Eligibility Requirements for Artists PDF Print E-mail
  • You must live in Alameda or Contra Costa County;
  • Commission must be for new works;
  • Artist must have a 501c3 fiscal sponsor;
  • Artists from all artistic disciplines are welcome to apply.

 

APPLICATION CHECKLIST

  • Application Cover Sheet
  • Narrative (2 pages)
  • Project Budget Page
  • Project Timeline
  • Artist(s) Resume
  • Statement from Artist(s) (1 page)
  • Artist Work Sample with Written Description
  • Letter of Commitment from Presenting Venue
  • Organizational Budget from Fiscal Sponsor (if we have not worked with them in the past)

 

APPLICATION INFORMATION

Please email your proposal and attachments to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Applications must contain all elements before they will be reviewed.

I. Application Cover Sheet

II. Narrative responding to the questions below (2 pages)
Please respond to the following questions in your narrative pages:

  • a. Tell us about your proposal. Who will be involved? What is the concept?
  • b. How will this work fit or depart from your (and any supporting artist(s’)) regular work?
  • c. If applicable, how did you choose your supporting artist(s)? (Please attach all relevant resumes)
  • d. Detail how you plan to make your match.
  • e. What is your outreach/PR experience? Tell us about your audience base or who supports your work.
  • f. Who is your FSO/501c3 partner…will they present your work? If no, where have you secured a venue?
  • g. We require an East Bay public presentation of the work.

 

III. Project Budget
Please give us a budget (Excel Spreadsheet) which includes the following information:

  • a. What do you estimate is the full cost for the new work/commission? (EBCF support will be earmarked for your fees).
  • b. What is your projected income (i.e. ticket sales, contributions, in-kind, etc.)?
  • c. What are your projected expenses?
  • d. EBFA funds may be allocated to artists' fees only
  • e. *NOTE: If we are unfamiliar with your FSO/501c3 partner, we may ask you to provide us with additional budget information.

 

IV. Artist(s) Resume (no more than 2 pages)

V. Statement from Artist(s) (1 page each)

  • a. Provide a one-page statement from the artist explaining the work being commissioned.

 

VI. Artists' Work Sample

  • a. Please submit appropriate samples accompanied with a description of the artist(s)’ work, along with relevant work samples from any supporting artist(s).
  • b. Music and video must be queued to no more than 3 minutes.
  • c. Please send photos via PowerPoint with one photo per slide.

 

VII. Organizational Budget

  • a. Please provide this year’s and last year’s organizational budget if we have not worked with your fiscal sponsor before.

 

GRANT SIZE

Grants from EBFA range from $1,000-$10,000 (all grants must be matched with new individual donor contributions on a 1-to-1 basis). One of the goals of this program is to help you deepen and expand your donor base. We encourage you to reach out to new donors and encouraging existing donors to give beyond their historical gifts. We would prefer to see greater numbers of donors at small levels, rather than a single donor supporting the project. If you have questions about your matching process, please contact us. We are happy to discuss your plan in greater detail than is required for your application.

OTHER INFORMATION

You may have multiple donors for the piece, but we will not match government, corporate* or foundation funding. We are looking to support commissioning at every level of the art eco-system.

*Local/neighborhood small business support is acceptable

HOW TO APPLY

Please email proposal and attachments to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Only work samples, which must be postmarked by the deadline, will be accepted via mail:

East Bay Community Foundation
Attn: East Bay Fund for Artists
200 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza
Oakland, CA 94612

EBFA REVIEW PROCESS

The deadline for the next round of grants is July 25, 2012 (midnight).

A panel will review proposals and staff will contact applicants as needed. Applicants can expect notification of decisions by September 2012.

Artists will have 120 days from the notification date to secure match funding.

 

* Funds for the EBFA come from the Ford Foundation’s LINC Initiative, The James Irvine Foundation, The Surdna Foundation, The Wattis Foundation, The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, the East Bay Community Foundation and our generous individual donors.