PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM:
The Art of (DE-FI)ance Fashion Fund Grant Program is intended to provide financial assistance to
Fashion Professionals to further their careers through professional development opportunities and through opportunities associated with new works. Application guidelines must be strictly adhered to. It is strongly recommended that first-time applicants consult with Art of (DE-FI)ance Board Members prior to submitting an application.
The Art of (DE-FI)ance Fashion Fund helps advance the careers of individual Fashion Professionals by supporting expenses related to specific, unique opportunities that have the potential to significantly impact an individual’s work and professional development. Grants typically range from $100 to $2500. The purpose of these grants is to empower fashion professionals at critical stages in their creative lives. The goal is to assist fashion professional in furthering and innovating their work, to elevate the quality and raise the profile of individual work, and to help fashion creatives achieve their artistic and career goals through the pursuit of professional/career development opportunities in the field. Grants are intended to fund an artist's vision or voice, regardless of the level of his or her career point.
WHAT IS AN OPPORTUNITY?
An opportunity may be one of many things—an invitation to exhibit at a reputable Fashion related event, to apply or attend a prestigious Fashion institute or program, to study or intern with a mentor or renowned fashion professional. It might be juried in some way or available only through a competitive selection process. In any case, it must lead to professional growth in the individual’s career in a clear and meaningful way.
WHAT ARE THE CRITERIA FOR DECIDING WHICH APPLICANTS TO FUND?
A total of 100 points is possible with 60 required for funding. This program does not ask panelists to base their decisions solely on the quality of the individual’s work. Instead, reviewers must determine from the application:
ARTISTIC EXCELLENCE (50 POINTS) REFLECTED IN WORK SAMPLES AND IN ARTIST’S STATEMENT
- Work of compelling artistic/creative vision and singular voice
- Work that is inventive, imaginative, substantive in form and content.
- Work that is well-executed and well-produced, demonstrating control of craft/materials/production, values and technique, as appropriate and clear intentionality of purpose.
- Work that is self-reflective/critical, demonstrating internal development and willingness to take risks, as appropriate.
- Work that reflects awareness of the history and contemporary practice of its field and its relationship to both.
EVIDENCE OF COMMITMENT TO ARTFORM/ABILITY TO USE GRANT EFFECTIVELY (20).
- Professional resume, including education, artistic training, and level of achievement and/or evidence of commitment to personal artistic development as demonstrated through efforts to attain performances, exhibits, etc.
- Individual has a history of active engagement in creating work and presenting it to the public, with a record of professional accomplishment appropriate to career stage.
- The individual demonstrates an understanding and awareness of professional practice and standards in their field.
- The individual has demonstrated capacity to be self-directed and is well positioned to take full advantage of the opportunity the grant affords.
- Completeness and clarity of the application. The reasonable likelihood that the project can be completed based on the itemized budget and proposed timeline. The grant cannot be the sole source of funding for the project. Other funds, regardless of the amount, may come from personal savings or income, other grants, gifts, etc. No specific dollar amount or percentage is required. However, personal investment by the individual demonstrates their commitment.
IMPACT (30)
- Whether the opportunity is unique and not a repeat of past experiences (i.e. is it juried selectively, time-sensitive, prestigious for the artist’s field, a “first” for the artist?)
- Potential for the opportunity to facilitate subsequent creative work.
- Potential impact of the proposed opportunity on the professional development of the applicant, i.e. clearly defined, realistic, attainable goals based on the artist's level of achievement.
- Impact of the proposed project on the local arts community or artists through public exhibition; sharing of artist development through marketing, local artist organizations, personal website, newsletter or advocacy.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
- Applicants that do not meet the minimum eligibility requirements or comply with allowable expenses will be declared ineligible. Applications must be complete to be eligible.
- Applicants under the age of 18 must have written consent by parent or legal guardian to apply and receive funds. Creators are expected to give credit to the Art of (DE-FI)ance Fashion Fund LLC and the (DE-FI) Global INC LLC following the grant award.
- Applicants must show evidence of public performance, exhibition, or being published during the past two years, and resume must show commitment to the art form through education, training, orprofessional experience.
- Applicants who receive a grant in the immediate prior year are not eligible to apply during the current grant cycle.
- Applicant may receive 2 grants over the lifetime of this program.
ALLOWABLE EXPENSES:
- PRESENTATION/DOCUMENTATION: costs related to producing materials such as slides, catalogs, portfolios, demo audio/visual recordings, manuscripts, brochures, etc. that is part of an imminent, concrete opportunity.
- SERVICES: use of other professional services for the presentation or production of new work.
- MATERIALS/SUPPLIES: Expenses for materials or for equipment rental needed to complete work for an exhibition, performance, publication, etc. in which the artist has been invited to participate.
- EQUIPMENT/FACILITIES: Expenses for materials or equipment rental or purchase needed to prepare new work for an exhibition, performance, publication, etc. in which the artist has been invited to participate. Specifications regarding product description, supplier and cost must be included and attached to the application (be specific and comprehensive).
- FEES/TRAVEL: Travel associated with an imminent, concrete opportunity to perform, exhibit or audition, or for a unique opportunity to study with a significant mentor. attendance at workshops and/or seminars directly related to advancing the applicant's discipline skills or business expertise, i.e. training in marketing, finance or development of marketing materials; research or advanced study/coaching that will enhance the artist's abilities. (Lowest available fares or current IRS mileage rate.) Reasonably priced accommodations if opportunity is more than 100 miles from home. Expenses pertaining to the opportunity, including but not limited to legal, accounting, or administrative, commercial, or purchases of equipment not related to this specific or imminent opportunity expenses.
WHAT EXPENSES ARE INELIGIBLE?
- Artist Opportunity Grant funds will not be used for the following:
- Activities that have already taken place
- Ongoing work (this fund exists to help artists take advantage of unique opportunities in their careers)
- Medical expenses
ACCOUNTABILITY:
- All award recipients will enter into a contract with the Art of (DE-FI)ance Fashion Fund.
- Grantees are responsible for submitting a final report (financial, narrative and evaluation, including examples of the results of the grant project) within 30 days of the completion of the project/opportunity. Receipts for purchases or services must accompany the final report. All funds not expended in accordance with the grant agreement will be returned to (DE-FI)Global INC.
- In all publicity, websites, printed or production materials related to the grant project, the recipient must credit The Art of (DE-FI)ance Fashion Fund and (DE-FI) Global INC LLC for support in the same font size, or larger, as any other sponsors.
- All grant recipients are considered Independent Contractors, and are responsible for any tax obligations under federal, state or local laws.
SELECTION CRITERIA:
To evaluate grant applications, The Art of (DE-FI)ance Fashion Fund and (DE-FI) Global INC LLC will select a panel of jurors who may be fashion professional, artists, writers, educators, arts administrators or professionals in art-related fields and will include at least one (1) member of the Art of (DE-FI)ance Fashion Fund Board LLC of Directors. Panelists may not be familiar with your work or with the opportunity you present (i.e. its quality, value to you as an artist, the reputation of the person or organization offering the opportunity, etc.). We strongly suggest that you ask someone unfamiliar with your work to read both the guidelines and your application and to provide you with objective feedback about whether your application addresses the criteria and considerations above.