By Martine Friesen
MAC supports the full-range of artistic activity culminating in the presentation of work. Whether it’s a concert showcasing Manitoba composers, an innovative take on a classic play, or an online publication, the Present program allows individuals, groups, and organizations to share work with the public.
The Program
The Present program supports the presentation of work in all disciplines by professional artists, arts groups, and arts organizations.
Grant amounts
This program has two grant types: Short-term and multi-year (two-year). You could apply for up to $ 15,000 for a short-term project or $ 20,000 for the multi-year. However, to be eligible for a multi-year grant, you must have received a minimum of three previous Manitoba Arts Council grants.
Who can apply
In order to apply to the Present program, you must be a professional artist, a professional arts group, or a professional arts organization. That means you must have a valid profile as an individual, a group or an organization on MAC’s Online Application System. To give yourself enough time, make sure that you submit your profile to MAC at least 15 business days before you want to start your application.
What you can apply for
If your project involves public presentations or publications, this is the program for you! This grant can help you cover direct costs related to your proposed project.
A note for dancers and choreographers: Previously, creation activity and presentation activity were both eligible in a single program through the Dance Creation/Production Grant. Now, creation activity in dance will be supported through the Create program.
When you can apply
The Present program will have two deadlines in a given calendar year. These will stay the same from year to year. The deadlines for the Present program are February 25 and September 10.
Applicants must submit their applications for any MAC program by 11:59 PM on the day of the deadline. Previously, an application deadline would move to the following business day if it fell on a weekend or holiday. This allowed applicants to deliver or mail their paper application during regular business hours. Now that applications will be submitted online, deadline dates will be fixed.
How decisions are made
Your application to the Present program will be assessed by a peer assessment jury representing a discipline or group of disciplines. This jury will use the following criteria to evaluate your proposed project:
Short-term projects:
- Artistic Merit (75%)
- Impact (15%)
- Feasibility (10%)
Multi-year projects:
- Artistic merit 60%
- Impact 20%
- Feasibility 20%
If you’re interested in reading up on MAC’s evaluation process, you should check out our Peer Assessment Handbook.
Applied to MAC before?
Still wondering if this program is right for your project? Our new programs continue to fund the kinds of activities that were supported in our previous programs.
Specifically, the Present grant supports most of the activities that were eligible in the following programs:
- Book Publishers Project Grants
- Dance Production Grant
- Dance Two-Year Grant
- Music Performance Grant – Concert or Series
- Music Two-Year Grant
- Project Grants for Periodical Publishers
- Program Assistance in the Visual Arts
- Public Readings by Manitoba Writers (for organizations)
- Theatre Production Grant
- Theatre Two-Year Grant
If you’re still not sure, get in touch with us. We would be happy to help you!
Take Away:
- Two application deadlines
- You must have a valid professional artist profile, a professional arts group profile, or a professional arts organization profile to apply.
- Creation activity in dance is eligible in the Create program.
