CAH selects arts, humanities, subject matter experts, and/or other professionals independent of CAH, such as project partners, to serve as advisory review panelists for each grant program. The role of a panelist is to review and score an eligible application's content based on the established grant program review criteria. According to the grant program, panelists participate in a group review of CAH grant applications to discuss and comment on the merits of and opportunities to strengthen applications as well as finalize their application-related scores in the presence of CAH staff and Commissioner Conveners.
CAH staff, Commissioner Conveners, and panelists remain impartial in their review of CAH grant applications. CAH ensures that all involved recuse themselves from the review of any application that presents a personal or professional conflict of interest (or the appearance of a conflict of interest). CAH makes the final determination regarding artist selection.
CAH's grant application evaluation process considers general standards of decency and respect for the diverse beliefs and values of the American public consistent with The National Foundation on the Arts and Humanities Act of 1965, as amended (P.L; 89-209, 20 U.S.C. 951 et seq). For more information regarding the grant review process, please contact Deirdre Darden, Public Art Coordinator, at [email protected]
APPLICATION REVIEW AND SELECTION CRITERIA
All applications will be vetted for:
- Submittal of all required application materials as outlined in this RFA.
- Originality: creativity and uniqueness demonstrated in previous projects.
- Quality and craftsmanship exhibited by past work.
- Demonstrated experience with large-scale exterior mural works, youth engagement, and community-based projects.
Evaluation Criteria
- Artistic Content – 40 %
- The applicant's work samples, and support materials demonstrate high standards of artistic excellence as an exterior, large-scale muralists/designer demonstrating high quality, innovation, and creativity. (15 points)
- Applicant has experience with site-specific, large-scale outdoor murals and uses personnel with demonstrated arts expertise (such as arts administrators or professional artists) to plan and implement artistic content. The Artist's portfolio of work is feasible for this project. (15 points)
- Artist(s) and/or applicant demonstrate the ability to translate artistic discipline to project participants (elementary school-age youth). (10 points)
- Community Engagement and Impact – 30%
- Applicant demonstrates sensitivity to the cultural, ethnic, and economic backgrounds of the participants and the residents of the District of Columbia. (10 points)
- Applicant demonstrates substantive experience working with youth and community representatives. (10 points)
- Applicant demonstrates in previous projects how the meaning, content, and themes of the artwork impacts the intended audience with consideration of culture, age, physical ability, languages spoken, or environment. (10 points)
- Opportunity and Equity – 20%
- The applicant demonstrates how the project could provide shared learning opportunities that facilitate a greater participation in public art, represents the community, and aims to promote a welcoming and inclusive environment. (10 points)
- The applicant demonstrates from previous work evidence of intentionality engaging a diverse audience based on culture, age, physical ability, or languages spoken in planning and implementation. (10 points)
- Capacity and Sustainability – 10 %
- The applicant is sufficiently stable, in terms of arts expertise, organizational capacity, and financial status to implement the proposed project. (5 points)
- The applicant has experience in producing similar public art projects and demonstrates the capacity to administer the project and has appropriate financial monitoring systems in place to track expenditures. (5 points)
Successful Applications
Submit all required documents. Previous work samples illustrate artistic excellence in large-scale exterior mural, youth engagement, and community-based projects. Consider how the applicant’s qualifications connect to the project goals.
View Background Check <— | —> View Grant Application Process