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2 <br /> The OCAC grant review and awards process: <br /> 1. The grant application process is typically open for two full months, however, due to delays <br /> caused by COVID-19, this year's application period was open for one month (July 15 — <br /> August 14). Two virtual training sessions took place and the OCAC director was available <br /> for one-on-one meetings. <br /> 2. Due to the impact of COVID-19 on schools, the school application cycle was postponed <br /> until a better idea of how school arts programming would take place during the 2020-21 <br /> school year was obtained. The application cycle for schools was October 30 — November <br /> 13. <br /> 3. After the due date, the OCAC director conducted an initial compliance review. Applications <br /> were checked for insufficient/missing financial documents, missing work samples, and <br /> completion of the correct type of application. Applications found noncompliant are <br /> considered disqualified. <br /> 4. Qualified applications are forwarded to members of each review panel for initial review and <br /> scoring. This year's grant panels included the following: <br /> a. Visual Arts: Composed of OCAC Board Members with visual arts expertise, as well <br /> as one visual arts professional from the community. <br /> b. Performing Arts: Composed of OCAC Board Members with performing arts <br /> expertise, as well as one performing arts professional from the community. <br /> c. Literary Arts: Composed of OCAC Board Members with literary arts expertise. <br /> 5. Non-governmental Grassroots Arts Program (GAP) applicants were also evaluated by a <br /> Financial Review Panel who examined submitted financial documents to determine <br /> financial solvency and stability. Factors considered include the ratio of administrative or <br /> fundraising expense in overall budget, as well as a deficit or surplus without explanation <br /> and/or stated plan. <br /> 6. Each panel met virtually to evaluate assigned applications. Feedback, first strengths and <br /> then challenges, was offered by panelists and recorded by OCAC staff. After discussion, <br /> each panelist submitted a score through the online platform for each of the categories <br /> below. After all scores are submitted, the director records the final average score per <br /> applicant. <br /> 7. The scoring rubric for this year's grant program was as follows: <br /> GRASSROOTS ARTS PROGRAM GRANTS <br /> Artistic Merit — 35% <br /> Community Impact— 30% <br /> Program Management — 15% <br /> Financial Review— 10% <br /> NC Arts Council Priority of Funding — 10% <br /> ARTIST PROJECT GRANTS <br /> Artistic Merit — 40% <br /> Community Impact— 40% <br /> Program Management — 20% <br /> 8. Funding decisions (other the schools) were made at the September 2020 Advisory Board <br /> meeting. This year, funds were divided based on the percentage of applicants from each <br /> category. Artists represented 52% of applications and organizations 48%; therefore, our <br /> pool of funding was divided subsequently. <br /> 9. Organizational applications were funded based on their score less 15% (to make the funds <br /> go farther), e.g., an application with a score of 73 would receive 73% of their request minus <br /> 15%. Artist applications were funded based on their score less 10%. <br /> 10.All applicants were notified of the panel's decisions. All GAP applicants received panel <br /> feedback; APG could receive feedback upon request. <br />