DAKOTA WEST ARTS COUNCIL
ARTIST GRANT
GENERAL GUIDELINES
This Grant Program is a partnership between the City of Bismarck and Dakota West Arts Council. The Arts Council manages the program. This grant program aims to help artists with outstanding talent and ability realize their artistic visions, improve their artistic skills and build sustainable careers. These grant funds support artists working in dance, literature, video/film, theater, traditional and folk arts and craft or visual arts. The City and the Arts Council’s Board of Directors place a priority on programs and projects that best reflect the Arts Council’s mission and serve the residents of Bismarck. The Arts Council’s mission is:

                                                                                                                To advance arts and culture in North Dakota’s Capital City
                                                             through advocacy, community engagement, partnerships and collaboration.

The Arts Council’s Grant program is designed to provide financial support for arts and cultural activities that merit public funding.  Please Note:
  • All applicants must comply with  the Arts Council's 2017-18 Grant Schedule:
    Grant Applications Available Online:    Wednesday, September 13, 2017
    Grant Applications Due to Dakota West Arts Council:         Wednesday, October 11, 2017
    Arts Council Grant Evaluation Committee Pre-Review Meeting:     Thursday, October 19, 2017
    Grand Application Reviews:   Thursday, November 9, 2017
    Grant Recipient Notification by Email:   Friday, December 1, 2017
  • Applicants must be current members of Dakota West Arts Council. MEMBERSHIP can be acquired through this website. 
  • Artists apply for a grant must be at least 18 years of age and live and/or work in the city of Bismarck.
  • Examples of grant requests could include:
    • Training -- cost to attend a workshop or master class to further develop the artist's career, including the development of artistic, business or marketing skills.
    • Creative process, production or presentation -- costs involved in the creative process, and/or preparation for and/or implementation of an exhibit or performance.
    • Supplies -- purchase of supplies and materials necessary for the creation or production of new work that is pivotal to the artist's career.
    • Equipment -- purchase of specific equipment that is vital to the artist's career development.
    • Services -- rental of facilities for the creation or presentation of new work, including studio or rehearsal space.
  • The Arts Council will not fund:
    • Projects whose main purpose is educational, such as development of curriculum plans, teaching materials or teaching programs.
    • Living or travel costs that re intended to provide experiences and not artistic growth,product and/or output.
  • We accept proposals for established, on-going collaborative groups (usually working under a group name) or for one-time or short -term collaborative projects, provided that the parties agree to stay in a partnership while completing the proposed project. Collaborative groups can have no more than five members in total. All members of the collaborative group must meet the general eligibility requirements; include the names, roles and brief bios of the group members or collaborators in the project proposal. The Arts Council defines "collaborator" as someone who is considered a co-owner/co-creator of the project, not someone who provides services on a "work for hire" basis. Individual members of a collaborative proposal may not apply separately as an individual artist in an 12-month period.
  • The award of Grants funds is made at the discretion of the Dakota West Arts Council's Evaluation Committee  and approved by the Arts Council board. The decision of the board is final.
  • To apply, you must fill out the ARTIST GRANT APPLICATION and BUDGET FORM below. Please be articulate in your responses. If the fill-able form does not work for you, type your answers on a separate sheet. Please number each response and make sure your organization or individual information is on each page.
  • Funds cannot be re-granted or redistributed (e.g. as a pass-through or fiscal sponsorship) to any other person, organization, or entity. However, non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations can allow the use of their non-profit status for other projects and programs that help fulfill their mission.
  • Funds cannot be used for debt reduction/elimination, student loans, penalties or litigation.
  • Grantees must submit an EVALUATION FORM within 30 days after their program/project.  Failure to do so will deem the organization/individual ineligible for future Arts Council grant funding.
  • If you have questions, email us at dwac4arts@hotmil.com. Please title your message GRANT QUESTION and flag the email as important. The same goes for when you submit you application, title your message GRAND SUBMISSION and flag it.