FAQ

Q1. Do I need to be present at the lottery drawing in order to be eligible?

 

A1. Yes, all applicants must be present at the lottery drawing in order to be eligible.

 

Q2. How is the grant money distributed?

 

A2. The $3,000 grant will be distributed in two installments, one of $2,250 at the beginning of the three-month period and $750 at the culmination of the program. Essentially, this breaks down to 75% of the money up front and the remaining 25% at the end.

 

Q3. How do I submit work samples?

 

A3. Work samples must be submitted through the Artist/District application available on the website. The total of all submitted works cannot exceed 1GB. While some artists may have larger portfolios of work we request that all applicants limit themselves to between 3-5 samples per our program requirements. Applicants may include a website or other digital platform under the optional line in the Application section but are not required to do so. Any work not included in the 3-5 samples will not affect the application process.

 

If the size of your work samples exceeds 1GB, please include a link to a third-party site (Youtube, Vimeo, etc.) which hosts your work. Separate submission boxes have been included for each of the 3-5 work samples.

 

Q4. What is a “weighted lottery?”

 

A4. Artist/District is committed to supporting artists in a manner consistent with the racial demographics of Baltimore City. Typically arts grant applications are made by a disproportionately white number of applicants. The pool of applicants in the Artist/District lottery will be reflective of the racial makeup of Baltimore City, more-or-less, 7 non-white to 3 white. This will be achieved, if necessary, by multiplying the chances of non-white applicants in order to achieve this ratio.

 

For any other questions, please contact us at artistdistrict3@gmail.com. Thank you!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What dates should I be aware of?

A. Here are the important dates to remember:

  • June 29 - Application submissions begin.

  • July 31 – Application Submission Deadline. 

  • August 4 – Notice of application receipt. 

  • August 8 – Lottery drawing!

  • November 7 – Community Presentations from grant winners.

 

Q. How do I apply?

A. Submit an application here: https://artistdistrict.wufoo.com/forms/artistdistrict-2020/

Printed copies can be sent to 100 North Holliday Street, Room 523, Baltimore, MD 21202.

 

Q. Who is eligible?

A. Applicants must be:

  • 20 years of age or older by 8/8/2020;

  • A resident of the 3rd Council District in Baltimore City. Find your council district here or call Councilman Dorsey’s office at 410-396-4812.

  • A person with a current creative practice. Professional experience performing or exhibiting is not required. 

  • Previous grant winners are not eligible.

 

Q. How much does it cost to apply?

A. Nothing. It's free.

 

Q. When is the application due?

A. All applications due by July 31st. Confirmation of eligibility will be emailed by August 4th.

 

Q. How do I submit work samples?

A. Provide 3-5 work samples through the Artist/District application. The total of all submitted works cannot exceed 1GB. Applicants may also include a website or other digital platform. If the size of your work samples exceeds 1GB, please include a link to a third-party site (YouTube, Vimeo, etc.) which hosts your work.

 

Q. I need help with my application.

A. You can call Councilman Dorsey’s office at 410-396-4812 or email artistdistrict@baltimorecity.gov with questions.

 

Q. Why are you asking my race?

A. Resources in Baltimore City are all too often distributed inequitably, and very often on the basis of access to networks and certain privilege, very typically along racial lines. We have designed a weighted lottery to ensure that when we draw applicants’ names in our lottery that the lottery pool is reflective of the racial makeup of Baltimore City.

 

Q. What do you mean by “weighted lottery?”

A. Baltimore’s population is made up of roughly 7 persons of color for every 3 white residents. If our applicant pool is not reflective of that ratio, we will multiply names in the lottery in order to create an equitable opportunity.

 

Q. What can I use the money for?

A. There are no requirements on how artists must spend the grant money.

 

Q. What are the Community Presentations all about?

A. Three months after the grants are awarded, we will get community members and program supporters together to hear informal presentations from artists on how they used the grant money. Presentation assistance is available. We want everyone to walk away knowing that the program is positively impacting individuals in the community and furthering a culture of creativity in the 3rd Council District. 

 

Q. How is the grant money distributed?

A. The $2,000 grant will be distributed in two installments: $1,500 up front, and $500 at the end of the 3-month period.

 

Q. When is the lottery drawing?

A. Saturday, August 8th.

 

 

 

For any other questions, please contact us at artistdistrict@baltimorecity.gov. Thank you!