Getty Trust Launches Arts, Artists Fund

Three months later than promised and not a minute too soon for hopeful recipients, the J. Paul Getty Trust has launched a $3-million fund to benefit local artists and visual arts organizations.

In its first year of operation, the J. Paul Getty Fund for the Visual Arts will award two $7,500 fellowships to artists, one grant of up to $15,000 to an existing project of proven value to the community and one grant, also up to $15,000, to a new or innovative project, according to administrators who presented plans at a Monday morning press conference at Los Angeles Contemporary Exhibitions.

The grant-making program is being phased in gradually because it is not yet fully funded, said Jack Shakely, president of the California Community Foundation, a Los Angeles-based organization hired to manage the fund.

This year’s grants, expected to total $35,000 to $45,000, will be made from income on the $1 million currently in the endowment. An additional deposit of $1 million will be made in 1989; the final $1 million in 1990. When the fund reaches full maturity, in 1990, awards will total about $250,000 annually.

Administrators expect to give four or five $7,500 artists fellowships next year and possibly increase the amount to $10,000 in the future, Shakely said.

More grants for innovative and existing projects also will be given in 1989, and two new categories will be added: $30,000 enabling grants to “agencies showing potential to develop artistically, administratively or otherwise” and a program of larger grants, up to $50,000, for special projects “of major significance to the community.”

The final program, grants of up to $15,000 for restoration of landmarks, is slated to begin in 1990. These grants are intended for planning and development--not actual restoration, which is often extremely costly.

Shakely described the criteria developed by the California Community Foundation and an advisory committee as “inclusive.” When one woman asked if her group would qualify for a grant, he responded, “If you think you are working in the visual arts, apply.”

Artists at all stages of development are eligible for fellowships, he explained. They will be selected on the basis of “past work and future potential” by a peer group panel. Panel members, chosen by the fund’s advisory board, will change each year.

The primary restriction on organizations is that they have less than $1 million in assets. More vaguely stated in a brochure outlining the fund’s purpose is a requirement that the organizations give “particular encouragement to multicultural work.” Asked to clarify that, Shakely said, “We live in a multicultural community and we will take a hard look at organizations that represent the communities they serve.”

The deadline for fellowship applications is Sept. 2. Forms for innovative and existing project grants are due Sept. 16. Winners of the first round of awards will be announced in November.

Application forms are available from the California Community Foundation, 3580 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1660, Los Angeles, 90010, (213) 413-4042.