Eligible artistic disciplines vary with each funding opportunity. See each opportunity for specific information.
Eligible disciplines include:

• Film/Video/Animation–Storytelling, visual, or performance based art using film, audio, broadcast, or multimedia.
• Dance and Movement–All genres, artist led or collaborative
• Theatre/Comedy/Circus Arts–Classical, new, showcase, experimental, community based
• Visual Arts–Painting, sculpture, fabric, photography, printmaking, folk, traditional, drawing, craft, public art, and digital art.
• Music–All genres to be presented to all age audiences
• Literature/Poetry–Storytelling and spoken word, lectures, workshops
• Art Facilitation-Identifying, assembling, managing, and presenting various aspects of an exhibition/artistic experience
• Interdisciplinary–Combination of visual, performing, musical, digital, and/or conceptual disciplines

Each fund requires that applicants must be at least 18 years of age. Artists and organizations are not eligible to reapply for a fund they have previously received in 2022/2023, however they may apply for a different fund as long as they meet the eligibility requirements.

Eligibility varies with each fund. Please see each fund to view the full list of eligibility requirements.

You must be a resident of Arkansas to apply for The Platform and The Medium Artist Residencies (MARS). You do not need to be a resident of Arkansas to apply for the Producers, Mixtape Music Series, and Spectra Series funds.

Eligibility varies with each fund. Please see each fund to view the full list of eligibility requirements.

Selected lead artists are required to attend the virtual Meet and Greet on Wednesday, September 6, 2023 from 6-9 pm. A post-program assessment is required for all projects.

Professional development opportunities and mentorships are designed for and available to CXF recipients throughout the duration of the program.

The September 6 Meet and Greet is a virtual convening for CXF artists to create a community network. Lead artists are asked to introduce themselves and share a synopsis of their projects.

To ensure a successful partnership, the Medium and CACHE staff will give an overview of programming logistics, outline project deliverables, walk through contracts, and answer questions. Lead artists are required to attend and all project collaborators are welcome.

Applications open June 12, 2023.

Applications close 7/17/2023 at 5 pm central time.

The application process will gather information in three main areas: lead artist information, supporting information for the artists/organizations applying, and the proposed project description. If you are applying as a group of artists, arts and culture organization, or for-profit entity, please note that your proposed project must have a lead applicant.

The application for each fund will vary, but all will include basic proposal information such as:

• Lead Artist Information (Geography, Discipline, Level of Experience)
• Artist Statement/Organization Statement of Purpose
• Relevant Experience
• Work Samples
• Project Proposal (project description, timeline, budget, list of artists/organizations/partnerships)
• Preferred Dates for project

Determine which funding opportunity best fits your proposed project’s discipline and scope. You may apply for only one opportunity. Submit your application by 5 pm CT on July 17, 2023. You will need to create a free Submittable account at www.submittable.com in order to apply. Please reach out to Submittable’s Customer Support team with any technical questions at support@submittable.com

Panelists reviewing project proposals will be experts in at least one artistic discipline, possess an understanding of the creative communities of Northwest Arkansas, and/or be a representative of a variety of communities, experiences, and backgrounds.

Professional/Artistic Growth and Risk-taking: Project represents an opportunity, artistic challenge, or a stretch for the applicant(s). Clearly outlines why this is the project/work the applicant wants to do now and how it relates to and furthers career and artistic goals. Project involves artistic risk. Applicants communicate a sense of curiosity and their proposal demonstrates that they are dreaming big.

Capacity/Feasibility: Applicant outlines a track record demonstrating the capacity and skill to carry out their proposed project. Clearly takes into account the feasibility of their project within the CXF program restrictions (whether that be physical space, time allotted, equipment needs, etc.). Applicant’s budget and project proposal align.

Artistic Vision and Strength of Concept: Applicant demonstrates a clear, compelling vision or purpose for their work in general. The proposed project concept aligns with this vision or purpose. The proposed project is relevant, interesting, inspiring, and thought-provoking.

All applicants will be notified in early September of 2023.

Funded projects will receive 100 percent of their award upon execution of a formal, counter-signed grant agreement.

Funds awarded must be used for direct costs including artist fees, project related materials and supplies, travel costs, consultant fees, contractual services, facilities costs, marketing and promotion costs, and health and safety supply costs associated with the CXF project. Funds cannot be used for capital expenditures such as computers or large depreciable equipment.

Support for artists and organizations interested in the Creative Exchange Fund can be accessed by attending or viewing one of the zoom information sessions, attending the application workshop and scheduling 1:1 consultation time with CACHE/The Medium staff. The information sessions will be recorded and available online.

The lead artist acts as the appointed representative and principal contact person for a CXF project but does not have to participate in project activities. For example, a lead artist completes the online application; maintains responsibility for the project and deliverables; serves as the primary point of communication with CACHE; signs the contract and receives payment, and works closely with The Medium staff to coordinate event dates and details.

Yes, lead artists may be members of other CXF projects for which they are not listed as lead artists.

Artists and organizations are responsible for the promotion, publicity, marketing and outreach of their work. Content and promotional materials that are delivered in a timely manner prior to the project period may be shared out by CACHE and The Medium at their discretion. All recipients will be encouraged to add their projects to the Arkansas Creative Calendar, CACHE’s comprehensive regional arts and cultural calendar.

Yes, tickets and artwork may be sold at all CXF events with the exception of the Mixtape Music Series concerts which are promoted as free events; however, merchandise may be sold at Mixtape Music Series concerts. Programs who choose to sell event tickets or pieces of work are responsible for the implementation and administration of a sales point.

Yes, projects who choose to sell event tickets, merchandise, or artwork are responsible for the implementation and administration of a sales point and will keep 100 percent of earned revenue.

CXF projects and their associated events will take place during an assigned Work Period, specific to each fund. Lead artists should carefully consider feasibility when selecting Work Period options on the application.

Requests for changes will not be considered unless under dire and immediate circumstances. The Creative Exchange Fund artists will collectively occupy over 700 days of overlapping projects and programs. Shifting Work Periods poses a significant challenge that would affect other CXF recipients.

No. Each funding opportunity has a designated location within the facility. If you’d like to reserve additional space, you will need to coordinate that separately by emailing Thalia Madewell at thalia@cachecreate.org