Ford Foundation Space for Change Planning and Pre-Development Grants

Leveraging Investments in Creativity (one of the founding organizations behind ArtistLink) has announced an open call for proposals to the Ford Foundation Space for Change Planning and Pre-Development Grant program.

The Ford Foundation Space for Change grants are specifically focused on providing support for critical planning and pre-development activities that may precede partnering in or leading a facility project.

Here's the basic info:

Applicants have to submit Letter of Intent by: May 28, 2010 (for Round 1) and September 17, 2010 (for Round 2)

LINC will then decide from the letters who to invite for a full application. Round 1 decisions will be made by: August 2010; Round 2: December 2010

Awards: Up to $100,000 over two years.

Eligible Entities: 501c3's only

Kinds of Facilities Funded: Work- and/or live-work space for artists; performance facilities; rehearsal spaces; gallery spaces; community arts and educational facilities; and any other type of spaces where artists work, where art works are made, or presented, or where educational activities associated with the arts and involving artists take place

Grants can pay for: Eligible activities include but are not limited to:

• participation in community planning processes

• strategic or program planning associated with an artist space, including the continuity of existing programs during and after facility development

• feasibility studies (e.g. environmental, capital campaign, real estate site)

• advocacy to develop a community commitment to the proposed artist space

• site identification, land surveys, and/or architectural planning

• real estate services (e.g. developer negotiation, real estate financing services/developing a finance plan)

• architectural and legal services

• securing a deposit to gain site control (Note: applicants in the later stage of pre-development may request support for a deposit, but such requests will entail additional application requirements)

Criteria

• The organization has demonstrated a track record of exemplary artistic practice and programming that contributes to cultural equity

• The proposed space design and programming plan for the facility demonstrates promise for strengthening the quantity and/or reach of exemplary artistic production

• The project leadership demonstrates the capacity to follow a process of equitable development and community involvement

• The applicant demonstrates strong fiscal and organizational capacity, including the ability to make a strong case for this work with and to its many stakeholders

• The project team has a demonstrated track record in developing successful, sustainable facilities or has identified the necessary expertise to fill in that knowledge and skill gap

• For later-stage applicants seeking support for deposits, pro-forma and a sustainability plan for the facility must demonstrate clear evidence of its long-term fiscal health and affordability for artists

For more information, visit LINC.