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Applying to the Fall 2022 cycle is a two-step process.

Step 1: Letter-of-Interest
The portal to submit a letter-of-interest (LOI) will be open from August 29, 2022, through September 12, 2022, at 5 p.m. (Arizona Time). The LOI will be accepted either as a written or video submission.

Step 2: Narrative and Support Materials
Those applicants who have been selected to move forward in the application process will have from September 16, 2022, through October 5, 2022, at 5 p.m. (Arizona Time) to submit their application.

At the time of submission of the letter-of-interest, all applicants will be asked to declare one proposal category for their project. Each category has unique evaluation criteria, and applications will be evaluated by panelists using one of the lenses below.

Background and Proposal demonstrate (identify one primary focus):

Applicants must be:

• City of Phoenix resident at both the time of LOI submission (September 12, 2022) and award notification (November 2022). Evidence of residency​ must be provided at the time of Step 1.
• 18 years or older by September 12, 2022
• A practicing artist who is currently generating original, new and/or in-process artistic work
• Proposing a project that has art as the primary medium of the proposed project (literary, film, visual, dance/other performance, music, theater, interdisciplinary, etc.)

Applicants may not be:

• A City of Phoenix employee, an immediate family member of POAC staff, or a currently serving Phoenix Arts and Culture Commission member
• Applying on behalf of an artist team/collective, company, nonprofit, organization, fiscal sponsorship, or community group

Artists are awarded grants through a competitive process.

Step 1: Review

• Staff will review LOI submissions checking first for eligibility.
• All eligible letters-of-interest will then be reviewed by a group of conflict-free reviewers using a scoring guide (below). Reviewers will provide recommendations to POAC staff.
• Applications will then be considered through the dual lens of equity and geographic parity in accordance with Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture's commitment for the program. No more than fifteen applicants per panel category (a total of 45) will be invited to complete a full application.

Step 1: Letter of Interest Questions

1. Select the primary focus of your proposal:
   • Community-integration
   • Experimentation/innovation
     
   • Commitment to artistic growth
2. Tell us about your artistic background. Consider learning experiences and accomplishments (informal or formal education and training, residencies, cultural and creative participation, awards or grants, etc.) that formed you as an artist and contributed to the artist you are today. Be specific and include dates, if possible (300-word limit or 2-minute video)
3. Tell us about your identity as an artist. Consider touching on the following themes (300-word limit or 2-minute video) :
   • artistic discipline/form (what form do you practice?)
   • artistic vision and purpose (what inspires the creation of work?)
   • past and/or current ideas in your work
   • influences and guides (who/what influences your life today as an artist?)
4. Tell us about the project you would like to make happen using these grant funds. This is a rough proposal and can evolve/change if awarded. (250-word limit or 2-minute video)

Step 2: Narrative and Support Materials

A panel per discipline comprising conflict-free artists and arts workers will review all completed applications and ultimately select projects for funding based on the evaluation criteria shown below.

An application is considered complete if it has responded to all the narrative questions and has included the required attachments (artist resume, artist statement, and work samples). Project budget will not be scored by panelists but is required to be considered a complete application.

Step 2 evaluation criteria and scoring rubric will be available by September 16, 2022.

Applicants will be recommended for funding by the panel to complete and present new in-progress or completed work between January 1, 2023, and December 31, 2023. After they are recommended for funding, they will need to complete the following:

• Register as a City of Phoenix vendor or confirm previous registration
• Attend a “You’ve Been Funded! What’s Next” new grantee meeting facilitated by POAC grants staff
• Sign a grants conditions form that agrees to the following:
  • Participate in a public presentation of in-process or completed grant-funded work within city of Phoenix boundaries by January 30, 2024, either:
    • Coordinated and sponsored by POAC, or
    • Coordinated and sponsored by the awardee
  • To use POAC logo when promoting public presentation of grant-funded work
• Payments are made in two installments: 1.  Upon submission of the grants conditions and completion of vendor registration and 2. Completion of the public benefit event.

Eligible Use of Grant Funds

• Direct project expenses (including research costs and awardee/subcontractor artist fees)
• Supplies and materials
• Equipment/space rentals
• Insurance, licenses, permits
• Publicity/marketing
• Transportation
• Documentation
• Technology (non-equipment)

Ineligible Use of Grant Funds:

• Organizations
• Capital equipment
• Any division of local, state or federal government.
• Religious projects or projects within a larger religious or proselytizing event/organization
• Debt reduction
• Re-granting
• Lobbying expenses
• Expenses related to the construction of facilities
• Food and beverage for receptions and hospitality functions
• Fundraising projects
• Political projects
• Academic-related projects (e.g., theses, applied projects, etc.)