Application Form Eligible organizations are invited to submit applications for the Foundation's Creation of New Work grant program. Please review our guidelines and procedures before submitting your application.
Applicants should contact the Executive Director before submitting an application. You may be asked to provide a brief written description of the project before being invited to submit a full application.
We are accepting Creation of New Work applications for both Performing and Visual Arts projects this year.
2023 applications are due by 11:59pm on February 1st, May 1st, August 1st and November 1st.
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.
Eligibility Quiz Is your organization a 501(c)3 nonprofit?* Unfortunately - only organizations that are registered with the IRS as 501(c)3 nonprofits are eligible to apply for funding.
Without your 501(c)3 status, you are not eligible to apply for funding.
Contact the Foundation if you have questions about your IRS status.
Great! At the end of this application we will ask you to upload a PDF copy of your 501(c)3 determination letter.
According to your 501(c)3 letter, in what town is your official office located?* Please select one.
Great! Your organization is located inside our priority geographic area.
Where will your project be performed or exhibited?* Please select one. If performing in multiple locations, provide details in your narrative.
Great! Your project will take place inside our geographic area.
Your project will take place outside our priority geographic area.
While you may still be eligible to submit an application, be aware that support for projects not within our priority funding area is extremely limited.
You may wish to contact the Executive Director to discuss.
Unfortunately - the Foundation will not consider support for projects that take place outside our area of geographic focus.
You are not eligible to apply for this project.
Review our guidelines if you have questions about our geographic limitations. Contact the Foundation if you have additional questions.
In which town does the artist live and/or work?* Please select one. If multiple locations apply, provide details in your narrative.
Great! Click continue to complete and submit your application.
The Creation of New Work program prioritizes support for local artists in our geographic area.
While you may still be eligible to submit an application, be aware that support for projects not within our priority funding area is extremely limited.
You may wish to contact the Executive Director to discuss.
Application Form Please answer the following questions about your organization and the project for which you are seeking support.
We encourage you to submit this application in one sitting, though you may choose to save your work and return later to complete your submission. Be certain to review our application instructions , before you begin.
Before submitting, make certain you have included all required information. Once you submit this form you will not be able to return to the application.
All fields are required * unless otherwise noted.
Contact and Background Information Organization Name*
Organization's IRS Tax ID #*
Principal Contact Name* First Last
Title*
Email*
Phone*
Address* Website (If available)
Amount requested this application* What amount are you requesting today? maximum is $20,000
Requests for the Creation of New Work program may not exceed $20,000.
Reduce the requested amount or you will not be able to submit this application.
What is the organization’s mission/vision statement?*
Provide a brief history of your organization and its activities.*
Describe the demographics of your audience/people served by your activities.* Include percentages of populations served.
Describe your organization's governance.* Include information about frequency of board meetings and record of attendance. Also indicate what percent make personal financial contributions to your organization. Be sure to indicate any substantial change to your leadership since the last time you applied.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion The Foundation values diversity, equity, and inclusion in the organizations we fund. The composition of an applicant's board will be a major consideration as the foundation evaluates grant applications. Organizations funded by the Foundation, must be able to demonstrate their commitment to DEI.
In the field below it is essential that you describe the diversity of your board; YOU MUST include percentages with respect to gender race and ethnicity.
Describe the diversity of your board.*
What percentage of your board makes personal financial contributions to your organization?*
Detail any changes since your last application.* Be sure to note significant changes to board, leadership, organizational structure, strategic direction, financial condition or mission.
Project Information Project Name*
Project Description* Detail the project’s core artistic concept, provide detailed information on the artist(s) and the design of the collaboration. Include information on key personnel directly involved.
What does the organization hope to accomplish in undertaking this project?* What is the anticipated result of this collaboration and how will it be presented to the public?
How does this project fit into the larger context of the organization?* What is the anticipated impact on the organization? On the artist? On the community?
The applicant acknowledges that the project cannot start before January 1, 2022 and must be completed by December 31, 2023.* Project start/opening* MM slash DD slash YYYY
Project end/closing* MM slash DD slash YYYY
Creation of New Work funding is targetted to a specific two year period. If your project dates occur outside the January 1, 2022 and December 31, 2023 limits contact the Foundation to discuss your project eligibility.
Project venue* The name of the space where this project will take place.
Project town The town or towns where this project will take place.
Admission fees, attendance, and activity details* What fees will be charged? Estimate total attendance including PAID and COMP tickets. Indicate number of performances/days open to the public.
How do you intend to promote/market this project?
How is your organization going to use Roberts funding?*
How will Roberts support be recognized?*
Defining Excellence and Evaluation Criteria What is your organization’s definition of artistic excellence?* How do both your organization and the proposed project meet that definition?
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 this project be evaluated?* Describe what measures of success you will use when assessing this project's effectiveness.
Required Attachments Each requested item should be attached as a separate document. If a document includes materials for more than one item, you should separate the materials and attach each item separately.
Attach documents as indicated below. Only documents in PDF format can be uploaded.
Cover letter* The cover letter must clearly state that the request is for the Creation of New Work Initiative, summarize the core artistic idea of the project, state the amount requested and when it is needed. It must be signed by the Executive Director or Board President of the sponsoring organization.
Board list* A list of officers and Board members with titles and addresses.
IRS 501(c)3 determination letter* The letter your organization received from the IRS when you applied for nonprofit status.
Financial statement* Most recent annual financial statement (audited, if available) or your most recent 990.
Last year operational budget* Showing budget and final figures for the last completed fiscal year.
Current year operational budget* Showing operational budget and year-to-date figures for the current fiscal year.
Balance sheet* A current balance sheet for the organization (within three months).
Project year operational budget (optional) IF AVAILABLE, include the proposed operational budget for the year in which the project will take place.
Project budget* Showing all sources of income and expense for this project, as well as amounts and status of grants and other contributions being sought.
Artist(s)-Related Materials A curriculum vitae, artist’s statement, works samples and any other concise information are vital to the review process, but please keep samples to a minimum. Work samples should relate as closely as possible to the proposed project and show that the artist has the ability to execute the project. The project should in some way advance the artist’s work.
You may include up to 3 (three) documents for each fo the following:
Only documents in PDF format can be uploaded.
Artist’s (s’) Curriculum Vitae* Include education, work history, website and awards, commissions and recognitions. You may include up to 3 (three) PDFs.
Artist’s (s’) Statement* Should include how the artist describes his or her goals and vision for the project and describes how the project will advance his or her work. You may include up to 3 (three) PDFs.
Work Samples in PDF Format Work samples in PDF format (here) or links (next field) are preferred, however, you may submit a CD or DVD if necessary. You may include up to 3 (three) PDFs.
Work Samples (links to other sites) Include links showing artist work samples. Do not provide commentary or descriptive text. LINKS ONLY - PLEASE!
Additional Attachments If available, attach documents as indicated below. Only documents in PDF format can be uploaded.
Does your organization produce an annual report?* An annual report is a formal report to stakeholders, documenting your organization's activities and finances in the previous financial year.
Annual report* Attach your annual report now.
Has your organization adopted a strategic plan?* A strategic plan is a formal summary of your long-term goals and the actions you will use to achieve them.
Strategic plan* Attach your strategic plan now.
Other materials? This is optional! You may attach other materials - artist biographies, lists of exhibitions, etc. Limit of 3 items - each no more than 4MB in size.
Anything Else? Please Note The Foundation carefully examines your organization's financial health and management in considering its decision. Include any comments or clarifications about your financial status in the space below. You may also use this space to add any comments or information you would like to share to help us evaluate your application.
This is optional! This is optional!
Final Check List Before you submit this application, please complete this final check list.
Have you contacted the Executive Director by email or phone to discuss this proposal?* You may complete the submission of your application, however you are strongly encouraged to contact the Executive Director .
Is your cover letter signed by your senior executive? on your letterhead? with your official office address?* 
