

Please read the General Info in the left hand column before applying.

There is no “Save and Continue later” option. Download and fill out the preparation form to prepare, but do not mail it in, only online applications accepted.

PLEASE NOTE:
If you have received an Arts Initiative Grant in 2023 and 2024, you will not be eligible until 2026. (Same applies for receiving this grant any two years in a row, you can’t apply for the third year.)

General Info

Introduction

The Chequamegon Bay Arts Council (CBAC) is a non-profit member organization that supports, develops, and promotes art and artists in northern Wisconsin. As such, CBAC annually awards grants to artists and non-profit organizations in Bayfield and Ashland counties in order to deepen and expand the success of the arts in the Bay, foster artistic growth, initiate quality artistic endeavors, and create additional arts opportunities throughout the area.

Arts Initiative Grants fund project based activities such as public exhibitions, performances, publications, touring productions, commissioned art and educational activities. Artistic disciplines include dance, theater, music, folk arts, literary arts, video, film and visual arts.

Grant Amounts and Eligibility

How much can I apply for?

  • An Arts Initiative Grant request can range from $250 to $3,000. Total available funding is $15,000.

Who can apply?

  • An applicant may be an individual or organization residing in Ashland or Bayfield County.
  • An applicant may be an artist whose proposed project primarily serves or is related to the residents of Ashland or Bayfield County.
  • All projects must include a public component that is open to the public and will draw visibility to the artists’ work. Closed or private art functions cannot be funded.
  • Applicants that have received funding in any previous year and did not file final reports are not eligible.
  • Applicants that have received funding in 2023 and 2024 are not eligible to apply until 2026.

Evaluation Criteria

How are applications evaluated?  Applications will be evaluated in four areas by a four-person independent panel using a point system totaling a possible 100 points in the following categories:

  • Artistic merit (0-30 points):
    • The proposal should have clear, reasonable, and achievable goals and outcomes.
    • The project must exhibit a high level of artistic quality.
    • The budget must be able to support the activities described in the narrative.
  • Artistic Development (0-20 points):
    • The project should demonstrate artistic development for the artist or other project beneficiary, such as a student or audience member.
    • If your application is similar to a previously funded grant, you should show how this year’s proposal moves in a new direction, shows innovation, adds a new element, or reaches a new audience in order to score more highly in this category.
  • Community Benefit (0-30 points):
    • Projects that reach a broad audience or have significant impact on a more specified audience will score higher than projects with a limited understanding of their audience.
    • Projects need to include clear plans for promoting their projects and involving community participation.
  • Ability to Succeed (0-20 points):
    • Include supporting documents like: resumes of artists; work samples; letters of support from project partners.
    • Examples of prior success, etc. can support your intentions and the likelihood of success.
    • Schedules should be clear and appropriate to the project.

Process/Schedule

When do I apply?

  • Applications are available beginning December 1, 2024 at cbayarts.org .
  • First time grant applicants are required to contact the Grant Coordinator for an initial discussion regarding their project. Contact Kathy Broadwell at [email protected] or 605-670-0200.

 

How do I apply?

  • Fill out and submit the application on the CBAC website at cbayarts.com.
  • Applications must be submitted by January 31, 2025. Late applications will not be considered.

What is the review process?

  • All applications will be screened by a four-person independent
  • Arts Initiative applications will be reviewed during a public meeting. Applicants will be informed of the time and place of the meeting.  Attendance at the meeting can be beneficial but is not required.
  • The results of the panel review will be forwarded to the CBAC Board of Directors for their consideration and announced February 12, 2025.
  • Award letters and contracts will be mailed by February 28, 2025.
  • All funded projects are required to submit final reports on their projects. Reports are due within 30 days after the project is completed.

What if I need help?

  • Grant writing assistance is available by contacting CBAC Grant Coordinator, Kathy Broadwell at [email protected] or 605-670-0200.

 

Project Budget Requirements

Are there any special budget requirements? Yes.  Grant amount cannot exceed $3,000 or half the total project costs. Applications must consider the following:

  • Match: Applicants are required to match requested funds dollar for dollar. At least half of the matching funds must be cash; the other half may be cash or “in kind” (donated time or materials).
  • In-kind (donated) services and materials:
    • The market value of donated space rental, art supplies, tools, printing costs, etc. can be used as an in-kind contribution and must be included in the Total Budget for the project.  
  • Volunteers that are using their professional skill (artist, graphic designers, writers, accountants, carpenters, etc.) to contribute to the outcome of a project can use their time as an in-kind contribution. Check the Independent Sector (www.independentsector.org) for the most recent value of volunteer time for the state of Wisconsin.
  • Matching Funds From Other Sources
    • When additional project funds are coming from other sources, applicants must demonstrate the ability to acquire all funds needed to complete the project in a timely manner. Letters or other documentation of outside support are encouraged.
    • No other Wisconsin Arts Board funds may be applied toward the project. This includes Wisconsin Arts Board funds distributed by other regional organizations such as the LaPointe Center.
  • Paying Artists: Grant funds may be used to pay an artist, in fact CBAC and the Wisconsin Arts Board value paying artists, it’s their profession! In the budget section, detail the value of the artist’s work as an hourly wage multiplied by an estimate of the number of hours required for the project.
  • No funds may be used to reimburse any costs incurred prior to the grant award, and a project may not have a start date that is before the grant award.

 

  • Ineligible expenses:
    • General operating funds
    • Purchase or construction or repair of permanent equipment
    • Fundraisers
    • Competitions
    • Deficits incurred from past activities
    • Prizes
    • Conference fees
    • Tuition
    • Rental fees for property owned by applicant
    • Activities not open to the general public (activities in public schools are considered to be public)

Please Note:  Grants awarded to individuals are considered taxable income.  Individuals are encouraged to work with a 501(c) (3) organization to act as a fiscal receiver on their behalf.

Apply Here

2025 CBAC Arts Initiative Grant Application

Arts Initiative Grants fund project based activities such as public exhibitions, performances, publications, touring productions, commissioned art and educational activities. Artistic disciplines include dance, theater, music, folk arts, literary arts, video, film and visual arts.

Grant Application Primary Information

If applicant is an organization rather than an individual.
If different from applicant

Project Details

MM slash DD slash YYYY
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Have You or Your Organization Received CBAC Grant Money in a Previous Year?(Required)
If you have received a Arts Initiative Grant in 2022 and 2023, you are not eligible until 2025.

Grant Application Narrative

Please be clear in answering these specific questions, which provide the complete narrative details for your grant request
Describe the program or activities for which you are requesting funding. List project goals and expected outcomes.
Describe the artistic development that will take place during your project. Will the artistic development primarily take place for the artist/presenter or for the audience/students? Describe any innovative aspects of your project. If you are a previous grant recipient, describe any differences between this proposal and previous proposals. (i.e. new audiences, different artistic path, new artists, greater scope, etc.).
Describe the community benefit of your project. Define your audience and how the community will be impacted because this project takes place. How do you plan to promote and communicate about your exhibit/project/performance in order to draw visibility to your project?
Describe your ability to successfully implement this project. You may include resumes of artists involved, work samples, letters of support from project partners, examples of prior successes, etc. that support the stated intentions of your proposed project.
Drop files here or
Max. file size: 100 MB.
    List your proposed schedule for grant activities.
    List the number of artists involved in the project. Also describe and estimate the number of audience that will view your project.

    Project Budget

    CBAC will fund no more than 50% of the total overall expenses of any project (with a maximum request of $3,000). Your grant request must be matched by at least an equal amount of funding. Half of that funding must be in cash. This can come from ticket revenue, sales of merchandise, artwork, other grants, donated funds, personal funds, etc. The other half can be in cash or in-kind services/donations.
    Project Expenses (MUST include ANY donated in-kind expenses.)(Required)
    Please enter the total amount for the expense categories below.
    Program Personnel
    In-kind Expenses
    Marketing materials
    Other
     

    Project Revenue

    Your grant request must be matched by at least an equal amount of funding. Half of that funding must be in cash. This can come from ticket revenue, sales of merchandise, artwork, other grants, donated funds, personal funds, etc. Your grant request must be matched by at least an equal amount of funding. Half of that funding must be in cash. This can come from ticket revenue, sales of merchandise, artwork, other grants, donated funds, personal funds, etc. The other half can be in cash or in-kind services/donations.
    Project Revenue(Required)
    Please enter the total amount for the expense categories below.
    Projected Ticket Sales (# of tickets x price per ticket)
    Projected Sales of CD’s, prints, artwork etc.
    Private Cash Support or Donations
    Grants from Other Sources
    Other
     
    This amount is between $250 and $3,000 and This amount is not more than 50% of the total overall expenses listed above.

    Application Submission

    By submitting this application via the "Submit" button below, you attest that all information included is accurate to the best of your knowledge and that CBAC may utilize all information included in the submission form as well as attached to it as necessary to make a decision on your grant request.
    Please type your full name
    MM slash DD slash YYYY