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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-598-E-County Mgr-Marie Rossettie-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 levelretreat@gmail.com LEVEL 2025-2026 Local Artists-in-Residence 3,000.00 Marie Rossettie Marie Rossettie X Docusign Envelope ID: 92155A5A-7A99-4722-BC7D-31606B63E8B9 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 three thousand dollars 3,000.00 Marie Rossettie Docusign Envelope ID: 92155A5A-7A99-4722-BC7D-31606B63E8B9 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 3,000.00 Docusign Envelope ID: 92155A5A-7A99-4722-BC7D-31606B63E8B9 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: 92155A5A-7A99-4722-BC7D-31606B63E8B9 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: 92155A5A-7A99-4722-BC7D-31606B63E8B9 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 Marie Rossettie Docusign Envelope ID: 92155A5A-7A99-4722-BC7D-31606B63E8B9 9/15/2025 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: $3,000.00 1439 Smith Level Rd.Chapel Hill Marie RossettieMarie Rossettie (919) 590-5853 27516 64707 Docusign Envelope ID: 92155A5A-7A99-4722-BC7D-31606B63E8B9 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: 92155A5A-7A99-4722-BC7D-31606B63E8B9 9/19/2025 9/19/2025 9/25/2025 Orange County Arts Commission Powered by Submittable Title LEVEL by Benjamin W arshaw in 2025-26 Artist Project Grant Application 1465 Smith Level Rd. Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27516 NC United States (919) 590-5853 level.retreat@gmail.com 06/30/2025 id. 50943618 Original Submission 06/30/2025 Score n/a APPLICANT INFORMATION Applicant Name LEVEL Legal name of applicant, if different from above Marie Rossettie and BJ W arshaw Mailing Address of primary contact 1439 Smith Level Rd. Chapel Hill NC 27516 US 35.8715138 -79.0797176 Email of primary contact levelretreat@gmail.com Phone number of primary contact 919 590 5853 Do you identify as any of the following: Names and emails of co-applicants (if applying on behalf of a group) Marie Rossettie and BJ W arshaw (levelretreat@gmail.com) W ebsite https://www.levelretreat.com Docusign Envelope ID: 92155A5A-7A99-4722-BC7D-31606B63E8B9 How did you hear about our grant program? Other Did you attend or watch the Artist Project Grant Training Session? No PROJECT/PROGRAM INFORMATION Tell us about your project or program Title of Grant Project LEVEL 2025-2026 Local Artists-in-Residence Grant Amount Requested 3000 Project Start Date (no earlier than July 1, 2025) September Project End Date (no later than June 30, 2026) June 30, 2026 Project/Program Summary Since 2016, LEVEL has been inviting artists to stay on our property, engage with our artistic community, and work on new projects in a bucolic, rural setting. W e have generally leaned towards inviting artists from outside North Carolina, both to open cross-regional conversations as well as to bring fresh ideas and perspectives to our scene. This year, however, during a time of great upheaval and uncertainty, we are requesting a $3000 Artist Project Grant to fund three local artist residencies and an open-to- the-public arts gathering at LEVEL. By providing financial support, dedicated creative space, and public engagement opportunities, LEVEL seeks to empower artists to develop impactful projects that resonate with local audiences. These three local artist residencies will provide our visiting artists with a chance to escape their immediate surroundings and stressors, along with a financial stipend to spend on materials of their choosing. W e feel that, by acting locally, we can help address an acute need for working space, focus time, and solace as cost-of-living expenses rise and marginalized communities come under greater attack by political reactionaries. The residencies aim to foster artistic innovation, strengthen community ties, and amplify diverse voices within the Triangle’s vibrant arts ecosystem. The residency recipients will be chosen through an open call for submissions. Eligibility will be restricted to residents based in the Triangle and neighboring counties (Alamance, Chatham, Durham, W ake, Person, Caswell, and Granville). W e will select artists primarily according to LEVEL’s aesthetic mission and curatorial goals: Promoting experimental, emerging, conceptual, modern, and DIY art across visual mediums within an agritouristic setting. Preference will be given to applicants living in Docusign Envelope ID: 92155A5A-7A99-4722-BC7D-31606B63E8B9 Orange County, those with explicitly dire financial needs, or members of marginalized groups. W e have been hard at work for years making LEVEL a peaceful and inspiring place for creative people to visit. Our artists-in-residence have full access to our 14 acres in southern Chapel Hill, including a pond, wooded walking trails, fields, and our working goat farm and gardens. W e aim to provide our visitors with quiet and solitude, but also enjoy preparing meals with them, or chatting late into the night by our fire pit. Following the three residences, we will schedule a gathering at LEVEL, where anyone can come meet our residents, learn about their recent work, and share their own thoughts and ideas. This will be a free event, open to the public, so that we may best forge new friendships and cultural exchanges. Pending discussion and planning with our artists-in-residence, aspects of the gathering may include an artist talk/roundtable, presentations of their artwork, and/or prompted collaborative artmaking. W e are enormously thankful for all of OCAC’s previous financial support of LEVEL’s artist residency programming. As we continue our residency and farm operations, with additional near-term goals of expanding our available working space for local artists, a 2025-2026 Artist Project Grant allows us to directly help local artists and to continue our mission of fostering ever stronger creative collaboration and conversation in our beloved Orange County. Docusign Envelope ID: 92155A5A-7A99-4722-BC7D-31606B63E8B9 Community Impact Orange County is a veritable hub of cultural diversity and artistic energy, yet many local artists face financial and logistical barriers to pursuing their ambitious projects. It has become cliche to say it, but these are indeed difficult times. Art and community are twin forces that keep us grounded, inspire delight, help us to reframe our surroundings, and encourage us to be our best possible selves. At LEVEL, we aim, in our humble way, to ignite creative moments both for our visiting artists and the community members they teach, share with, and befriend. By centering local talent this year, our residency offerings strengthen our region’s creative economy, help boost otherwise neglected practices, and foster a greater sense of belonging between us, our artists, and the community at large. This year’s Artist Grant will have a direct impact on our selected local artists-in-residence. They will receive monetary support and a welcoming live/work space to focus on projects of their choosing. W e seek especially to assist artists who lack formal studio space for any of a number of reasons – lack of available local spaces, financial or time constraints, or life circumstances. By focusing on emerging and DIY artists, especially those without formal training or education, we strive to ensure art truly is for anybody and everybody. W e give direct encouragement to individuals with ideas and voices that tend to be overlooked by mainstream and established institutions. Following the residencies, we will invite all three artists to LEVEL for a casual gathering. Based on previous events, we estimate up to 50 attendees, including community members, arts patrons, and local creative leaders. This event will offer a platform for our artists-in-residence to share their work, sparking conversations that bridge diverse perspectives. Our property is well-suited for hosting, and attendees will also be permitted to wander our gardens, trails, and farmland, feed our goats and chickens, and enjoy nature. Like all of our events, the gathering will be free and open to all, although we will require a sign-up process to work within our practical constraints (such as available parking) as well as to keep the proceedings intimate. Past experience has taught us that events of smaller size create lasting memories and durable friendships. W e hear frequent positive feedback from previous artists-and-residences and event attendees alike, stories about connections made and sustained. These relationships and experiences are what binds us together as a community, and are boldly enabled by Orange County Arts Commission funding. Docusign Envelope ID: 92155A5A-7A99-4722-BC7D-31606B63E8B9 Artist Experience At time of writing, LEVEL – co-owned and operated by Marie Rossettie and BJ W arshaw – has hosted over 20 visiting artists and artists-in-residence, in large part through grant funding from the Orange County Arts Commission (a dozen artists-in-residence via OCAC Artist Grants). A full list of our past artists-in-residence can be found on our website and attached resume. W e have assembled and hosted all manner of events over the years, including artist talks, workshops, musical performances, community art-making sessions, pop-up gallery exhibitions, film screenings, and public sculptures. W e take enormous pride in the diverse and thought provoking moments we’ve been able to create in collaboration with our visiting artists. In the past year, that has included an embroidery and electronic music workshop at Peel with Mike Gintz and Lauren Leone, a minimal drone concert at the Forest Theatre with Craig Colorusso, and a collaborative drawing session at LEVEL with Durham-based artist Jason Lord. Through Orange County Arts Commission funding, we have been able to keep these events free to the public and open to all community members. W e champion inclusivity while breaking down barriers between artists and spectators, performers and audience members. LEVEL strives to work together with like-minded go-getters and arts leaders in our community. In the past, we have directly collaborated with UNC’s Arts Everywhere, the Gregg Museum of Art & Design, Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership, Peel Gallery, Attic 506, The ArtsCenter, Cat’s Cradle, Cosmic Rays, Shadowbox, the Northside District, Haw River Assembly, NC Botanical Garden, the Forest Theatre, and the Coker Arboretum. W e also volunteer extra time and expertise to the community, with Marie serving as Vice Chair for The South Orange Rescue Squad’s Board of Directors and BJ serving on the Chapel Hill Board of Adjustment. In addition to our formal artists-in-residence, LEVEL has also hosted filmmakers Kelly Sears and Ben Pender-Cudlip; musicians Green Ribbon, Jace Clayton aka DJ /rupture, Tallest Man on Earth, Lou Hazel, and Jenn W asner; visual/performance artist and puppeteer Robin Frohardt; writer and documentary filmmaker JL Aronson; and more. W e have also hosted artists during the Orange County’s Paint it Orange festival, hosted filmmakers and provided brunches for Cosmic Rays, served as location for a music video from local punk institution Pipe, and run an annual series of horror movie screenings in October called “Carportergeist”. How do you plan to market your project? W e will use Google Forms for our open call for artists as well as signups for the subsequent gathering at LEVEL. For promotion and marketing, we will leverage: • Our website • Social media (Instagram and Facebook) • Our email list (180 subscribers) • Online calendars (Arts Orange, Indyweek, Chapel Hill Magazine, et al) • W ord-of-mouth Docusign Envelope ID: 92155A5A-7A99-4722-BC7D-31606B63E8B9 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 Resumes of artists/administrators 2025_Lev el_Retreat_Resume.pdf W ork Samples LEVEL-2025-Artists-in-Residence.pdf Title of sample LEVEL 2025 Artists-in-Residence Artist name Mike Gintz & Lauren Leone, Craig Colorusso, Jason Lord Year created 2025 Medium (if applicable) Multidisciplinary LEVEL-2021-Local-Artists-in-Residence-Summary.pdf Title of sample Summary of LEVEL 2021 Local Artists-in-Residence Artist name Emily Hobgood Thomas, Keenan Jenkins, Samir Knego Year created 2021 Medium (if applicable) Multidisciplinary Past_LEVEL_Project_Documentation_-_Caroline_Kern.pdf Title of sample LEVEL Visiting Artist-in-Residence Caroline Kern Artist name Caroline Kern Year created 2023 Medium (if applicable) Risograph, zines, textiles, artist talk, workshop Past_LEVEL_Project_Documentation_-_sTo_Len.pdf Title of sample LEVEL Visiting Artist-in-Residence sTo Len Artist name sTo Len Year created 2022 Medium (if applicable) Prints from trash reclaimed from the Haw River, artist talk, Peel show Past_LEVEL_Project_Documentation_-_Tod_Seelie.pdf Title of sample LEVEL Visiting Artist-in-Residence Tod Seelie Artist name Tod Seelie Year created 2019 Medium (if applicable) Photography, artist talk, pop-up gallery show, workshop Video Sample: External Link Letters of support (optional but recommended) Docusign Envelope ID: 92155A5A-7A99-4722-BC7D-31606B63E8B9 LEVEL_Artist-in-Residence_Testimonials.pdf Docusign Envelope ID: 92155A5A-7A99-4722-BC7D-31606B63E8B9