Arts council seeks project proposals for 2013-14

The Cornell Council for the Arts (CCA) is accepting applications through March 14 for its next grant cycle, supporting new creative projects to be presented during fall 2013 and spring 2014.

The CCA annually gives grants to support original art projects by an individual or group working on independent creative research. The merit-based awards are given in two categories -- up to $1,000 to students and registered student organizations, and up to $2,500 to Cornell faculty, departments and programs. The CCA awarded grants for 41 projects in its last grant cycle, for projects presented in 2012-13.

Applicants are encouraged to use the CCA grant as an opportunity to experiment and to cultivate new forms of artistic production that may be difficult to engage within the traditional classroom setting. Projects can engage any art form or mixture of art forms, and can be presented or performed on or off campus. Work that expands the boundaries of a discipline, encourages student-faculty collaboration or crosses multiple disciplines and departments will be given highest preference for funding. The application deadline was moved to March 14, providing applicants with more lead time for planning their projects and easier integration with the university's academic calendar.

"There are significant advantages to a single late spring deadline," CCA Program Coordinator Yvette Burggren said. "In addition to giving departments, programs and student organizations more time to plan events and distribute costs, individual artists can use the summer months to develop their projects when they have more time to devote to independent work outside of their regular academic requirements."

To further simplify the grant process, the CCA has launched an entirely web-based application process using the college application management site SlideRoom. With SlideRoom's online submission platform, applicants can assemble their proposals over time and see their application in exactly the same way that reviewers will see it.

"With the change to SlideRoom, it will be easier to apply for the CCA grant," Burggren said. "The application process is streamlined and is an ideal way to present creative work in a multimedia format. It will greatly improve how the award panel reviews proposals, ensuring that all submissions will be represented in a more consistent way."

Applicants can log in from any computer and save their applications for later submission, she said. The site has a simple interface for uploading a portfolio, including digital photo, sound and video files.

"It is our hope that the establishment of a single spring deadline and the use of SlideRoom to manage grant project proposals will give the Cornell art community an easier, more supportive way to get the funds they need to further their creative work," CCA Director Stephanie Owens said.

Applications and submission guidelines are available at http://cca.cornell.edu.

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