Grant Guidelines
Visual Artist Compensation Policy
Application Procedures
Application Form
Reporting Requirements
Grants Awarded
Why the Arts?
From its Gilded Age to present day, Hartford’s arts community has created a quality of life that resonates throughout the Capitol Region. Ned and Sunny Roberts recognized how important the arts are to maintaining the vitality of their beloved city, and 60 years ago created a foundation that would ensure Hartford’s rich cultural heritage thrived for generations.
Today the foundation is unique in its commitment to support the arts for arts’ sake, and to achieve this mission, the organization seeks to fund exceptional aesthetic experiences that reflect, celebrate and elevate the human spirit.
Grant Guidelines
For first time applicants, the executive director may wish to schedule a site visit.
For particularly large requests ($25,000 or more), it is recommended that the initial contact be made well in advance of the application. In these cases, a short (one to two page) project description may be requested prior to submission of a full application.
A post grant report for your most recent Roberts Foundation grant must be on file before we will consider another proposal. If you have not sent in your final report, you may submit it as an attachment to your application.
Geographic Area Served
In regard to Excellence in the Arts grants, the foundation limits funding to organizations located in Hartford County, and gives priority to arts nonprofits in the following cities and towns:
Hartford, Bloomfield, East Hartford, Farmington, New Britain, Newington, South Windsor, West Hartford, Wethersfield, Windsor
Organizations located in towns contiguous to these may be considered, but are advised to discuss their application with the executive director prior to submission.
Eligibility
- Only organizations that are exempt from Federal income tax under provision 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code may apply
- Organizations are limited to one application per calendar year unless advised differently by executive director
- The foundation must have received a final report on any previous grant before a new request will be considered
- After several successive years of grants, an organization may be requested to take a year off
What will not be funded
- Requests for endowment, general operating, scholarships, or requests from individuals
- Projects that have already occurred or are underway at the time the board considers the application (see below for meeting dates)
- Events or activities that will occur within 90 days of the application due date
- Proposals that use a fiscal agent or a pass-through organization
- Proposals from public schools or school foundations.
Deadlines and Decisions
Your application to the foundation should be initiated with a telephone call or email to the executive director to discuss the proposed project.
For first time applicants, the executive director may wish to schedule a site visit.
Applications are considered quarterly. 2023 deadlines include:
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Applications should be submitted with required attachments by 11:59 p.m. on the deadline date.
The board will meet on the following dates in 2023:
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Organizations will be notified of the board’s decision shortly after the meeting.
Information Required
DOWNLOAD THE INSTRUCTIONS AS A PDF
Questions
You will be asked to answer the following questions:
- Contact Information
- Organization’s IRS Tax Identification Number
- Amount Requested
- What is the organization’s mission/vision statement?
- Project Description including activity details, dates, venue, admission fees and attendance goals.
- How will you promote/market the project?
- How will Roberts Foundation support be recognized?
- What is your organization’s definition of artistic excellence?
- How does this project align with that definition, and how does it advance your mission?
- How will your audience and the community benefit from this project?
- How will the project be evaluated?
Attachments
You will be asked to attach the following documents:
- Cover Letter – on organization letterhead with official address and signed by your executive director or board President
- Board List‡
- IRS 501(c)3 Determination Letter‡
- Financial Statement or Audit‡
- Previous Year Operational Budget‡
- Current Year Operational Budget
- Balance Sheet
- Project Budget
- Annual Report (if your organization produces one)
- Strategic Plan (if your organization has one)
- Final Report (if not yet submitted)
Items marked ‡ are NOT required for current grantees applying for $5,000 or less. However, these applicants will be asked to detail any significant changes to the organization’s structure, leadership, board, strategic direction or mission.
Only applications submitted using our online application will be considered. Materials delivered, mailed or emailed to the foundation will not be considered.
Visual Artist
Compensation Policy
In keeping with its commitment to Excellence in the Arts, the foundation is establishing a Visual Artist Compensation Policy to ensure that visual artists are fairly compensated for their work as are artists in the other genres we fund. As of February 1, 2022, all applicant organizations must disclose how featured visual artists will be financially compensated.
In addition, the foundation will encourage applicant organizations to allocate Roberts’ funding towards visual artist compensation. We believe this policy will elevate the quality of work presented as well as the artistic experience for all.
The Roberts Foundation’s new Visual Artist Compensation Policy:
- All living visual artists must be compensated as part of the venue’s program budget as submitted with the application. Roberts’ funding may not be used to compensate the estates or trusts of deceased artists.
- Compensation will not be required for artists whose work has been previously purchased and is on loan for an exhibit from a museum or private collection.
- Artists must be compensated regardless of the opportunity to sell their work.
- A presenting venue may not consider expenses such as framing, shipping, insurance, posters, printed catalog, etc. as compensation. In addition, support services such as marketing, hospitality and hanging a show are not to be considered compensation.
- As of 2022, Roberts will focus funding on professional visual artists and/or those with a documented history of producing the highest quality work. In keeping with our policy in regards to performing arts, we will not fund “beginners,” students or community projects. Applications must include digital images of the artists’ work to be considered.
- Roberts will not fund juried shows where artists must pay an entry fee to be considered.
- This compensation policy does not extend to touring shows where the contractual arrangement predates application to the foundation. However, if the board believes that the artists in such a show are not being properly compensated or recognized, it may decide to not fund the exhibition.
- As part of its application, The Roberts Foundation will ask if an organization has a visual artist compensation policy, and if so, to detail the policy.
- If an artist voluntarily defers a fee or donate works for a Roberts-funded event, the foundation will require the organization to issue an official acknowledgement stating the appropriate value for the artist to use for tax purposes.
- If an arts organization chooses not to compensate artists appropriately, the board may elect to decline their application. If an organization can demonstrate why it cannot accommodate appropriate compensation, the board may renegotiate the grant amount in order to fund appropriate artist compensation.
- Appropriate compensation may vary between solo shows and group exhibitions. The foundation, at this time, will not specify an exact amount of compensation and will allow venues to determine fair and reasonable compensation commensurate with the artist’s experience, number of works on view, standing in the market, etc.
Application Procedures
01
Research
Please review our grant guidelines and procedures before submitting your application to ensure that your organization qualifies for funding. Review the list of application questions and the required attachments and be prepared to provide all of the information requested. Click here to print a PDF of the application questions and required attachments.
02
Reporting Requirements
Complete and submit the post grant report form. You must attach the final budget to actuals for the project. After submitting your final report the system will generate a confirmation email with a code. This code is required to complete your application.
You may send playbills or other collateral material related to the project to our mailing address.
03
Application Form
Eligible organizations are invited to submit applications for the Excellence in the Arts Grants Program. Please review our guidelines and procedures of each grant before submitting your application.
04
Review
After your application is reviewed for completeness, it will be evaluated by the board at its next quarterly board meeting. Organizations will be notified of the board’s decision shortly after the meeting.
01
Research
Please review our grant guidelines and procedures before submitting your application to ensure that your organization qualifies for funding. Review the list of application questions and the required attachments and be prepared to provide all of the information requested. Click here to print a PDF of the application questions and required attachments.
02
Reporting Requirements
Complete and submit the post grant report form. You must attach the final budget to actuals for the project. After submitting your final report the system will generate a confirmation email with a code. This code is required to complete your application.
You may send playbills or other collateral material related to the project to our mailing address.
03
Application Form
Eligible organizations are invited to submit applications for the Excellence in the Arts Grants Program. Please review our guidelines and procedures of each grant before submitting your application.
04
Review Phase
After your application is reviewed for completeness, it will be evaluated by the board at its next quarterly board meeting. Organizations will be notified of the board’s decision shortly after the meeting.
Application Form
Because the foundation limits funding to 501(c)3 arts organizations located in specific communities in Hartford County, we ask that all applicants complete the following eligibility quiz before continuing.
Using the Save and Continue Function If you cannot complete the application in one session, you may save the form and return at a later date to finish it.
To save the form, click “Save and Continue Later.” This will generate a link that you can copy and save, or if you add your email address (recommended), the link will be emailed to you. This link will work for 30 days and will save your progress.
You may use the Save and Continue Later function only once. You must complete the application on your return visit.
Reporting Requirements
The purpose of the final report is to account for the use of the foundation’s funds and to provide the foundation with information as to the success of the project.
It is generally expected that organizations will execute and complete their Excellence in the Arts projects within 12 months of receipt of the grant. Upon completion of the project, a final report must be submitted. No further applications will be considered by the foundation until the project is completed and a final report has been submitted.
In addition to answering the questions in the reporting form below, you must attach the originally-proposed budget and actuals (revenue and expenses). You may send playbills, programs, brochures or other collateral material related to the project to our mailing address.
Grants Awarded
2022
2020
Artist Collective
$10,000
Funding to support the 2020 Jackie McLean Memorial Celebration
Ballet Theatre Company
$6,500
Funding to support Aladdin
Capital Classics
$8,000
Funding to support its annual Shakespeare production – As You Like It
Charter Oak Cultural Center
$8,000
Funding to support two children’s theater productions
Connecticut Chopin Competition
$6,000
Funding to support the 12th Annual Chopin International Piano Competition
Connecticut Choral Artists
$6,000
Funding to support the 2020/2021 Mainstage Concert Series
Connecticut Guitar Society
$5,500
Funding to support 2020/2021 Women and Their Guitar Concert Series
Connecticut Historical Society
$3,600
Funding to support Offrenda video for Dia de los Mertos
Connecticut Summerfest
$5,000
Funding to support the International Contemporary Ensemble residency
Connecticut Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra
$10,000
Funding to support the 2020/2021 Performance Season
CREC/Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts
$5,000
Funding to support the 2020 Choreographers’ Showcase
Elizabeth Park Conservancy
$3,500
Funding to support two summer concerts
First Night Hartford
$12,500
Funding to support artist performances
Free Center
$8,300
Funding to support virtualization info sessions and workshops
Greater Hartford Festival of Jazz, Inc.
$20,000
Funding to support the 2020 Jazz Festival
Hartford Chorale
$12,500
Funding to support Handel’s Messiah! concert
Hartford Jazz Society
$7,500
Funding to support the 2020 Paul Brown Monday Night Jazz Series
Hartford Opera Theater
$5,000
Funding to support New in November
Hartford Performs
$10,000
Funding to support 2020/2021 Education Programs
Hartford Stage
$25,000
Funding to support 2021 production
Hartford Symphony Orchestra
$25,000
Funding to support the 2020/2021 Masterworks Season
Judy Dworin Performance Project
$9,000
Funding to support Colorfields Dance Performance at NBMAA
Music at the Red Door
$2,500
Funding to support the 2020/2021 Concert Season
New Britain Museum of American Art
$15,000
Funding to support Some Day Is Now: Women, Art & Social Change exhibition
New Britain Symphony Orchestra
$5,000
Funding to support the Spring Main Stage Concert
Night Fall
$10,000
Funding to support 2020 Night Fall production
Out Film Festival
$3,000
Funding to support the 2020 CT LGBTQ Film Festival
Rise Up Group
$6,500
Funding to support a Hartford Pop Up Mural Day
Riverfront Recapture
$7,500
Funding to support the 2020 Hartbeat Festival
The Children’s Museum
$6,000
Funding to support Cellobration!
TheaterWorks
$25,000
Funding to support the 2021 summer production
University of St. Joseph
$13,500
Funding to support Let’s Dance: A Season of Celebrating Dance & Movement
Wadsworth Atheneum
$20,000
Funding to support Diversity, Equity, Accessibility and Inclusion Training
West Hartford Art League
$8,000
Funding to support Bus Shelter Murals
Windsor Art Center
$4,000
Funding to support 80 @ 80: The Artwork of Phyllis Small
Hill-Stead Museum
$30,000
Funding to support Bringing Art to Life Capital Campaign
2021
Artists Collective
$10,000
Funding to support the 2021 Jackie McLean Memorial Celebration
Ballet Theatre Company
$10,000
Funding to support The Nutcracker
Capital Classics
$8,000
Funding to support the 2021 Greater Hartford Shakespeare Festival
Connecticut Chopin Competition
$8,000
Funding to support the 13th Annual Chopin International Piano Competition
Connecticut Choral Artists
$10,000
Funding to support The Hebrew Prayer in B Minor
Connecticut Historical Society
$3,100
Funding to support for Dia de los Mertos performances
Connecticut Summerfest
$5,000
Funding to support the Kinsmen Sound Studio Production Support
Connecticut Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra
$12,000
Funding to support the 2021/2022 Performance Season
Greater Hartford Festival of Jazz, Inc.
$20,000
Funding to support the 2021 Jazz Festival
Harriet Beecher Stowe Center
$7,500
Funding to support Judy Dworin’s presentation of Emergence
Hartford Jazz Society
$7,500
Funding to support the 2021 Paul Brown Monday Night Jazz Series
Hartford Performs
$10,000
Funding to support 2021/2022 Education Programs/Artists of Color
Hartford Stage
$25,000
Funding to support Angry, Raucous and Shamelessly Gorgeous
Hartford Symphony Orchestra
$25,000
Funding to support the 2021/2022 Masterworks Season
Music at the Red Door
$3,500
Funding to support the 2021/2022 Concert Season
New Britain Museum of American Art
$20,000
Funding to support 30 Americans exhibition
Night Fall
$10,000
Funding to support 2021 Night Fall production
Out Film Festival
$5,000
Funding to support the 2021 CT LGBTQ Film Festival
Playhouse Theatre Group
$10,000
Funding to support the 2021 Connecticut Shakespeare Festival
Real Art Ways
$15,000
Funding to support The Real Awards and Exhibitions
Revisionist Content Fund
$12,500
Funding to support Surround Space art installation
Rise Up Group
$7,500
Funding to support Asylum Avenue Mural
Riverfront Recapture
$7,500
Funding to support the 2021 Hartbeat Festival
The Bushnell Performing Arts Center
$7,500
Funding to support Jazzicians
TheaterWorks
$25,000
Funding to support Zoeys Perfect Wedding
Times Fool Company
$2,500
Funding to support Romeo and Juliet
University of Hartford/Hartford Art School
$10,000
Funding to support African American Art History Course
Women Composers Festival of Hartford
$8,000
Funding to support 2022 Women Composers Festival of Hartford
Hill-Stead Museum
$40,000
Funding to support Bringing Art to Life Capital Campaign – final installment
2019
Albert Schweitzer Organ Festival
$3,500
Funding to support the 22nd annual Albert Schweitzer Organ Festival
Ballet Theatre Company
$7,500
Funding to support Sleeping Beauty
Bushnell Center for Performing Arts
$7,500
Funding to support the Jazzicians program
Bushnell Park Foundation
$10,000
Funding to support the restoration of the Israel Putnam Statue
Capital Classics
$8,000
Funding to support its annual Shakespeare production – Merry Wives of Windsor
Charter Oak Cultural Center
$8,000
Funding to support two children’s theater productions
CitySingers of Hartford
$4,000
Funding to support the 2019/2020 Concert Season
Connecticut Ballet
$7,500
Funding to support the 2019 Bushnell Performance
Connecticut Blues Society
$10,000
Funding to support 2019 Guitar Under the Stars
Connecticut Chopin Competition
$10,000
Funding to support the 11th Annual Chopin International Piano Competition
Connecticut Choral Artists
$7,500
Funding to support the 2019/2020 Great Performances Concert Series
Connecticut Guitar Society
$5,500
Funding to support 2019/2020 Guitar Masters Series
Connecticut Summerfest
$5,000
Funding to support the Quince Ensemble Residency
Connecticut Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra
$10,000
Funding to support the 2019/2020 Concert & Opera Season
CREC/Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts
$5,000
Funding to support the 2019 Choreographers’ Showcase
Cuatro Puntos
$2,600
Funding to support the Sounds of Persia concert
First Night Hartford
$12,500
Funding to support two Nat Reeves performances
Greater Hartford Festival of Jazz, Inc.
$20,000
Funding to support the 2019 Jazz Festival
Hartford Chorale
$7,500
Funding to support Christmas in the Americas concert
Hartford Independent Chamber Orchestra
$4,500
Funding to support the Hartt Connections 2 concert
Hartford Jazz Society
$7,500
Funding to support the 2019 Paul Brown Monday Night Jazz Series
Hartford Opera Theater.
$5,000
Funding to support New in November
Hartford Performs
$10,000
Funding to support 2019/2020 Education Programs
Hartford Public Library
$6,000
Funding to support three 2019 ArtWalk Exhibitions
Hartford Stage
$30,000
Funding to support Quixote Nuevo and Community Outreach Programs
Hartford Symphony Orchestra
$25,000
Funding to support the 2019/2020 Masterworks Season
Judy Dworin Performance Project
$7,500
Funding to support She Speaks Her Peace
Music at the Red Door
$2,500
Funding to support the 2019/2020 Concert Series
New Britain Museum of American Art
$15,000
Funding to support The Beyond: Georgia O’Keeffe and Contemporary Artists exhibition
Night Fall
$7,500
Funding to support 2019 Night Fall production
Playhouse Theatre Group
$10,000
Funding to support the 2019/2020 Main Stage season
Riverfront Recapture
$7,500
Funding to support Hartbeat Festival
Sonia Plumb Dance Company
$7,500
Funding to support its production of Penelope’s Odyssey
TheaterWorks
$25,000
Funding to support the production of Fun Home
Trinity College
$7,500
Funding to support Alwin Nikolais: A Touchstone for Creativity
University of St. Joseph
$12,000
Funding to support Where Are the Women? exhibition
Windsor Art Center
$3,000
Funding to support Self Preservation: An Artist’s Selfe exhibition
Women Composers Festival of Hartford
$5,000
Funding to support the 2019 Women Composer Festival