On-line MAP Application Chat Transcript - 1/17/2007

The Multi-Arts Production Fund conducted an on-line application chat on Wednesday, January 17, 2007 from 4-5:30pm EST. The chat transcript is below. The next and final MAP on-line chat will be February 5, 2007.

CHAT TRANSCRIPT:

MAP: Welcome everyone! If anyone has any questions, please jump right in.
Pasap (3:55:11 PM): Thanks. I'm having a little trouble figuring out what kind of work sample to send.
MAP (3:55:30 PM): hi pasap! could you elaborate?
Pasap (3:55:34 PM): I have a hip-hop performance artist/writer who is now writing a play.
Pasap (3:55:50 PM): So I'm not quite sure whether to send a DVD of his work, or a script sample.
MAP (3:56:00 PM): Will he also be performing the work?
Pasap (3:56:28 PM): Right now it's looking like he won't, but his work is extraordinarily musical and rhythmic, and that will probably be a part of this project as well.
MAP (3:57:07 PM): It sounds like it might be best for him to send both a script sample and a DVD with a short clip (5 minutes) or if the script is of the work you are proposing, you could send a 10 minute dvd sample for him and the script sample as the work-in-progress sample for the project.
agorzellmt (3:58:51 PM): We aren't sure if our organization is too large to be considered for a MAP grant. Are projects chosen by merit alone, or does the size of the organization play into it as well?
MAP (3:59:40 PM): Projects are chosen by merit. Size of organization would only come into play if it had some impact on a project's viability. For example, if a very small theater company was proposing a project with a very large budget.
kdig9 (4:00:29 PM): I am wondering if a theater piece that is driven by it's movement content would be considered theater or interdisciplinary?
MAP (4:01:06 PM): Is there a script?
kdig9 (4:01:47 PM): Yes, there will be text that will evolve into a script, but it will be developed from movement improvs.
MAP (4:02:17 PM): Sounds like your project might be best in the interdisciplinary category.
Trumus (4:00:33 PM): As as first time applicant, what is considered an educational composition? As a community based organization, we have the opportunity for local composers to write music for us.
MAP (4:01:52 PM): That would be fine, as long as the local composer was a professional artist with at least 2 years of working experience and not a currently enrolled student.
LoulieK (4:02:28 PM): Our project involves a lead artist who has done work like this in the past, but it's from eight years ago. Should I send a sample of that work or something more recent but not as related?
MAP (4:03:25 PM): Send more recent work, but it might be a good idea to indicate elsewhere in the proposal that this artist has created work like this before (in her artist statement, for example).
kdig9 (4:03:58 PM): Our organization had an unusual year in 2006. We moved from Boston to NYC and worked on internal re-structuring/vision building more than performances. Should our 2yr highlights detail this internal work of 2006, or highlight activities from 2004 & 2005?
MAP (4:04:45 PM): Due to your unusual circumstances, you might want to include 2006 events in your highlights as well.
gillian212 (4:05:33 PM): My company is applying for the MAP again this year. Is it better to reapply for the same work in progress that we applied for last year since the piece is still a work in progress although it has had 2 residencies since applying last year? Or to apply for a new piece that we have just starting workshoping?
MAP (4:08:15 PM): If a work has not premiered and won't before October 1, 2007, then yes, you can apply with it again. The workshops may help your proposal because you may have a clearer sense of what you are proposing (and by extension, a clearer project description) and you may have work-in-progress samples to submit. Also, an organization can apply for more than one project, as long as the artists involved are not on both applications - lead artists can only be on one application per year.
Trumus (4:05:37 PM): The 1 composers piece is about recent natural disasters here and abroad...would that fit within the criteria?
MAP (4:05:58 PM): Sure!
kdig9 (4:07:03 PM): I understand that work does not have to premiere in the US to be eligible, but does that strengthen the application? We are likely to premiere in Canada (home base of one of the lead artists) and then follow with performances in Boston, NYC & other US & international venues...
MAP (4:10:48 PM): Yes, a us premiere would strengthen an application as MAP seeks to have an impact on the field here in the United States.
Trumus (4:07:48 PM): I noticed that many of your grantees are not music related is this something that would work in our favor? An organization in rural upstate New York that services a 5 county region?
MAP (4:12:15 PM): The smaller amount of music grantees is directly proportional to the number of music applicants. It has grown significantly in the last few years, however and last year, we added a separate music panel. Previously music applications were reviewed by the interdisciplinary panel.
danfroot (4:10:29 PM): does the lead artist need to reside in the same state as the fiscal agent?
MAP (4:11:20 PM): The lead artist does not have to reside in the same state as the fiscal agent.
awick (4:12:15 PM): What is the grant request amount range? Thanks.
MAP (4:13:41 PM): Award amounts depend on the project budget of the grantee, but range from $10,000 to $40,000. The average award amount is $22,000.
chrdunn (4:13:45 PM): If we are developing a project in the US, but plan to premier and tour in India (doing free performances in villages and refugee camps), are we eligible for MAP funding given your response to kdig9?
MAP (4:15:54 PM): You are eligible, but due to the lack of impact this project would have in the US (if there is no scheduled US premiere) your project would be less competitive than other projects with a US premiere.
Trumus (4:15:21 PM): What is MAP belief in promoting local artists and community groups?
MAP (4:16:54 PM): MAP strives to support and promotes local artists and community groups.
danfroot (4:16:11 PM): I understand that the same lead artist cannot be represented on more than one application from a fiscal sponsor. What if a collaborator is part of two different projects submitted by two different sponsors?
MAP (4:18:05 PM): Artists and collaborators are only eligibile to apply for one project.
Susanc (4:17:01 PM): Can funding be applied for to get work (opera with art installation) from the reading stage to the premier phase. Reading scheduled for November 2007, working on premier commitment for 2008 but not secured yet.
MAP (4:17:04 PM): Yes.
bhub (4:17:27 PM): In terms of the work sample, the last CD release for our lead artist was June 2001 - would that be acceptable?
MAP (4:18:54 PM): Unfortunately no. Samples must be from works created in the last 5 years.
BDevelopment (4:17:45 PM): Can you clarify who is considered a Lead Artist, we are an orchestra, who contracts our players for each concert, we are not a fixed group of musicians. Are we co-creators with the composer? Or a fiscal agent?
MAP (4:19:46 PM): You are co-creators. You would be the applicant organization as well as one of the lead artists.
Susanc (4:19:23 PM): Is opera with art installation interdisciplinary or is it considered set. I compose and write libretto, so I submit samples for each as well as the artist's work?
MAP (4:21:17 PM): It sounds like your proposal would be best in the music composition category. You'll want to send samples for yourself (as composer/librettist) and the visual artist (as the installation artist on the project).
Pasap (4:19:31 PM): So we're trying to support the development of our project, and applying the funds to three public developmental workshops (which would be the first public performances of the project). But not a full production. Is this acceptable?
MAP (4:21:37 PM): Yes, MAP supports work in development.
chrdunn (4:19:49 PM): On the first section of the application "Organization Information", I just want to clarify that this pertains to our fiscal sponsor, not our emerging "organization" that has yet to obtain 501c3 status. Is that right?
MAP (4:21:58 PM): Yes, your fiscal sponsor.
Adelaide13 (4:21:23 PM): The grant cycle begins August 1st but the work cannot premiere before Oct 1st. Is there a reason for the two month lag?
MAP (4:22:52 PM): Yes. Its MAP's intention to enter into a project earlier in its development, rather than just as its premiering.
gillian212 (4:21:38 PM): As a company that uses foreign texts, stories and film as a spring board in the creation of new work. Does this still qualify as "original work" - even though the end result only references the original source material?
MAP (4:23:10 PM): Yes, that’s fine.
Wodanceco (4:23:19 PM): I have a budget question. You ask for only Administrative and Production expenses. Does that mean you want all of our expenses divided into ADMIN and PRODUCTION, or do you only want to see those fractions of the expenses?
MAP (4:25:09 PM): Yes, please divide everything into admin and production.
chrdunn (4:24:54 PM): How heavily does the reputation and/or achievements of a troupe's fiscal sponsor weigh into whether or not they are funded? We are choosing between two organizations right now.
MAP (4:27:38 PM): The focus is primarily on the merit of the proposed project and the strength of the work samples. Evaluators and panelists are only looking at the fiscal sponsor to be sure that they are financially sound.
Adelaide13 (4:25:19 PM): So there is no way a premier in late September could be considered?
MAP (4:25:31 PM): Unfortunately, no.
danfroot (4:25:43 PM): I am working with "food insecure" and "hungry" folks for my project. Would this population be encompassed in MAP's focus on "cultural difference."
MAP (4:28:10 PM): Yes.
agorzellmt (4:25:44 PM): Does MAP specifically look to support works that involve more than one discipline (dance and music composition or drama and music, for example)?
MAP (4:28:50 PM): No, projects don't have to be multi-disciplinary.
IDD Foundation (4:30:43 PM): Are grants available for musicians only, or does the project have to be attached to theatre or dance?
MAP (4:32:37 PM): MAP funds projects in all areas of live performance which includes the areas of music, dance, theater, and interdisciplinary.
chrdunn (4:31:33 PM): Another budget question: We are expecting the entire project to be produced and performed by volunteers. Should we try and calculate every hour that every person volunteers as "in-kind" income?
MAP (4:32:35 PM): Yes, you'll just want to estimate that amount.
jehmil (4:32:55 PM): Are there genres or mediums that are higher priority and therefore more likely to receive funding?
MAP (4:33:51 PM): No, They are all looked at equally.
jehmil (4:34:02 PM): Are artists from other countries eligible as long as the work will be performed here?
MAP (4:34:43 PM): Yes, but the applicant organization has to be based in the United States.
Wodanceco (4:34:27 PM): How can I edit the project budget?
MAP (4:35:33 PM): If you added something you want to change, just click the little "x" next to the line item and re-enter it above.
MentalSoup2 (4:35:53 PM): We are a new company attempting a new project, but we have no history to point to. Do the artist bios suffice for that?
MAP (4:38:59 PM): Your applicant organization has to be a 501c3 but can be newly formed but your artists need to have two years of experience. reflected by their bios.
chrdunn (4:36:43 PM): Should I enter estimated volunteer performance hours as "artist fees" on the expense side, or a different category. I'm assuming the "in-kind" donations should have a matching expense entry. Is that right?
MAP (4:37:58 PM): Yes. Enter artist fees on the expense side with the estimated amount and then match it on the income side with in kind.
jehmil (4:40:16 PM): I am a member of a West African dance company. We are creating a full ballet, including new arrangements of traditional dances. Does the traditional form put us at a disadvantage?
MAP (4:41:46 PM): Not necessarily. You'll have to make a strong argument in your proposal for how you see this work as new, rather than traditional work.
Projects like this have been successful at MAP, but it required a clear explanation of why the work was new and work samples to really back that explanation up.
chrdunn (4:41:41 PM): I've also got a question about the requirement of two years of "professional" experience. Is "professional" defined as being paid for an artist's work?
MAP (4:42:40 PM): Yes.
agorzellmt (4:43:12 PM): How does the history of the artist play into the decision-making process? Does MAP look to fund under-represented artists over more established ones?
MAP (4:44:54 PM): MAP looks to represent both under-represented and established artists but the focus is on the merit of the work.
jehmil (4:43:34 PM): Also, I was working on the highlights segment, and could not decide if it would be better to list a few major events and describe them in detail or list a wider sampling that represents the variety of work that we do.
MAP (4:45:08 PM): If there isn't room to do both, then include the wider sampling
jeremiah (4:45:59 PM): Is it a stronger grant if you are able to produce your event in more than one venues/cities?
MAP (4:47:07 PM): Not necessarily. MAP has funded projects with long touring lives and projects that have premiered and had a life in just one city.
jeremiah (4:47:58 PM): Does the size of the budget effect the size of grant considered?
MAP (4:49:07 PM): Can you elaborate? Are you talking about the project budget?
jeremiah (4:50:53 PM): Yes. Ours is a dance project. I'd like to present it in two strategic cities, possibly three. Would a larger project budget be more eligible for greater funding, or does it have little bearing?
MAP (4:52:08 PM): A smaller budget has little bearing on the proposal's strength. Unless you are proposing something that clearly is beyond the constraints of your proposed budget.
Hoodoo365 (4:51:22 PM): Re: collaborations, does a visual artist's work have to appear in the performance, or can the visual art be simply the inspiration for the performance (dance in this case).
MAP (4:53:18 PM): Yes, the visual artist could be just the inspiration for the work, but in that case, you wouldn't need to list them as a lead artist or send samples (unless the visual art work will be present in the finished work).
Hoodoo365 (4:54:14 PM): My next question then is would such a scenario be considered a strong proposal? Is it enough collaboration?
MAP (4:54:57 PM): Yes.
jeremiah (4:54:21 PM): Is it possible to view an entire grant application from a successful applicant?
MAP (4:55:35 PM): Unfortunately not at this time but please check out the Grantees section of our website to view descriptions of past granted projects.
Trumus (4:54:53 PM): Would it be possible to send the lead artist materials from other composers or do they have to send it in directly to you?
MAP (4:55:43 PM): We would prefer if all work sample materials came in one package...so yes, the applicant organization can send the lead artist materials in to us.
Hoodoo365 (4:57:08 PM): My choreographer is concerned about working with a local, less-known visual artist. She feels like we are more likely to get a grant if she pursues someone higher profile and from out of the country. What do you think?
MAP (4:59:14 PM): hoodoo365: I don't think that's necessarily true. I know I've said this a lot today, but the strength of a proposal really rests on how the panelists and evaluators respond to the ideas in the proposed project and the strength of the lead artist samples.
Pasap (4:57:53 PM): Under the Artist Section, in "ROLE" is there a word limit?
MAP (4:59:52 PM): We are not positive but probably under 100 words.
jeremiah (4:59:45 PM): So far we are planning it to be in a traditional theatrical space to benefit from the lighting, rigging, etc. Is it better for the production to be more flexible so that it can be performed in open spaces, outdoors, etc.
MAP (5:01:18 PM): I would imagine that from the panelists point of view, flexibility of the performance space is not really a concern, since they aren't evaluating whether or not a project would be good for touring.
agorzellmt (5:02:10 PM): What criteria will the panelists be using for evaluation?
MAP (5:04:27 PM): All proposals are evaluated on the basis of the artistic strength of the project, The viability of the project and how well a project aligns with the MAP Fund's goal of supporting innovation in all traditions and disciplines of live performance, especially work that brings insight to the issue of cultural difference, be that in class, gender, generation, ethnicity, form or tradition
Adelaide13 (5:07:00 PM): Is there a maximum project budget?
MAP (5:07:25 PM): No.
Adelaide13 (5:08:14 PM): If a pieces is be workshopped and rewritten between Oct 1 07 and Dec 31st 08 but won't premier until '09 does is that eligible?
MAP (5:10:04 PM): Yes.
Trumus (5:08:17 PM): The grant (if granted) will pay for composer’s fees, etc. It does not pay for general operating expenses, correct?
MAP (5:08:53 PM): Correct.
Trumus (5:14:59 PM): Should I submit score samples or will a sound sample on a CD meet the critera? Can a photo of the ensemble be submitted?
MAP (5:16:05 PM): You should submit a sound sample. No need to submit a photo of the ensemble.