FAQ

Propeller FAQs

Q
If the proposed project has already commenced, can images from the project in progress be submitted in the application?

A
Yes, but bear in mind that The Propeller Fund does not provide grants to “finish” projects, such as creating documentation or finalizing outstanding invoices.

Q
When submitting work as an independent curator should I submit images of my own artwork, images of past curatorial projects or images of artwork by the artists I’m interested in working with?

A
When submitting proposals as a curator showing evidence of past curatorial work is an asset. Images of the work to be presented are also helpful, or, if unavailable, images that represent the style or type of work under consideration for the project will help illustrate the proposal. Images of your own artwork are not recommended unless those images relate directly to the project proposed.

Q
Do you have to include CV’s of artists in a prospective exhibition?

A
True collaborators are the only bios necessary, participants are not.

Q
I see that students are not eligible for The Propeller Fund, can there be students involved in the project at any level – as collaborators or participants?

A
Projects cannot be in progress when the lead applicant or more than 33% of the project’s collaborators are enrolled as students.

Q
Are projects that engage students at K-12 level eligible?

A
Yes. This is the exception to the “student” rule.

Q
Our collective incorporated in order to get a bank account, are we no longer eligible?

A
The Propeller Fund does not fund officially licensed, commercial businesses. If as a group or collective you have made steps towards incorporation for banking or administrative purposes but are NOT a commercial or 501(c)3 entity, you are still eligible.

Q
Do you have to have a special bank account to receive this grant?

A
No. Money will be disbursed to lead applicant, with the check made out to their name. That applicant will be responsible for any taxes on the award.

Q
What if our proposed project eventually makes money, through ticket sales or the sale of merchandise? Are we no longer eligible?

A
The Propeller Fund is seed money for a variety of artistic endeavors, many of which we’d like to see outlive the grant we provide. If those endeavors eventually “make” money or generate revenue, they are not disqualified from eligibility now.

Q
Can collaborators or participants in the proposed project live outside of Cook County?

A
Yes. As long as the lead applicant and the project itself lives/occurs within Cook County, the project is eligible.

Q
What kind of travel can be supported by The Propeller Fund?

A
The Propeller Fund does not support travel for research but can be used to cover expenses for presenter travel necessary to the project.

Q
Can The Propeller Fund be used to offset expenses incurred for projects hosted by other organizations?

A
Funded projects can be presented at a variety of venues and organizations throughout the county who may be providing some additional support, however, the fund is not provided to cover production costs that should be covered by another host organization who made an explicit invitation to the applicant(s) to present work at their venue or as part of the host organization’s regular program.

Q
What if the host venue is a 501(c)3?

A
If your non-501(c)3 is presenting your project at a number of spaces which may include 501(c)3 sites, you may apply, but the funds cannot make-up support the host should provide.

Q
Is there an intention to show the projects after funding at administrating organizations?

A
The fund is not a finder project for programming at either Gallery 400 or threewalls.

Q

Is there a minimum number of participants that must be included in a
project for eligibility?



A
Two. A project may have only one applicant, with no listed collaborators,
but at least two individuals must provide content, as either subject of or presenters in, the final public presentation.

Q
What is the deadline to execute funded projects?

A
When making your application to The Propeller Fund use the timeline to illustrate your long-term planning for execution of your project - from planning, production to presentation. The project itself must commence development within the year the grant is awarded (and may continue beyond that). Public presentation should occur within a reasonable time frame and should be indicated on the timeline.

Q
Do you have to be a U.S. citizen to apply?

A
The lead applicant must have a social security number to receive payment of the award. Additional collaborators and/or participants may be foreign nationals.

Q
How should applicants approach their proposed budget? Should all applicants apply for $6000.00?

A
Proposals are assessed based on past work, ambition and feasibility. Be honest about your budget in order to meet that criteria.

Q
Are applicants expected to request only a portion of their total budget or can all of the funds required be requested from the Fund?

A
Applicants can apply for all or part of their total project budget.

Q
What are the reporting requirements?

A
Our reporting is based on archiving and documenting. While we do not require itemized financial reports for the disbursement of funds, we do want to see updates on the progress of the proposed project.

Q
Can web-based projects have scope beyond the Cook County region?

A
Web-based projects should both have home in and primarily serve the Cook County region.

Q
When listing proposed venues in the application, do they have to be confirmed?

A
Although confirmed venues illustrate a more feasible project, The Propeller Fund understands that circumstances change. List proposed venues that you have had some communication with, however we understand that presentation at these locations may be subject to change.

Q
Define single author?

A
Here some examples that may help clarify:

(1) Mr. Art is a painter who wants to organize a public exhibition of his work, is he eligible?
No, he is not. Mr. Art is the single author of both the artwork and the subject of the presentation itself.
(2) Mr. Art is a painter who wants to organize a public exhibition of artwork by other painters, is he eligible?
Yes, he is. Although Mr. Art is the only curator of this event, multiple authors are being represented in the final public presentation.

(3) The Art Group is a collective who does intervention work together under the name “The Art Group.” They want to do a new intervention, as The Art Group, in Chicago, are they eligible?
No. The Art Group’s interventions are their artwork of which they are sole author. Like Mr. Art, they would be the author of both the work and the subject of the presentation.

(4) The Art Group is a collective who does intervention work together under the name “The Art Group” but are interested in editing and publishing a book about Chicago interventions by various authors, are they eligible?
Yes, they are. Although The Art Group would be the editor or author of this book, the subject is multiple artists or authors.