1. What if we have a story to tell but do not know an artist to work with?
At the Letter of Intent (LOI) stage of the process, it is not required that proposed projects have an artist selected. In the event that you are selected as a semifinalist to submit a full proposal, it will be ideal for the project to choose an artist already rooted in the community where the project is located. Second to that, artists should be residents of North Carolina. If needed, ZSR will guide individual semifinalists in the process of putting out a Request For Qualifications (RFQ) to find and select an appropriate artist to work with.
2. We are interested in working with an artist from outside of North Carolina, is this possible?
As a Foundation focused on North Carolina, ZSR prioritizes supporting North Carolina-based artists. However, if there is a strong reason for the need to work with an artist from outside of the state, we encourage you to think about ways a North Carolina artist could benefit from partnering with a nationally-based artist.
3. What if we have a story to tell but do not know, at this time, where we will install the art?
The Foundation is dedicated to utilizing ZSR’s networks, as much as possible, to aid in the success of the Inclusive Public Art initiative. If you are a grassroots organization with an important story to share, we may be able to help you connect with government agencies and other local organizations that could assist you in identifying a location. Please reach out to the Program Coordinator Brenda Miller Holmes at brenda@brendamillerholmes.com.
4. We are a grassroots organization (youth group, cultural group, etc.) with history to share but are unsure of who to partner with in our community, can you help?
Yes. The Foundation is dedicated to utilizing ZSR’s networks, as much as possible, to aid in the success of the Inclusive Public Art initiative. If you are a grassroots organization with an important story to share, we may be able to help you connect with government agencies and other local organizations that could act as possible project partners. Please reach out to Program Coordinator Brenda Miller Holmes at brenda@brendamillerholmes.com.
5. Are you willing to fund a project in a city that previously received an IPA grant?
Yes. While our preference is to fund projects across the state, particularly in underserved and historically marginalized communities, organizations from locations that have been funded previously may apply.
6. Can the location of the art installation be inside of a building that is publicly accessible?
Our criteria states:
Proposals are for permanent public art (performance-based work and temporary installations will not be considered). Permanent public art is considered to be original visual art including, but not limited to, sculptures, murals, monuments, photographic renderings, mosaics, lighting and electronic art installations installed on a permanent basis. The location* for the art installations can be in spaces owned publicly or privately but are visible from public streets and pedestrian walkways, free of any admission fee.
*The location for the artwork does not need to be known to submit an LOI. Semifinalists will be asked to identify location as a part of their application.
While we are open to proposals for indoor installations, those installations still must be visible from public streets and pedestrian walkways.
7. Can multiple organizations apply together?
Yes, we encourage collaboration. One organization would take the lead as the applicant and the other collaborating organizations can be included in the narrative and highlighted through the Letters of Support.
8. Can multiple artists collaborate on a project and apply together?
Yes, we encourage collaboration; however, the LOI must be submitted by a 501(c)(3) organization, college/university, religious entity or governmental unit. Community engagement is a significant part of the initiative, and LOIs need to demonstrate how the project is community-driven and community-engaged. The Foundation is dedicated to utilizing ZSR’s networks, as much as possible, to aid in the success of the Inclusive Public Art Initiative. If you are an artist (or group of artists) with an important story to share, we may be able to help you connect with government agencies and other local organizations that could act as possible project partners. Please reach out to the Program Coordinator Brenda Miller Holmes at brenda@brendamillerholmes.com.
9. Can individuals apply or just organizations?
Letters of Intent must be submitted by a 501(c)(3) organization, college/university, religious entity or governmental unit. Community engagement is a significant part of the initiative, and LOIs need to demonstrate how the project is community-driven and community-engaged. The Foundation is dedicated to utilizing ZSR’s networks, as much as possible, to aid in the success of the Inclusive Public Art Initiative. If you have an important story to share, we may be able to help you connect with government agencies and other local organizations that could act as possible project partners. Please reach out to the Program Coordinator Brenda Miller Holmes at brenda@brendamillerholmes.com.
10. Can an organization submit multiple LOIs for different projects?
Yes.
11. Is ZSR available to read Letters of Intent prior to submission?
Please note that submitting a Letter of Intent (LOI) is the preliminary step in introducing an Inclusive Public Art proposal to ZSR. Due to limited capacity and in an effort to remain equitable throughout this process, ZSR staff are unable to read and provide feedback on LOIs prior to submission. However, if you have specific questions that arise while developing your LOI, please reach out to Program Coordinator Brenda Miller Holmes at brenda@brendamillerholmes.com.
12. You are asking for community engagement to take place before grants are awarded, how can we do this?
At the LOI stage we are asking you to respond to how you will engage your community. If you are chosen as a semifinalist and invited to submit a full proposal, we will provide a $5,000 planning grant to support community engagement before the full proposal is submitted.