4Culture's Heritage Special Projects funding program supports creative and innovative proposals that document and interpret King County's history. In the past, the program has produced some of the region's most outstanding heritage publications, tour guides, videos, web sites, oral histories, events and award-winning exhibits. Funds from this program may be used to support projects that promote the appreciation of King County's heritage and cultural traditions.
The goals of 4Culture's Heritage Special Projects program include:
Promote and encourage the identification, documentation, exhibition and interpretation of historic and cultural materials pertaining to the heritage of King County
Promote and assist the passing of King County's cultural heritage to future generations;
Enhance King County's tourist industry by promoting heritage-related tourism.
Awards in 2009 ranged from $750 to $7,950. Fifty-two proposals for funding were received. A total of $143,342 was awarded to 34 projects. Funding for this program is derived from a portion of King County lodging tax revenues.
Note: Proposals for projects that focus on the care and preservation of historical collections should be submitted to 4Culture's Heritage Collections Care program.
Guidelines and Process for 2010 Program Below (deadline passed)
Who Can Apply
Organizations and individuals may submit one application annually to the Heritage Special Projects program.
Eligible Applicants Include King County-Based:
Independent historians or heritage specialists
Heritage and historical organizations (Note: Applicants are encouraged to obtain IRS 501c3 nonprofit status; however, it is not required by this program.)
Cultural organizations or community groups with missions that include heritage programs and activities
Public agencies with missions that include heritage programs and activities
Eligible Projects Must:
Focus primarily on the identification, documentation, exhibition and/or interpretation of King County heritage resources
Address at least one of the following heritage disciplines, as they relate specifically to King County's past: archaeology; indigenous and traditional cultures; ethnic, community, or regional history and heritage; historic preservation; or folklore
Serve and be accessible to county residents and visitors
What Gets Funded
Project Funds May be Used to:
Support projects including, but not limited to:
Archaeological resource documentation or interpretation
Books, tour guides and brochures that interpret heritage themes and resources (Note: A publication distribution plan identifying audiences, as well as distribution venues and publicity methods will be required of successful applicants.)
Research projects that document heritage resources or information access aids
Media projects (oral, video or electronic history documentation)
Research and design of new, temporary, and traveling museum exhibits and programs
Produce special events and programs that will highlight the region's history and heritage resources, including, but not limited to:
Conferences, workshops or public programs which provide technical assistance, apprenticeship or training opportunities, and have significant regional content
Historic walking, cycling or driving tours
Public participatory events such as field schools, institutes, and other programs
Heritage fairs or heritage skills demonstrations
Programs which facilitate collaboration between heritage organizations, such as the exchange and sharing of equipment, marketing tools and information services
Provide opportunities for youth, special populations, under-served communities, and multicultural audiences to work firsthand with heritage resources, including, but not limited to:
Internships and training programs
Participatory and public educational programs
Eligible Costs Include:
Fees for historians, heritage specialists, professional consultants or services
Materials and consumable supplies used for program purposes
Direct project costs, which may include transportation, documentation, and other items and fees specifically described in the application
General operating support, indirect or overhead costs and fees, employee benefits or any regular staff salaries
Elements of projects completed before the award of funds
Services for events in which fundraising is a primary purpose
Applications from religious institutions
Applications from schools (schools should contact the Heritage 4Culture Program for information regarding partnerships for projects in the Cultural Education Program)
Projects addressing general cultural or historical themes which lack a specific focus on King County's history and heritage
Support for services and programs to be provided by the King County Landmarks Commission for land use regulation and archaeological resource management purposes as described in K.C.C. chapter 20.62 (King County Code 4.42.125H)
When
2010 Program Deadline: passed
Projects or portions thereof that are funded through 2010 Heritage Special Projects may begin no earlier than May 1, 2010.
How
Applications to the Heritage Special Projects program are reviewed by staff for eligibility, accuracy, and completeness. An independent peer review panel, composed of heritage specialists, museum professionals, and other community representatives, meet to review applications. The panel will select and recommend the most highly qualified projects for funding based on the following criteria:
Quality and Qualifications
Clarity of proposed project description, including overall project goals, timeline, and historical significance and thoroughness and completeness of responses, and quality of writing and editing
Quality of proposed project, including its alignment with professional standards, best practices, and methodologies for ensuring historical accuracy
Experience and qualifications of applicant and project personnel in historical methodologies and heritage technical fields
Relationship of proposed project to the mission and goals of applicant, to existing scholarship, and to existing or needed resources
Feasibility
Applicant's preparedness to develop, administer, and complete proposed project within budgetary, logistical and time constraints described in application
Appropriateness of overall budget and request, including applicant's ability to use 4Culture funds to leverage private or other public funding and support for the project, and applicant's presentation of a well-developed plan for raising funds needed to complete the proposed project
Project Impact and Public Benefit
Project's contribution to the development and preservation of the historical record in King County
Project's potential to raise the visibility of heritage preservation or interpretation
Project's ability to increase public access to heritage resources and programs, including those developed or presented with support from this program, as well as outreach efforts to diverse populations
Project's ability to generate broad and/or lasting public benefit
Heritage Priorities
Projects which contribute to the identification and documentation of endangered historic and heritage resources
Projects which address interpretation and exhibition of neglected aspects of King County heritage (such as those defined by theme, ethnicity, or geography)
Questions about your proposal or its eligibility? Contact Eric Taylor at 206 296.8688.
Funding from 4Culture programs is awarded on a competitive basis. The following opportunities are available to help applicants plan projects and prepare applications:
Free workshops are presented by program staff to identify the types of projects eligible for funding, explain how funding decisions are made, provide a step-by-step review of the application, and offer tips for preparing your proposal.
Applications from previous years are available for review at the 4Culture offices.
Requirements and appeals Learn about the legal requirements of award recipients, and about the process for appeal of a 4Culture award here.
Ready to Apply
How to prepare your application
STEP 1 - Read all of the above sections STEP 2 - Gather and prepare your information
You are required to submit your application using the new online form. In this section, you will find three tools for preparing your information
Annotated Application Preview
Narrative Question Guide
Supplemental Materials Guide
Annotated Application Preview
The online application will ask you for information that you should prepare before you login to apply. To prepare your information, we suggest you review the Application Preview. It shows you what the online application will look like and contains helpful notes/tips from staff.
If you do not have the Adobe Acrobat software required to view this document, you can download a free Adobe® Acrobat viewer.
Narrative Question Guide
Narrative Question: Project Description
Explain the proposed project. What do you plan to do? When? Where? Include specific information regarding dates, location, and activities, as well as general information regarding the heritage content and historical significance of the proposed project. Summarize the project's objectives.
Narrative Question: Project Impact
What is the intended impact of this project in the community? What lasting effect or contribution do you expect to generate through this project and how will you achieve it? What resources, programs or products will be developed as a result of project activities? What King County population(s) will be served? How will you provide public benefit and access to the resources, programs, and products associated with the component of the project for which you are seeking funds?
Narrative Question: Relevant Expertise/Experience/Accomplishments
What are the qualifications and accomplishments of the project director, heritage specialists or other personnel? Cite examples of similar project-based work that has been successfully managed and/or administered. What project planning and preparation has been done? What professional standards or best practices are involved in developing the project and how will they be implemented?
Narrative Question: Project Plan
Describe the proposed methods and timeframe for completion of the project's goals. What methods of publicity and outreach will be used? How will your project raise the visibility of King County heritage? How will you measure success in achieving the goals of the project? How will you document project activities?
Supplemental Materials Guide
Here are the supplemental materials that you may be asked to submit. You have some options as to how to submit these materials.
Project Budget Download the budget form provided here. Enter your estimated project costs in the Expenses column; add additional lines, if desired. Enter your sources of income for the project in the Income column. You will submit the project budget via the online application.
Board List (Organizations only) Upload a list of your organization's board members and their affiliations in the file format of your choice. You will submit the board list via the online application.
Operating Budget (Organizations only) Upload your organization's annual operating budget in the file format of your choice. You will submit the operating budget via the online application.
Work Samples / Misc. Support Materials (Optional) You may choose one of the following work sample / support material options and one of the "way to submit" options.
Images Up to 10 digital color images in .jpg format. We prefer between 2 and 5 megabytes in size.
Way to submit - Upload: Upload JPGs using the online application.
Way to submit - Mail/Deliver: Mail in or deliver one CD including JPGs. Label the CD clearly with your full name.
Manuscript A writing sample, in English, on white, 8.5x11" paper (or digital equivalent), of no more than ten (10) pages with a minimum font size of 12 points. Include your first and last name on each page.
Way to submit - Upload: Upload a .pdf or .doc using the online application.
Way to submit - Mail/Deliver: Mail in or deliver a copy of your manuscript.
Mail/Deliver Instructions Mailed materials must have a United States Postal Service postmark of March 3, 2010, or be delivered by 5:00 p.m., March 3, 2010, to:
Eric Taylor
4Culture
101 Prefontaine Place S
Seattle, WA 98104
STEP 3 - Sign in to begin your application
Note: Once you have started the process of applying online, you can hit "save" after each completed step in the application, sign out, and your application will remain saved as a draft. You can then return to your application any time before the deadline to continue working or to make changes by signing in with the username and password you created. Once you hit "submit," you will still be able to see your application, but you will not be able to make any more changes.
For technical questions about the online application system, contact staff member Brandi Link at 206-296-8707.
