All applicants must:
The AIC defines creative industries as those industries which have their origin in individual creativity and which have a potential for wealth and job creation through the generation and exploitation of intellectual property. Eligible creative industries include the follow music, visual arts & crafts, performing arts, design, culinary arts, digital content, film, photography, & video, writing/literature, and TV & broadcast.
Applicants are eligible to apply for up to $2,000 per grant round.
Applicants must provide a minimum match of 1/2 of the total CID grant request. For example: if you request funding in the amount of $2,000, your match must be at least $1,000 ($2,000 x 1/2 = $1,000). Therefore, your total project budget would be at least $3,000.
Applicants cannot receive more than one grant in a fiscal year (July 1 – June 30).
Applicants cannot receive more than one CID Grant for the same project.
Grants are available to small and micro businesses only (i.e. with no more than 25 employees). All projects activities must be family friendly. Grants will not be available for projects that have already commenced at the date of application. Funds can be used for and are not limited to, developing and/or implementing a marketing plan, design and/or printing of marketing materials, preparing and/or distributing a portfolio, the cost of an exhibition (including travel), conducting market research, creating and maintaining a client or prospect database, and establishing a website. Funds cannot be used for developing and/or implementing a marketing plan, design and/or printing of marketing materials, preparing and/or distributing a portfolio, the cost of an exhibition (including travel), conducting market research, creating and maintaining a client or prospect database, and establishing a website.
Reviewers look for projects that are supported by sound business planning/management, that generate an impact, show artistic merit and demonstrate fiscal responsibility. Panel members make recommendations regarding award recipients and respective grant amounts. All panel funding recommendations are approved by the AIC’s board of directors. AIC staff are available to assist applicants and grantees throughout the granting process; however, they have no influence over panel or board decision making.
CID Program applications will be reviewed according to the following criteria, with each area carrying a specific point value. The questions posed within these four areas will be used by panelists as the primary tool to evaluate each application. Each panelist will determine whether the questions have been adequately addressed by your project proposal and will score your application accordingly. Preference will be given to: 1) applicants who have not previously received a CID award, 2) creative industries that already have separate, fully-developed business plans, 3) projects with the potential to create jobs and 4) applicants that can demonstrate a potential increase in exposure or sales using CID funds.