On this page:
- How is this Fund different from the International Connections Fund that was available from 2008-2010?
- I receive MacArthur funding through LISC, but I am not an arts organization. Am I eligible to apply?
- Does all the funding have to be used within 1 year of disbursement?
- If I received funding in 2008-2009, am I still eligible to apply?
- Will proposals to support existing international exchanges be considered?
- Will applications that propose to use the funding to support the planning of an exchange be viewed less favorably?
- Are US territories included in the international definition?
- Can the funds be used to support travel of international performance groups across the US, including Chicago?
- Can the funds be used to bring collaborators from around the world to support a Chicago organization's international project?
How is this Fund different from the International Connections Fund that was available from 2008-2010?
The 2008-2010 Fund included all Chicago-based grantees of the MacArthur Foundation, but the 2011 fund is solely focused on exchanges and collaborations between Chicago arts and culture
organizations and their counterparts abroad.
I receive MacArthur funding through LISC, but I am not an arts organization. Am I eligible to apply?
You are eligible to apply if you meet the following criteria:
- You received a MacArthur supported grant through LISC between 2007-2011 for an arts program or project
- Your organization can evidence a long-term commitment to arts programming and evidence of impact through that programming
- Your proposal to this Fund is in support of an arts and culture collaboration
- You are in good standing with LISC
Does all the funding have to be used within 1 year of disbursement?
No, but the exchange must begin within 1 year of grant disbursement. We recognize that reciprocal exchanges may require up to 2 years to occur. As part of the grant's requirements, we ask for annual reporting after the grant is provided to understand how the grant was used to support an international exchange and collaboration in the arts. The number of years of reporting will be decided on a grant-by-grant basis.
If I received funding in 2008-2009, am I still eligible to apply?
Yes, you may apply again but with different projects/collaborations. Your proposal will be held to a higher standard since your organization has received funding in the past.
Will proposals to support existing international exchanges be considered?
The primary goal of the International Connections Fund is to establish or expand new exchanges and collaborations with Chicago-based groups. That said, we will consider those proposals that might significantly improve or advance an existing collaboration.
Will applications that propose to use the funding to support the planning of an exchange be viewed less favorably?
Yes, the grants are intended to support the onset of an already planned exchange in the next year; therefore, proposals to this Fund should be focused on more than planning and exploration.
Are US territories included in the international definition?
Yes.
Can the funds be used to support travel of international performance groups across the US, including Chicago?
No, the grant is intended to promote a true exchange between Chicago groups and their international counterparts rather than a presentation of work by an international group in Chicago. That said, a grant may support the Chicago portion of a larger, collaborative initiative that may include other cities.
Can the funds be used to bring collaborators from around the world to support a Chicago organization’s international project?
Yes, if the collaborators are brought to Chicago to accomplish the work OR the collaborators work with a Chicago-based group in an international location.
