UW-EXTENSION, ARTS & CULTURE ARTS GRANT EVALUATION PANELS

Arts, Humanities & Historic Preservation Grant Evaluation Panel - ARTS

Minutes of the Special Meeting

March 1, 2018

 

Panel Members Present:  Dale Loomis, Anna Bruhn, Marlys Greenhalgh, Pat Yanke, Rauel LaBreche

UWEX Staff Present:  Haley Weisert  
UWEX Arts and Culture Members Present: Judy Ashford, Donna Stehling, John Dietz

 

Call to Order

The meeting called to order at by Weisert and the requirements of the Open Meeting Law were met.

 

Approval of Agenda

Agenda approved.

 

Introductions

           

Review of Process Procedure

Weisert presented an overview of the roles and responsibilities of the staff, panel members and UW-Extension, Arts and Culture Committee members.

 

Election of Chairperson

Motion made by Yanke, second by LaBreche elect Dale Loomis to serve as chair of the panel for the meeting.  Motion carried.

 

General Comments

 

Consideration of grant awards and development of recommendations

            The panel reviewed and ranked twelve (12) grants and discussed the pros and cons/recommendations of each application. Points from the panelist scoring sheets were summed and divided by the number of panelists evaluating each application. Four of the panelists recused themselves from one application each. The following are the funding recommendations and comments for each application:

 

 

 

1.) 6:8, Inc.  requested $5,000 and the panel recommended full funding for this project.   Anna Bruhn recused herself. The panel awarded this project an average of 86.5 points based on the grant evaluation criteria.
 

PROS:

Free, family-friendly event with a wide variety of activities
Expanded and reimagined collaborations and programs
Well established program that has an economic impact for the county
Has many local partners and collaborations

CONS:

Concerned with expansion to 2-day event and the burnout of businesses and volunteers
Would like to see “family” programming expanded
Focus on making the event better, not necessarily bigger
Heavily rely on corporate sponsorship.  Would like to see more funds from organization at this point.
Lacked past innovate and creative programming the event is well known for.
Would like to see an improved parking and transportation plan
 

2.) Baraboo Area Chamber of Commerce requested $5,000 and the panel recommended full funding for this project. The panel awarded this project an average of 90.4 points based on the grant evaluation criteria.
 

PROS:

Lots of community support from businesses and volunteers
Adding new elements to event which creates a more diversified audience
Circus World theme is incorporated into programming
Program is a re-introduction to “magic” of the circus and promotes Baraboo heritage and circus culture
Beneficial for local businesses and tourism economy
Exposes Sauk County on a national level
Strong marketing campaign
Experienced professionals and planners
CONS:

Would like to see an outreach to local artists or addition of an art element to event
Lack of service organization affiliations
Include a security plan and more community education
Increase/expand parking logistics
 

3.) Baraboo Public Arts Association requested $5,000 and the panel recommended no funding for this project.  The panel awarded this project an average of 61.8 points based on the grant evaluation criteria.

 

PROS: 

Creative with a variety of art medias
Good community collaborations
Feasible plan
There is a need to utilize park
Used local materials (quartzite)
Great grassroots organization offering approachable art that uplifts the community

CONS:

Not using local artists.  Increase efforts to find local talent.
No community education component to art installation.  Would like to see community education that incorporates the artist.
Possible larger range of circus animals beyond elephants
Organization could be financially supporting project more than they are.  The group has the money.
Local program, not countywide impact
“Solidarity in community” concept lost on panelist

 

 

4.) Creative Alliance of Baraboo (CAB) Theatre requested $5,000 and he panel was split, 3 members recommending full funding and 1 no funding for this project. Pat Yanke recused herself. The panel awarded this project an average of 87 points based on the grant evaluation criteria.

 

PROS:

Well thought out and developed application and budget.
Creative and innovative program with connection to current teen/life issues
Gives youth outlet for self-expression and equips them with coping tools
Expanding program with curriculum to allow county-wide availability to youth and growth to the future of the program
Brings awareness to topics in a new and creative way
Valuable community partners
Overall great concept and very impactful

 

CONS:

Did not see continued support of mental health professionals like the Pauquette Center
Need to create more revenue to support program.  Possibly charge royalties for curriculum as an income generator.  Necessary revenue increase will affect future funding.
Concerned that in-kind exceeds cash revenue sources
Concerned with time table and if there is sufficient time to develop and complete curriculum
Missing community service organizations partnerships, both financially and for volunteer support
Prepare/create marketing materials to optimize support

 

 

5.) Friends of the Great Sauk State Trail requested $5,000 and the panel recommended full funding for this project. Pat Yanke recused herself. The panel awarded this project an average of 84 points based on the grant evaluation criteria.

 

PROS:

Public art is being used to enhance and beautify the trail
Strong design choice with eagle selection
Local sculptor using good materials
Includes educational components that explain artwork
Reflects the community identity
Accessible to the public
A jumpstart to arts programming on the trail

 

CONS:

Look for other collaborations like conservation groups, DNR, and schools to help promote project
Include accessibility to the artist by including workshops, talks, installation viewings
Enhance marketing for future programs
Analyze how to create community ownership of project

 

6.) International Crane Foundation (ICF), Inc. requested $3,500 and the panel recommended full funding for this project.  The panel awarded this project an average of 88 points based on the grant evaluation criteria.

 

PROS: 

Local artists using diverse mediums to attract a wide and diverse audience
Free program with hands-on opportunities for public participation making art approachable
Great collaborations
ICF has a powerful reputation
Opportunity for cultural education of cranes
Creating new programs to bring visitors back again
Season long program that includes both tourism season and school seasons
New venue for artists and an opportunity to expose area artists to public

CONS:

Increase and expand collaborations with other organizations like libraries to increase awareness of program
Consider larger social media campaign
Include artist selection process used
Evaluate and include in-kind valuation

 

 

7.) Reedsburg ArtsLink requested $5,000 and the panel recommended full funding for this project.  The panel awarded this project an average of 78.6 points based on the grant evaluation criteria.

 

PROS: 

Love the theme of “Reedikulus” that includes fun and experimental art
Large potential for event
New ideas and unique programming which brings new audiences
Expands art to everything we do and who we are
Wide geographic audience
Brings economic stimulation and promotes downtown
New artist venue and opportunity to showcase and connect artist to the public
Realistic timeline

CONS:

Needs to generate more income/revenue streams.  Currently too grant dependent and needs to become more sustainable.
Event date competes with other events so need to boost promotion
Gussy up the “passport” to have a universal marketing look for the organization
Work closer with other community event to support each other

 

8.) Reedsburg Public Library requested $1,500 and the panel was split with 4 members recommending full funding and 1 not funding for this project.  The panel awarded this project an average of 81.8 points based on the grant evaluation criteria.

 

PROS: 

Wide range of activities and a diverse audience
Long running reputation
Program highlights Reedsburg heritage and culture including Little League
Modest budget
Well trained and reputable staff with seasoned performers

CONS:

Limited sources for generating income
Possibility of applying for Good Idea Grants and other smaller sources since it is a nominal request
Search out business and corporate support
Promote more with large industries within community like Land’s End, NUK, Seats, etc.
More outreach to different organizations (service organizations, nursing homes, day cares,etc.)

 

9.) Rock Springs Public Library requested $1,600 and and the panel recommended full funding for this project.  The panel awarded this project an average of 91.2 points based on the grant evaluation criteria.

 

PROS: 

Fun and exciting program that will benefit youth in a small community
Communicated the concept well
Wide range of hands-on and diverse activities and programming
Great collaborations with local organizations and local artists
Small target group but big impact
Skilled and reputable director
Modest budget with quality programming

CONS:

Isolated county-wide impact and small target group
Possible funding through other small grants since it is a nominal request

 

10.) Sauk Prairie Theatre Guild requested $5,000 and the panel was split, 3 members recommending full funding and 1 no funding for this project.  Rauel LaBreche recused himself. The panel awarded this project an average of 74 points based on the grant evaluation criteria.
 

PROS: 

Local promotion at public locations is a good idea
Workshop and lecture series further educational opportunities
Call for auditions is county-wide, not just local
Youth involvement in production
Financially stable for a non-profit
Well known play to draw an audience

CONS:

Commercial product/script versus original works
Conservative estimated attendance numbers
Would like to see more community sponsorship and support
Some felt there was a concerning financial status

 

 

11.) Witwen Concerts, Inc. requested $4,000 and the panel recommended full funding for this project. The panel awarded this project an average of 86.2 points based on the grant evaluation criteria. 

 

PROS: 

New applicant with a new proposal for new bands
Diverse audience
Family friendly event
Wide variety of genres of music
Collaborations with local organizations
Well-written, simple application
Good starter fund opportunity for organization
Opportunity to expand exposure to a rural Sauk County area
Wide volunteer range

CONS:

Keep developing other financial sources
Find new organizations to collaborate with
Work on upkeep and beautification of space
Limited promotion and marketing plan
Parking and travel logistics need improvement like including a shuttle service

 

12.) Wormfarm Institute requested $5,000 and the panel recommended full funding for this project.   The panel awarded this project an average of 95 points based on the grant evaluation criteria.  

 

PROS:

Tradition of high quality and unique experiences
Local participated welcomed
Large impact- county-wide, state-wide and national
Numbers in budget show success of organization
Family friendly event
Part of Sauk County identity
Linking existing assets (agriculture to art to education)
Diverse audience

CONS:

Does the organization really need the financial support?

 

 

Panel Members’ Questions and General Comments

Comments on the Panelist Process Evaluation:

All or no funding vs partial. Let applicants know
Clarify language of match 50% of project income and use of or
Define Return on Investment (ROI) #6 on score sheet
Personnel form- take out “Agree to participate project…..”
Re-granting program

Tiered funding
Legacy grants
Limited terms

Review of scoring criteria and overall program

Intentions of grant program
Placemaking partnership
Involve stakeholders

 

Adjourn

Motion by Yanke, second by Bruhn to adjourn the meeting.  Meeting adjourned.

 

 

Submitted by,

 

Haley Weisert

Sauk County UW Extension Program Specialist       

 

 

 

The Panel ranked the grant applications in the following order:

1.Wormfarm Institute

2.Rock Springs Public Library

3.Baraboo Area Chamber of Commerce

4.International Crane Foundation

5.Creative Alliance of Baraboo (CAB) Theatre

6.6:8, Inc.

7.Witwen Concerts, Inc.

8.Friends of the Great Sauk State Trail

9.Reedsburg Public Library

10.Reedsburg ArtsLink

11.Sauk Prairie Theatre Guild

12.Baraboo Public Arts Association