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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-589-E-County Mgr-Carson Whitmore-2025-2026 Arts Grants GRASSROOTS ARTS PROGRAM / ARTIST PROJECT GRANT 2025-26 Grantee Name Authorizing Official Name Email Project Title Award $ Grant Category ☐Grassroots Arts Program ☐Artist Project Grant Program Funding Source ☐North Carolina Arts Council ☐Orange County Grant project period July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026 As Authorizing Official, I acknowledge the following terms and understand if they are not met, I jeopardize future funding opportunities from the Orange County Arts Commission. I understand a Compliance Score is issued for future grants based on my adherence to the following terms: OCAC Report Due July 10, 2026 Multicultural Spending Grantee must spend $ on the hiring of multicultural artists as specified in the grant application. Crediting and logo usage All grantees must properly credit the Orange County Arts Commission using the proper logo on all publicity materials for the funded program. Recipients of operations-related grants must include the OCAC logo with link to www.artsorange.org on grantee’s website. If funding source is listed as N.C. Arts Council above, grantee must also properly credit the N.C. Arts Council using the proper logos and N.C. Arts Council credit line on all publicity materials for funded program. Download logos on the OCAC website at https://artsorange.org/grants/grantee-resources. Calendar Listing Grantee must enter all events, exhibits, and performances open to the public and related to this grant award on the Orange County Arts Commission website at www.artsorange.org/events. X 1,927.00 carsonwhitmoreart@gmail.com A Really Big Picnic Carson Whitmore Carson Whitmore X Docusign Envelope ID: BE2D14D2-BDA9-45B6-BC41-845725EC0A73 1 Revised August 2025 ORANGE COUNTY ARTS COMMISSION 2025-26 GRANT AGREEMENT THIS AGREEMENT, entered into this 5 day of September, 2025, by and between Orange County ("County"), by and through the Orange County Arts Commission ("Arts Commission") and ("Grant Recipient"). WHEREAS, the Arts Commission is a countywide arts agency that ensures the growth of local arts experiences by providing funding and support for diverse high quality programs and projects. WHEREAS, the Arts Commission administers the annual Grants Program to provide economic opportunities to Orange County artists and non-profit organizations coordinating arts projects benefiting the citizens of Orange County. WHEREAS, the annual Arts Grants Program is supported by Arts Commission with funds from the Grassroots Arts Program of the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, a state agency. WHEREAS, the Grant Recipient was selected by the Arts Commission to receive the annual Arts Grant through the procedures duly adopted by the Arts Commission; and WHEREAS, both parties wish to promote and maintain the integrity and clarity of the Grant Recipient's ideas and statements and delineate the Grant Recipient’s obligations to the County; NOW, THEREFORE, the County and the Grant Recipient, for the consideration and under the conditions hereinafter set forth, agree as follows: 1. Approved Grant Project. Grant funds are provided under this Agreement for the project (“Project”) described in the Grant Recipient’s Grant Application, attached hereto and incorporated herein as Exhibit A. 2. Grant Award. Grant funds in an amount not to exceed ($ ) have been awarded by the Arts Commission to the Grant Recipient for the approved Project. The Recipient shall be required to match funds at least dollar-for-dollar with cash from the Grant Recipient’s funds not derived from either Orange County appropriations or the North Carolina Arts Council, as outlined in the attached Exhibit A. 3. Contingency. This grant is contingent on North Carolina Arts Council Grassroots Program funding to the Arts Commission. Final decisions on Grassroots Program funds to the North Carolina Arts Council are subject to approval by the North Carolina General Assembly. 4. Responsibilities of the Grant Recipient one thousand nine hundred twenty-seven dollars Carson Whitmore 1,927.00 Docusign Envelope ID: BE2D14D2-BDA9-45B6-BC41-845725EC0A73 2 Revised August 2025 A. Implementation. The Project implementation shall take place between July 1, 2025 and June 30, 2026. The Project shall be implemented in the manner described in Exhibit A. Time is of the essence in the implementation of the Project. B. Modifications to project. Grant Recipient shall present major changes to the original proposal, including but not limited to changes in design, implementation schedule and increase in Project budget by more than 10%, in writing to the Arts Commission for approval. Arts Commission shall approve or disapprove Grant Recipient’s request for modifications within seven (7) days of receipt thereof. Consent to project modifications shall not be unreasonably withheld. Arts Commission’s decisions shall be in writing. In the event the Arts Commission fails to approve or disapprove the requested modifications within the time stated herein, the modifications shall be deemed approved. C. Non–assignment. The grant cannot be assigned or transferred to a different project or artist without prior written approval of the Arts Commission. D. Records. Grant Recipient must maintain records and other evidence pertaining to costs incurred and revenues acquired during the Project implementation. Grant Recipient shall maintain financial records pertaining to the Project for three (3) years from the date of this Agreement, in case of audit. E. Use of Funds. Grant Recipient shall not use the grant funds to repay outstanding taxes or other debts of any nature. The grants shall be utilized solely for the purpose described in the attached Exhibit A. F. Final Report. Grant Recipient shall submit to the Arts Commission a Final Report on July 10, 2026. The Final Report shall be in the format required by the North Carolina Arts Council. Failure to submit the Final Report or late submission of the Final Report, for any reason, shall be grounds for denial and/or cancellation of grant funds for the Project and future grant proposals. 5. Responsibilities of the Arts Commission A. Payment. The Arts Commission shall release the grant funds in the amount of $ to the Grant Recipient. 6. Publicity A. Acknowledgement. Credit must be given to the Orange County Arts Commission and/or the North Carolina Arts Council using the proper logo(s) and credit line in brochures, news releases, programs, and all other printed and online publications. Copies of such printed materials must accompany the evaluation report. Official Orange County Arts Commission and North Carolina Arts Council logos may be downloaded at www.artsorange.org/grantee-resources and may not be altered in any way. When no printed information is used, verbal 1,927.00 Docusign Envelope ID: BE2D14D2-BDA9-45B6-BC41-845725EC0A73 3 Revised August 2025 credit shall be given. In addition, all print and promotional material must include the following credit line and logo(s) (check all that apply): i. County Funds Only. Orange County Arts Commission logo required. Credit line required for audio projects: “This program is supported by the Orange County Arts Commission.” ii. North Carolina Arts Council Funding. The Orange County Arts Commission and the North Carolina Arts Council logos are required. Credit line: “This program is supported by the N.C. Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.” B. The Grant Recipient must enter all events, exhibits, and performances open to the public and related to this grant award on the Orange County Arts Commission website at www.artsorange.org/events. In addition, the Grant Recipient must add a link to www.artsorange.org (Orange County Arts Commission logo preferred) to their main webpage. 7. Indemnity. The Grant Recipient agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the County, the Arts Commission and the North Carolina Arts Council and their officers and employees from any and all claims or actual injury, damage or loss to a person, or real or personal property that results from or is in any way connected to the use of the grant funds. 8. Independent Contractor. The Grant Recipient is an independent contractor and not an employee, agent or other representative of the County and/or the Arts Commission. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed to create the relationship of principal and agent, or employer and employee, between Grant Recipient and Arts Commission or Orange County Government. Grant Recipient understands and agrees that he/she is not authorized to incur any expenses or any liability whatsoever on behalf of the County or the Arts Commission and has no authority, expressed or implied, to obligate or make representations on behalf of the County or the Arts Commission. In addition, Grant Recipient agrees to maintain his or her own worker's compensation insurance for himself/herself and his or her employees for the duration of the art work's installation. 9. Termination A. In the event of any of the circumstances set forth below (hereinafter referred to as “default”), the Arts Commission may immediately terminate this Agreement: (i) Any fraudulent representation in any verification required to obtain payment under this Agreement or other dishonesty on a material matter relating to the performance of services under this Agreement. (ii) Nonperformance, incomplete service or performance, or failure to satisfactorily perform any part of the Project or to comply with any provision of this Agreement, as determined by the Arts Commission in its sole discretion. X Docusign Envelope ID: BE2D14D2-BDA9-45B6-BC41-845725EC0A73 4 Revised August 2025 (iii) Failure to adhere to the terms of applicable county, state or federal laws, regulations, or stated public policy. B. In the event of default by the Grant Recipient, the Arts Commission has the discretion to elect to terminate this Agreement, in whole or in part and/or require the Grant Recipient to repay the grant funds within seven (7) from written notice of default or allow the grant recipient the opportunity to cure the default. This clause shall not be interpreted to limit the County’s or the Arts Commission’s remedies in law or in equity. 10. Miscellaneous. A. Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the attachments contain the final and entire understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement. All modifications and amendments to this Agreement shall be in writing. This Agreement shall be binding upon the parties, their heirs, successors and assigns. B. Governing Law. Governing Law and Priority: Both parties agree that this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of North Carolina and Orange County. Grant Recipient shall at all times remain in compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations including but not limited to all state and federal anti-discrimination laws, policies, rules, and regulations and the Orange County Non-Discrimination Policy and Orange County Living Wage Policy (each policy is incorporated herein by reference and may be viewed at http://www.orangecountync.gov/departments/purchasing_division/contracts.php.). Any violation of this requirement is a breach of this Agreement and Arts Commission may immediately terminate this Agreement without further obligation on the part of the Arts Commission. This paragraph is not intended to limit and does not limit the definition of breach to discrimination. By executing this Agreement the Grant Recipient certifies that they has not been identified, and has not utilized the services of any agent or subcontractor identified, on the list created by the State Treasurer pursuant to G.S. 147-86.58. By executing this Agreement the Grant Recipient certifies that they has not been identified, and has not utilized the services of any agent or subcontractor identified, on the list created by the State Treasurer pursuant to G.S. 147-86.81. By executing this Agreement Grant Recipient affirms they are and shall remain in compliance with Article 2 of Chapter 64 of the North Carolina General Statutes. In determining the basic services to be provided, should any documents be referenced in or attached to this Agreement, the terms herein shall have priority in any conflict between the terms of referenced documents and the terms of this Agreement. C. Dispute Resolution: Neither party may initiate binding arbitration. Any disputes shall be resolved by nonbinding mediation. If such mediation fails either party may initiate litigation to resolve the dispute. Should either party initiate litigation to settle any dispute involving the terms of this Agreement such litigation shall be Docusign Envelope ID: BE2D14D2-BDA9-45B6-BC41-845725EC0A73 5 Revised August 2025 initiated in the General Court of Justice of North Carolina seated in Orange County, North Carolina. D. Signatures. This Agreement together with any amendments or modifications may be executed electronically. All electronic signatures affixed hereto evidence the intent of the Parties to comply with Article 11A and Article 40 of North Carolina General Statute Chapter 66. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Orange County and the Grant Recipient have signed this Grant Agreement, effective on the last date this Agreement is signed by both parties as indicated by the dates set forth under signatures below. For and on behalf of the Grant Recipient Date For and on behalf of Orange County Government Travis Myren, County Manager Date Carson Whitmore Docusign Envelope ID: BE2D14D2-BDA9-45B6-BC41-845725EC0A73 9/16/2025 9/26/2025 ORANGE COUNTY—INTERNAL USE ONLY Revised 01/24 1 Finance Information Vendor Name: Vendor Contact Person: Phone: Address: City: State: NC Zip: Department: County Manager’s Office/Arts Commission Amount: Purpose: 2025-2026 Arts Grants Budget Code(s): 37601020-683001 Vendor # Vendor Status with NCSOS: Vendor is a BOCC consultant: Yes No Contract Details Contract Type: X New Amendment (Original Contract: ) (Most Recent Amendment ) Effective Date End Date Notice Date (Notice Purpose ) Award Approved by Board (Agenda Date: ); Made or Administered by Signature Authority - BOCC Express Delegation (Agenda Date: ) - Policy 9.4: Under $5,000; Service Under $90,000; Construction Under $250,000 - Budget Policy Section XV (Capital Improvement Project: ) Bidding Informal Bidding ($30k-$90k); Formal RFP ($90k+); Other (<$30k); Exception (# ) Department Affirmation This agreement is approved as to technical form and content and I as Department Director affirmatively state work on this pro ject has not been initiated prior to execution of the agreement. This agreement is approved as to technical form and content. Services related to this agreement have already begun or been completed. Description of the nature of the emergency condition that was addressed: Department Director’s Signature Date: Durham 27705 (301) 221-8893 Carson WhitmoreCarson Whitmore 4200 Mt. Sinai Rd. 69011 $1,927.00 Docusign Envelope ID: BE2D14D2-BDA9-45B6-BC41-845725EC0A73 9/15/2025 ORANGE COUNTY—INTERNAL USE ONLY Revised 01/24 2 Information Technologies This agreement has been reviewed and is approved as to information technology content and specifications: Office of the Chief Information Officer Date: Inapplicable because no hardware/software purchases or related services Risk Management This agreement is approved for sufficiency of insurance standards, specifications, and requirements: Office of the Risk Management Officer Date: Financial Services This instrument has been pre-audited in the manner required by the Local Government Budget and Fiscal Control Act: Office of the Chief Financial Officer Date: Legal Services This agreement is approved as to legal form and sufficiency: Office of the County Attorney Date: Clerk to the Board All DocuSign contracts must be copied to the Clerk upon completion: occlerkdocs@orangecountync.gov The following signature block is for hard copies only and is not required for Docu Sign contracts: Received for record retention: Office of the Clerk to the Board Date: Docusign Envelope ID: BE2D14D2-BDA9-45B6-BC41-845725EC0A73 9/19/2025 9/22/2025 9/25/2025 Orange County Arts Commission Powered by Submittable Title Carson Whi tmore by Carson W hitmore in 2025-26 Artist Project Grant Application 4200 Mt. Sinai Rd. Durham, North Carolina 27705 United States 3012218893 carsonwhitmoreart@gmail.com 06/30/2025 id. 50955801 Original Submission 06/30/2025 Score n/a APPLICANT INFORMATION Applicant Name Carson W hitmore Legal name of applicant, if different from above Mailing Address of primary contact 4200 Mt. Sinai Rd. Durham NC 27705 US 36.0013065 -79.0261631 Email of primary contact carsonwhitmoreart@gmail.com Phone number of primary contact 301-221-8893 Do you identify as any of the following: Names and emails of co-applicants (if applying on behalf of a group) W ebsite carsonwhitmore.com, instagram: @cool_._weather Docusign Envelope ID: BE2D14D2-BDA9-45B6-BC41-845725EC0A73 How did you hear about our grant program? Social media Did you attend or watch the Artist Project Grant Training Session? Yes PROJECT/PROGRAM INFORMATION Tell us about your project or program Title of Grant Project A Really Big Picnic Grant Amount Requested 2570 Project Start Date (no earlier than July 1, 2025) March 1, 2026 Project End Date (no later than June 30, 2026) May 31st, 2026 Docusign Envelope ID: BE2D14D2-BDA9-45B6-BC41-845725EC0A73 Project/Program Summary A Really Big Picnic is an ongoing, expanding project and collaborative art piece. This project began in 2022, when I invited friends to gather and collectively create a picnic blanket, and has been slowly growing since then. Each participant is invited to design and fabricate a square to add to this communal piece. I provide fabric and the guidance to construct a 12 x 12 in square, teaching the language of quilt design and essential machine sewing skills. My proposal is to continue my picnic project in a series of workshops, and to purchase sewing machines so I can better teach as part of this project.The picnic blanket serves as a teaching tool: students will be able to visualize a myriad of techniques and strategies. Example works from demonstrations are added to the picnic blanket, and students will be invited to create quilt squares that will be added to the piece. Tentative themes for the design workshops are traditional quilt square designs, improvisational quilting, and curved edges. Students will come away with their own quilt square or patchwork piece, and will have learned both hand and machine sewing techniques for creating their patchwork and ways to apply it. The final event will be an informal hybrid workshop/picnic party. Participants from the workshop series, in addition to new people, will be invited to come celebrate, create more quilt squares, and show off their newly acquired patchwork skills. I think of this project as a laboratory for people to explore sewing methods, and for myself to experiment with different modes of teaching. This project serves the community of Orange County by providing both creative facilitation, technical skills, and a platform for community-building, via a shared project and the shared element of enjoying food together. I always include some sort of food for this event (it is, after all, a picnic!). W hile this project provides value for both myself and community members, I have previously provided this creative service at no cost. I have reached a stage where I have worked out the logistical and technical aspects of this workshop/event, and would like to continue providing this platform to the community without sacrificing my time and talent by lack of compensation. Additionally, I have taught these workshops with one machine (my own, which I enjoy but is an older, clunkier model that can be challenging for a beginner to learn on). To have additional, consistent, and up-to-date machines will improve my impact of what I can teach and what participants can learn. This project will take place in Spring 2026, with workshops once a month in March, April, and May, and the final picnic event at the end of May. I envision the workshops occurring at different locations to reach different communities. This aspect of the project is in flux, but I have budgeted for space rental. I am planning on having at least one workshop at a library, potentially all of them at different Orange County libraries. Docusign Envelope ID: BE2D14D2-BDA9-45B6-BC41-845725EC0A73 Community Impact Quilts are a medium and a methodology. They are a mode of making that involves resourcefulness, imagination, possibility, and community. Each time I teach quilting, particularly in this alternative setting, I hope to impart this ethos alongside technical skills of design and fabrication. The term “third space” has been in the cultural zeitgeist in recent years, referring to a public space that is not home or work, that facilitates social interaction. Particularly this term has been used to describe a trend following the pandemic–the Survey Center on American Life found that 56% of Americans have a third space they frequent, down from 67% in 2019. The public aspect of my project is an avenue for third-placemaking. A simple piece of cloth is a way to literally create a platform to gather. The collective input of making the picnic blanket invites investment in a shared experience. Artist Experience Part workshop, part party, I have executed this project in many different settings and to different skillsets: from a one-on-one sewing lesson with a 5th grader for an impromptu event at Lump Gallery, to a group of young professionals at craft circle meetups, to a crowd of ~75 college students at a sculpture garden celebration. Most recently I brought out this project as part of a closing reception of an exhibition and residency at Greensboro Project Space. I have experience shifting this event towards the needs and skillsets of participants, and adjusting the logistical components to the affordances of varied settings. In addition to this specific event, I have taught at the middle and high school levels at the summer camp program at ArtSpace, and at the university level, at UNC Chapel Hill. I have taught textile, painting, and mixed-media. I also have a wealth of experience in food service, both front and back of house–a background that has given me skills in multi-tasking, customer service, and interpersonal management. These skills have proven helpful in many areas outside of a kitchen. It might be noted that my work samples do not include pictures of people--I have previously been too engaged in the workshop to document the event. If my space rental allowance comes in under budget, I would like to shift those funds to a photographer to document the workshops. This will advance my professional practice and also help to promote the project in the future. How do you plan to market your project? I plan on marketing my project through flyers, listservs, and social media. As I am envisioning utilizing the space and community around public libraries, I am planning on plugging in to the digital and in-person channels of communication already in place via the library. PROJECT/PROGRAM BUDGET Please fill out the charts below with your project's expenses and income. Use the "Explanation" box to offer details for each category. NOTE: The Total Cash Expense must equal the Total Cash Income. View an example budget here. Budgeted Expense Expenses-english-rev ised.xlsx Budgeted Income Income-english-rev ised.xlsx Docusign Envelope ID: BE2D14D2-BDA9-45B6-BC41-845725EC0A73 Resumes of artists/administrators Carson_W hitmore_CV.pdf W ork Samples A_Really_Big_Picnic.png Title of sample A Really Big Picnic Artist name Carson W hitmore Year created 2022-ongoing Medium (if applicable) Found fabric A_Really_Big_Picnic_Process.jpg Title of sample A Really Big Picnic (process picture) Artist name Carson W hitmore Year created 2022-ongoing Medium (if applicable) Found Fabric House_Quilt.jpeg Title of sample House Quilt Artist name Carson W hitmore Year created 2021 Medium (if applicable) Found Fabric Assembly.jpg Title of sample Assembly Artist name Carson W hitmore Year created 2023 Medium (if applicable) Found Fabric CrazyCrazy_QuiltQuilt.jpg Title of sample Crazy/Crazy Quilt/Quilt Artist name Carson W hitmore Year created 2023 Medium (if applicable) Found Fabric, plywood, paint Video Sample: External Link Letters of support (optional but recommended) Docusign Envelope ID: BE2D14D2-BDA9-45B6-BC41-845725EC0A73