• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Mark Ratledge .com

writer and wordpress consultant in montana

  • Home
  • About
  • Articles & Columns
    • Points in Case
    • Slackjaw
    • McSweeney’s
    • Medium
    • Random Tech
    • The Buffalo Post
    • Words on WordPress
    • Rocks and Bones
    • Mac Q & A on Macs and macOS
    • State of the Arts Tech Talk
  • WordPress
  • Contact
You are here: Home / State of the Arts Tech Talk / State of the Arts for July/August, 2010: Cultural and Aesthetic Project Applications Go Online

State of the Arts for July/August, 2010: Cultural and Aesthetic Project Applications Go Online

July 1, 2010 by Mark Ratledge

(One of my Montana Arts Council State of the Arts Newspaper Tech Talk Columns)

There are some big changes in the Cultural and Aesthetic Projects (Coal Tax) Grant process for the 2012-2013 cycle. Some members of the C&A committee and Montana Arts Council staff worked over the winter to overhaul the grant application process, and MAC staff built the online application. The result is a new, completely online application process.

One major advantage for the C&A program to go online is the ability for MAC to better walk applicants through the application process and provide instant help while preventing incomplete applications from being submitted.

Another advantage to the online process is that almost all application materials will in electronic format, which makes it much easier for MAC staff and the C&A committee to distribute and review the applications. (The old way was printing and shipping thousands of pages of paper to each committee member and hauling those applications to the biannual meeting.)

And it should be easier for you, the applicant, too. The first step in applying is setting up an account for your organization. Go to art.mt.gov/orgs/orgs_ca.asp and read the instructions to be sure you are eligible, and then follow the link to enter your contact information and organizational information. (And be aware of the deadline of July 30).

Once you’re registered, you will need to enter the C&A access code in the left-hand pane (under “Start New Application). Then you’ll see a link to the actual C&A application. (First-time applicants need to call MAC for an access code; previous applicants will get an access code via email).

Once you have started an application and login, you’ll go right to where you can edit your application and save it between work sessions.

It’s a good idea to print out the questions beforehand using a link at the top of the main application page, and also print out your “Packet” for proofreading before final submission.

Rather than try and work entirely online, write out your answers ahead of time on a word processor and then cut and paste into the application. You’ll notice that the online form limits the amount of text for each area.

You will need to upload some files, like budget spreadsheets, letters of support, resumes, etc. Excel file templates are ready for download and upload when completed. For other documents, upload them in PDF format after converting them on your own computer. Many printer drivers will “print” to a PDF file, allowing you to save a Word document as a PDF. (Print your document and look for a “Save to PDF” option)

If you can’t save as a PDF, use the Fax to File option in the grant application interface to fax your document and then download the PDF to upload with your application.

To finalize your application, you will need to print a signature page, have it signed, and then either scan it into a PDF or use the Fax to File to convert it to a PDF.


Related Posts:
  • State of the Arts for March/April 2009: Online Applications
  • State of the Arts for July/August 2014: Using the Foundation Center Online
  • State of the Arts for July/August 2009: Online payments a must for artists’ websites
  • State of the Arts for November/December, 2010: More About Online Privacy
  • State of the Arts for July/August 2008: Get your Name on the Internet

Primary Sidebar

Stack Exchange
profile for markratledge on Stack Exchange, a network of free, community-driven Q&A sites
I'm a "Top Rated" consultant on Upwork

Copyright © 2023 · Mark Ratledge Privacy and Terms of Use