Meeting the Moment: Funding a New Era in Chicago's Performing Arts
A response to the impact of COVID-19 on the performing arts sector in Chicago
April 2021
Over a year ago, the impact of COVID-19 on the performing arts sector was sudden and widespread. Overnight, events, exhibitions, concerts and plays shuttered, leaving artists, designers, engineers, and administrators without work or income. The impact of the pandemic is still evident and has completely transformed the industry so that it will never truly be the same. However, there is resilience and strength within the field that reminds us that the performing arts are essential. Amidst the social trauma that has been inflicted on our society, it is important to think about how art is being used as a tool to rebuild our communities. How do performing arts organizations engage and preserve their work within their communities to help heal the trauma and the impact that the pandemic has placed on our society as a whole?
Walder Foundation is inviting organizations with a significant history of producing their own artistic works, collaborating with artists, and/or programming partnerships with community organizations to apply to Meeting the Moment: Funding a New Era in Chicago’s Performing Arts. Last year, in direct response to the pandemic, Walder Foundation contributed to the development and funding of the Arts for Illinois Relief Fund and we developed our first COVID-19 Resilience Through Innovation Fund to provide support to arts service organizations. As we continue to reflect and engage with heads of organizations, programmers, and policymakers on the long-term outlook for the sector, the Foundation seeks innovative ideas to reimagine the performing arts. Because we are a new foundation and still refining our strategic priorities, this RFP has been conceived as a one-time project grant in response to the pressing needs that COVID-19 has placed on performing arts organizations, artists and communities.
FUNDING OPPORTUNITY
Relief funding is one way in which the philanthropic community can respond, but how can we rebuild and sustain the performing arts sector for the future? Walder Foundation asks organizations to consider their future states, to critically examine and design new initiatives that contemplate life beyond the pandemic.
One-time grants between $5,000 and $150,000 will be awarded to organizations for projects that reimagine the performing arts sector by leveraging assets of creativity, ingenuity, and originality. Grants will be awarded based on a number of factors including feasibility, innovation, and the potential for impact. Funding will be prioritized for those organizations whose work serves traditionally under-resourced populations, communities, and genres, prioritizes system-wide change and collaboration, and focuses on sustainable livelihoods for artists. The amount of the grant will be determined in part by the size of the project and/or the organization’s budget.
Examples of work may include the following:
Rethink ways to engage/re-engage audience members in a post-pandemic world.
Advance research and pilot new models of funding in the performing arts.
Audience development in order to advance the organization’s engagement goals.
Shift organization mission, merge with others, or close their doors in thoughtful and celebratory ways in light of the COVID-19 crisis.
Create sustainable jobs for artists within the performing arts sector.
Shift business models to be more equitable for artists and/or staff members.
Partner with organizations to provide artistic education/outreach and programming.
Collaborate with organizations, groups, or entities that will move the field in sustainable ways.
Invest in technology to catalyze new ways of working.
Convene to provide community, resilience, and new ideas on how the performing arts field can better come out of this crisis.
Develop projects that invite dialogue, provide support and/or encourage healing from the social, political, health and economic events of the past two years.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Organization requirements:
The primary area of work is in the field(s) of performing arts (music, theater, dance and interdisciplinary performance).
Is a registered Section 501(c)3, 509(a)(1) or 509(a)(2) public charity, or is working with a fiscal sponsor that meets this requirement.
Located in the greater Chicago metropolitan region (Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, or Will counties) and whose work is centered on the needs of the Chicago metropolitan community.
Has an annual budget between $100,000 - $5,000,000 (if you are just below or above, please email us at performingarts@walderfoundation.org).
What we will not fund through this grants program:
Organizations whose primary function is as a performance venue or rental space.
Arts service organizations, awards programs, residencies, or training programs.
Organizations whose primary mission is youth arts education/performance or social service.
One-time programs, performances or events (e.g., commissions of new work or production sponsorships).
Groups that are legally, financially or operationally part of an institution with a budget over $5 million.
Religious activities, political campaigns or legislative lobbying.
Community, civic or volunteer performing arts groups.
General operating support (excluding indirect costs).
The Walder Foundation’s performing arts program does not support organizations that ask artists to provide unpaid labor. Walder Foundation is committed to diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion. We encourage applicants from underrepresented backgrounds and/or projects that improve outcomes for those from underrepresented backgrounds.
APPLICATION PROCESS
The application for this RFP is in two parts: a letter of inquiry (LOI) and, if approved, a full application. To apply, you will need to create an account in foundationConnect, our grants management system. To create an account, you will need your organization’s EIN.
Step 1: Letter of Inquiry (LOI)
Deadline: May 25, 2021, 5:00 p.m.
1. Access the LOI form for Meeting the Moment
First-time users
Click on the link above, choose “Create New Account” and complete your registration. Then return to this page and choose the link above to begin your application.
Existing accounts
If you are already registered in our grants management system, click on the link above and choose “Sign In” to be directed to the application.
2. Complete your application
Once you have started your application, use this link to complete and submit your application:
Walder Foundation Grantee Portal
At the end of the LOI form, you will be asked to upload additional information to support your request. Please prepare the following materials to upload:
Describe how this project helps your organization to become more sustainable? (up to 500 words)
Draft project budget
Links to two work samples that are representative of your organization’s work. The grants management system can only accept .doc, .pdf or .xls files and file sizes cannot exceed 25 MB. Therefore, please upload a document with links.
You will be able to log in any time (up until the deadline) to work on your application and save your progress. We recommend creating your account early to familiarize yourself with the system and the application form.
An automated email confirmation is generated upon submission of the application. If you do not receive a confirmation within 24 hours of submitting your application, please check your spam folder and then contact: grants@walderfoundation.org
Selection Criteria
The following will be used to determine which organizations will be invited to complete a full application:
Innovation/creativity/ingenuity
Is the proposal a unique solution or opportunity to address a problem in your organization, the communities you work with, the audiences you serve, or create impact in the greater field?
Potential for sustainable impact
Will the project target an unaddressed need or gap in the organization?
Will the intervention(s) have a lasting impact?
Does the proposal support the long-term sustainability of artists, staff and community members?
Collaboration with community
The organization/project reflects, engages and values input from their community(ies).
Is the project informed by equity or does it take a racial justice approach?
Is the project inclusive and accessible?
Does the project do more good than harm?
Does this project attempt to reach new audiences or expand the reach of the work?
Feasibility/scope
Does this project align with the organization’s mission?
Is the project feasible considering the resources, time and capacity needed?
Does this project appreciably contribute to the sustainability of the organization and its stakeholders?
Step 2: Full application
Deadline: July 22, 2021, 5 p.m.
Preview the application questions:
ZOOM INFORMATION SESSIONS
We will be holding hour-long optional Q/A sessions for invited organizations:
LOI sessions
May 5, 2021, 11:00 a.m-12:00 p.m.
May 12, 2021, 4:00-5:00 p.m. (Download and view a recording of the session.)
Application sessions
July 1, 2021, 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Zoom Meeting Login: 486 171 2155 or call 312-626-6799
Each session will be recorded and distributed to all invited organizations. No advance registration is required.
TIMELINE
LOI deadline extended: May 25, 2021, 5:00 p.m.
LOI Q/A sessions: May 5, 2021, 11:00 a.m-12:00 p.m. and May 12, 2021, 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Application invitation: June 15, 2021
Application Q/A Sessions: July 1, 2021, 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Application due: DEADLINE EXTENDED: July 26, 2021, 5:00 p.m.
Virtual site visits: July 30 - August 30, 2021
Grantee Notifications: November 2021
CONTACT INFORMATION
For any questions or to set up a 30-minute information session with our team, please email performingarts@walderfoundation.org.
For inquiries about the online application, please contact grants@walderfoundation.org.