ARAC Events & Deadlines
What's New?
Grants Workshop: Rural and Community Art Project Grants
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
3-5 pm
Common Room, Marshall School Annex
1301 Rice Lake Road, Duluth
Have questions about our programs or need assistance completing a grant application? Join us for this free workshop at the ARAC office. ARAC staff will be available to answer your questions. Advance registration is not required. However, you'll find it useful to review the organizational grant guidelines prior to the workshop. If you'd like to meet with ARAC staff at another time, please call our office at 218-722-0952 or 1-800-569-8134 to set up an appointment. You may also contact Bob DeArmond (organizational grants) at bob @ aracouncil.org or Jean Sramek (individual artist grants) at jean @ aracouncil.org.
Additional deadline, funding for ARAC project grants
Applicants to the ARAC arts project grants may now request up to $6,000 per grant application. This is up from the previous amount of $3,500 per application. The required match for an application has been decreased from 50% to 20%. An applicant may now submit up to two applications per grant deadline. A March 26, 2010, deadline has been added to offer an extra funding opportunity. Guidelines and application forms are available on our website for download; hard copies will be mailed on request.
Increased funding for the arts in our region
As a result of the new funding received from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Amendment which passed in November of 2008, the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council announces increased arts funding in the region. After almost a year of planning involving focus groups, an online community survey, and an intensive board retreat, the ARAC will make the following changes to programs in response to the needs identified in the regional arts community.
In the Council's existing programs for non-profit arts organizations, the amount that may be requested per application will be increased and the amount of the required match will be reduced to 20% beginning January 1, 2010. One new deadline will also be added to each current grant program to offer more opportunities for arts organizations to apply for needed funding.
The ARAC is in the process of establishing a new community education grant program which will be launched in February, 2010. It will focus on increasing arts literacy throughout the Arrowhead Region by increasing the venues for arts education to community centers, boys and girls clubs, community education, etc.
The ARAC's Artist Support grant program will have an additional deadline in March, 2010, and the Artist Fellowship program will be reinstated with fellowship grants of $5,000 each.
The new deadlines, guidelines, and application information will be available on the ARAC website, www.aracouncil.org, by January 15, 2010. Arts organizations are encouraged to apply to the grant program appropriate for their projects and to consider activites that can enhance their programming, organization and the communities they serve.
The Arrowhead Regional Arts Council is excited about the potential impact this new funding will have throughout the Arrowhead Region. These program changes are contingent on the receipt of the new Arts and Cultural Heritage funding.
ARAC to hire Assistant to the Director
The Arrowhead Regional Arts Council is looking for an individual knowledgeable about the regional arts community, self motivated, computer literate and eager to be part of an organization serving artists and arts organizations in the Arrowhead. ARAC has an immediate opening for a full-time Assistant Director to assist the Executive Director, the Board of Directors and to oversee selected grant programs which will receive funding from the new Arts and Cultural Heritage Amendment passed in November, 2008.
Background. The Arrowhead Regional Arts Council (ARAC) serves the seven county area in northeastern Minnesota that includes Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake, and St. Louis Counties. The ARAC administers grant programs and technical assistance for non-profit arts organizations and individual artists and presents the annual Arrowhead Arts Awards which recognize the important contributions of individuals to the arts in the Arrowhead Region. The ARAC awarded just over $160,000 to regional artists and arts organizations in FY2009. ARAC funding is made possible through appropriations from the Minnesota State Legislature and The McKnight Foundation. The ARAC is one of eleven regional arts councils in the state which work in partnership with the Minnesota State Arts Board. For further information about the ARAC, visit our website at www.aracouncil.org.
The Grant Programs. The ARAC’s grant programs have been established to facilitate and encourage local arts development by assisting the production and presentation of arts activities by regional arts organizations and individual artists. This mission statement grows from a conviction that the arts improve the quality of life in the region.
The ARAC currently administers three grant programs for arts organizations and two grant programs for individual artists. The Council also works in cooperation with The Artist Fund to help administer emergency support to regional artists. The ARAC is the primary funder of arts activities in the Arrowhead Region.
The Assistant Director Position. The assistant director is a full-time position and the individual will assist the executive director, the board of directors and oversee selected grant programs which will receive funding from the new Arts and Cultural Heritage Amendment passed in November, 2008. The assistant director reports directly to the executive director and works with the office staff to ensure the appropriate administration of the programs and grant resources. The assistant director works with the executive director and board in managing grant programs and services and in assessing how well they address the current and future needs in the region.
Administration:
-Administer policies, program services, and assist executive director as directed by the ARAC board.
-Represent Region 3 (the Arrowhead Region) in situations requiring the Council's participation, or as directed by the executive director.
-Oversee Council and subcommittee meetings and operate as staff liaison with the Regional Arts Council Forum and Minnesota State Arts Board when appropriate or directed by the executive director.
-Execute other duties as directed by the executive director.
Planning and Reporting:
-Assist the executive director with the planning and preparing of required reports appropriate to the programming administered by the assistant director.
-The assistant director reports directly to the executive director.
Grant Program Administration for Selected Grant Programs:
-Administer all assigned grant programs and related grant rounds per year.
-Administer the grants process, including determining the eligibility of grants, preparing grants for board and panel review, running the grant review meetings, notifying grant applicants of the status of their grants, keeping accurate records of all grant applications received and awarded, monitoring final reports, and spot audits, if necessary.
-Oversee the completion of all paperwork related to the administration of the assigned grant programs.
-Develop, schedule, and conduct workshops for arts organizations and artists in the region.
-Provide technical assistance to applicants and respond to information and assistance requests.
-Provide information to the board regarding grants or grantees as necessary.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
-Be self motivated, possess analytical thinking skills, and be able to work with little supervision.
- Be able to work well with a variety of individuals and in group presentation situations.
-Possess an awareness of a wide range of art disciplines.
-Experience working with groups of individuals engaged in a decision making process is desirable.
Education and Experience:
- A degree or training in the arts or working experience as an artist is desirable.
-Knowledge of and experience with MicroSoft Word and MicroSoft Excel software is desirable.
-Experience managing programs in nonprofit, foundation, or government field is desirable.
Working Conditions, Salary, and Benefits:
-Work will involve evening events and occasional weekend meetings.
-Some regional and statewide travel may be required.
-Beginning salary is $32,000 to $35,000 per year. Salary compensation may be adjusted based on experience and qualifications.
-Benefits include medical health insurance, a retirement plan, and paid vacation. Dental insurance is available at employee expense.
Individuals interested in the Council’s assistant director’s position need to submit a cover letter and resume to:
Robert DeArmond
Arrowhead Regional Arts Council
Marshall School Annex Building
1301 Rice Lake Road, Suite 111
Duluth, MN 55811
Or email your application information to info@aracouncil.org.
Applications accepted through January 15, 2010. The Arrowhead Regional Arts Council will fill this position by January 31, 2010.