HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR PROPOSAL
You must submit your proposal electronically, even if you also mail or drop off a physical version of the proposal. Please use Word or PDF files for documents of manageable size. Please do not send attachments without contact information. For larger files (over 1MB) please put your proposal on a URL and send us ONE URL for all of your files. DO NOT USE BLACK BACKGROUNDS. Do not send a separate attachment for each component. A PDF with your complete proposal on it is the preferred way to apply. A website with all info on ONE page is also acceptable. Why? Because all proposals are printed out, in multiples, for the grant committee to read. Please make it easy on us!
Send your completed proposal ONLY ONCE - wait until it is final to send. Do not send multiple iterations with revisions, additions,etc. ONE PROPOSAL ONLY, PLEASE.
Please email ONE proposal to artgrants (at) burningman (dot) com.
THE SUBJECT LINE MUST BE THE NAME OF YOUR PROJECT, in CAPS. Do not cc anyone; all members of the grant committee are on the artgrants address.
Non-digital drawings and maquettes can be mailed to Burning Man Art Grants, PO Box 884688, San Francisco, 94188 or dropped off at 1900 Third Street in San Francisco, with an appointment.
WE WILL NOT REVIEW INCOMPLETE PROPOSALS!! DO NOT SEND US A PROPOSAL IF IT DOES NOT CONTAIN ALL OF THE FOLLOWING:
Your proposal must include the following:- Cover Sheet: Artist name, address, phone, email and title of artwork.
- Physical Description: including dimensions, materials, and sound component (if any).
- Philosophical Statement: What the art means to you and what you are trying to communicate to participants. PLEASE BE BRIEF.
- Detailed drawings, sketches, and plans, hand-drawn or computer generated. You may also send maquettes or photographs of them with your proposal. No maquettes/models can be dropped off without an appointment, and none may be dropped off on or after the deadline.
- Itemized budget: list all expenses for material costs, including transportation. Research your costs carefully and be specific. Do not list "contingency costs" or "artist's fee" as we do not cover those expenses. We fund material costs only. YOU MUST TOTAL YOUR COSTS; GIVE US A FINAL NUMBER.
- Do you have an adequate crew to build, install and clean up your project? Please describe your support team as it relates to the creation of the art: playa support , and dismantling/CLEANUP/ Describe the roles and skills needed even if you do not have a complete crew at this time.
- Timelines - PRE-EVENT construction schedule which reflects your budget e.g., when materials will be purchased, when stages of construction will be completed, etc. Grants are distributed in installments, which will relate to your schedule. ON-PLAYA schedule with arrival and construction plan.
- Leave No Trace: A well thought out breakdown and clean-up plan and schedule. YOU MAY NOT LEAVE ANYTHING ON THE PLAYA. A performance deposit will be withheld from your grant until after the event. Several steps must be taken in order to receive the performance deposit:
- You must check in at the ARTery.
- The artwork must be ready on Monday of the event.
- You must Leave No Trace.
- You must check out before leaving the playa.
PLEASE LIMIT YOUR PROPOSAL TO 20 PAGES MAXIMUM.
- Burning Artwork: If your artwork utilizes OPEN FIRE such as candles, torches, fire barrels, or raised containers, please describe in detail. If artwork is to be engulfed in flames, please describe your playa protection. Include a detailed drawing showing how the art will be situated on it.
If your artwork utilizes FLAME EFFECTS, flames that are automated, switched, pressurized or having any other action than simply being lit on fire, including propane or liquid fuels, describe in detail. Include a detailed drawing of fuel lines and tanks.
BEFORE YOU SEND YOUR PROPOSAL, BE SURE IT INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING:
- COVER SHEET
- DESCRIPTION
- PHILOSPHICAL INTENT
- DRAWINGS
- ITEMIZED BUDGET
- CREW LIST
- PRE-PLAYA, and ON-PLAYA TIMELINES
- CLEANUP PLAN and TIMELINE
