Please bear in mind that all decisions about which projects receive funding will be made by a panel of independent artists and arts professionals, not by our staff. These FAQs are intended to help clarify the guidelines so that you will have the best chance of success. But, ultimately, the outcome will depend on the quality and inventiveness of your proposal and how the jury rates it relative to all the other applications. To see previously funded projects, visit the Awarded Projects page.
Special thanks to our mentors at Charlotte Street Foundation.
The basics: Power Plant Grant support visual artists who live or work in Indianapolis, Indiana. The 2024 applications are due by Monday, August 12 at 11:59 p.m.
Eligible applicants are visual/multidisciplinary artists who create original work in painting, drawing, sculpture, book art, ceramics, fiber, printmaking, digital/media works, film, video, photography, performance art, sound art, social practice and/or hybrid or interdisciplinary practice of any/all of the above.
Artists must be over 21 at the time of the application, and may not be full-time students.
Artists must live and/or work in Indianapolis.
Employees or board members (or immediate family members of employees or board members) of Big Car Collaborative are not eligible for this opportunity.
Teams, partnerships, and unincorporated individuals are eligible. Nonprofit organizations are not.
As an additional resource, please view the recording of our 2023 Virtual Power Plant Grant Information Session below.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Q: We are not a non-profit organization, but will be starting the process of trying to attain a 501(c)3 later in the year. Will this disqualify us?
A: Yes. This grant is funded by the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, and it carries a stipulation that the money cannot be used to benefit groups that have already achieved the structural level of not-for-profit, 501(c)3 organizations.
Q: I am not a 501(c)3 organization, but I want to work with an organization that is. Would their status mean our grant would not be approved?
A: Power Plant Grants may not be used to provide or support programming for a non-profit organization. The guidelines do, however, allow support for a Power Plant Grant project – either in-kind or financial – from 501(c)3 organizations, and this would include the use of their facilities. One key consideration would be whether the organization is an established/conventional arts venue, because projects that propose to use these will typically not be funded. Also, the intention is for funds to go directly into the hands of artists. Your application should demonstrate clearly that the entire project has been conceived and driven by the artist(s) concerned – and in particular that Power Plant Grant funding would not be supplementing or supporting a program or package previously established by the 501(c)3 organization.
Q: Could I use Power Plant Grant funding for a sculpture that already exists but is in need of repair for a gallery exhibition?
A: No. This grant will not be awarded to develop conventional, private studio work for a typical exhibition format.
Q: Can I apply for Power Plant Grant funding to support a project that is already under way?
A: Power Plant Grants are intended to enable individuals and groups of artists to take NEW risks with their work, push the scope and scale of their activities, develop and pursue collaborative projects, and/or engage with the public and public realm in inventive and meaningful ways. If you are already involved in a process that meets these criteria, you could consider applying for funding. You should however be clear about the the ways in which a Power Plant Grant could help you to grow your ongoing practice or project in some way, since this grant is intended to launch experimental and expansive work that would not happen without the Award. You will see a question on the application form that will help you clarify this for the jury.
Q: Would I be able to use my Power Plant Grant award to conduct research in Spain for a project that will unfold later Indianapolis?
A: This is not a travel fund. Funds are intended to be used to carry out your project. Travel for research might be eligible if it is persuasively linked to implementation of necessary elements of your project, if the final result will directly benefit artists or audiences in Indianapolis, and if the costs of travel do not make up an unreasonable portion of your budget.
Q: Can we use our grant to purchase video equipment to finish up a documentary we have been making about the local music scene?
A: Power Plant Grant funds will not be awarded to proposals whose sole or primary purpose is to purchase or rent equipment, to rent or reconfigure studio space, to meet travel expenses, or to pay for professional services. These expenses may be covered, however, if they are part of a larger, persuasive vision and do not make up an unreasonable portion of your budget.
Q: Could you explain what the difference is, if any, between a typical community-based arts project and a proposal that would qualify for Power Plant Grant funding? And what does “accessible to the public” mean?
A: An ideal Power Plant Grant project would bring unconventional and experimental art practices to a new audience. We often use the term ‘under the radar’ to indicate that the kinds of projects we support may not find funding from more traditional sources. The requirement that the selected projects should be accessible to the public via “process, production, presentation or publication” does not imply the “general public.” Power Plant Grant artists could and should define the community with which they wish to connect, and then design their projects to build relationships with this audience. This community could therefore be large and abstract or small and defined. We do expect, however, that any project designed to be set in, or to engage neighborhood communities should be welcome, supported and carefully integrated by means of responsive communication with residents and leaders.
Q: I am planning on submitting two separate proposal ideas for consideration. Is this allowed?
A: Although the online application permits two submissions by any artist, you might want to consider how this could affect a selection panel that will be reviewing a lot of entries. The bottom line really is going to be how good the proposal is, and how much commitment to it you (and any collaborators) demonstrate. But, since you would only receive funding for one project maximum, submitting multiple entries could dilute the impact of your strongest project.
Q: We would like to repeat a project we already did. Would this qualify for Power Plant Grant funding?
A: Not if it is identical to previous work. You might look for a way to expand on the project through the grant. It is hard to imagine that any project that shifts its focus in that way would be identical to a former iteration.
Q: Just wondering if music, literary, or theater projects can be submitted to the Power Plant Grant program for consideration?
A: Not really. These all may be part of your project. But this grant is intended for visual artists as defined above.
Q: My idea involves the participation of an artist from New York. Can this be funded?
A: The eligibility criteria for the grant require that the principal (lead) artist and the majority of other key participants live or work in Indianapolis at the time of the application. This means that a collaborating artist could be brought in to the area to enhance the arts experience here (providing other eligibility criteria are met), but also that a final performance/event etc. funded by the grant should not happen outside of the Indianapolis area.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Q: I just realized the deadline was today for the Power Plant Grant proposals. Is there any flexibility in the deadline?
A: No, all your application materials must be submitted by the published deadline of July 10, 2023. The online application system will not accept any material after the deadline. You are advised to prepare your materials well ahead of the deadline to avoid any surprises. Materials can be submitted EARLY, and we encourage you to do this!
Q: Will everyone who turned in a grant be notified of the jury’s decision, or just the winners? Will they be notified by phone or email?
A: Everyone who submits an application will be notified by email, whether they are selected to receive an award or not.
FILLING OUT THE APPLICATION
Q: The application materials say “For websites you wish to be viewed as work samples, please submit a list of URLs”. Does this mean you will view video works on websites, or are you looking for examples of websites the artist has built?
A: We do encourage you to submit video work that has been uploaded to a website, but that URL should be entered in the section of the application that asks for time-based work samples. The website sample question is really for websites that show information about an individual or group’s activities, or that are stand-alone artworks. You should be aware that panelists will not have time to review such sites in depth, so you should direct their attention to particular features. You can also use this link to show work by others that has informed what you want to do – but you should clearly label it as such in your title.
Q: If my time-based work samples are too long, will the first 3 minutes be what is considered?
A: Yes, and you should consider the impact of not meeting the requested parameters. This tends to make your application look rushed and unprofessional. We encourage you to prepare a 3-minute work sample edited for this application.
Q: I am uploading a video prepared on my Windows machine. Could you check to see if it works on a Mac?
A: No, you are responsible for checking that all digital samples function on multiple platforms. Samples that are non-functional will automatically eliminate you from the applicant pool.
Q: The work sample question on the application asks for a description of how my images relate to the proposed project. Does that mean it all needs to be my own past work? Even though I am applying as an individual artist, could I Include images by other people of historical machinery, opera sets, or sketches that are relevant to my proposal?
A: Yes. Your images should persuade the selection panel that you have the expertise, experience and vision necessary to carry out the proposal that you are submitting. The description is an opportunity for you to say, for example, “this image shows work with the mechanisms I will be using for my puppets, although the overall look of the show will be more like sample 2”. Your own sketches could be helpful (as long as they are clear and professional), and inspirational materials made by others could even be appropriate if credited properly. It’s important, however, to demonstrate your skills as a maker – if this is what you do. In other words, you could show work that is not the same as the work you intend to make, but that has relevance and qualifies you as a good candidate. The approximate word limit in this section reflects that fact that some projects will have multiple artists involved, or entail complex relationships between different work samples and the proposed project. Please be as brief as possible.
BIOGRAPHY
Q: Should the bio be in first or third person? About what length is appropriate for one artist?
A: The bio can be in either format. The goal is to persuade the jury that you have the attitude and experience necessary to carry out the project you propose, so do whatever works best! There is a limit on that section of 600 words, but it’s good advice to always use the simplest constructions possible to express complex ideas. So, briefer is just fine. Panelists will be reading a lot of materials, so making your writing clear, concise and engaging is very important.
BUDGET
Q: Does volunteer labor count as an in-kind donation?
A: A general guideline might be that if it is a task that you would ordinarily have to pay people for, then volunteer labor could be an in-kind donation. If the volunteers are collaborating artists, they should be covered in the artist’s fee. Often though, volunteers are considered in the same way as an “unpaid intern” would be, because they could be seen to be learning or benefiting from the opportunity in some other way.
Q: Can in-kind donations be given by anyone, including the person doing the project/applying for the grant? I’m not sure where to put some of my services and equipment I use, including a portion of studio costs, mileage to and from each site, computer + equipment, etc. What do you suggest?
A: Your own creative time should come under artist’s fees. For really labor-intensive work, you might be able to justify a higher proportion of the award money going to such fees. Items such as studio rental, equipment rental etc., should really be listed under production costs. If there were some kind of manufacturing process that you could shop out to someone else but you will be doing yourself, it is reasonable to budget a sum for what it would cost in a professional workshop. It could therefore be balanced in income as “service performed by artist”. You can also show dollar income as a “personal contribution” in order to balance your budget, though as a professional artist it is wise to consider either trimming your project or seeking other sources of income.
Q: Can I apply for less than $10,000?
A: No. The award amount is fixed at $10,000. This is so jurors don’t have to partially fund other projects to expend all $60,000 of available funds. Your budget should be honestly and carefully constructed. The selection panel will review budgets carefully, and if yours appears to be unconsidered or over-inflated, this will harm your prospects of receiving an award. Make sure you work in proper compensation for your time working on the project and a small cushion for unexpected contingencies.
Q: Can the funds be split between all the artists in the project by writing multiple checks? If all the money goes to one person, won’t they have to pay taxes on this as income?
A: Award income is taxable, and we only make a single check out to the lead artist. We encourage you to consult a tax professional. As a professional artist you should consider filing a Schedule C to write off project expenses against taxable income. Long-term artist collaborations can also form an entity such as an LLC to split income and tax liability between all members.
VENUE
Q: I live in a surrounding county and want to apply should I?
A: The preference is for the work to happen within Indianapolis. If you don’t live in Indianapolis, the work/exhibit/space will need to be in Indianapolis city limits. But say you’re an Indianapolis artist and you are working with a farm in a surrounding county, then there is some event there to display the project, that would be fine.
Q: Do you need any documentation confirming the availability of a potential exhibition venue?
A: No, we would take your word on that. If the venue is not confirmed at the time of your application, however, you should address what your options would be if it didn’t come through.
Q: My team thinks our project could benefit a community somewhere on the East side of town, but we don’t really have any contacts over there. Will it be a problem if we identify this as research that we will do after we receive our funding?
A: Artists who work in neighborhoods and other kinds of public spaces need to be informed and respectful partners with the community. For this reason we expect that you will initiate conversations and do research about proposed community venues before applying. If you are called in for an interview, the jury will ask you about your relationship with your chosen venue, and fuzziness in this area will not benefit your application.
Q: Can my Power Plant Grant-funded project include an exhibition at a Big Car space?
A: Big Car venues are specifically not available for use for Power Plant Grant projects, and ‘double-dipping’ with another partner opportunity would violate the eligibility guidelines connected with providing programming for a non-profit organization. There is, however, a possibility that spin-off material from an event, performance, intervention etc. would find its way into these venues at a later date, once your project has been completed.
Q: Can I support this program as a financial donor?
Yes, you can also donate directly here and note in the comments the Power Plant Grant program.