Arts & Humanities Touring Program Grants, Adjudication Process Opening Soon

You don’t have to look far in Michigan to find someone involved with the Arts & Humanities Touring Directory. Whether you are a performer or event organizer who relies on the directory to find quality programming, the directory is a hit amongst all.

A joint project between the Michigan Humanities Council and Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, the touring directory is an online database featuring nearly 200 scholars, performers and visual artists.

Come September, the Arts & Humanities Touring Program will begin accepting applications for inclusion in the 2013-15 directory, as well as grant applications from school and community nonprofits hoping to host these touring artists.

Touring Grants Available Soon for Nonprofits

Beginning Sept. 1, Michigan nonprofits may begin applying for grant opportunities through the Touring program for any event scheduled between Oct. 1, 2011 and Sept. 30, 2012. These grants are awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis.

“Over the years, we have applied for 18 grants, and received 15 I believe, which has made it affordable for us to operate and have good talent,” said Norma Neve at the Northport Community Arts Center. “We have also used the touring directory to bring programs to the Northport Public School students.”

Though touring grants directly benefit the awarded organization, it also means that one more touring artist or scholar will earn income showcasing their passion for the arts and humanities.

“I have been a proud and honored touring artist for the Michigan Humanities Council since 1996,” said storyteller Jenifer Strauss of Story Be Told Productions. “Because of the Humanities Council grants, I have been able to share the traditional art of storytelling with audiences who may not have had arts and performance opportunities.”

Nonprofits may request up to 40 percent of performer, presenter, or exhibitor fees and travel expenses, but may not exceed $3,000. The organization may not submit more than four grant applications, or request more than $4,000 in a fiscal year (Oct. 1 to Sept. 30).

Grant applications must be postmarked four weeks prior to the start of the event. For more information on the touring grants, including application forms, please visit www.michiganhumanities.org, call (517) 372-7770 or email contact@mihumanities.org.

Councils Prepare for Upcoming Artist Adjudication

Schools, libraries, museums and the like often use the touring directory as their one-stop shop for identifying authentic and highly qualified artists and scholars. Full of musicians, artists, storytellers, tradition bearers and scholars, the directory provides a way for participating organizations and schools to find performers who have already been vetted by experts.

There is no lack of humanities passion when you dive into the touring directory. When asked to share their experience being featured in the directory and of the adjudication process, here’s what a few performers, artists and storytellers had to say:

“I really like that in one fell swoop, interested presenters can see the big variety of quality humanities artists in Michigan and select who they feel meets their needs. I also have always loved taking my Michigan and Lighthouse programs to rural areas where the community doesn’t get exposed to the arts often enough. Without exception, they’re excellent audiences, and it’s the touring arts grants that make those appearances possible.”
~Kitty Donohoe, musician, in the directory for several years

“I’ve gotten dozens of jobs simply by the exposure the directory creates. I think the prescreening process is an important aspect of the qualification process. With tighter and tighter budgets, organizations can’t afford to gamble on acts that haven’t been proven in one way or another. The directory is a great source of entertainment for entertainment buyers. Even if a client chooses not to use the available grant money, it provides a valuable resource for organizations.”
~Doug Scheer of Scheer Genius Assembly Shows, featured in the directory for 12 years.

“Having been listed in the directory for many years, I enjoy the variety of presentation sites that the Humanities Council supports. From libraries to schools to festivals and retirement centers, and many other sites. I also enjoy the opportunity to constantly make people aware of the Michigan Humanities Council, the staff that works there and the variety of support and presentations they provide to the Michigan public.”
~Michael Deren, storyteller The Past In Person, listed in the directory since 1990.

Would you like to apply for adjudication and possible inclusion in the directory? Check these helpful hints:

• Your media sample should be a good-quality performance DVD that is audible and elicits audience response and interaction
• Be sure to complete the entire application, most importantly the references page.

A listing in Michigan’s Arts & Humanities Touring Directory is not an endorsement by the Michigan Humanities Council or the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, nor are the councils responsible for program content and/or incorrect information.

If you have questions on the touring directory, visit www.michiganhumanities.org, call (517) 372-7770 or email contact@mihumanities.org.