An important note: THE ART MATTERS APPLICATION OFFICIALLY CLOSED ON SEPTEMBER 30. That said, there is always the chance that a funded artist lets us know that they are not going to be able to complete their project, in which case, we will look for substitute projects. Artists are invited to continue to think through projects and to fill out the application. We continue to work to line up resources to continue this work.
Working on an application? Catch up with the Year of the Artist Conversations here.
Print the Art Matters flyer to spread the word.
See the list of projects we’ve funded so far.
To celebrate 2022-23 as Roanoke’s YEAR OF THE ARTIST and advance the role of arts and culture in recovery and resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Roanoke Arts Commission (RAC) seeks artists to undertake projects that advance community wellness, justice, and inclusion.
Works may be in any medium: photography, painting, musical composition and performance, theatre performance, printmaking, collage, film, creative writing, textiles, ceramic, etc…
In addition to the product, process is a primary consideration, especially as it engages the community, as is the artists’ stated theory of change and the potential for transformation at the individual and community level. Additionally, artists may work with established community organizations, and if they do, a theory of change should apply to the organization as well.
Artists are not required to be residents of the City of Roanoke; however, as indicated through written responses, selected artists will have demonstrated strong personal, professional or civic ties to the city. Artists must be 18 years of age or older.
The Art Matters awards are a component of Roanoke’s YEAR OF THE ARTIST effort, an intentional approach to building a network of community artists. Selected artists will be registered for and participate in free network trainings and events. All artists can catch up on the winter 2022 trainings to date at https://roanokearts.org/meetings-year-of-the-artist/. Register at https://roanokearts.org/register-year-of-the-artist/.
Artists may apply for amounts between $500 and $3,000 to develop and create a work or implement a project that advances wellness, justice, and inclusion in the community. The award may be increased if the artist is required to purchase additional insurance to undertake the effort. The resulting work must be developed and performed or displayed publicly by June 2023. The display or performance of existing work developed before the call will not qualify, unless the display performance both advances the artist’s practice and explores new avenues of engagement and clearly explained by a theory of change.
This is a competitive process; however, there will be multiple opportunities to apply. .
Artists will be selected by a panel of qualified volunteers who will assess artistic merit and excellence, community-mindedness, and potential to deliver a quality product. As selected artists will represent the creative energies and valuable potential civic contributions of ALL residents, the RAC is committed to highlighting a diverse range of artists.
Learn about the first ten grants awarded here.
A total of up to $100,000 will be awarded. Awards will be made in a rolling fashion as to best support artists. Artists who are not selected will be given feedback and an opportunity to rework their applications, as long as funds are available.
There is no established timeline for notification; however, it is the intention of the Roanoke Arts Commission to award the funds in the shortest period of time that allows for an effective and fair process that delivers the best results for the community and the artists.
Selected artists will sign a memorandum of understanding with the City, outlining reporting expectations. Artists will be paid in full upon execution of the contract. Selected artists will be required to submit brief monthly reports to communicate progress and track learnings. As a primary outcome of the YEAR OF THE ARTIST is the development of a learning community, artists undertaking projects will be expected to present projects and share learnings with the network.
Individuals who have been debarred from receiving federal funds are ineligible for Year of the Artist payments.
The Roanoke Self-Portrait Project is made possible through the ARPA Local Arts Agency subgranting program of the National Endowment for the Arts. Because of the funding source, subgrantees are required to comply with the NEA’s Specific Terms and Conditions for Local Arts Agencies Eligible to Subgrant (https://www.arts.gov/sites/default/files/LAAS-Specific-Term-for-LAA-Eligible-to-Subgrant-11.3.21.pdf).
Learn more about this project and other YEAR OF THE ARTIST activities at www.roanokearts.org/yota
. If you have trouble with this form, contact douglas.jackson@roanokeva.gov or 540-853-5652.
The Year of the Artist is funded by the City of Roanoke and the National Endowment for the Art’s ARPA Local Arts Agency subgranting program. Because of the funding source, subgrantees are required to comply with the NEA’s Specific Terms and Conditions for Local Arts Agencies Eligible to Subgrant (https://www.arts.gov/sites/default/files/LAAS-Specific-Term-for-LAA-Eligible-to-Subgrant-11.3.21.pdf).
Specific relevant language from the Terms and Conditions: “Support to individual artists may be allowable if the subaward supports allowable programs and activities and is not a one‐time monetary recognition award. Awards to individuals should include providing presentations, workshops, research, and/or creation of artwork, with tangible outcomes required by the subaward. This is considered a stipend to the artist for the work undertaken and completed. Awards to individuals or organizations to honor or recognize achievement (P.L. 111–88, October 30, 2009, Sec. 438 (2)) are unallowable. Emergency relief funding programs for housing, food, etc., to an individual artist are also unallowable. Costs for these types of award programs must not be included in the budget or financial reports for the NEA award.”
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