Eligibility
Previous recipients of 2018 Re-Create relief funds are not eligible to apply. In addition, artist-owned businesses operated by a previous 2018 grant award recipient are not eligible.
For the DECEMBER 13, 2018 deadline eligibility and guidelines have been expanded to provide mini grants of up to $1000 to strengthen and rebuild the arts eco-system by supporting for-profit galleries and other arts-focused businesses that are needed to support the work of artists and to re-establish the once-vibrant arts district in historic Ellicott City.
Two grant applications are available:
Artists and Non-profit Arts or Cultural organizations: Professional artists or 501 c 3 s non-profit arts or cultural organizations are eligible to apply in this category.
Mini Grants: For-profit galleries and other arts-focused businesses that contribute to the artistic life of historic Ellicott City are eligible to apply for up to $1000.
All applicants must provide evidence of a loss suffered as a result of the flash flood on May 27, 2018. Required supporting materials are described in the application itself. Relief funds are intended to assist eligible applicants with losses not covered by other sources.
Arts Council Board of Directors and staff are not eligible to apply.
Definitions
For the purpose of this grant:
A professional artist is defined as anyone over 18 years of age who can demonstrate one or more of the following, a record of:
- training in one or more arts disciplines
- commitment to the pursuit of artistic work in one or more arts disciplines
- public exhibition or performance of works of art
- income generated from arts-related work
- artwork acquired or commissioned by private or public entities
- private or public arts grant awards or other professional recognition
- working, at the time of the flood, in one or more arts disciplines (visual, literary, dance, music, theater, fine arts and crafts)
- operates an artist studio or maker space in historic Ellicott City
Further, the artist must be a US citizen and live or work in Ellicott City, or had artwork on loan or consignment at a gallery located in Ellicott City, at the time of the disaster.
A non-profit arts or cultural organization is defined as an organization:
- designated by the IRS as a 501 c 3 tax-exempt non-profit that has the presentation, production, or preservation of arts and culture as its primary mission, purpose, or function.
- governed by an independent, legally liable Board of Directors acting under a mission statement, by-laws, and operating budget specific to the organization
- that conducts business for the benefit of the general public without shareholders and without a profit motive
- that produces, creates or presents arts and cultural programs that are open to the public
Further, the organization must be located in Ellicott City (or was so at the time of the flood).
A gallery is defined as a business, non-profit or for-profit, that:
- has the formal exhibition of visual art as a primary mission, purpose or function of the space
- exhibits original, artist-made artwork or limited signed, numbered edition works (not reproductions or mass-produced objects)
- hosts changing, advertised exhibits, at least two per year, featuring multiple artists age 18 or older
- is open to the public for advertised regular gallery hours (not by “appointment only”)
- hosts receptions and other gallery events, such as artist talks and demonstrations, that are open to the public
Further, the gallery must plan to re-open in Ellicott City. (Awarded grants will not be released until gallery is re-opened.)
An arts-focused business is defined as a non-profit or for-profit business that:
- has the sale, production, or display of the arts or provides arts-related services, such as framing or classes, as its primary mission, purpose, or function
- sells, produces, or displays original artist-made artwork or limited signed, numbered editions (not reproductions or mass-produced objects)
- is open to the public for advertised regular business hours (not by “appointment only”)
Further, the business must plan to re-open in Ellicott City. (Awarded grants will not be released until business is re-opened.)