HomeMy WebLinkAboutresolution.council.132-23RESOLUTION # 132
(Series of 2023)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ASPEN,
COLORADO, APPROVING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE GRANTS
STEERING COMMITTEE TO PROVIDE GRANT SUPPORT TO LOCAL
ARTISTS CONTRIBUTING TO THE COMMUNITY
WHEREAS, the Aspen area is fortunate to have many local artists living and
working in the community; and
WHEREAS, City Council has established a Cultural Vibrancy grant pilot
program; and
WHEREAS, City Council has established a grants steering committee to
support the City's grants program; and
WHEREAS, the grants steering committee have review and approved
recommendations of funding from the grant review committee for the
consideration of City Council
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF ASPEN, COLORADO,
That the City Council of the City of Aspen hereby approves the funding
recommendations attached hereto.
INTRODUCED, READ AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of
Aspen on the 12th day of September 2023.
Torre, Mayor
I, Nicole Henning, duly appointed and acting City Clerk do certify that the
foregoing is a true and accurate copy of that resolution adopted by the City Council
of the City of Aspen, Colorado, at a meeting held, Septe r, 20
Nicole Henning, Ci y Clerk
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City of Aspen Grants Program: Cultural Vibrancy Fellowship
Grant Intent
This fellowship aims to further enrich Aspen's cultural environment by enabling community connection
and providing opportunity for artistic growth.
Overview
This fellowship stimulates cultural vibrancy in Aspen through the direct support of local artists. This
grant provides funding to local artists for their creative pursuits and fosters relationship building within
the artistic community.
Local artists are important, and their work positively contributes to the community and culture of
Aspen. This grant encourages these contributions through monetary support to adult artists who need it
to further their career, creative practice, or pursue innovative ideas. There is a parallel youth grant to
provide monetary support to further their skill and exploration of art. Along with the funding, recipients
will participate in convenings intended to foster sharing, learning, and relationship building.
Additionally, grantees are expected to make their own personal contribution towards Aspen's cultural
collective.
This fellowship is an important part of fostering a network of support, growth, and celebration of
Aspen's local artists. The required grantee convenings will be facilitated by a seasoned artist that will
guide conversations along agreed upon topics such as: sharing and critiquing of each other's artistic
work, items important to career or business development, issues facing working artists today, or
pertinent discussions in art. Youth recipients will meet separately with an appointed artist facilitator and
discuss topics relevant to their group. The convenings are intended to be a safe, welcoming, and
enjoyable space for the recipients to get to know each other, share, learn, and grow together.
This grant will provide up to $3,500 in funding to up to 12 adult artists and up to $500 in funding for up
to eight youth artists to support artistic pursuits such as, but not limited to: developing a project, buying
relevant supplies, education, rehearsal space, marketing or growing their creative business, and other
such efforts to support their creative pursuits.
Eligibility
Genres: The Cultural Vibrancy Fellowship is open to individual artists working in a wide spectrum of arts
including performing, visual, film, literary, and new media.
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Eligibility: The Cultural Vibrancy Fellowship grant is split into two categories: Adult and Youth.
For both grants:
o Applicants must demonstrate that grant funding is needed and will meaningfully
further the applicant's career, creative practice, and/or will help them pursue
innovative ideas.
o Funds must be used toward artistic pursuits such as, but not limited to: developing a
project, buying relevant supplies, education, rehearsal space, marketing or growing
their creative business, and other such efforts to support their creative pursuits.
For the Adult grant:
o Applicants must be artists living or working within the Aspen Urban Growth
Boundary at least nine months a year and for at least three months preceding the
application date.
o Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.
For the Youth grant:
o Applicants must be aspiring artists between 14 and 18 years of age.
o Applicants must live within the Aspen Urban Growth Boundary or attend school
within the Aspen School District boundary.
Awards:
o Up to twelve adult grantees will each receive up to $3,500.
o Up to eight youth grantees will each receive up to $500.
Guidelines
Convenings:
o Recipients are required to participate in scheduled convenings that will take place
over the 12 months following the award of the grant.
o Up to three convenings will occur, with each lasting two to three hours.
o Attendance at a final public convening to celebrate and share at the end of the grant
period is also required.
Fellowship Statement:
o Within one month following the end of the Fellowship, recipients are required to
submit a written narrative along with images describing how the grant monies were
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spent and how they impacted their own artistic pursuits, as well as their impact on
cultural vibrancy in the community.
Community Contribution:
o All adult grantees are expected to contribute, in their own way, to fostering
community connection and further enriching Aspen's cultural environment. Some
examples include mentoring youth artists, teaching, volunteering at art related
events, speaking publicly about, performing, or exhibiting your work, advocating for
new ways for Aspen to engage with art and artists, etc.
Review Criteria
Criteria 1: Demonstrated Commitment to Artistic Pursuit
Adult Weighting: 30% 1 Youth Weighting: 40%
Definition: Does the applicant demonstrate through narrative, resume, and work samples a meaningful
commitment to artistic development and pursuit? Does the applicant articulate how a grant award
would allow them to develop their artistic skills and work?
Criteria 2: Impact of Funding
Adult Weighting: 30% 1 Youth Weighting: 20%
Definition: Does the applicant demonstrate that funding through and participation in the Fellowship
program will have a meaningful impact on their artistic work and development as an artist? Does the
applicant articulate the impact of joining a cohort of artists? Will a grant award enable the applicant to
do work that is difficult or currently impossible due to financial constraints? Does the application create
a clear and compelling case for funding?
Criteria 3: Artistic Merit
Adult Weighting: 25% 1 Youth Weighting: 40%
Adult Program Definition:
Do the work samples provided show artistic promise and/or demonstrate high artistic quality and
fluency in the applicant's medium?
Youth Program Definition:
Do the work samples provided demonstrate high artistic quality and promise of continued artistic
development in the applicant's medium?
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Criteria 4: Community Contribution
Adult Weighting: 15% 1 Youth Weighting: 0%
Definition: To what extent will the applicant use this opportunity to contribute to community
connection and further enrich Aspen's cultural environment?