Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs

Funding Process

GUIDELINES

The funding process for MCACA arts and cultural projects begins with the development of guidelines for all the Council's programs. MCACA staff shape the guidelines based upon MCACA priorities and industry needs. They work with stakeholders to update and/or revise guidelines. The Council reviews the guidelines, and provides expertise.  Focus group meetings are conducted for public input on the programs and subsequent guidelines. Guidelines are available on this Web site and mailed by request.

GRANT ASSISTANCE WORKSHOPS

Conducting public grant assistance workshops is the next step in providing information and guidance to those interested in applying to the Council for grant funds. Workshop notices are broadly disseminated and press releases are issued. Workshops are conducted throughout the entire state. MCACA often partners with other service organizations to provide additional information on grants writing, grants making and improved project management. Staff continues providing technical assistance, consultation to applicant organizations until the grant application deadline.

Improved guidelines, successful grants assistance workshops, a fair and independent application review process, and the Council's support of statewide distribution of arts and cultural resources to organizations and communities have resulted in applications for outstanding projects.

APPLICATIONS

Applicants are required to use our online E-grant system and adhere to specific program guidelines and MCACA FY 2010 General Guidelines.

PANEL PROCESS

In order to provide an open environment in which to review applications for funding, the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs utilizes a panel application review process. The peer panel process places great importance on the review of applications by professionals in the arts, arts and cultural management and related fields. Peer professionals from the state and nation evaluate, score and rank the grant applications based upon published program criteria found in the guidelines. They provide the Council with the depth of experience and expertise that is the foundation of their informed funding decisions.

PANEL APPOINTMENTS

Recommendations for panelists come from the Council, clients, colleagues from other state arts councils, the public and staff. Recommendations are reviewed and approved by the Council Chairman with the advice of the full Council. A Panelist Nomination Form is available on this Web site and mailed by request.

The Council convenes peer review panels in each discipline area and for each grants program. Panelists are selected based on the following criteria:

• professional qualifications;
• broad-based knowledge of arts and /or cultural field(s);
• ability to work well in a group situation;
• geographic representation;
• minority representation;
• representation of various arts and cultural disciplines (visual arts, music, dance, theatre, history, education, etc.) and genres within each discipline (symphonic, chamber, jazz, etc.);
• representation of a cross-section of the arts and cultural organizations, groups, and structures including board members, administrative managers, artistic directors, education specialists, etc.; and/or
• representation from large and small, developing and established, as well as urban and rural organizations.

PANEL REVIEW PROCESS

Panelists review each application. Further, each application receives a primary and secondary review. Primary reviewers conduct in-depth reviews, report their findings to the panel and lead panel discussion. Panelists objectively apply their knowledge and expertise to the review. Panelists use a score sheet to individually record their comments and score for each application. The application score is the average of all panelists' scores.

Council members are invited to facilitate or audit the peer review meetings. Council staff facilitate process, provide information and adhere to policy and procedures to ensure fair and equitable treatment of all grant applicants. Only the peer panel reviewers participate in the application discussion and scoring.

FUNDING PLANS

The Council reviews applicant requests, panel scores and recommendations and determine fiscal year funding parameters (i.e., grant program allocations, geographic distribution, maximum number of grant awards per applicant and program issues and priorities). The parameters for FY 2010 included: merit scores and funding benchmarks; awarding one grant per applicant organization in the Program for Operational & Projects Support. For organizations with two or more applications typically the highest qualifying score receives the award.

From these parameters, staff develops a range of possible formula-based funding scenarios, which are subsequently reviewed in depth by all Council committees.  By consensus, committees provide final recommendations for presentation of the tentative funding plan that is considered for approval by the full Council.

FUNDING

The FY 2010 plan represents a proportionate distribution of funds to each program based merit scores, Council priorities, geographic, cultural and disciplinary distribution, technical support and the available funding. All MCACA grants require at least a one to one match.