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HomeMy WebLinkAboutIowa City Public Art Matching Fund ProgramIowa City Public Art Matching Fund Program Introduction Thank you for your interest in this grant opportunity. Prior to completing this application form, please review the Public Art Matching Grant Frequently Asked Questions at www.icgov.org/publicart. If your project takes place on City-owned or privately-owned property, you must provide evidence in the following application that you have support and approval from the appropriate parties to proceed with this project. Failure to obtain prior approval could disqualify or delay an otherwise good proposal. If you aren’t sure if you need prior approval from a project partner, please contact Neighborhood Outreach & Engagement Specialist T'Shailyn Harrington at THarrington@iowa-city.org or 319-356-5093. Beyond initial siting approvals obtained prior to submitting this application, please be advised that some projects may be required to obtain additional permits or approvals as determined necessary by the City. Any such requirements would be outlined in the grant agreement. Regardless of whether the project is located on public or private property, the project must be freely accessible by the public. Awarded applicant(s) are responsible for performing or coordinating the execution of all phases of the project, including but not limited to site prep, installation, etc. If any component of the proposed project is beyond your capabilities, please explain in the application. * I acknowledge that I have read and understand the information above. General Information The Public Art Matching Grant Program aims to increase public art access and opportunities in Iowa City. The program funds visual, audio, or performance-based art projects that are located in Iowa City and accessible to the general public. Successful grant applications will show evidence of a specific planned project which can be completed before December 31, 2025. Please complete the following application in its entirety. If you have questions or need assistance completing this application form, please contact Neighborhood Outreach & Engagement Specialist T'Shailyn Harrington at THarrington@iowa-city.org or 319-356-5093. It is recommended applicants save the form every 5-10 minutes to avoid losing progress. To do this, click “Save as Draft” at the bottom of the File Uploads page. Project Name * Down at The Mill: Music, Memories, and Mortality Applicant Name * Adrian Gronseth Applicant Email * ajgronseth03@gmail.com Applicant Phone * (909) 576-6949 Applicant Address * Street Address 513 Dearborn Street Address Line 2 City Iowa City State/Province/Region IA Postal/Zip Code Country 52240 United States Are you the project artist * Yes No Please upload your artist resume/CV * Adrian Gronseth_Artist Resume.pdf 360.08KB URL to your website, digital portfolio, or social media. https://www.adriansnowsounds.com/ Have you received Public Art Matching Grant Funds in the past?* Yes No Project Details To save progress, click “Save as Draft” at the bottom of the File Uploads page. Provide a brief description of the proposed project * “Down at The Mill: Music, Memories, and Mortality” is a narrative podcast and oral history project chronicling the history of The Mill, a beloved Iowa City restaurant, bar, and music venue that was torn down in 2022. One pilot episode was already created in a graduate music seminar during the fall of 2024, featuring musical clips, field recordings, voiceover narration, and interviews with five individuals: Pete Balestrieri, Marty Christensen, Marc Janssen, Brian Johannesen, and Andre Perry. This episode only scratched the surface of The Mill’s storied history and its multifaceted meaning to the Iowa City community. Several other musicians, patrons, and former employees of The Mill have expressed interest in being interviewed for this project, which I plan to expand into a triptych of three episodes. Once these episodes are complete, an interactive display will be installed at the Iowa City Public Library for one month, featuring Mill-related archival material, artwork, and a QR code connecting listeners to the podcast. Explain how the project is defined as “public art.” Please include how the artwork will be located in an area open and freely accessible by the public; and describe how you envision the artwork engaging the public.* This project consists of two parts: the production of the podcast itself and the public installation at the Iowa City Public Library. Visitors to the library will be able to engage with visuals (photographs, articles, and artwork related to The Mill) and listen to clips of the podcast on their phones with a QR code, or at one of the library computers with a link. I have been in contact with Heidi Kuchta, the Outreach Assistant in charge of displays at the Iowa City Public Library, and she has expressed enthusiastic support for this project, which will most likely be located on the “T- Walls” on the second floor of the library. The installation will combine archival photographs and articles, visual art commissioned specifically for this project, and a portal to the podcast via a QR code and link. There will also be a “public memory wall” section where visitors can write their memories of The Mill and post them on the installation, in addition to a “virtual wall” – a digital forum linked to the podcast where listeners can share their stories. The production of the podcast itself will also have a public component, as I will be interviewing various Iowa City residents with connections to The Mill – in a sense, then, some of the art itself will be created by the public. This is also a timely endeavor, as I want to document the oral histories of some of The Mill's earliest patrons, performers, and employees, many of whom are now in their 70s and 80s. Describe the intended audience for this project, why public art is important to that audience, and any efforts you will make to benefit the broader community, especially populations which have faced systemic barriers to art access or opportunities * The audience for this project is capacious – Iowa City residents with a connection to The Mill, younger and newer residents who never got to experience its magic, and any visitors to the library who are curious about local history. I envision this project to be an important site of public memory for the Iowa City community. People will be given space to reminisce about The Mill and imagine the many ways its legacy is being carried forward into the future. Some of the podcast’s major themes involve community and place – how communities come together to build meaningful places and, in turn, how institutions like The Mill play crucial roles within a community. Placing this installation in a public gathering place like the Iowa City Public Library will hopefully stimulate generative conversations and reflections about Iowa City and its identity as an incubator for the arts. While The Mill and the Iowa City Public Library seem like very different places, they were/are both accessible and welcoming sites for all kinds of community members, so I’m hoping this installation will attract visitors who have felt comfortable in either or both of those places. How will you know your project was successful? Please list specific outcomes or measures (qualitative or quantitative).* I will know this project is successful if it sparks meaningful responses and dialogue in the people who engage with it. These could range from emotional memories of The Mill to discussions about the future of live music in Iowa City. One of the ways I plan to track this, and to make the installation more interactive, is through the “public memory walls” mentioned above, both physical and digital. I have already witnessed the powerful emotional connections many people have with The Mill, so being able to provide a public forum for those feelings and ideas would make this project a success. Will this project take place on public or private property?* Public/City-Owned Private Property Owned by the Applicant or project partner listed below Private Property not owned by the applicant Please list which City staff/departments you have discussed your proposal with and whether they are supportive of the project. Failure to contact appropriate City staff prior to submitting this form may result in disqualification of your application. If you aren’t sure who to contact, please contact Neighborhood Outreach & Engagement Specialist T'Shailyn Harrington at THarrington@iowa-city.org or 319-356- 5093. I have been in contact with Heidi Kuchta, the Outreach Assistant in Community & Access Services at the Iowa City Public Library. She has expressed enthusiasm and support for this project, which will mostly likely be located on the "T-Walls" display on the second floor of the library for one month. Location of Project * Iowa City Public Library Project Partner(s) (if any) Heidi Kuchta; Nathan Platte; Dave Moore; Greg Wickenkamp; Juliana Smith Describe the role of any project partners listed Heidi Kuchta (Outreach Assistant in Community & Access Services, Iowa City Public Library): Heidi will continue to provide permission and guidance for the display installation at the Iowa City Public Library. Nathan Platte (Musicology Professor at the UI School of Music): Nathan will serve as a Project Advisor. His graduate seminar provided the original basis for this project, and he has extensive experience in music history research and podcast production. Nathan will also be able to provide supplemental podcast recording equipment through the School of Music. Dave Moore (Singer-Songwriter): Dave will serve as an additional Project Advisor and Interviewee. Dave has a long and deep history with The Mill, as one of its regular and most beloved performers. I have been in contact with Dave for several months, and he has provided me with valuable information, context, and contacts. He has also expressed a desire to be interviewed for future episodes of the podcast. Greg Wickenkamp (PhD Candidate in the UI Department of History): Greg will help as a Production and Research Assistant. Greg has many relevant connections in the Iowa City area, as well as valuable experience in research, writing, interviewing, and sound editing. Juliana Smith (Social Worker, Singer, and Artist): Juliana will contribute as a Visual Artist, providing some of the graphic design and artistic elements for the library installation. Please check any of the following project aspects that apply to your project. Note: These selections do not impact scoring, but are informative for the selection committee. Functional Art: Art that also serves a practical, everyday purpose (i.e. bench, lighting, shelter, timepiece, etc.) Unexpected Art: Art that offers an element of surprise, perhaps occuring at a place or time where it is unexpected. Participatory Art: Art that directly engages the audience in the creative process, so they become participants in the event (i.e. an interactive performance or participation in creation of an artwork). Ephemeral Art: Art that is intended to be temporary, short-lived, or disappear over time. Contemplative Art: Art that encourages self-reflection and mindfulness. Timeline To save progress, click “Save as Draft” at the bottom of the File Uploads page. Project Timeline Tell us about the proposed timeline and action steps needed to complete this project. Use one line for each milestone and add additional lines as needed. Action Step/Milestone Completed by Schedule 12 interviews for remaining two podcast episodes 06/01/2025 Record first set of four interviews 06/15/2025 Record second set of four interviews 06/29/2025 Record final set of four interviews 07/13/2025 Conduct archival research on The Mill, gathering relevant photographs, posters, and articles for the installation 07/15/2025 Transcribe and organize interviews; gather relevant field recordings 07/27/2025 Record voiceover narration and edit first episode 08/10/2025 Commission artwork for library display 08/15/2025 Record voiceover narration and edit second episode 08/24/2025 Write placards for library display 09/15/2025 Print out all materials for library display 10/15/2025 Set up display at Iowa City Public Library 11/01/2025 Take down display at Iowa City Public Library 12/01/2025 Budget To save progress, click "Save as Draft" at the bottom of the File Uploads page. Please use the budget templates below. A completed budget should tell us what sources of funds your project will use and how you plan to spend the grant money. Project Funding Sources Total Project Cost * $3,400.00 Matching Grant Request * $1,700.00 Please list any other funding sources supporting your project. Add additional rows as needed.  Other funding source *Amount *Committed or Anticipated?* Community Fundraising $1,700.00 Committed Anticipated Please describe any project supplies, equipment, or labor which are being donated in-kind The podcast recording gear will be provided by Nathan Platte through the UI School of Music. I already own some recording gear, as well as the sound editing software. I have also spoken to many people who are willing to provide recordings, photographs, and other materials related to The Mill. The project advisors are willing to donate some of their time and expertise to help guide the project. Project Budget Please list a breakdown of project expenses and funding sources.  Funding for personal property or gain will not be authorized. Example: Amount:Describe Expense Item:Amount paid by Matching Grant:Amount paid in-kind or by other funding source: $400 Paint $400 $200 Paint Supplies $200 $1,500 Artist labor $500 $1,000 $150 Plaque/signage $150 Amount Expense Item Amount paid by Matching Grant Paid in-kind or by other funding source $2,500.00 Artist labor (podcast production)$1,250.00 $1,250.00 $500.00 Artist labor (artwork for library installation) $250.00 $250.00 $250.00 Artist labor (production assistant) $125.00 $125.00 $150.00 Printing costs for library installation $75.00 $75.00 File Uploads Letters of support, if available (?) Letter of Support_Gronseth.pdf 95.27KB Images (?) Down at the Mill logo.pdf 11.44MB Site Plan (?) T-Walls Display Example.pdf 111.69KB Additional Information (?) Down at The Mill_Pilot Episode Link.pdf 112.56KB -Next Signature