This is a brief overview of the Organizational Grant Program and its panel review process. If you are interested in serving as a panelist please (1) send a resume or bio and (2) complete a Panelist Information Form to indicate your availability to serve on a panel.

GRANT PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS
The Arts Commission has three categories within its Organizational Grant Program:

Organizational Grant Program I / Small Budget Organizations
(last completed operating budgets less than $100,000)
Focus: Artistic and administrative advancement.

Organizational Grant Program II / Mid-Size Organizations
(last completed operating budgets between $100,000 and $800,000)
Focus: Sustainability.

Organizational Grant Program III / Large Budget Organizations
(last completed operating budgets greater than $800,000)
Focus: Accessibility of programming to residents of Los Angeles County.

PANEL REVIEW PROCESS AND INFORMATION
Panelists are selected based upon several qualifications, principally expertise in the discipline area and knowledge of arts organizations within their discipline. It is also our goal to make each panel as diverse as possible - geographically, professionally, age, gender and culturally.

The following discipline categories are represented on the application form: Arts Education; Dance; Folk/Traditional Arts; Inter-Disciplinary; Literature; Media Arts; Multi-Disciplinary; Music - Instrumental; Music - Choral/Opera; Presenting; Strategic Planning; Theatre and Visual Arts.

One panel is selected for each discipline and four to six panelists will be selected for each panel. [Note: Depending upon the number of applications received, we may have two separate panels to review applications in certain disciplines: one panel will review the large and mid-size budget organization applications; the second panel will review the small budget organization applications. Each panel will consist of different individuals.] Each panel will review between 7 and 25 applications.

Panels will review applications within one of the discipline categories. The applications consist of both financial and narrative information, including operating budgets, artistic mission and organization history. Applications will be reviewed based upon the specified criteria in each grant category. The review criteria and scoring system will be provided along with the applications prior to the panel review date. Applications are sent in a binder to each panelist at least three weeks prior to the in-person panel meeting date. All reading and preliminary scoring of applications must take place prior to the in-person meeting. Artistic documentation (CDs, slides, videos, etc.) will be reviewed during the in-person meeting.

PANEL DATES, TIMES, AND LOGISTICS
The panels are scheduled to meet between February 20, 2002 and April 27, 2002. Panel commitment is typically one day in-person, with most panels meeting from 10 a.m. to approximately 5 p.m., depending upon the number of applications to review. All panels will meet at the Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration Building, across the street from the Music Center, in downtown Los Angeles. Parking, lunch, and an honorarium of $50 will be provided to each panelist.

VALUE OF PANEL PARTICIPATION
Participation on a panel is an opportunity to perform a valuable service to the community. In addition, participation also provides opportunities:opportunities:

• to take a comprehensive look at established and emerging arts organizations within an arts discipline;
  
  
• to gain insight into the peer panel review process, which is also utilized by the California Arts Council, the National Endowment for the Arts, and many local municipalities;
  
  
• to positively impact the development of Los Angeles County arts organizations and the County's grant program;
  
  
• to meet and network with other professionals within your discipline.
  

APPLYING FOR PANEL PARTICIPATION
Representatives (staff/board) from organizations that have applied for funding in the 2002/2003 fiscal year are not eligible to serve as panelists. If you represent an organization that did not apply this year to the Arts Commission and are interested in serving as a panelist, I encourage you to submit the panelist form. If you are not able to serve due to your affiliation with a current applicant to the Commission, please forward this information on to your peers.

Again, please complete the Panelist Information Form to indicate your availability to serve on a panel. If you have knowledge or expertise in more than one discipline area, check all disciplines that apply. Also, indicate any potential weekday scheduling conflicts and/or dates you would be unavailable between February 20, 2002 and April 27, 2002.

Return the form with a 1-2 page resume or biography by December 28, 2001. We appreciate your interest in potentially serving as a panelist and if we are able to utilize your expertise we will contact you by March 1, 2002. Thank you very much for considering this opportunity to provide a valuable community service as a panelist. Should you have any questions, e-mail R. Renae Williams, Grants Manager at rrwilliams@bos.co.la.ca.us or call 213/974-1343.