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Good Idea Grant
The Good Idea Grant program is designed to foster the growth of Maine’s artists by supporting the creation of new work or professional development. Any "good idea" that furthers an individual artist's creative growth is eligible for the grant.
The maximum award is $1,500. Projects are often funded partially.
The artist must speak with Donna McNeil, assistant director at 207/287-2726, donna.mcneil@maine.gov or  TTY/NexTalk 877/887-3878 User ID: donna.mcneil, about the project before submitting an application. Failure to do so will disqualify the application.
Examples
The types of projects that might be funded under a Good Idea Grant include but are not limited to:
- Support for the creation of new work.
- Support to take instruction to deepen artistic skills.
- Support to broaden aesthetic investigation into another medium.
Deadline
The postmarked application deadline is June 27, 2008, for projects starting after July 1, 2008.
Completed applications must be submitted no later than 5:00 p.m. EST. on the date listed above in one of the two formats. Beginning in FY2009 the agency will require all applicants to submit electronically unless a hardship case can be made.
- e-GRANT format: must be electronically submitted, the agency’s preferred method for grant filing. Forms to accompany e-GRANT applications can be downloaded on your computer, filled out and electronically uploaded to the e-GRANT system. Note: e-GRANT applications may require an original signature or artist materials that can not be submitted electronically. These must be postmarked by the deadline as well.
- Standard format: must be postmarked by mail, a delivery company or be hand delivered to the Maine Arts Commission office, 193 State Street, Augusta, Maine 04330.
The agency is unable to accept late applications under any circumstances.
Who is Eligible to Apply?
Any artist who:
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has a valid Maine address as a full or part-time resident of the state, and
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is 18 years of age or older at the time of application, and
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is not enrolled as a full-time student in a field related to the application, and
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has resided in Maine for a minimum of one year at the time of the application and
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has completed and filed all final reports required for previous Maine Arts Commission grants.
How to Apply
Guidelines are available in large print format by request. All Maine Arts Commission programs are accessible (ADA). All programs funded by the
Maine Arts Commission must also be accessible.
Please review the following guidelines carefully in preparing your application in either electronic or standard format. Failure to comply with these requirements will result in disqualification of your application. Only complete applications will be accepted.
Important! Before developing the final proposal, discuss the project with Donna McNeil, assistant director at 207/287-2726, donna.mcneil@maine.gov or TTY/NexTalk 877/887-3878 User ID: donna.mcneil, to determine whether the initiative meets the guidelines. This is required.
Applicants may be recommended to follow-up that conversation by contacting Kathy Ann Shaw, senior development associate at 207/287-2750, kathy.shaw@maine.gov or TTY/NexTalk 877/887-3878 User ID: kathy.shaw.
Applicants who have been encouraged to proceed must submit:
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One Maine Arts Commission Application Form for Artists.
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Resume(s) for the applicant and any other artists to be employed by the project.
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Clear, specific answers to each of the following project description questions, addressed sequentially and numbered. Answers should not exceed two pages.
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Describe your good idea.
- Show evidence that the receipt of funds from the Good Idea Grant will advance your aesthetic growth through professional development or the creation of new work.
Note: The project description is the central element of the grant request. The more information the reviewers have about the project and its relation to the artist's growth, the better they can judge its merits. The Good Idea Grant does not fund requests for website design or the purchase of equipment unless the applicant can demonstrate that those tools are integral to the creation of work.
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One complete set of properly labeled Artistic Materials. A list describing these samples, including titles, dimensions, length of performance, title of poems, etc., must accompany the application. (Applicants in literature must send four complete copies of the manuscript. If a synopsis is included please also include four copies as well.)
Guidelines for Submitting the Application Packet
- Use a 12-point font
- Do not submit applications in elaborate folders or packaging.
- Make copies of all forms and other application materials for your record.
Questions? Please contact Donna McNeil, assistant director at 207/287-2726, donna.mcneil@maine.gov or TTY/NexTalk 877/887-3878 User ID: donna.mcneil, with any questions about the Good Idea Grant application.
Review Process
Members of the Maine Arts Commission's Contemporary Arts Committee, and of the public selected for their expertise in specific artistic fields, review applications.
Recommendations are presented to the Maine Arts Commission at its next regularly scheduled meeting for approval of the selection process.
Review Criteria
Good Idea Grant proposals are reviewed on a competitive basis using the following criteria:
Artistic Materials
Artists applying to the Good Idea Grant program must submit materials in the format described below. CD, DVD or manuscript clarity is the most important aspect of your presentation to the jury. It is essential that materials are of the professional quality necessary to represent your artwork to its best advantage.
Formats
Please use the following instructions to insure your eligibility. All applications must include one set of artistic materials (applicants in literature must send four complete copies of the manuscript and if a synopsis is included please also include four copies as well,) and a description list.
CD ROM for Visual Submissions
- The application package must include one set of ten images, depicting individual pieces, installations, designs models or products. Detail shots may be included.
- Preferred image format is a digital/scanned image saved as a .jpeg. The images need to be at least five inches wide and saved at a resolution of no less than 300 dpi. Color images are preferred, so that they may be used on the web site (in color) or in printed publications (in color or black and white).
- When you save your image, use the following guidelines to name your file:
Artist name_title of image_year of work.jpg
For example: JaneDoe_Untitled_2004.jpg
Use no spacing in the name, instead use an underscore.
- Work samples must be accompanied by a list that includes titles, dimensions, materials and date for each image submitted.
- Represented work must be current, which means preferably within the past three years, except in the case of large-scale installations.
Note: Slide or .TIF format is no longer accepted for application to this program.
CD ROM and DVD for Audio and Video Submissions
- The application package must include quality recording(s) in CD ROM or DVD format.
- Preferred formats are:
Windows audio or video files (.avi or .wav)
MP3 (.mp3 or .m3u)
Moving Picture Experts Group (.mpeg, .mpg, .m1v, .mp2, .mpa, .mpe, .mp2v or .mpv2.)
- Recording selection(s) should be no more than of 15 minutes in length, but may include the performance of more than one piece. Recordings may include a single selection that may be used to represent the artist’s main body of work, or an artist(s) may submit a compilation of excerpts from several different pieces. If an artist is submitting a commercially produced CD or DVD then they must clearly indicate selected tracks or portions of tracks. These submissions should allow for jurors to hear/watch selected segments of larger works without viewing the entire piece.
- DVDs and CDs should contain enough space between selections to alert the jurors that they are beginning to assess a new work.
- Include a separate sheet listing the artist’s name, title(s) of work(s), date(s) of completion, and additional production credits.
- Represented work should be current, which means preferably within the past three years.
Note: Audio cassette or VCR format is no longer accepted for application to this program.
MANUSCRIPT Submissions
- The application package must include four manuscript copies with up to five poems (not to exceed 20 pages total), or works of prose (15-20 pages). Script and Playwriting applicants should include one act or scene only up to 20 pages.
- All materials must be legible in 12-point or larger type, double spaced on 8 ½” x 11” paper and properly collated. The name of the author should not appear on any manuscript material.
- Selections from a longer script or work of prose must be accompanied by a synopsis of the complete work. Four copies of the synopsis are required as well.
- The manuscript must not include evidence of publication. Copied, published material that is not in original manuscript format will not be accepted. Authors who illustrate their own work may send in unpublished renderings.
- Represented work must be current; which means preferably within the past three years.
Note: The Maine Arts Commission no longer funds technological requests but is seeking funds elsewhere to support such needs.
In addition to grant funding, the Maine Arts Commission staff provides ongoing technical assistance to communities, schools, cultural organizations and individual artists on a wide range of topics including:
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technical workshops statewide through the agency’s annual artME program, including grant writing, portfolio development, marketing, etc.;
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gathering ideas and information about artists for conferences, workshops, demonstrations or residencies;
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reviewing professional standards for individual artists
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identifying and/or improving facilities for cultural activities;
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publicizing and promoting community arts events;
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carrying out a public art process; and/or
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complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act and other federal mandates.
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