Erie Arts & Culture’s grant review panels provide a system of impartial peer review in the evaluation of grant applications. The decision to use private citizens on Erie Arts & Culture grant review panels reflects the importance of having expert and diverse public participation in the grant-making process.
A: People who work or live in Crawford, Erie, Mercer, Venango and Warren Counties are eligible to serve on Erie Arts & Culture’s grant panels. Additional panelists from outside the grantmaking area may be used 1) to incorporate regional perspective 2) to provide additional expertise and diversity or 3) to mitigate the potential for conflicts of interest.
If you would like to be considered to serve on a grant review panel, please contact our program staff.
A: Panelists evaluate applications according to criteria and evaluation tools developed for each grant program. Erie Arts & Culture Project Grants are reviewed using a scoring rubric. PPA Program Stream and Project Stream Grants are reviewed using assessment guidelines and a scoring thermometer. Panel comments are documented and incorporated into the funding recommendation process.
Panel comments are made available to applicants upon notification of the funding decision.
The function of the grant review panel is advisory only. Panels evaluate the merits of the applications, based upon published criteria, and make recommendations on funding to the Erie Arts & Culture Board of Directors. Panelists do not make funding decisions.
A: At the conclusion of the panel review, the Erie Arts & Culture Board of Directors takes panel scores and comments into consideration and makes final funding decisions. Notifications are mailed to applicants. Award letters include instructions about accepting your grant.