Each year, the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County distributes more than $2 million to arts organizations in the county, through Sarasota County’s Tourist Development Cultural/Arts grants program. Applicants for TDC/A grants must demonstrate both artistic excellence in their proposed projects, as well as tourism appeal—as arts remain an important economic driver for the county—and these applications are reviewed each year by a volunteer panel of Sarasota County residents. And as the arts and culture community gears up for season, the Arts and Cultural Alliance has announced that the organization is now accepting applications for those interested in serving as members for this year’s panel.

“It’s part fun and part hard work,” says Dr. Fern Tavalin, TDC/A Grant Manager, and the commitment will last throughout the season. Beginning in October, panelists must commit to attending several arts and cultural events made possible by previous grants, to give them a sense for what kind of projects the program looks to support each year. But with a pair of complimentary tickets, they won’t have to attend alone. Panelists will also work with Tavalin to get to know the grant process and what successful applications typically look like. “Before they read the projects they will be scoring, they get a chance to read the ones from last year,” she says.

This is all preparation for when the application review process begins in earnest, come the following March. With all applications in hand, panelists attend an in-depth orientation program that further explicates the grant approval process, including the particular criteria used to assess each new application. Decisions are not to be made via personal preference, but scored on these pre-set parameters. “We put a lot of emphasis on fairness,” says Tavalin. Because the program has grown so much, it often supports as many as 38 organizations a year, winnowed from many more applicants, and Tavalin says panelists should expect to put in anywhere from 40 to 60 hours reviewing applications and interviewing artists. The process often extends through April and May as well.

Those looking to serve on this panel must live in Sarasota County, and should have a range of expertise, with experience not only in the arts, but also the administrative or business side of the arts. The Arts and Cultural Alliance has also expressed a particular need for visual or performing artists to serve on this year’s panel, but Tavalin believes the experience to be a valuable one for all chosen, whether lifers or new arrivals, regular culture-hounds or recovering homebodies.

“It exposes the panelists to organizations that they otherwise would not know anything about,” she says. “So it’s good for that broad exposure, and it’s also good for people who are new to our community, because they can learn about the arts and culture here.”

Applications to serve on the TDC/A grants program panel are currently open. The deadline for application is August 30.

2019-2020 TDC/A Grant Panelists Application