The Arkansas Arts on Tour roster provides a list of many of our state's finest solo and ensemble performers, individual visual artists, and prepared art exhibitions available for touring within Arkansas. Many of these roster artists will also provide workshops, master classes, and open rehearsals.
An independent panel chooses new roster artists each year through an audition/interview process. Selection is based on the quality of the artists' work and on a demonstrated ability to tour in Arkansas.
The Arts on Tour program (AOT) is designed by the Arkansas Arts Council to grant fee support to eligible presenters showcasing artists listed in the Arts on Tour roster. That means the performance or exhibition in question must be the focus of the engagement, not a secondary part of some other purpose. Such activities as providing background music for a reception, an award presentation, or a dinner featuring a special speaker are not eligible for reimbursement. Arts on Tour will also not reimburse expenses to hire roster performers as guest artists within another organization’s program or concert.
AOT grants will reimburse 40 percent of the total artist fees listed in the Arts on Tour roster. Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis until the year’s money is allocated. Each applicant is limited to a total of $2,000 in reimbursements per year. If the engagement is scheduled between July 1, 2010, and December 31, 2010, the Arkansas Arts Council will begin accepting requests for reimbursement on April 1, 2010. If the engagement is scheduled between January 1, 2011, and June 30, 2011, the Arts Council will begin accepting reimbursement requests on October 1, 2010.
AOT roster fees are listed as separate figures for artist fees and technical costs, which include travel and lodging expenses. The total combined contract fee is the amount eligible for reimbursement. The roster fees are the maximum amounts allowable for Arts Council reimbursement. Presenters may negotiate a lower fee with the artist than the amount listed in the roster, but if a lower fee is agreed upon, the maximum reimbursement granted to the presenter will be 40 percent of the negotiated fee, up to $2,000.
Engagements scheduled during May—Arkansas Heritage Month—may be eligible for a reimbursement of 60 percent of the contract fees, up to $2,000, if the program has a clear connection to the 2011 Heritage Month theme "Centennial of the State Capitol." Presenters requesting an additional amount of reimbursement must include an explanation with their application stating why the event fits the Heritage Month theme.
In order to apply for Arkansas Arts on Tour fee support, applicant organizations must:
- be a nonprofit Arkansas-based organization if its gross receipts are less than $5,000, or an organization certified as exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code (this includes public schools, institutions of higher learning, churches, and government units.)
- plan to showcase the AOT artist/ensemble as the reason people attend the event and allow the performance, workshop, or exhibition to be open to the general public through unrestricted paid or free admission
- agree to credit the Arkansas Arts Council in programs, season brochures, advertisements, and press releases with the following credit line:
This program is supported by the Arkansas Arts Council, an agency of the Department of Arkansas Heritage, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Please submit samples of any publications as proof of proper crediting.
All reimbursed events must take place between July 1, 2010, and June 30, 2011. Each request must be received in the Arkansas Arts Council office before the event occurs. This is not a postmarked deadline.
Requests will not be accepted after June 1, 2011.
Facsimiles or copies of applications without original signatures, or incorrect or incomplete applications will not be accepted.
Applicant organizations must submit a separate signed request for each contracted event. The contract fee per engagement can be no more than the total amount listed in the AOT roster. The total 2010-2011 Arts on Tour funding each presenter may receive is limited to $2,000.
Each submitted reimbursement request must include the following items:
- a signed Presenter Application Form with the Arkansas Arts Council. The Application form includes a section to describe how the presenter plans to feature the AOT artist/ensemble they are requesting a reimbursement for. It also has a place to indicate the presenting organization’s tax ID number (EIN) and its nine- digit DUNS Number (data universal numbering system. Any organization (schools etc.) already receiving federal funds will have one. The presenting organization’s executive director, business manager, board treasurer, or accountant should know, or be able to provide the DUNS number if it has one. Additional information on obtaining one can be found at http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform/displayHomePage.do. The submitted Application Form must have an original signature from the applicant organization. The applicant should keep a copy of this AOT application.
- a copy of a co-signed contract with an Arkansas Arts on Tour roster artist/ensemble for an event scheduled in the period of July 2010-June 2011. This submitted copy must include all contract addenda and tech riders that specify payment.
- If the application is for a 60 percent reimbursement for an event during Heritage Month, the application must also include:
- a brief description of the event explaining its connection to the 2011 Heritage Month theme. Be specific in the explanation.
Requests are funded on a first-come, first-served basis, and the number of reimbursements awarded is limited to the amount of funding available. Upon receipt of the application package, the Arkansas Arts council will process the form, determine its status based on the availability of funds, and notify the applicant organization that funds have been allocated for the event.
If an application is approved, the applicant organization will be sent an invoice and an evaluation form prior to the event date. In order for the presenter to be paid a reimbursement, the Arts Council must receive a returned request package after the approved event occurs. In addition to the Arts Council invoice, the request package must include proof of complete contract payment. This proof could be such evidence as a copy of both sides of the cancelled check paid to the artist/group, or a copy of the check payment listed on a computerized bank statement. Outside sponsorship must be paid to the presenter in order for it to be considered part of the contract payment. The presenter is responsible for paying all stipulated contract costs before it can receive a reimbursement for expenses from the Arkansas Arts Council. Requests received more than 30 days after the event, or with missing requested pieces, may not be paid.
Each submitted reimbursement request must include the following items:
- the signed Arkansas Arts Council invoice
- proof of payment of the AOT artist/group contract with presenter signature if check copy
- the completed evaluation form
Mail application package to:
Arts on Tour Program
Arkansas Arts Council
1500 Tower Bldg.
323 Center Street
Little Rock, AR 72201-2606
For more information on the Arts on Tour Program contact Jess Anthony at (501) 324-9768, or email jess@arkansasheritage.org.
Download a FY 2011 Presenter Contract Application Form A - PDF | Word
Download a FY 2010 Presenter Contract Application Form B - PDF | Word