1. October 2013 Creative Strategies Incubator 2014: Preparing Your Letter of Interest

2. Michael Jones Program Director, Performing Arts Heather Dunford Grants Manager 2 Metcalf Foundation Program Staff Creative Strategies Incubator 2014: Preparing Your Letter of Interest

3. Background  Introduction to Creative Strategies Incubator ◦ Supported Initiatives ◦ Learning Network ◦ Focus Issue  How to Approach the Focus Issue 3 Agenda Creative Strategies Incubator 2014: Preparing Your Letter of Interest

4. Making an Application  Program Eligibility  Letters of Interest ◦ Content ◦ What is the Foundation looking for? 4 Agenda Creative Strategies Incubator 2014: Preparing Your Letter of Interest

5. Learnings from 2013 ◦ Based on last year’s applications, what is the Foundation looking for? Q & A 5 Agenda Creative Strategies Incubator 2014: Preparing Your Letter of Interest

6. “…the Metcalf Foundation believes in supporting a diversity of responses to address complex challenges. We believe that this work will be more successful if people and organizations share what they learn and build on each other’s solutions. We also believe it is important to engage at an overarching, policy level in order to address systemic issues that go beyond the efforts of an individual company.” 6 Creative Strategies Incubator Creative Strategies Incubator 2014: Preparing Your Letter of Interest

7.  non-profit performing arts sector facing complex sectoral challenges 7 Creative Strategies Incubator Creative Strategies Incubator 2014: Preparing Your Letter of Interest

8.  non-profit performing arts sector facing complex sectoral challenges  complex challenges require different responses from a variety of organizations 8 Creative Strategies Incubator Creative Strategies Incubator 2014: Preparing Your Letter of Interest

9.  non-profit performing arts sector facing complex sectoral challenges  complex challenges require different responses from a variety of organizations  this work is strengthened if these different organizations have opportunities to share learning 9 Creative Strategies Incubator Creative Strategies Incubator 2014: Preparing Your Letter of Interest

10.  non-profit performing arts sector facing complex sectoral challenges  complex challenges require different responses from a variety of organizations  this work is strengthened if these different organizations have opportunities to share learning  some policy-level challenges are beyond capabilities of any individual organization 10 Creative Strategies Incubator Creative Strategies Incubator 2014: Preparing Your Letter of Interest

11.  Supported Initiatives  Learning Network  Focus Issue 11 Components Creative Strategies Incubator 2014: Preparing Your Letter of Interest

12. “What’s the best new, creative way for my company to approach this particular challenge?” 12 Supported Initiatives Creative Strategies Incubator 2014: Preparing Your Letter of Interest

13. “What’s the best new, creative way for my company to approach this particular challenge?”  looking to build Learning Network of most innovative responses to Focus Issue  has to be new approach/activity – this is not funding for ongoing operations  must be innovative for your company – should be innovative for sector 13 Supported Initiatives Creative Strategies Incubator 2014: Preparing Your Letter of Interest

14.  Metcalf will support the cost of implementing your Supported Initiative  funding parameters (2014) ◦ up to $75,000/year for 3 years ◦ can be a different amount in each year ◦ can request funding for only 1 or 2 years ◦ “cost of implementing Supported Initiative” can include salaries, but this is not operating funding ◦ amount of request important – will address that issue in Letter of Interest requirements 14 Supported Initiatives Creative Strategies Incubator 2014: Preparing Your Letter of Interest

15.  comprised of representatives from all companies working on Supported Initiatives 15 Learning Network Creative Strategies Incubator 2014: Preparing Your Letter of Interest

16.  comprised of representatives from all companies working on Supported Initiatives ◦ asked to identify these people in letter of interest ◦ as much as possible, should be more than one person from each participating organization ◦ should be organization personnel with ongoing knowledge and experience of the Supported Initiative ◦ these people should be prepared to make an active commitment, attending all network meetings ◦ should include artistic staff as well as administrative staff 16 Learning Network Creative Strategies Incubator 2014: Preparing Your Letter of Interest

17.  comprised of representatives from all companies working on Supported Initiatives  will participate in up to four day-long meetings each year 17 Learning Network Creative Strategies Incubator 2014: Preparing Your Letter of Interest

18.  comprised of representatives from all companies working on Supported Initiatives  will participate in up to four day-long meetings each year  will be expected to share learning with other organizations across performing arts sector 18 Learning Network Creative Strategies Incubator 2014: Preparing Your Letter of Interest

19.  comprised of representatives from all companies working on Supported Initiatives  will participate in up to four day-long meetings each year  will be expected to share learning with other organizations across performing arts sector  “shepherded” by a committee formed by Metcalf, that will assume responsibility for some sector- wide policy issues 19 Learning Network Creative Strategies Incubator 2014: Preparing Your Letter of Interest

20. 2014  “…engaging audiences and/or building communities around your work” 20 Focus Issue Creative Strategies Incubator 2014: Preparing Your Letter of Interest

21. 2014  “…engaging audiences and/or building communities around your work” 2015  “…will likely return to new or alternative sources of revenue…” 21 Focus Issue Creative Strategies Incubator 2014: Preparing Your Letter of Interest

22. 2014  “…engaging audiences and/or building communities around your work” 2015  “…will likely return to new or alternative sources of revenue…” ◦ Metcalf is interested in continuing our work in this area, keep flexibility in case pressing sectoral issue arises 22 Focus Issue Creative Strategies Incubator 2014: Preparing Your Letter of Interest

23.  strongest applications come from real knowledge and interest in Focus Issue 23 Focus Issue Creative Strategies Incubator 2014: Preparing Your Letter of Interest

24.  strongest applications come from real knowledge and interest in Focus Issue ◦ What are the important writings on audience engagement and building community? 24 Focus Issue Creative Strategies Incubator 2014: Preparing Your Letter of Interest

25.  strongest applications come from real knowledge and interest in Focus Issue ◦ What are the important writings on audience engagement and building community? ◦ What are other companies trying, in or outside of Canada, that is particularly exciting or innovative? 25 Focus Issue Creative Strategies Incubator 2014: Preparing Your Letter of Interest

26.  strongest applications come from real knowledge and interest in Focus Issue  most successful applications start from this place of inquiry and then determine what their proposed Supported Initiative will be 26 Focus Issue Creative Strategies Incubator 2014: Preparing Your Letter of Interest

27. Important Considerations  the more creative, the better the likelihood of funding…  the more grounded in learning around this Focus Issue, the better the likelihood of funding…  really not looking for “We just want to hire audience development staff… marketer… etc…” 27 Focus Issue Creative Strategies Incubator 2014: Preparing Your Letter of Interest

28. “In addition to being a registered charity, applicants … must be professional theatre, dance, music, or opera companies, located in the City of Toronto, who have been in operation for at least three years.” 28 Program Eligibility Creative Strategies Incubator 2014: Preparing Your Letter of Interest

29. “In addition to being a registered charity, applicants … must be professional theatre, dance, music, or opera companies…”  legal requirement for Metcalf funding  will consider collaborative applications including non-charities, but lead applicant must be registered and must be responsible for activities of partnership (not simply a conduit for funds) 29 Program Eligibility Creative Strategies Incubator 2014: Preparing Your Letter of Interest

30. “In addition to being a registered charity, applicants … must be professional theatre, dance, music, or opera companies…”  are artists/performers paid for their work?  is your organization funded by one of the arts councils? (recognized by peer jury) 30 Program Eligibility Creative Strategies Incubator 2014: Preparing Your Letter of Interest

31. “...must be professional theatre, dance, music, or opera companies, located in the City of Toronto…”  will consider collaborative applications, including companies outside of this description, but lead applicant must be a performing arts company  will consider applications from ASOs with focus solely on performing arts  excludes media arts (film, radio, television) and visual arts (including museums, galleries) 31 Program Eligibility Creative Strategies Incubator 2014: Preparing Your Letter of Interest

32. “…theatre, dance, music, or opera companies, located in the City of Toronto, who have been in operation for at least three years.”  primary office/studio address in “M” postal code  performances/season/work in “M” postal code  eligible for Toronto Arts Council funding  may consider companies based in GTA with strong annual presence in Toronto 32 Program Eligibility Creative Strategies Incubator 2014: Preparing Your Letter of Interest

33. “…theatre, dance, music, or opera companies, located in the City of Toronto, who have been in operation for at least three years.”  typically, three years of production history  company need not have been a registered charity for three years 33 Program Eligibility Creative Strategies Incubator 2014: Preparing Your Letter of Interest

34. Other Considerations  appreciate collaborative applications  will not consider applications from companies currently receiving Creative Strategies Incubator or Strategic Initiatives funding  contact Program Director with specific questions 34 Program Eligibility Creative Strategies Incubator 2014: Preparing Your Letter of Interest

35.  brief background to company 35 Letters of Interest Creative Strategies Incubator 2014: Preparing Your Letter of Interest

36.  brief background to company ◦ least important section – brief ◦ if collaborative application, should introduce all partners 36 Letters of Interest Creative Strategies Incubator 2014: Preparing Your Letter of Interest

37.  brief background to company  outline your proposed initiative 37 Letters of Interest Creative Strategies Incubator 2014: Preparing Your Letter of Interest

38.  brief background to company  outline your proposed initiative ◦ most important section ◦ Is your proposed initiative focused, clearly articulated, well thought out, achievable? 38 Letters of Interest Creative Strategies Incubator 2014: Preparing Your Letter of Interest

39.  brief background to company  outline your proposed initiative  names/titles of people who will participate in Learning Network 39 Letters of Interest Creative Strategies Incubator 2014: Preparing Your Letter of Interest

40.  brief background to company  outline your proposed initiative  names/titles of people who will participate in Learning Network ◦ in full application stage, each of these people will need to provide a statement regarding what they hope to gain from the Learning Network (ascertain their willingness before you put their names down…) ◦ not so many people that it will become unwieldy for Learning Network (or application process) 40 Letters of Interest Creative Strategies Incubator 2014: Preparing Your Letter of Interest

41.  brief background to company  outline your proposed initiative  names/titles of people who will participate in Learning Network  experience working in collaborative learning environments 41 Letters of Interest Creative Strategies Incubator 2014: Preparing Your Letter of Interest

42.  brief background to company  outline your proposed initiative  names/titles of people who will participate in Learning Network  experience working in collaborative learning environments ◦ could be company or individual experience 42 Letters of Interest Creative Strategies Incubator 2014: Preparing Your Letter of Interest

43. Important Considerations  NEW FOR 2014 – electronic copy only, pdf format; no paper copy at letter of interest stage  need Metcalf cover sheet  three page maximum (honest three pages…)  description of proposed initiative most important section for letter of interest  application deadline firm – all materials must be received by 5:00 pm on Monday, December 9 43 Letters of Interest Creative Strategies Incubator 2014: Preparing Your Letter of Interest

44.  Is the applicant eligible? ◦ registered charity ◦ professional performing arts organization ◦ based in Toronto ◦ three years’ production history ◦ addresses Focus Issue ◦ not an operating request ◦ applicant is not currently receiving Strategic Initiatives or Creative Strategies Incubator funding 44 What is Metcalf looking for? Creative Strategies Incubator 2014: Preparing Your Letter of Interest

45.  Is the proposed initiative compelling? 45 What is Metcalf looking for? Creative Strategies Incubator 2014: Preparing Your Letter of Interest

46.  Is the proposed initiative compelling? ◦ Is it new for this company? Is it innovative for the sector? 46 What is Metcalf looking for? Creative Strategies Incubator 2014: Preparing Your Letter of Interest

47.  Is the proposed initiative compelling? ◦ Is it new for this company? Is it innovative for the sector? ◦ Is it focused? Was the company thoughtful and rigorous in the development of this plan? 47 What is Metcalf looking for? Creative Strategies Incubator 2014: Preparing Your Letter of Interest

48.  Is the proposed initiative compelling? ◦ Is it new for this company? Is it innovative for the sector? ◦ Is it focused? Was the company thoughtful and rigorous in the development of this plan? ◦ Is it achievable? Is it achievable on the proposed budget? 48 What is Metcalf looking for? Creative Strategies Incubator 2014: Preparing Your Letter of Interest

49.  Is the proposed initiative compelling? ◦ Is it new for this company? Is it innovative for the sector? ◦ Is it focused? Was the company thoughtful and rigorous in the development of this plan? ◦ Is it achievable? Is it achievable on the proposed budget? ◦ Is the proposal clearly written? 49 What is Metcalf looking for? Creative Strategies Incubator 2014: Preparing Your Letter of Interest

50.  Does the amount of funding requested feel appropriate for the proposed initiative? 50 What is Metcalf looking for? Creative Strategies Incubator 2014: Preparing Your Letter of Interest

51.  Does the amount of funding requested feel appropriate for the proposed initiative? ◦ Is it within the program parameters? 51 What is Metcalf looking for? Creative Strategies Incubator 2014: Preparing Your Letter of Interest

52.  Does the amount of funding requested feel appropriate for the proposed initiative? ◦ Is it within the program parameters? ◦ Is it too much money? Does it feel “padded”? Does it feel like a “disguised” request for operating support? 52 What is Metcalf looking for? Creative Strategies Incubator 2014: Preparing Your Letter of Interest

53.  Does the amount of funding requested feel appropriate for the proposed initiative? ◦ Is it within the program parameters? ◦ Is it too much money? Does it feel “padded”? Does it feel like a “disguised” request for operating support? ◦ Is it too little money? Is the proposed activity really possible for this amount of money? 53 What is Metcalf looking for? Creative Strategies Incubator 2014: Preparing Your Letter of Interest

54.  Does the amount of funding requested feel appropriate for the proposed initiative? ◦ Is it within the program parameters? ◦ Is it too much money? Does it feel “padded”? Does it feel like a “disguised” request for operating support? ◦ Is it too little money? Is the proposed activity really possible for this amount of money? ◦ Do you really need the same amount of money for every year of the proposed activity? 54 What is Metcalf looking for? Creative Strategies Incubator 2014: Preparing Your Letter of Interest

55.  How would this company and this proposal contribute to the Learning Network? 55 What is Metcalf looking for? Creative Strategies Incubator 2014: Preparing Your Letter of Interest

56.  How would this company and this proposal contribute to the Learning Network? ◦ Is this a new, creative way to approach the Focus Issue? 56 What is Metcalf looking for? Creative Strategies Incubator 2014: Preparing Your Letter of Interest

57.  How would this company and this proposal contribute to the Learning Network? ◦ Is this a new, creative way to approach the Focus Issue? ◦ Would this company/these people bring diversity to the Learning Network? (discipline, company size, art form) 57 What is Metcalf looking for? Creative Strategies Incubator 2014: Preparing Your Letter of Interest

58.  How would this company and this proposal contribute to the Learning Network? ◦ Is this a new, creative way to approach the Focus Issue? ◦ Would this company/these people bring diversity to the Learning Network? (discipline, company size, art form) ◦ Would this company bring participation from both artistic and administrative leadership? 58 What is Metcalf looking for? Creative Strategies Incubator 2014: Preparing Your Letter of Interest

59.  How would this company and this proposal contribute to the Learning Network? ◦ Is this a new, creative way to approach the Focus Issue? ◦ Would this company/these people bring diversity to the Learning Network? (discipline, company size, art form) ◦ Would this company bring participation from both artistic and administrative leadership? ◦ Is this a company with a strong history of leadership in the sector, particularly at the local level? 59 What is Metcalf looking for? Creative Strategies Incubator 2014: Preparing Your Letter of Interest

60.  incredibly competitive program 60 Learnings from 2013 Creative Strategies Incubator 2014: Preparing Your Letter of Interest

61.  incredibly competitive program  planning must be complete and rigorous 61 Learnings from 2013 Creative Strategies Incubator 2014: Preparing Your Letter of Interest

62.  incredibly competitive program  planning must be complete and rigorous  strongest applications are based in real knowledge and interest in Focus Issue 62 Learnings from 2013 Creative Strategies Incubator 2014: Preparing Your Letter of Interest

63.  incredibly competitive program  planning must be complete and rigorous  strongest applications are based in real knowledge and interest in Focus Issue  importance of innovation in strong applications 63 Learnings from 2013 Creative Strategies Incubator 2014: Preparing Your Letter of Interest

64.  incredibly competitive program  planning must be complete and rigorous  strongest applications are based in real knowledge and interest in Focus Issue  importance of innovation in strong applications  “rational” funding request is likely to be favoured 64 Learnings from 2013 Creative Strategies Incubator 2014: Preparing Your Letter of Interest

65.  incredibly competitive program  planning must be complete and rigorous  strongest applications are based in real knowledge and interest in Focus Issue  importance of innovation in strong applications  “rational” funding request is likely to be favoured  consider the number of Learning Network participants 65 Learnings from 2013 Creative Strategies Incubator 2014: Preparing Your Letter of Interest

66.  incredibly competitive program  planning must be complete and rigorous  strongest applications are based in real knowledge and interest in Focus Issue  importance of innovation in strong applications  “rational” funding request is likely to be favoured  consider the number of Learning Network participants  importance of a clearly written proposal 66 Learnings from 2013 Creative Strategies Incubator 2014: Preparing Your Letter of Interest

67. Michael Jones Program Director, Performing Arts Heather Dunford Grants Manager 67 Q & A Creative Strategies Incubator 2014: Preparing Your Letter of Interest

68. Choreographing Our Future: Strategies for Supporting Next Generation Arts Practice Thursday, November 7, 2013; 4:30 pm Winchester Street Theatre ◦ free event to launch Shannon Litzenberger’s Innovation Fellowship paper ◦ presentation of concepts and panel discussion with opportunity for questions ◦ details and registration link on Metcalf Foundation website 68 Upcoming Metcalf Event Creative Strategies Incubator 2014: Preparing Your Letter of Interest

69. Thank you for participating in today’s webinar. Michael Jones Program Director, Performing Arts 416-926-0366 x 225 mjones@metcalffoundation.com 69 Creative Strategies Incubator 2014: Preparing Your Letter of Interest