About the Precipice Fund

1. About the Precipice Fund The Precipice Fund is a grants program administered by the Portland Institute for Contemporary Art (PICA) as part of the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts’ Regional Regranting Program. We also receive significant support from the Calligram Foundation. Warhol Foundation established the first of its regional re-granting programs in 2007 through San Francisco’s Southern Exposure. Precipice is part of a select national network of similar Warhol-supported funds in Chicago (Propeller Fund), San Francisco (Alternative Exposure), Houston (The Idea Fund), and Kansas City (Rocket Grants). Recognizing the barriers to funding faced by independent artist projects and collectives, the primary goal of the Precipice Fund is to support unincorporated, collaborative visual art based in Portland, Oregon—particularly those projects that serve as a source of support for local artists and audiences and enrich the city’s broader arts ecology.

2. Culture and Community We view the Precipice Fund as a source of support for Portland’s artist community and thus envision the application process as part of an artist’s connection to that community. While any city can benefit from the productivity, rigor, and excellence engendered by competitive funding, the Precipice Fund aspires to cultivate a culture of grantmaking that emphasizes community over competition and awards projects that are highly collaborative and connective. The Precipice Fund also presents an opportunity for applicants to further skills in grant writing and budgeting, build relationships with local arts organizations, and network with other artists.

3. What do we mean? The Precipice Fund awards grants to unincorporated, collaborative visual art projects in Portland, Oregon. What do we mean by unincorporated? The Precipice Fund only awards grants to those projects or programs that are independent and unincorporated. Thus, federally registered (501(c)(3) nonprofits; incorporated Oregon (state-level) nonprofit organizations/associations; and incorporated LLC’s (limited liability companies) designed for commercial enterprise are NOT eligible. Unincorporated Oregon state nonprofits and unincorporated LLC’s are not eligible. What do we mean by collaborative? Projects that are not the work of a single artist. A project must involve more than one person in its organization, production, and presentation. What do we mean by visual art? Projectsrooted in or strongly related to visual art. Works in performance or media are only eligible if visual art is a core component of the finished project. We are open to innovation, experimentation, and risk-taking in the field and supportive of diverse approaches to visual art practice. What do we mean by project? A lot. As long as it meets the criteria listed above, a “project” could take the form of a curated exhibition or program, artist project, publication, website, residency, or operations/programming of an independent art space.

4. Funding Priorities The Precipice Fund is particularly interested in projects that: are innovative, experimental, and ambitious are artist-run, artist-driven, or artist-centric generate opportunities and platforms for local artists challenge or break from established notions, models, and forms of practice, presentation, and organization are presented in unconventional or non-traditional sites, spaces, and contexts seek to develop and diversify Portland’s art audiences are accessible to or engage the public via process, presentation, production, or publication contribute to the critical, intellectual, and creative depth of Portland’s arts community

5. How Much $$?? Right-Size Your Budget Keeping in mind the values of community, collaboration, and mutual support, we ask that you consider how your proposed budget affects the larger applicant pool; if each applicant budgets for what is truly needed, we can ensure a broader distribution of funds. Round One (2013) Grant Award Amounts Between 15 and 20 grants $500 to $5,000 each Total of $75,000 in funding to local artists Occasionally, applicants may receive less than what is requested. For example, a request for $5,000 might receive $3,5000 based on the panel’s perception of the project’s needs. Precipice is committed to the success of its grantees at all levels of funding and will only award less than what is requested if it is clear that reduced funding will not hamper the health of the project. Distribution of Funds Announcements of grantees and disbursement of funds will take place in December, 2013. Funds may be distributed in January, 2014 upon request.

6. Eligibility Criteria Projects must be produced by unincorporated entities. Proposals from or in association with an incorporated, federally registered (501(c)(3) nonprofit, incorporated Oregon (state-level) nonprofit or an incorporated LLC (limited liability company) are ineligible. Unincorporated Oregon nonprofits and unincorporated LLC’s are eligible. Projects must be collaborative. That is, they must be carried out by a collective or group of individuals. An individual artist’s project may be eligible if it is highly participatory, collaborative, and/or engages multiple people or publics in its production and presentation. Lead applicant must reside in Portland, Oregon. The project may have outside collaborators, but the lead applicant must reside in Portland proper. The finished project must be publicly accessible and take place in Portland. The Precipice Fund is designed to support Portland artists and audiences, so projects must have a public component in Portland. Round 1 projects must be completed by December 1, 2014. We will evaluate exceptions to completion deadline on a case-by-case basis.

7. What We Don’t Fund Work that is not visual art. Projects proposed, fiscally sponsored, or presented by a federally registered 501(c)(c)(3) nonprofit, incorporated Oregon nonprofit, or incorporated LLC. While we understand a project might take place in these types of spaces, projects cannot be part of these types of organizations’ primary programmingto be eligible for funding. This does not mean a project cannot generate income. For example, publications or event tickets might be sold. Projects that take place in commercial arts venues without compelling reason, or in incorporated art spaces as part as part of that organization’s own programming. The work of an individual artist that does not involve other artists or participants, or projects that are a continuation or completion of traditional, private studio practice Projects on which the lead applicant resides outside Portland Projects that do not have a public component  

8. Lead Applicant If the project has more than one organizer or you are applying as a collective, one person must apply as the lead applicant. The lead applicant serves as the primary contact during the application and granting process. Lead applicants must reside in Portland, Oregon. In addition to lead applicant, list all other collaborators. Collaborators are defined as those who share organizing or coordinating responsibility for the project. Artists supported by the project but who do not have organizing responsibility need not be listed as such (e.g., an artist whose work is part of a curated exhibition for which you are applying, but who is otherwise not involved in planning the project). An individual can only submit one application as lead applicant but may be listed as a collaborator on any number of them.

9. Submission Process Submissions Open: Friday, August 2, 2013 Submissions Close: Friday, October 18, 2013 Online Submission System Applications must be submitted via the Precipice Fund grant call on CaFé (www.callforentry.org) by 10:59 PST on October 18, 2013. The call will close promptly at this time. Detailed instructions will be provided throughout the online form, and CaFé provides tech support via phone or email for system- or software-related questions. We will post a video tutorial that walks through the CaFé application process on the Precipice Fund website closer to the submission period. Who should complete the application? While any project collaborator may help complete application questions and provide required media and materials, the lead applicant shouldbe involved in every step of application completion, as this is who will be in contact with grant staff regarding application content and materials. The contact information provided on the application will also be that of the lead applicant.

10. Application Content What written content and visual material will be required? Complete project description Title and Summary Concept and Goals Proposed Venue Project Timeline A few brief narrative responses explaining the project’s publiccomponent, intended audience, and support of local artists Visual Support Material (optional) – will require explanations Up to 6 high-quality photoimages uploaded directly to CaFé Video uploaded to Vimeo, provided via your own link (up to two clips of 5 mins. each) Budget form uploaded to CaFé (download from Precipice website)

11. Selection Criteria Projects must be submitted on time and meet minimum qualifications. Selection criteria includes but is not limited to: Artistic Strength Degree to which project exemplifies innovative or experimental practices Potential to generate support and opportunity for local artists Broader vision of applicants Feasibility Capacity to carry out and complete the project Ability to realize project within grant period and with available resources Public and Community Engagement Public accessibility of the project’s final output Commitment to serving a local constituency Potential for impact on Portland’s broader arts ecology, which could include artists or audiences

12. Review Process Review Panel Proposals will be reviewed by an external panel of three to four local, regional, and national artists and arts professionals from the visual art field. PICA staff are not part of the review panel. While we are proud to support local artists through administration of the Precipice Fund, funded projects are independent of our own curatorial program. As such, PICA’s artistic staff do not take any part in selecting grantees. Notification Applicants will be notified of the panel’s decisions by the first week of December, 2013. Re-Applying Applicants awarded funding in Round 1 will not be eligible to apply again until Round 3 (2015).

13. Budget Overview You will receive a sample budget worksheet today to familiarize yourself with categories and items to include in your budget. This sheet can also help you begin to think about and research costs associated with your project idea. Once the Precipice submission process is open, you will be able to download either an Excel or PDF version of the budget form from PICA’s website to prepare for upload to your application on CaFé. We strongly recommend using the Excel version if possible, as it will “do the math for you.” 2013 Budget Workshops Saturday, May 4th, 2:30-4:00 PM at PICA Saturday, July 27th, 2:30-4:00 PM at PICA Led by PICA’s Executive Director and Finance Manager, these workshops will help demystify the budgeting process for a grant proposal, including how you can: plan for and assess the costs associated with your project fill out a basic budget form using Microsoft Excel ensure that your expenses match your income manage the tax burden of the grant award Workshops will include time to complete part of a budget worksheet, ask questions, and and look closely at real budget examples with facilitators.

14. Artist Responsibility If awarded funding, artists are responsible for: Prompt and professional communication with Precipice Fund staff. Financial accountability(spending of funds as outlined in budget) Submission of a brief project summary by end of grant period- 10% of funds will be distributed following project completion. Periodic contribution of written summaries and images for Precipice Fund website, blog, and publicity outlets Any tax burden incurred from grant income. To help mitigate the tax burden on any one applicant, the Precipice Fund can divide distribution of total grant monies among any or all collaborators on the grant (e.g., if a project with five collaborators is awarded $5,000, we could pay each collaborator $1,000). Awarded artists will be held legally responsible for all events, materials, and outcomes associated with their funded projects.

15. Case Study: Colpa Press Colpa Press (San Francisco) 2012 Alternative Exposure Grant www.colpapress.com Colpa Press’s Edicola is a repurposed Market Street newsstand selling independently produced artists’ books, prints, and albums. Colpa Press will continue to support independent publishing through a new residency for commissioned artists to install work in Edicola and adjacent newspaper dispensers; design, print, and distribute publications; create limited edition prints; and continue production of monthly newspaper Gazzetta. This is an example of a grant that supports the general operating expenses of an existing program to enable it to launch new projects and continue ongoing work.

16. Case Study: Colpa Press Basic eligibility criteria met: Collaborative (Colpa Press is a collective operation) Unincorporated (not a 501(c)(3) nonprofit or commercial enterprise) Visual art (supports publishing of and about visual art and artists) Based within geographicboundaries (Bay Area) Public component (public engagement via streetside presence) Funding priorities met: Innovative and experimental in its presentation and publication Artist-run/artist-driven/artist-centric Opportunity for local artists (publication, residency, exhibition, sales) Contributes to vibrancy of local arts community Unconventional or non-traditional site/venue/setting Breaks from established notions, models, forms of practice/presentation Develops/diversifies audiences (art in a familiar public context) Contributes to local critical, intellectual, and creative depth

17. Case Study: Hacking for Artists Nick Lally, Hacking for Artists 2012 Alternative Exposure Grant www.nicklally.com/hacks-present-and-future A series of collaborative workshops to introduce artists to computer programming and electronics basics. Workshops employ hands-on approaches as artists develop their own projects while learning about open-source programming and electronics tools. The program will explore various hacking research methodologies that will allow participants to continue to develop their programming skills after the workshops. This is an example of a grant that supports a specific project/program of a collaborative group of artists.

18. Case Study: Hacking for Artists Basic eligibility criteria met: Collaborative(workshops are designed and presented collaboratively) Unincorporated(not a 501(c)(3) nonprofit or commercial enterprise) Visual art (of, by, and for visual artists) Based within geographicboundaries (Bay Area) Public component (workshops are public) Funding priorities met: Innovative or experimental in its presentation Artist-run/artist-driven/artist-centric Opportunity for local artists (education and project support) Contributes to vibrancy of local arts community Unconventional or non-traditional site/venue/setting (artist-run spaces) Breaks from established notions, models, forms of practice/presentation (both workshop topics and that this exchange is an art project in itself) Contributes to local critical, intellectual, and creative depth

19. 2013 Dates & Deadlines Thursday, April 4th Information Session, 6-7:30 PM at PICA Saturday, May 4th Information Session, 1:00-2:30 PM at PICA Budget Workshop, 2:30-4:00 PM at PICA Thursday, June 27th Information Session, 6-7:30 PM at PICA Saturday, July 27th Information Session, 1:00-2:30 PM at PICA Budget Workshop, 2:30-4:00 PM at PICA Friday, August 2nd Submissions open on CaFé (www.callforentry.org) Friday, October 18th: Submissions close at 10:59 PM (PST) at CaFé Notifications to applicants, award announcements, funds distribution, and grantee gathering/orientation will take place over late Nov./early Dec.

20. For More Information Precipice Fund Roya Amirsoleymani, Program Coordinator precipice@pica.org precipicefund.org(from here, you can download application guidelines and sign up for the Precipice Fund e-newsletter) Ifneeded, please email uswithquestions or to set up a phone meeting. Warhol Regional Regranting Program warholfoundation.org (under “Grants and Programs”) CaFé: www.callforentry.org Sister Funds (take a look at successful past grantees!) Alternative Exposure (San Francisco): soex.org/alternativeexposure/ Propeller Fund (Chicago): propellerfund.org The Idea Fund (Houston): theideafund.org Rocket Grants (Kansas City): rocketgrants.org