Art Grants
Kiwiburn Art Grants information for 2010 now available.
Kiwiburn Art Grant Programme general information (.pdf available here).
(KB09 art grant information available as .pdf here)
Based on the Burning Man Art Grant programme, there will be a small number of grants available for the purpose of partially funding specific art projects at Kiwiburn. These grants will be awarded primarily for interactive art that is based on this years’ art theme, although a portion of the grant budget will be available for non-theme art.
We look for work that stands on its own as sculptural installation, independent of performances or activities, although these may accompany the installation. We do not fund performance art. We do not fund domes, tents, teepees or stages and ask that if your project must be contained in a structure, it be handmade and related to its contents. We do not fund art cars, but we sometimes fund mobile art - sculptures that move and do not resemble a car. We do not fund theme camps.
Here are some answers to some questions you may have:
How many grants are awarded?
Kiwiburn Inc will be funding the art grant programme for the 2010 festival with a minimum of $2000 (amount still to be confirmed). We are still finalising the amount of funds available and should have a final amount by 30 July.
When may I apply for a grant?
The extended deadline for KB10 Art Grants proposals is 5pm, 31st October 2009. We prefer you to email your proposal to kbarts@googlegroups.com. If this method isn't possible for you, please refer to the Art Grants Guide for the best alternative.
When will I know if I've been awarded a grant?
Final decisions will be made by November 2009, and you will be notified as soon as practically possible once the decisions have been made.
Should I be awarded a grant, how much will I receive?
The amount awarded will vary between each project. However, grants normally pay for only a portion of production costs. We pay for material costs, but not for time/labour. Artists should be ready to seek out and show proof of other methods and sources of funding. As a matter of policy, we also prefer that you develop various kinds of non-monetary resources. We believe that such an effort on your part encourages collaboration and cooperation within our extended community.
How much money should I ask for?
This depends on the size and complexity of your project. We would like to support as many projects as possible so please keep your request to a sensible amount that will allow others to share in the total budget.
When and how will I receive money?
This will also vary with particular projects.
What are your criteria for awarding grants?
Interactivity with people and the environment.
Interactive art is our particular obsession. Interactive work convenes society around itself. It generates roles. It provokes actions. It directs attention to the surrounding world. It transforms participants into active contributors to your creative process. It transcends the static conception of an art object that is contemplated by a detached audience.
Interaction may be achieved in variety of ways. Sometimes, the mere act of encounter is sufficient, as in the case of work spread out within a special field of space participants explore. Artwork may impart a gift or token. Likewise, works may be designed to receive something from people.
Works may be activated by participants or by forces of nature, or they may function as social environments. Interactive artworks may also be made mobile, bringing an experience to passers by. When art is placed within an interactive environment like Kiwiburn, participants will invent unexpected forms of interaction, and you should be prepared for this.
However, with planning, we have found nearly any form of conventional art can be engendered with an interactive aspect.
Presenting your art for consideration
We’d like you to submit good, clear drawings (plans, elevations, whatever, not just a bit torn off a pizza box), and photos of any prototype models proving that your piece will 'work' (if it's mechanical or technical) to the Art Grants Committee. Doesn’t have to be whizzy bang, created using software from Weta – we want your idea communicated to us simply, clearly and succinctly. And include a written explanation of your concept, including how it's interactive, and (if related to theme) how it relates to the theme.
Budget
Provide a realistic idea of how much your art will cost. Consider if you’d still be able make it without a grant – we hope you’d want to. And itemise materials to be used – and where they will be procured. Think about if you have to import something and the possibility of it not arriving before the festival. We want to see how resourceful you are, so consider sourcing free stuff from inorganic collections, the dump etc.
Transportation
Consider the logistics of transporting your art vs building your art on site, and include this as part of your proposal. Kiwiburn are concerned about carbon emissions and the environment, and the impact we make.
Time
An indication of the time required to build (if on site) and how many people would be needed would be useful.
The thoroughness of your proposal
WE WILL NOT REVIEW INCOMPLETE PROPOSALS.
Your proposal must include the following:
1. Cover Sheet: Artist name, address, phone, email and title of artwork.
2. Physical Description: including dimensions, materials, and sound component (if any).
3. Philosophical Statement: What the art means to you and what you are trying to communicate to participants. PLEASE BE BRIEF.
4. Itemised budget: list all expenses for material costs, including transportation. Research your costs carefully and be specific. Do not list "contingency costs" or "artist's fee" as we do not cover those expenses. We fund material costs only. You must total your costs and give us a final number.
5. Do you have an adequate crew to build, install and clean up your project? Please describe your support team as it relates to the creation of the art, playa support and dismantling/cleanup. Describe the roles and skills needed even if you do not have a complete crew at this time.
6. Timeline – PRE-EVENT construction schedule that reflects your budget e.g., when materials will be purchased, when stages of construction will be completed, etc. Grants are distributed in instalments, which will relate to your schedule. ON-PADDOCK schedule with arrival and construction plan.
7. Leave No Trace: A well thought out breakdown and clean-up plan and schedule. YOU MAY NOT LEAVE ANYTHING ON THE PADDOCK. A performance deposit will be withheld from your grant until after the event. Several steps must be taken in order to receive the performance deposit:
• The artwork must be ready on the opening day of the event.
• You must Leave No Trace.
• You must check out before leaving the paddock.
• If your site is not clean, or if you do not complete the checkout process, this amount will be withheld.
8. Detailed drawings, sketches, and plans, hand-drawn or computer generated. You may also send maquettes or photographs of them with your proposal. No maquettes/models can be dropped off without an appointment, and none may be dropped off on or after the deadline. PLEASE LIMIT YOUR PROPOSAL TO 5 PAGES MAXIMUM.
9. Kiwiburn, the NZ Government and your mum would like you to be safe!
Because of this, Kiwiburn has to meet some basic safety requirements. This applies to unfunded art and theme camps as well as to funded art. We try to keep the compliance paperwork to a minimum, but there are a few things that need to be said.
If your art is clearly going to have safety issues, like a simulated nuclear explosion, then we will need a comprehensive safety plan. Let the art team know as soon as possible, and we will work with you and Dr Windy, the Safety Goddess, to make a plan.
If the project has any potential safety issues, including the use of any flame/fire effects, heights above 2m, anything that goes on the lake or anything people will climb on or into, then we will also need a plan. This might be very simple, and we have a standard form. Indicate this on your grant application, or contact the art team, and we'll get you sorted.
If your artwork utilises OPEN FIRE such as candles, torches, fire barrels, or raised containers, please describe in detail. If your artwork is to be burnt then it will need to be moved or carried to the main burn platform where the Man will be burnt as we will have only one main burn area.
If your artwork utilises FLAME EFFECTS, flames that are automated, switched, pressurised or having any other action than simply being lit on fire, including propane or liquid fuels, describe in detail. Include a detailed drawing of fuel lines and tanks.
If your art is obviously safe, like a smallish sculpture, we still need a safety checklist to make sure you've thought of everything, and we'll need this before paying out grants/installation at the paddock.
Don't be put off by this -– in most cases it's really a really straightforward process.
You must submit your proposal electronically, even if you also mail or drop off a physical version* of your proposal. Please use Word or PDF files for documents of manageable size – up to 10mb, or put your proposal on a URL and send us ONE URL for all of your files. Please do not send attachments without contact information. Do not send a separate attachment for each component. A PDF with your complete proposal on it is the preferred way to apply. A website with all info on ONE page is also acceptable. Why? Because all proposals are printed out, in multiples, for the art grant committee to read. Please make it easy on us!
Send your completed proposal ONLY ONCE – wait until it is final to send. Do not send multiple iterations with revisions, additions, etc. ONE PROPOSAL ONLY, PLEASE.
Please email ONE proposal to kbarts@googlegroups.com. The subject line must be the name of your project. Do not cc anyone; all members of the grant committee are on the Art Grants address.
* Please contact the Kiwiburn Art Grants committee via email to arrange the best and most appropriate delivery of non-digital drawings and maquettes.
What other benefits or help can I receive from Kiwiburn?
Aside from the essential spiritual satisfaction gained from creating your work, as well as showing it and sharing it with hundreds of very enthusiastic people, Kiwiburn can also furnish you with other opportunities. We are willing to provide you with support materials if you wish to approach outside agencies or suppliers for assistance.
Be sure to photograph your work! At the event, photographers, amateur and professional, may also photograph your work. These may appear in our Image Gallery and in the art listings on our website.
Kiwiburn is also a fertile meeting ground for artists and patrons of the arts. Although vending is strictly disallowed at the event, artists at Kiwiburn are free to encounter potential clients for their work in an environment free of agents, dealers or any of the other professional intermediaries who are normally interpose themselves in the creative process. Kiwiburn is a radically unmediated environment and can yield unique opportunities.
While on the paddock, our volunteer staff will assist you in placing your art at its assigned location. Although we prefer that you remain completely self-sufficient, the MPW (Ministry of Public Works) can assist you if needed. All requests for this support should be included in your proposal.