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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-600-E-County Mgr-Julia Green-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. Story Connection: free live storytelling classes and performances julia@writingisjoy.com X Julia Green X $2,250.00 Julia Green Docusign Envelope ID: 48EE4C0A-782B-4356-9910-53E4A5C88C34 1 Revised August 2025 ORANGE COUNTY ARTS COMMISSION 2025-26 GRANT AGREEMENT THIS AGREEMENT, entered into this 5 day of September, 2025, by and between Orange County ("County"), by and through the Orange County Arts Commission ("Arts Commission") and ("Grant Recipient"). WHEREAS, the Arts Commission is a countywide arts agency that ensures the growth of local arts experiences by providing funding and support for diverse high quality programs and projects. WHEREAS, the Arts Commission administers the annual Grants Program to provide economic opportunities to Orange County artists and non-profit organizations coordinating arts projects benefiting the citizens of Orange County. WHEREAS, the annual Arts Grants Program is supported by Arts Commission with funds from the Grassroots Arts Program of the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, a state agency. WHEREAS, the Grant Recipient was selected by the Arts Commission to receive the annual Arts Grant through the procedures duly adopted by the Arts Commission; and WHEREAS, both parties wish to promote and maintain the integrity and clarity of the Grant Recipient's ideas and statements and delineate the Grant Recipient’s obligations to the County; NOW, THEREFORE, the County and the Grant Recipient, for the consideration and under the conditions hereinafter set forth, agree as follows: 1. Approved Grant Project. Grant funds are provided under this Agreement for the project (“Project”) described in the Grant Recipient’s Grant Application, attached hereto and incorporated herein as Exhibit A. 2. Grant Award. Grant funds in an amount not to exceed ($ ) 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 2,250.00 Julia Green two thousand two hundred fifty dollars Docusign Envelope ID: 48EE4C0A-782B-4356-9910-53E4A5C88C34 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 2,250.00 Docusign Envelope ID: 48EE4C0A-782B-4356-9910-53E4A5C88C34 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: 48EE4C0A-782B-4356-9910-53E4A5C88C34 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: 48EE4C0A-782B-4356-9910-53E4A5C88C34 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 Julia Green Docusign Envelope ID: 48EE4C0A-782B-4356-9910-53E4A5C88C34 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: 68250 27510 $2,250.00 Julia Green (919) 964-1185 Carrboro105 Jones Ferry Rd Unit D Julia Green Docusign Envelope ID: 48EE4C0A-782B-4356-9910-53E4A5C88C34 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: 48EE4C0A-782B-4356-9910-53E4A5C88C34 9/19/2025 9/19/2025 9/25/2025 Orange County Arts Commission Powered by Submittable Title Jul i a F. Green by Julia Green in 2025-26 Artist Project Grant Application 105 Jones Ferry Rd Unit D Carrboro, North Carolina 27510 NC United States 3192489754 julia@juliafgreen.com 06/27/2025 id. 50928495 Original Submission 06/27/2025 Score n/a APPLICANT INFORMATION Applicant Name Julia F. Green Legal name of applicant, if different from above Mailing Address of primary contact 105 Jones Ferry Rd Unit D Carrboro NC 27510 US 35.9076421 -79.0751169 Email of primary contact julia@writingisjoy.com Phone number of primary contact 9199641185 Do you identify as any of the following: Names and emails of co-applicants (if applying on behalf of a group) W ebsite www.writingisjoy.com/story Docusign Envelope ID: 48EE4C0A-782B-4356-9910-53E4A5C88C34 How did you hear about our grant program? Other 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 Story Connection: free live storytelling classes and performances Grant Amount Requested 3,000 Project Start Date (no earlier than July 1, 2025) January 2026 Project End Date (no later than June 30, 2026) April 2026 Project/Program Summary For the last two years, OCAC Artist Project Grants generously funded the launch and growth of Story Connection, a live storytelling series whose mission is to help people find their unique voice and create community. These grants have supported two free storytelling classes centering underrepresented voices, as well as marketing, supplies, and audio recording, editing, and distribution. This application seeks to build this series further by repeating the free class for underrepresented voices (spring 2026) and adding a new free class at the Seymour Center that centers the voices of our elders (winter 2026). Classes run for 6 weeks (12 hours of instruction) and end with a final performance students are invited, though not required, to participate in. If awarded, grant funding will support artist instructional hours and some of the cost of marketing materials, supplies, and audio recording and production. Additional costs, including theater rental, will be covered by donation-based ticket sales (which raised $1,500 last year; free admission is always available), fundraising from individuals and businesses, and personal funds. I have been teaching in Orange County for 12 years and my client base includes many individuals who have the resources and desire to support community arts. Fundraising will continue to be a part of the Story Connection experience, reminding our community their contributions are essential to sustaining arts offerings. As Story Connection grows, it feels crucial to specifically invite the voices of our elders, which have not been greatly represented to date. I started my teaching career facilitating a group called W rite Your Life Story at the Docusign Envelope ID: 48EE4C0A-782B-4356-9910-53E4A5C88C34 Iowa City Senior Center. I was in my 20s, with no living grandparents; their stories brought me into worlds I’d not lived in, one with party lines and draft notices, outhouses and Beatles concerts, and shaped the instructor and person I’ve become. Yet elder voices are often discounted as outdated or uninformed. As the chasm of technology widens, connections between young and old shrink further, increasing loneliness across both populations. A class comprised of elders would allow those who have lost their voice (or were not permitted to have one) to find and share it with a wider community, bridging the connection between young and old. I am excited to forge a new partnership with the Seymour Center and continue the fruitful collaboration with the ArtsCenter who has staffed performances and helped with advertising and marketing. As documented in the attached, both organizations have committed to contributing to the next year of Story Connection. I feel fortunate to have received OCAC funding in the past and do not submit this request blithely; I realize funds are limited and Story Connection is not the only worthy project. But a small amount of money will go a long way, allowing Story Connection to become a self-sustaining storytelling series we can count on, a space where our individuality is welcome, where the sacred and joyful act of storytelling reveals the complexity inside each of us, where community grows stronger, one story at a time. Community Impact This proposal specifically seeks to elevate the voices of underrepresented populations, including people of color, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, disabled folks, immigrants, and anybody else who has been silenced because of their identity. It also seeks stories from our elders, whose voices are often ignored because of ageism. The intersection of these populations is also an important terrain for storytelling—some who are elderly and a member of an underrepresented group have received layers of messaging that their voice doesn’t matter. Specifically recruiting the voices of our elders and underrepresented communities and giving them space to be shared and heard is a conscious effort to enrich our community by breeding understanding and familiarity between people who may not otherwise intermingle. Each of these classes will include a final performance open to the public (2 at TAC, 1 at Seymour Center), with a target attendance of 75 people each. Performance recordings will become podcasts to be more widely shared. According to feedback collected anonymously from storytellers and audience members in the last year (250+ people), this is powerful work. Nearly all respondents said they would recommend Story Connection classes and shows to others and that they would attend again. In their written feedback, respondents frequently named authenticity and connection as an essential part of their Story Connection Experience. Here are some additional thoughts from audience members: “Stories were unexpected and showcased a variety of experiences. I Docusign Envelope ID: 48EE4C0A-782B-4356-9910-53E4A5C88C34 couldn't personally relate to the circumstances of every story, but I recognized the emotions people expressed. The most specific, seemingly unique aspects of people's experiences and thoughts are actually the most relatable!” “The most valuable thing about this experience for me was empathizing with the speakers, feeling their pain, joy, confusion, regret, liberation.” “The thing I learned from this experience was we have so much in common! Across age, gender identity, and different life experiences on the outside, it’s so special to be able to be transported into other people’s emotional experiences and discover how much we feel for that person and relate.” And here is some feedback from storytellers: “Storytelling has changed my life. I feel so enriched and enlivened and empowered by the experience.” “The event was especially well structured to foster community. W e worked in small groups to prepare our stories and the performance was a magical night. W e'd all be better off with more events like this!” As these testimonials demonstrate, stories can bring us closer to each other and to ourselves. Over the course of a six-week class, nervous storytellers become more confident, many reversing their initial declaration that they will never get on stage. Those who perform describe the experience as exhilarating and affirming, and audience members are ebullient after the show, amazed and moved by the range and talent of the storytellers. The electricity in the room is palpable and inspiring. A funded proposal will allow Story Connection to bring more people into a space of understanding and joy, through the simple act of sharing a story. Docusign Envelope ID: 48EE4C0A-782B-4356-9910-53E4A5C88C34 Artist Experience My fundamental belief as an instructor and a human is that everyone has a story to tell and a unique and authentic voice that longs to be heard, which is why I have spent the last two years building and growing a storytelling series in Orange County. Since its inception in 2024, over 60 people have taken Story Connection classes, half of whom enrolled for free thanks to previous OCAC grants. Roughly 200 people have attended performances, which have been recorded and released in podcast form to a wider audience. To date 5 episodes have been published, averaging 150 downloads each. In addition to classes and performances, there are monthly jams, casual gatherings where the story-curious can tell and hear stories. These free meetups have been held at Peel Gallery, Chapel Hill Public Library, and Eno Artists’ House, strengthening the connection to vibrant community spaces. The word is spreading about Story Connection (including local news coverage, attached). The impact of this project goes has been larger and more gratifying than I could have dreamed. Storytellers report feeling more confident using their voices and being in their bodies. Audience members are changed. W hile telling a story requires vulnerability, witnessing often requires entering an unfamiliar and sometimes uncomfortable experience outside one’s own. W hen the show concludes, I encourage people to mingle, sharing what struck them, even with strangers. Audience members are often as exuberant as storytellers, enthusiastic in their praise and appreciation of storytellers, who never forget the kind words of a stranger. This is how community is built, one connection at a time. Part of the power of storytelling comes from its simplicity; it’s an art form that doesn’t involve screens or special effects, requires no more than talking and listening. At shows I encourage audience members to turn off their phones, and somewhat surprisingly, they often comply. The tangibility of a flesh and blood human being sharing something in real time is far more compelling than an Instagram confessional. It returns us to the realm of the present, which we have drifted far away from, and diminishes the pervasive loneliness that has arisen from not enough in-person interaction. In this time of profound hurt and scarcity, storytelling fans the flames of connection and hope. There is much we have lost, but we still have each other. Stories can be the glue that holds us together during these dark times, sustaining the community we need to survive and thrive. I am honored to create spaces where people feel safe enough to be vulnerable, where they can be heard and seen, where audiences can be changed by hearing a stranger’s uninterrupted truth. It is by far the most meaningful work I do, nurturing compassion and presence in others and reminding me also to turn toward those values, and I look forward to continuing it. Docusign Envelope ID: 48EE4C0A-782B-4356-9910-53E4A5C88C34 How do you plan to market your project? Story Connection events are publicized in a number of ways: through W riting is Joy, a Substack with 600 subscribers; a Kit newsletter with 120 subscribers, Bluesky, and flyers posted around town. This is how I will circulate information about both free classes, which will also be featured in the catalogs of the ArtsCenter and the Seymour Center. Lastly, I will email previous participants and ask them to share these offerings with their community. 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 Julia_F_Green_CV_2025.pdf W ork Samples Video Sample: External Link https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Jx-GorggATi- M72GVhoL1Ody32cEkbXB?usp=sharing Letters of support (optional but recommended) JuliaFGreen_OCACGrant_LetterofRec_2025.pdf Storytelling_letter_of_support_Seymour_Center_2025.pdf Docusign Envelope ID: 48EE4C0A-782B-4356-9910-53E4A5C88C34