Cultural Exchange (Visual Arts)

 

To help ensure that the excellence, diversity and vitality of the arts in the United States are represented at international visual and performing arts festivals.

Deleted 04/29/2005 (Program ended) 19.414 BUREAU OF EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF STATE Project Grants. The Festivals Fund supports a number of official U.S. artists at from three to five international biennials each year. In addition, another three to five self-curated biennials receive grant support. Public Law 87-256, as amended, 22 U.S.C. 2451 et seq. Applications are accepted from nonprofit museums, galleries, artists cooperatives, or independent curators. Applications are not accepted from commercial galleries. Applicants should not have kinship or close personal ties to proposed artists. Proposed artists must be working at a professional level as painters, sculptors, photographers, printmakers, or working with electronic media, installations or traditional arts. All applications must include resumes of curators and artists. Curators are invited to contact project coordinator Tom Carmichael. Telephone: (202) 619-4809. Fax: (202) 619-6315. Email: TCARMICHAEL@PD.STATE.GOV, to discuss planned project and clarify details of venues, on-site coordination, budget, publication, etc. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372. Curators wishing to submit a proposal for an international visual arts festivals should contact the project coordinator described in 091 Preapplication Coordination, or request an application from: The Fund for U. S. Artists, Arts International, 251 Park Avenue South, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10010-7302. Telephone: (212) 674-9744, ext. 107. Fax: (212) 674-9092. Website: WWW.IIE.ORG. Letters are sent periodically to curators describing upcoming festivals for which an official U.S. representation is sought. The event is described, giving parameters of media, scale, format, etc. required by event organizers. The letters also describe the application process, required format, theme, budget and deadlines. After receipt, the proposals are reviewed by the Federal Advisory Committee for International Exhibitions (FACIE), a standing committee of the National Endowment for the Arts consisting of seven curators and directors of contemporary art museums and galleries. The committee recommends the proposal it thinks would best represent the U.S. at a particular event. Deadlines vary depending on receipt of information from event organizers concerning opening dates and themes. There are normally two deadlines each year, usually in the Spring and Fall. Six weeks. None. None. Eligible proposals are reviewed based on the following criteria: (A) artistic excellence; (B) extent to which proposal represents the vitality and diversity of contemporary U.S. visual arts; (C) suitability of the exhibition for the specific venue; (D) ability of applicant to carry out the proposed exhibition; (E) record of professional activity and achievement by individuals/organizations involved. The Fund makes grants to independent curators and nonprofit museums and galleries that have been recommended by a peer committee following a competitive solicitation nationwide from some 400 curators of contemporary art. Curators and artists must be mindful of the diplomatic context under which U.S. exhibitions are presented given their sponsorship by the U.S. Embassy. All exhibitions and accompanying publications should advance mutual understanding and respect between the U.S. and the host country. Reports are required from grantees of the Fund within 90 days after artworks have been returned to lenders and bills have been paid. Subject to audit. As prescribed by grant terms. The Fund is supported by the Department of State and the National Endowment for the Arts -- and two foundations -- the Rockefeller Foundation and The Pew Charitable Trusts. There is no matching requirement. However applications which exceed the amount budgeted for that project by the Fund must describe how additional funds will be raised. The Fund looks for evidence of an institution's commitment in terms of contributed salaries and infrastructure support. Variable. Not applicable. Exhibitions are managed by the Cultural Programs Division, Department of State, Washington, DC 20547. Contact: Tom Carmichael. Telephone: (202) 619-4809. http://exchanges.state.gov 19-0201-0-1-154. (Grants) FY 01 $450,000; FY 02 est $450,000; and FY 03 est $450,000. Each project is budgeted by the Fund at a different level, depending on the scale of the event, expected local costs, etc. These range from $60,000 for the Cuenca (Ecuador) Bienal, to $300,000 for the Venice Biennale. Consult websites of Department of State at WWW.USIA.GOV or Arts International at WWW.ARTSINTERNATIONAL.ORG; or write or phone Arts International, 251 Park Avenue South, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10010-7302. Telephone: (212) 674-9744 ext. 107. Fax: (212) 674-9092. For 2000: Anticipated events include grants to the Saaremaa Bienaal in Riga, Latvia, the Havana Bienal, the Kwangju (Korea) Biennale, and the Sydney Biennale. For 2001: The Fund will support U.S. artists at the Venice Biennale, Cairo Biennial, and the Cuenca (Ecuador) Bienal.