READI 2.0 Arts and Culture LEI

 

READI 2.0 and the Lily Endowment Initiative (LEI) have launched! In September 2023, the State of Indiana and the Indiana Economic Development Corp (IEDC) announced the timeline and application process for READI 2.0 funding. This is another incredible opportunity to fund large, transformational opportunities in the Evansville Region! 

Through the Lilly Endowment Inc.’s $250 million gift, the IEDC is proud to launch an additional component of READI called the Redevelopment & Arts Initiative to advance and support two transformative initiatives focused on: (1) systemic community challenges associated with deteriorating, vacant, abandoned and/or blighted properties statewide; and (2) elevating the vitality of Indiana’s arts and cultural community through regional investments that benefit every resident’s quality of life, retain citizens and attract future generations of Hoosiers. 

Arts & Culture Initiative: $65,000,000 

• Consists of project funding, consulting services and technical assistance. 

The Arts Initiative funds will not be allocated to each region in lump sums. READI 2.0 regions will present priority projects that align with all relevant criteria, and awards will be issued on a project-by-project basis.

Please note that survey submission does not guarantee READI 2.0 or LEI funding, and once award announcements are made to regions, additional information and updates will likely be required. E-REP acknowledges that this is early in the process, so project leads are providing the most accurate information possible, but numbers, timelines, and other details may need to change in the coming months. Any such changes should be communicated to E-REP immediately and could impact award decisions. 

The READI 2.0 awards are being funded by the State of Indiana. Please review the Policy Requirements and Application Questions before submitting this form to make sure your project is in line with the policy before continuing. The questions below are provided by the State of Indiana. 

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IEDC Evaluation Framework

The IEDC and the state will evaluate proposed projects in partnership with the Indiana Arts Commission and a panel of third-party experts from creative industries based on the extent to which they:

• Have the potential to deliver the greatest public benefit

• Embody transformational change

• Are aligned with the region’s arts and culture plan and the region’s overall plan

• Advance quality of place at a high level with a focus on attracting and retaining people

• Directly benefit creatives and the creative economy in the region

• Leverage existing regional arts and culture assets

• Interconnect with both existing assets and the other proposed arts and cultural projects to form a regional identity

• Facilitate partnerships with public and private stakeholders

• Focus on Indiana’s rural communities

• Demonstrate capacity and commitment to maintain and sustain proposed investments

• Demonstrate potential to spark additional development or investment in the region.  

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Part 1: Executive Summary

Describe in a clear and compelling way the proposed arts and culture investment for the region and include in its descriptions: 

o How the project is aligned with the region’s arts and culture plan and the region’s overall plan

o How the project advances quality of place

o How the project embodies transformational change in the region 

o How the project leverages existing regional arts and cultural assets 

o How the project was identified (e.g., an existing asset or initiative; result of a regional call for proposals; result of community engagement or regional planning efforts or by some other method) 

o How the project interconnects with both existing assets and the other proposed arts and cultural projects to form a regional identity

o What the audience for the project is, and:  

   ▪ How the project benefits tourists in the region and how that benefit was determined  

   ▪ How the project benefits the residents of the region and how that benefit was determined

   ▪ How the project benefits creatives in the region and how that benefit was determined

o An assessment of the “readiness” of each proposed investment from “shovel ready” to still in development or concept; and

o Proposed budget and timeline.

Describe how the project compliments a regional effort for arts and culture, and what the project seeks to accomplish for the region when that plan is successfully implemented.  

Part 2: READI

Provide an honest assessment of the arts and culture planning including engaged stakeholders in the process, as well as the status of previous arts and culture investments. 

Provide an honest assessment of the current or future capacity both to maintain and sustain the proposed investments in arts and culture and to continue a focus on arts and culture in the future.

Provide an honest assessment of the potential for the project to be a catalyst in communicating the need and justification for continued public investment in arts and culture.

Describe the capacity of the organization to engage in building arts and culture in the region, including its strengths and weaknesses. Describe any capacity building, technical assistance or support needed to sustain these efforts.  

Identify lessons learned to date and any issues that, if addressed, would increase opportunities for successful implementation of the proposed arts and cultural initiatives.  

Part 3: Action Plan

Identify the planned investment required to successfully implement the project outlined in the application, including how much anticipated private, philanthropic, local, state and federal funding would be required. For projects still in development, provide an example of a peer project that closely aligns with what is planned.

Please upload the budget in excel format

20MB max

Identify key partner organizations and anchor institutions and their expected roles in helping implement the proposed investments.

If applicable, explain how the proposed or potential investments leverage additional investments within the immediate proximity or a plan to make additional investments within the surrounding area to enhance the viability, economic and quality of life benefit of each project.

If applicable, describe the plan to maintain or activate the asset in which the IEDC is investing

Identify how the region plans to communicate funded initiatives to relevant audiences.

Each project should contemplate a multi-year timeline and include expected milestones to measure successful implementation (or attach a file via the File Upload below).

20MB max
Certification

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