Once ACT staff reviews an application for eligibility and completeness, it is reviewed by a Project Fund panelist.
Panelists are Providence-based cultural practitioners who are affiliated with organizations that have received Project Fund grants in the past as well as funders, grant-makers, and other experts in the nonprofit cultural fields. ACT convenes five panelists each spring and fall to discuss funding allocations for Project Fund applications. The panelists review all applications, but focus on just a few (the panelists “portfolio”).
Panelists begin with the assumption that each application is deserving of funding. They use the following allocation system to a raw score out of 100 points to each one in their portfolio. The system is based on ACT’s grant-making and programmatic priorities.
Panelists have broad leeway to use this point allocation system to help them make decisions about giving total or partial funding. In some cases, applications that make it to panel are deemed ineligible for or undeserving of funding, but such determinations are exceptional and rare.
CLARITY: The application clearly states what will be done (5 pts); when (5 pts) and where things will take place (5 pts); why the project should be supported with public funds (5 pts); and how the applicant will go about organizing (5 pts), managing (5 pts) and evaluating (5 pts) the project (40 pts. total)
ACHIEVABILITY: The budget is clear (5 pts), detailed (5 pts), and accurate (5 pts). There is evidence that what is proposed is achievable by the applicant, on their own or in partnership with others (5 pts). In the absence of past experience, information is provided that helps make a convincing case that this project will succeed. (20 pts. total)
ACCESS: Application speaks to ways that a proposed project will not only include, but foreground access for artists and audience members shaped by differences of ability and language (1-5 pts.) – 1 pt. – application references one or two kinds of access the program provides to differently abled or linguistically diverse audiences; 2 pts. – application explicitly references the ways that the proposed program has been developed through dialogue or consultation, and with the support of, differently abled or linguistically diverse stakeholders; 3 pts. – application addresses the ways that the core artistic team represents and advocates for differently abled or linguistically diverse stakeholders; 4 pts. – application addresses how differently abled or linguistically diverse stakeholders are incorporated into program design, not merely through tokenizing gestures, or simplistic/stereotypical representations; 5 pts. – application addresses how differently abled or linguistically diverse artists and audiences are thoroughly integrated from conception, to production, and on to marketing of the project.
CULTURAL EQUITY: Application speaks to the specific populations of Providence’s culturally under-resourced neighborhoods and communities. 1 pt. – application references one or two under-resourced neighborhoods or cultural communities that it seeks to serve; 2 pts. – application explicitly references the ways that the proposed program has been developed through dialogue or consultation, and with the support of, practitioners from under-resourced neighborhoods or cultural groups; 3 pts. – application addresses the ways that the core artistic team represents and advocates for residents from under-resourced neighborhoods or cultural groups; 4 pts. – application addresses how different perspectives and life experiences of residents from specific under-resourced neighborhoods or cultural groups are incorporated into program design, not merely through tokenizing gestures, or simplistic/stereotypical representations; 5 pts. – application addresses how residents from underserved neighborhoods or cultural groups are thoroughly integrated from conception, to production, and on to marketing of the project. (5 pts total)
CHANGE AND TRANSFORMATION: Application speaks to how the proposed project will enable the applicant to take on new challenges, build capacity, or develop professionally – 1 pt. – application speaks to specific institutional or artistic challenges that the program is meant to address; 2pts. – application speaks to ways that the program will build capacity for the organization or artist/s; 3pts – application speaks to professional development goals that the program will help the applicant artist/s or organization achieve; 4pts. – application speaks to two of three goals (take on new challenges, build capacity, professional development); 5pts. – application speaks to all three goals for change and transformation. (5 pts total)
IMPACT: Project benefits a significant number of artists; or, a small number of artists significantly, and serves a large audience or a small audience in a significant way. 1pt. – application budget reserves a significant portion of funds for one or two key artists and/or a general marketing budget; 2pts. – application budget reserves a significant portion of funding for between 2-5 artists and/or its marketing budget is specifically tailored to address specific under-resourced audiences; 3pts. – application budget reserves a significant portion of funding to support between 6-10 artists; 4pts. – application budget supports 6-10 artists at a high level ($25/hr for artistic and creative labor or greater); 5pts. application budget supports 6-10 artists at a high level and direct marketing to specific underserved cultural communities/neighborhoods that these artists are connected to. (5 pts. total)
CAPACITY TO PROMOTE CITY OF PROVIDENCE AS AN ARTISTIC/CULTURAL DESTINATION: Applicants address how their projects will be legible and interesting to non-local audiences (5 pts), as well as how they will speak in marketing and publicity materials to those audiences (5 pts). (10 pts total)