Please note that the next Community Collaboration grant deadline is rapidly approaching and is less than a week away. If you are considering applying or are working on an application currently, they are due next Wednesday -April 17th, 2013 at 5pm. Any accompanying print materials should be postmarked or sent in Delivery on or before the 17th as well. Please note that all applications require at least one partner organization. The grant request limit is $7,000.00, except when involving multiple communities. If you wish to request more than $7,000, please contact me at Legacy@selco.info prior to application date. This will be the last time to apply for this fiscal year. Check back this summer for information about opportunities for the next year.
If you require assistance with your grant writing or experience technical issues with the online forms contact the SELCO office before the deadline. For additional information and/or assistance, please visit the Community Collaboration page or contact the Legacy coordinator.
Please note that the next Community Collaboration grant deadline is rapidly approaching and is only a week away. If you are considering applying or are working on an application currently, they are due February 20th, 2013 at 5pm. Any accompanying print materials should be postmarked or sent in Delivery on or before the 20th as well. Please note that all applications require at least one partner organization. The grant request limit is $7,000.00, except when involving multiple communities. If you wish to request more than $7,000, please contact me at Legacy@selco.info prior to application date.
If Feb 20th is too soon for all your materials to be put together, the next application deadline will be April 17th, 2013.
If you require assistance with your grant writing or experience technical issues with the online forms contact the SELCO office before the deadline. For additional information and/or assistance, please visit the Community Collaboration page or contact the Legacy coordinator.
Please note that the next Community Collaboration grant deadline is rapidly approaching and is only a week away. If you are considering applying or are working on an application currently, they are due Wednesday, December 19th at 5pm. Any accompanying print materials should be postmarked or sent in Delivery on or before the 19th as well. Please note that all applications require at least one partner organization. As a reminder, the Legacy Review Committee increased the amount that can be requested up to $7,000.00, except when involving multiple communities (SELCO must be contacted for larger than $7,000 submissions prior to application date). The next application deadline will be February 20th, 2013.
If you require assistance with your grant writing or experience technical issues with the online forms contact the SELCO office before the deadline. For additional information and/or assistance, please visit the Community Collaboration page or contact the Legacy coordinator.
We are happy to announce that four Community Collaboration grants were recently approved by the Legacy Review Committee for a total of $20,190.00. Congratulations! Below is a summary of the approved grants.
| Name: | Community Conversations, Conflict, and Collaboration: the story of the expansion of the Northfield Carnegie | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Applicant: | Northfield Public Library |
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| Partner(s): | Friends of the Northfield Library |
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| Description: | With two historical Power Point presentations and panel discussions, Northfield citizens will look back thirty years to the early 1980’s expansion of Northfield’s Carnegie Public Library building. Each session will begin with a 20 minute Power Point presentation by local library historian Bruce Colwell (author of Everlasting Influences: The Centennial History of the Northfield Carnegie Public Library 1910-2010 and A Century of Service: the Northfield Public Library, 1898-1998, Northfield Public Library), providing a historical overview of the library expansion discussions in the early 1980’s. | ||
| Date(s): | 01/15/2013 and 02/19/2013 | ||
| Name: | Jim Gill’s Family Room Concert | ||
| Applicant: | City of Rochester Music Department/Rochester Civic Music |
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| Partner(s): | Rochester Public Library | ||
| Description: | Award-winning children’s musician, author and early childhood educator Jim Gill presents interactive and lively concerts for young children and families. Rochester Civic Music (RCM) and Rochester Public Library (RPL) will provide families of Olmsted County with two opportunities to participate in a free, live concert with Jim Gill. | ||
| Date(s): | 05/15/2013 at 10:30 am and 6:30 pm at the Rochester Public Library |
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| Name: | The Sounds of Silents: A Brief History of the Silent Film Era | ||
| Applicant: | Southeastern Minnesota Youth Orchestras (SEMYO) |
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| Partner(s): | Rochester Public Library, Rochester International Film Group |
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| Description: | The Southeastern Minnesota Youth Orchestras (SEMYO) is a non-profit organization consisting of four orchestras and ensembles for students in grades three through twelve. Established in 1979, SEMYO's mission is dedicated to the artistic and personal development of young instrumental musicians. SEMYO has partnered with the Rochester Public Library to present"The Sounds of Silents: A Brief History of the Silent Film Era". The program will begin with a visit by Charlie Chaplin who will delight the audience with a brief history of the era in the 1920's, the trials and tribulations of life during World War I and how the Silent Movies brought some comic relief to the community. Chaplin will also share other interesting facts of his life that are not as well known. The Rochester International Film Group will assist with the research of the historical aspect of the presentation and provide information about the films to be shown. Then, the audience will view two classic silent films, "The Adventurer" starring Charlie Chaplin and "One Week" by Buster Keaton. The original musical scores composed for the films will be performed live by 50 SEMYO musicians. The event will take place in the auditorium at the Rochester Public Library and is open to the public. Rochester Community Education will assist in advertising this event by including it in the Winter Brochure of programs for youth and families. | ||
| Date(s): | 02/02/2013 at 1:00 pm |
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| Name: | Patricia Hermes | ||
| Applicant: | Stewartville Public Schools | ||
| Partner(s): | Stewartville Public Library, Kasson-Mantorville Schools, Austin Public Library | ||
| Description: | Award-winning author Patricia Hermes has written forty books for young adults as well as a funny and upbeat series for grades K-2. A former teacher, her books have been awarded Children's Choice Awards, ALA Best Book, SLJ Best Book, C.S. Lewis Honor Book and Smithsonian Notable Book. Her combination of humor and poignancy gives her books, as well as her presentations, a special flair and sensitivity to which teachers and students respond enthusiastically. And her keen and sympathetic memories of what it is truly like to be a child enthrall students of all ages, from kindergarten through high school. | ||
| Date(s): | 02/10/2013 - 02/17/2013 |
Once again, congratulations to our successful applicants!
Watch this space for continuing news on Minnesota Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund subgrants awarded by SELCO.
Tyler Irvin, Technology Support Librarian
Please note that the next Community Collaboration grant deadline is rapidly approaching and is only a week away. If you are considering applying or are working on an application currently, they are due Wednesday, August 15 at 5pm. Any accompanying print materials should be postmarked or sent in Delivery on or before the 15th as well. Please note that all applications require at least one partner organization and may not exceed $3,000.00 except when involving multiple communites (SELCO must be contacted to verify this before submission). The next application deadline will be October 17, 2012.
If you require assistance with your grant writing or experience technical issues with the online forms contact the SELCO office before the deadline. For additional information and/or assistance, please visit the Community Collaboration space or contact the Legacy coordinator.
Tyler Irvin, Technology Support Librarian
We are happy to announce that two Community Collaboration grants were recently approved by the Legacy Review Committee for a total of $8,898.00. Congratulations! Below is a summary of the approved grants.
| Name: | Neither Wolf Nor Dog |
|---|---|
| Applicant: | American Association of University Women (Owatonna Branch) |
| Partner(s): | Owatonna Public Library, Steel County Historical Society |
| Description: | This program will be a community presentation by Kent Nerburn, author of numerous books including Neither Wolf Nor Dog and Wolf at Twilight. As a white American, Nerburn reveals the Native American way of teaching and learning with a depth that few outsiders ever experience. He hopes to change the way we look at our country, our past, and the land on which we live. He will also provide us with first hand experiences in writing his books. Nerburn's presentation will be open to the community and will be held at the newly-opened Steele County History Center. Books will be purchased and made available in display at the Owatonna Public Library and Blooming Prairie Branch Library in advance of the program so the community's active and engaged readers will have access to the author's ideas and writings both in advance and following the author's presentation. Additionally, books will be available for purchase following the presentation. |
| Date(s): | November 13, 2012 at 7:00 pm |
| Name: | Zumbrota Area Arts Council Iron Pour 2012 |
|---|---|
| Applicant: | Zumbrota Area Arts Council |
| Partner(s): | Zumbrota Public Library, Crossings at Cernegie, Zumbrota/Mazeppa Schools, Terry Driscoll - Iron Works Zumbrota Minnesota, City of Zumbrota |
| Description: | An Iron Pour is a unique opportunity for the entire community to learn about the ancient art of metal casting. As an art form, metal casting is less accessible to the average citizen than the mediums of painting or clay sculpting, for example. It is even rarer for small communities to be invited to participate in the experience. The Zumbrota Area Arts Council will host an Iron Pour on Saturday, September 29th on the street outside the ZAAC State Theater and Crossings at Carnegie. A team of metal artists, known as Iron Head Sculptural, brings all the equipment for an outdoor foundry. They set up a furnace that heats iron chips to 2700 degrees, releases the molten iron from the furnace into buckets, carry the buckets on long poles and pour the iron into molds. After cooling, the sand molds are broken and the result is a personally designed cast iron tile. The community is invited to create the molds for the casting; many of these titles will be given away to help with contents. The foundry artists provide three free workshops over the course of four months, teaching about the iron pour process and allowing people to learn techniques and tools for designing the mold. There is plenty of room for hundreds to observe the activities. At the climax of the event, the team even allows participants to gear up and help carry the buckets of molten metal to the molds. High school art students will have a special unit on metal sculpture and be given tiles to design. The Zumbrota library will collaborate with ZAAC to create an educational display about iron casting through the ages, and will include books purchased on the topic. It will be housed at the library and displayed at the iron pour event. Additionally, the library may sponsor a design contest where community members can propose a tile design that will be cast and then set near the library. The local business, Iron Works, a metal casting and forging industry, will provide forging demonstrations in the late afternoon between furnace firing and iron pouring. To add flavor and excitement to the event, Savage Aural Hotbed performs from 7-9 pm. They provide high energy, industrial-style music that enhances the effect of the heat, flames, and sparks of the iron pour. This unique band plays “found-object instruments” that create some amazing sounds. They use all sorts of things like barrels or auto parts and create instruments out of them. |
| Date(s): | September 29, 2012 at 5:00 pm |
Once again, congratulations to our successful applicants!
Watch this space for continuing news on Minnesota Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund subgrants awarded by SELCO.
Tyler Irvin, Technology Support Librarian
Today, the Wabasha Public Library is hosting the Bell Museum of Natural History's ExploraDome at the neighboring St. Felix School Auditorium. There will be a total of three presentations throughout the day and I managed to get over there to attend the first one. Right inside the door to the auditorium, the library had set up a table with surveys, questions, a laptop, and a nearby cart of astronomy books available for checkout. Taking up a fair portion of the floor was the planetarium itself. I have been in inflatable planetariums before back when I was in school but this one dwarfed them. And rather than the entrance consisting of a tunnel that must be crawled through, this planetarium had an arch opening tall enough for even adults to stand in. The crowd of children (about 30) filled out about 2/3rds of the dome with some adults sitting in and the rest standing or sitting so we could see through the door.
The program began with the display set to the current sky so not much was visible as it was 11 am. After a brief orientation, the presenter removed the sun from the sky and the darkening firmament elicited a collective "Whoa" from the children as the stars appeared. For a while they explored the night sky from Earth, learning about the planets visible to the naked eye, the brighter stars, and some constellations. After they got the ground beneath their feet, they left it behind them as their "rocket" took off from the Earth to more closely examine other celestial bodies. There was obvious excitement as the moon swung into dizzying panoramic focus for a lesson on the impact of meteorites. The tour continued on to one of the rocky planets and then one of the gas giants (Saturn, naturally, where the rings are of great interest). Other sights of the solar system were briefly covered such as the asteroid belt, the Kuiper belt (home of the ex-planet Pluto), and the Oort cloud (an outer shell believe to be the home of long-range comets and the like). The trip then extended beyond the solar system and entered the greater Milky Way. There was another appreciative "Whoa" when the children saw how constellations viewed from Earth look from another angle. The presenter overlaid the lines of familiar star patterns to show the spider's web they form from another perspective. Finally, the "rocket" returned to show some satellite and airplane images of Wabasha.
The children were very enthusiastic when they exited the planetarium and many parents expressed their gratitude for having such a program available especially in the summer. For photos of this event (they are sparse; flash disrupts projections), check out the SELCO Flickr set.
Tyler Irvin, Regional Librarian
Please note that the next Community Collaboration grant deadline is rapidly approaching and is only a day away. If you are considering applying or are working on an application currently, they are due Wednesday, June 20at 5pm. Any accompanying print materials should be postmarked or sent in Delivery on the 20th as well. Please note that all applications require at least one partner organization and may not exceed $3,000.00 except when involving multiple communites (SELCO must be contacted to verify this before submission). The next application deadline will be August 15, 2012.
If you require assistance with your grant writing or experience technical issues with the online forms contact the SELCO office before the deadline. For additional information and/or assistance, please visit the Community Collaboration space or contact the Legacy coordinator.
Tyler Irvin, Regional Librarian
We are happy to announce that two Community Collaboration grants were recently approved by the Legacy Review Committee for a total of $3,314.00. Congratulations! Below is a summary of the approved grants.
| Name: | Preserving Freeborn County Photos |
|---|---|
| Applicant: | Freeborn County Historical Society Library |
| Partner(s): | Freeborn County Genealogical Society |
| Description: | The Freeborn County Historical Society has numerous one of a kind photos and many of them are quite fragile and not available for public viewing. This grant is phase two of a very large project to scan, label, and index its collections of photo, slides and negtives. The Society is helping by volunteering to sort and file photos and negatives so they can be categorized for scanning. After the second phase is completed, the Library will present a slide show at its facilities which will be free and open to the public. Additional presentations may take place at local nursing homes. |
| Date(s): | June 24, 2012 |
| Name: | Musical Program to CCC Boys |
|---|---|
| Applicant: | Northfield Public Library |
| Partner(s): | Northfield Senior Center, Northfield Historical Society |
| Description: | The program describes the work of the Civilian Conservation Corps, which was a 1930's federal jobs program that gave work to over 90,000 young men in Minnesota. The presenter of the program, Bill Jamerson, has produced a PBS film about the CCC, and written a novel set during that time. In the program, Jamerson will show a short clip from his PBS film Camp Forgotten, read from his book Big Shoulders, and also sing six songs from the time. The program will be held at the Northfield Senior Center, outside if weather permits, or in a large dining room. This will be a family event so that younger generations can learn about the CCC, how significant it was, and learn more about the history of Minnesota and the U.S. during the Great Depression. |
| Date(s): | July 20, 2012 at 2:00 pm |
Once again, congratulations to our successful applicants!
Watch this space for continuing news on Minnesota Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund subgrants awarded by SELCO.
Tyler Irvin, Regional Librarian
The Legacy Review Committee has decided that there is enough evidence that libraries are busy planning programs during the summer to justify a midsummer grant review meeting. Basically, rather than having to wait until the August deadline, applicants may send in grants by a June deadline for review. Instead of the previously posted August 15 deadline, the next deadline is June 20 at 5:00 pm. Get busy writing those inventive and fun grants to celebrate the autumn or the beginning of school!
| Celebrate Minnesota Museums Month in May with a visit to your local museum and, better still, consider a new partnership. SELCO continues to offer Community Collaboration grant opportunities. Through a bimonthly application process, the SELCO Legacy Review Committee awards funds to libraries and library partners for arts and cultural projects, programs and events. Applications will be selected based on the quality of the partnerships and innovation, the ability to accomplish the proposed grant obligations, the inclusion of clear and measurable outcomes and the overall clarity of the application. Consider applying! |
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Tyler Irvin, Regional Librarian
Please note that the next Community Collaboration grant deadline is rapidly approaching and is only a week away. If you are considering applying or are working on an application currently, they are due Wednesday, April 18 at 5pm. Any accompanying print materials should be postmarked or sent in Delivery on the 18th as well. Please note that all applications require at least one partner organization and may not exceed $3,000.00 except when involving multiple communites (SELCO must be contacted to verify this before submission). The next application deadline will be August 15, 2012.
If you require assistance with your grant writing or experience technical issues with the online forms contact the SELCO office before the deadline. For additional information and/or assistance, please visit the Community Collaboration space or contact the Legacy coordinator.
Tyler Irvin, Regional Librarian
The Rochester Public Library received a grant from SELCO's Legacy competitive grant program to work with the Rochester Civic Theatre to perform a play meant to continue the RACE exhibit which was at the library a few years ago. The play, Light, explores the life and relations of a young girl in southeastern Minnesota who has an adopted African American Muslim father. The audience hears about the experiences of discrimation both she and her family experience because of it. Following the short performance (about 10-15 minutes), the Rochester Diversity Council hosted several small discussion groups to find out the impact of the play. I attended the first performance at the Rochester Public Library although a special preview was presented at a recent Friends' fundraiser. If you have the chance be sure to check out one of the other performances. All will be held at the Rochester Public Library's auditorium.
| Date | Time |
|---|---|
| March 26 | 3:00 pm |
| April 9 | 6:00 pm |
| April 10 | 2:00 pm |
| April 15 | 2:00 pm |
| April 25 | 6:00 pm |
| April 26 | 6:00 pm |
We are happy to announce that two Community Collaboration grants were recently approved by the Legacy Review Committee for a total of $1,615.00. Congratulations! Below is a summary of the approved grants.
| Name: | Sky Dome Planetarium |
|---|---|
| Applicant: | Wabasha Public Library |
| Partner(s): | Wabasha-Kellogg Community Education and Early Childhood Literacy (W-K Comm. Ed.) |
| Description: | A large inflatable planetarium is touring the region and will be set up in a large community center, St. Felix gym, two blocks from the library, an easy access for most children. The Sky Dome will hold up to ninety children at a time and the program lasts 40-45 minutes. Students will enter the dome and be introduced to a "star-filled" sky. The navigator/performer will guide students through the stars of the northern hemisphere exactly as they appear on the day of the presentation. Students will learn how to identify stars and constellations as well as be introduced to Greek mythological characters and how those heroes can be found in the stars. They will also be treated to a slide presentation which enhances the presenter's tour of the solar system. Currently three presentations are planned with a target age range of Kindergarten through Ninth Grade. Outside the Sky Dome, a library staff person will be able to check out books on site which will cover the topics of stargazing, mythology, the history of astronomy, science fiction, nocturnal animals, camping, etc. |
| Date(s): | June 14, 2012 |
| Name: | Why I Left the Amish Author Talk |
|---|---|
| Applicant: | Zumbrota Area Arts Council |
| Partner(s): | Zumbrota Public Library |
| Description: | Saloma Furlong, author of the memoir "Why I Left the Amish" will discuss the inside story of what it was like to be born and raised in the Amish culture. The discussion will take place at the State Theatre in Zumbrota. A book signing and purchasing will also be offered. The audience is anyone interested in the interesting and enigmatic Amish culture and book lovers. |
| Date(s): | May 4, 2012 at 6:30pm |
Once again, congratulations to our successful applicants!
Watch this space for continuing news on Minnesota Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund subgrants awarded by SELCO.
Tyler Irvin, Regional Librarian
We are happy to announce that five Community Collaboration grants were recently approved by the Legacy Review Committee for a total of $28,221.00. Congratulations! Below is a summary of the approved grants.
| Name: | One Race, the Human Race |
|---|---|
| Applicant: | Owatonna Public Schools |
| Partner(s): | Owatonna Public Library, Centro Campesino |
| Description: | The Owatonna High School, in collaboration with the Owatonna Public Library and Centro Campesino, will bring to Owatonna the author Victor Villasenor. Mr. Villasenor is a well-known author and wrote the national best seller, Rain of Gold. This book is published in seven different languages and used by thousands of teachers and school systems across the nation as required reading. The program in Owatonna will consist of having Mr. Villasenor at the high school for two days, April 9th and 10th, 2012. On April 9th, Mr. Villasenor will present to two language arts classes at the high school for approximately 50 to 60 minutes per class. On April 10th, Mr. Villasenor will work with a group of minority students and students form the Alternative Learning Center at the Owatonna High School. Also on the second day he will conduct a community event at the Owatonna Public Library for parents and community members. |
| Date(s): | April 9-10, 2012 |
| Name: | Light |
|---|---|
| Applicant: | Rochester Public Library |
| Partner(s): | Rochester Civic Theatre, Diversity Council |
| Description: | This grant is for community performance of the new play "Light," which was commissioned by the Rochester Public Library as an extension of the RACE exhibit, written and directed by Rochester Civic Theatre Executive Director, Gregory Stavrou, and featuring local actors. The purpose of this new play is to continue the dialogue of our perceptions of race and how those perceptions may affect the community. This grant will fund seven performances of the play at the Rochester Public Library. Volunteer facilitators, trained by the Diversity Council, will lead post-play dialogue with play attendees about how they experience the play, their perspectives and reactions, as well as what other action they could take. |
| Date(s): | March-April, 2012 (exact dates to be determined) |
| Name: | Bows, Bowlers and Bassoon: A SEMYO Silent Movie Event |
|---|---|
| Applicant: | Southeastern Minnesota Youth Orchestras (SEMYO) |
| Partner(s): | Rochester Public Library, Rochester International Film Group |
| Description: | SEMYO seeks to increase access to the arts for the community-at-large by combining two great art forms: silent movies and a live performance of instrumental music. At the beginning of the program a member of the Rochester International Film Group will provide an informational overview about the era of silent films and the two films to be viewed. The SEMYO Conductor will talk about the musical score which was written for SEMYO to be performed at this event. Audience members will learn about the genre of silent films as they have the opportunity to view two classic movies. They will come away with knowledge and appreciation of this art form, as well as the experience for hearing a live performance. |
| Dates(s): | March 3, 2012 at 1:30pm |
| Name: | Bonner and Central Elementary Schools Mural Project |
|---|---|
| Applicant: | Stewartville Public Schools |
| Partner(s): | BACPAC, Greg Wimmer of Greg's Graphic Art |
| Description: | Bonner Elementary School (K-3rd grade) and Central Intermediate School (4th and 5th grade) in conjunction with their parent organization "BACPAC" (Conner and Central Parent Advisory Committee) are excited to submit for a grant to incorporate the two libraries with a mural of the same conceptual theme. Both libraries are what would be considered a bit sterile. A mural would help to draw the students into the possibilities that reading has to offer. We would like to see the libraries come alive and become more of warm, inviting, and comfortable area in the respective schools. The intermediate school is a change that is short-lived for the students, as they only occupy the school for two short years. The library staff is trying very hard to make the two libraries operate in the same manner as much as possible in an effort to reduce the students' stress. The hope is that a common reading encouragement theme that starts in the Bonner building and matures in the Central building, just as the students themselves, will go a long way to reduce stress and continue to build student interest in reading. |
| Date(s): | April 16, 2012 8am-4pm (public viewing at Central); April 24, 2012 8am-4pm (public viewing at Bonner) |
| Name: | Bruce Coville |
|---|---|
| Applicant: | Stewartville Public Schools |
| Partner(s): | Spring Grove Public Schools, Ridgeway Community School, Austin Public Library |
| Description: | Bruce Coville will do up to 3 presentations per day which will be an hour in length. The sessions will detail the creation of a book from the beginning of the idea until the time the manuscript is sold to a publisher. With younger children he usually focuses the talk around The Foolish Giant, his first picture book. For older classes he generally uses The Monster's Ring. The presentation includes a fair amount of humor, addresses questions of creativity, where ide3as come from, and discusses issues regarding editing and rewriting. It also includes time for questions and answers. During this grant, Bruce will be at 4 locations and covering a variety of age groups between 6 libraries. |
| Date(s): | February 27 - March 2, 2012 |
Once again, congratulations to our successful applicants!
Watch this space for continuing news on Minnesota Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund subgrants awarded by SELCO.
About Community Collaboration
Community Collaboration is one of SELCO's region-wide Arts and Culture Live initiatives. Through a bimonthly application process, the SELCO Legacy Review Committee awards funds to libraries and library partners for arts and cultural projects, programs and events. Applications will be selected based on the quality of the partnerships and innovation, the ability to accomplish the proposed grant obligations, the inclusion of clear and measurable outcomes and the overall clarity of the application. See the Timeline tab for details on the schedule for grant review.
For smaller libraries, or those institutions which have less staff time to dedicate to individual programming plans, you should consider hosting a Vetted Program, a selected list of library programs for both adults and children which have been specially designed to reduce the amount of time and effort required of local staff for artist selection and program coordination. For more information, visit the Vetted Program homepage.
Timeline
The Legacy Review Committee has decided to conduct grant review on a bimonthly basis to encourage forethought on applications and enhance the competitive nature of the program.
The next deadline is: April 17th, 2013, 5:00 PM
| Application Deadline | Round | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 17, 2013 | FY13 Round 6 |
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Please make sure to submit your application with plenty of time to spare! A minimum of 2 months of lead time is recommended.
The Committee generally meets two-three weeks after the deadline to review grant applications. The gap between the deadline and the Committee meeting date is necessary to give SELCO staff enough time to process all applications and for the Committee members to fully read and consider each request. Additional time is also needed after the Committee's decision, to confirm grant request details and process all contractual paperwork.
Applications
Applications are due according to the table under the Timeline tab. Please note that all supporting application materials, including letters of support from partner organizations, are due at the same time. One letter of support from each partner organization must be included with the application either in print or emailed to legacy@selco.info. All materials must be delivered or postmarked by the required due date. Incomplete applications may be resubmitted in a later month if all required documentation is supplied at that time.
Application are to be submitted online. Information submitted via the online application form is secure and it may be saved & resumed at a later time if needed. When submitting online, you will receive an email confirmation to the address used to fill out the application. This email confirmation will be sent automatically by the system after your application has been submitted. If you do not receive an email confirmation, please contact SELCO immediately as your application may not have been received.
Please make sure to thoroughly read all instructions before submitting your application
Application Instructions
Application Form
- SELCO hosted a workshop on writing community collaboration grants. Feel free to look at the presentation and the presenter's notes.
- SELCO recommends using Internet Explorer when using the online form. Some users have reported printing errors when using Firefox.
- If you have any questions regarding Community Collaboration grants or the application process, please contact legacy@selco.info.
- Library Legacy Artist, Performer and Partner Database: This online resource includes a wealth of information gathered by library staff from across the state, as well as self-submissions by artists willing to go on-the-road to share their art, song or dance, enriching Minnesota's Arts and Cultural Heritage.
Program Evaluation
All grant recipients are required to file a Final Report with SELCO upon completion of their program. Evaluation materials are due within 30 days of the project's conclusion. Information submitted via the online form is secure and it may be saved & resumed at a later time if needed. When submitting online, you will receive an email confirmation to the address used to fill out the form. This email confirmation will be sent automatically by the system after your form has been submitted. If you do not receive an email confirmation, please contact SELCO immediately as your form may not have been received.
Please make sure to thoroughly read all instructions before submitting your report
Final Report Instructions
Final Report Form
- SELCO recommends using Internet Explorer when using the online form. Some users have reported printing errors when using Firefox.
- If you need some advice on writing letters to legislators, here are some useful tips.
- If you have any questions regarding Community Collaborations or the evaluation process, please contact legacy@selco.info.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. General Questions
1.1 What is the Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund (ACHF)?
1.2 How long will these funds be available?
1.3 Can I charge admission at an ACHF-sponsored event?
1.4 What is the Arts & Cultural Heritage logo and disclaimer?
2. Community Collaboration Grants
2.1 Is my organization eligible for funding?
2.2 When is the application deadline?
2.3 When should I submit my application?
2.4 When should I book my performer?
2.5 What information is required on the application?
2.6 How much money can my organization apply for?
2.7 What is ineligible for funding?
2.8 Are matching funds or in-kind donations required?
2.9 Am I required to have a Partner organization?
2.10 Can my Library Board or my Friends of the Library be my application partner?
2.11 What happens after I turn in my application?
2.12 What criteria will the SELCO Legacy Review Committee use to judge applications?
2.13 What do I do if my application is denied?
2.14 What happens after my application is approved?
2.15 How will my organization or and/or performer(s) get paid?
2.16 What are my responsibilities after my application has been approved?
2.17 What are the criteria that the Committee judges grants on?
2.18 Can a program originally funded by Legacy have a follow-up grant?
General Questions
1.1 What is the Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund (ACHF)?
The Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund (ACHF) was created by the people of Minnesota to support the arts and preserve our cultural heritage. The Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment was passed overwhelmingly by Minnesota voters in November 2008. This electoral decision created new resources for land conservation, water conservation, parks, and the arts. A portion of these funds has been appropriated to regional library systems to support programs and services at local libraries and to partner with community organizations to enrich the lives of Minnesota residents.
1.2 How long will these funds be available?
Funding for regional library systems via the Minnesota Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund is guaranteed through June 30, 2015. The Minnesota Legislature has the opportunity to revise funding dispersal on a biennial schedule. Funding levels to the specific regional libraries may fluctuate based on the formula used by the State Library.
1.3 Can I charge admission at an ACHF-sponsored event?
No, according to former State Librarian, Suzanne Miller, admission or registration fees should not be charged for any event receiving Library Legacy funding. This decision is based on two philosophical library positions:
1. Traditionally, libraries have offered free programs and are perceived as that "free" source of information and recreation.
2. Library Legacy funds are about creating "access" for those that may not have had access to such events previously, either due to geography or finances.
A free-will offering or "suggested donation" is allowable.
1.4 What is the Arts & Cultural Heritage logo and disclaimer?
All publicity materials for Arts & Cultural Heritage programming must include credit to SELCO, the Library Legacy program, and the Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund (ACHF). Whenever possible you must include the ACHF logo, SELCO/SELS logo, and the Library Legacy logo. These logos can be downloaded from the ACHF Logos page. When it is not possible to use the logos, you must use the phrase: "This project was funded in part or in whole with money from Minnesota's Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund."
Community Collaboration Grants
2.1 Is my organization eligible for funding?
Community Collaboration grants are open to all libraries, organizations and individuals, provided that one SELCO/SELS member library is included as a partner on your application.
2.2 When is the application deadline?
Community Collaboration grant applications are due approximately every other month on a Wednesday mid-month. For the exact date, see the Timeline tab on this page. Please note that all supporting application materials are due at the same time. One letter of support from each partner organization must be included with the application; either electronic or physical copies are acceptable. If your supporting documents are not received in a timely manner, your application will be marked as incomplete and not sent to the Committee for deliberation. Incomplete applications may be resubmitted in a later month if all required documentation is supplied at that time.
2.3 When should I submit my application?
Please make sure to submit your application with plenty of time to spare! A minimum of 2 months of lead time is recommended. Part of the reasoning is if your application is chosen for funding, there is a chance that the committee will require more information from you prior to giving full approval status. If your request is granted Conditional Approval status, you will be given business 10 days to furnish the required information or changes to the Committee. If all answers prove satisfactory, your status will be revised to Full Approval.
2.4 When should I book my performer?
Until the Legacy Review Committee has approved your application, you cannot make final booking arrangements with your performer. Price quotes and tentative bookings are welcome with the understanding that all agreements are tentative pending approval of the Legacy Review Committee. Final bookings are strongly discouraged unless your performer's honorarium and/or travel costs have secured dedicated funding through another source. Please note that no funds can be reimbursed for items purchased or contracted prior to the approval of the Committee. If you have already committed yourself to a performer or have pre-purchased materials, these items will not be reimbursed if the receipt or agreement is dated prior to your contract.
2.5 What information is required on the application?
All fields on the application are required, including Partner information. A Partner organization is defined as any organization, group or individual donating time, money or effort to your grant project. Each partner must submit a letter of support acknowledging awareness of this application and confirming any pledges of support stated within.
2.6 How much money can my organization apply for?
The maximum an organization can apply for is $7,000. However, if the program is structured to involve multiple communities and libraries, it may be eligible for a higher request limit. Contact the SELCO Legacy Coordinator to discuss this possibility. Please, do not hesitate to contact SELCO if you have any questions about grant eligibility or size. There is currently no limit to the number of individual grants any one organization can receive. The Legacy Review Committee strives to distribute funds fairly and equitably among different libraries across the region, but cannot distribute funding to a library, geographical or cultural area which does not apply for funding.
2.7 What is ineligible for funding?
- ACHF funding cannot be used to purchase food or drink (travel costs for artists/performers is exempt) or other items which can be defined as "giveaways."
- The exception to this is programs that are topically about food and drink in which case those items would count as supplies.
- Prize-money or other awards for contests also cannot be funded with this grant.
- A maximum of 10% of the overall budget for your event can go towards collection development for you or your partner's library.
- The SELCO Legacy Review has opted to no longer fund requests for parking.
- The Committee has a strong recommendation that a program can't be re-applied for unless a variation is implemented.
2.8 Are matching funds or in-kind donations required?
No, matching funds or in-kind donations are not required. However, demonstrating your willingness to provide in-kind contributions whether supplies, time, or funds, may assist in demonstrating your commitment to the project.
2.9 Am I required to have a Partner organization?
Every Community Collaboration application must include at least one partner organization. This is an effort to encourage more collaboration between community groups and libraries. Partners are defined as any organization (including non-arts-based groups) contributing funding or in-kind services to your program, exhibit or project. Some partners may play pivotal roles in your event, while others may only donate a small amount of time or effort. If you need help finding a partner for your application, SELCO suggests:
• Speak with other public & school libraries in your area; they may wish to partake in your event.
• Reach out to local businesses – perhaps your local supermarket or bakery would be willing to donate refreshments for your event (especially since refreshment cannot be purchased with grant funds).
2.10 Can my Library Board or my Friends of the Library be my application partner?
Your Library Board cannot be a partner, as they are technically another facet of your own organization. Your Friends of the Library, however, can be a partner as they are an independent organization, fiscally separate from your library.
2.11 What happens after I turn in my application?
You will receive an email confirmation to the address used to fill out the application. This email confirmation will be sent automatically by the system after your application has been submitted. If you do not receive an email confirmation, please contact SELCO immediately as your application may not have been received.
After it has been received, your application will be checked for completeness and accuracy by SELCO staff. If any discrepancies are noted or questions arise, you may be contacted for clarification prior to the Legacy Review Committee meeting.
2.12 What criteria will the SELCO Legacy Review Committee use to judge applications?
SELCO will make an effort to distribute available funds fairly and equitably among different libraries and across the different geographic and cultural areas of the region. Programs, exhibits and projects seeking funding should reflect the highest possible standards and artistic excellence. Applications will be reviewed on:
• Merit and artistic quality of the project or service to arts and cultural heritage within the library.
• Need as demonstrated by the involvement and support of community partners, including whether the budget reflects realistic costs as well as the scope of the project.
• Ability of the applicant to accomplish the program, exhibit or project.
2.13 What do I do if my application is denied?
If your application is denied, you will receive comments from the community on their advice on whether to attempt a resubmission or to look for other funding. For guidance as to how to better structure your application or project, please contact the SELCO Legacy Coordinator.
2.14 What happens after my application is approved?
You will be informed in writing whether your application has received Full Approval, Conditional Approval, or Denial status by the SELCO Legacy Review Committee. If approved, you will be sent additional forms, including but not necessarily limited to a Request for 80% Payment Voucher.
2.15 How will my organization or and/or performer(s) get paid?
When your application has been granted Full Approval status, you will be sent a Request for 80% Payment Voucher. Regardless of which payment method you choose, this Voucher must be filled out and returned to SELCO. Two payment /funding methods are available:
1. 80/20 Method: If you wish to maintain fiscal control over all grant funds and/or need to have "cash" on hand to pay for grant expenses, SELCO recommends you choose this method. Upon receipt of your signed contract, SELCO will immediately send you a check for 80% of the allocated funds. You must keep track of all grant expenditures and submit receipts for all funds used during the course of your event. The remaining 20% of grant funds will be refunded to you after all evaluation and final report materials have been submitted and accepted by SELCO.
2. Funds on Deposit Method (only available to SELCO/SELS member libraries): If you wish for SELCO to maintain control of all fiscal concerns and paperwork, you can choose to keep your grant funds on deposit with SELCO. No check will be sent to your organization. Instead, any bills you receive for contracted services or materials must be sent to SELCO for payment. This option is most often chosen by libraries with complicated fiscal ties to their city/county which would make direct payment prohibitive.
2.16 What are my responsibilities after my application has been approved?
At the time of application, each applicant must agree to:
a) Expend funds only for the purposes specified in the application. Prior approval by SELCO must be obtained in the event of changes.
b) Provide receipts and financial documentation for all expenses.
c) Provide a written narrative report of accomplishment.
d) Clearly state and include the Arts & Cultural Heritage logo and disclaimer, crediting SELCO and Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.
e) Provide samples of any materials developed as a part of the application.
Following approval, the applicant must:
a) Sign a Request for 80% Payment Voucher (this will be provided by SELCO).
b) Should the costs or duration of the project require additional documentation, SELCO may ask for you to provide an interim report.
c) Maintain records, documents or papers showing evidence of the use of grant funds and provide required documentation to SELCO for purposes of completing the Library Legacy final report and audit as required by the Minnesota Department of Education.
2.17 What are the criteria that the Committee judges grants on?
A copy of the Legacy Review Committee's review criteria is attached here.
2.18 Can a program originally funded by Legacy have a follow-up grant?
The Legacy Review Committee has decided that the rulings of the Office of the Legislative Auditor have indicated the if a program was established with Legacy funding, additional, discrete grants which supplement the original intent are acceptable. This may be subject to additional rulings but for now, SELCO will accept phase two projects. For example, if the original grant established a digitized collection of photos, a second grant to digitize another collection is allowable.
