Along with annual artist grants, the Cambridge Arts Council helps put on the annual River Festival. (Photo: Erik Fuller)

The deadline for Cambridge Arts Council grant applications is noon Oct. 14, the agency said Thursday, with applications becoming available Sept. 1.

โ€œThis is not a postmark deadline,โ€ a council representative said. โ€œApplications received after 12 Noon on Oct. 14 will not be reviewed.โ€

The council gets from 75 to 100 applications each year and funds about 30 of them with grants ranging from $300 to $2,000, according to the council. Decisions are made by a panel of judges.

The judges look for creative and innovative programs that โ€œdemonstrate outstanding artistic quality, show strong support from the intended audience and collaborators, demonstrate comprehensive planning, show strong evidence of a marketing or public relations plan, are publicly accessible and promote a meaningful interaction between the artist population and other members of the Cambridge community,โ€ the council says โ€” warning also that artists with even the most worthy projects should brace for getting less money than they hoped and explain in advance how theyโ€™ll handle that.

All projects must be based in Cambridge, of course, and the rules say applicants should be as well, either as a resident, employee or in partnership with a Cambridge organization.

โ€œIf you are not based in Cambridge, and would like to apply, a letter of collaboration and support from a Cambridge sponsor is required,โ€ the council says.

Some dates for applicants to keep in mind: a grant-writing question-and-answer and feedback period, set for 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 23; and grant-writing workshop at which council members will look over drafts of proposals, set for 6 to 8 p.m. Sept. 15 with a slot-reservation date two days earlier that can be met by e-mailing or calling Julie Madden, director of community arts, atย (617) 349-4381. The meetings are planned for the council offices, on the second floor of City Hall Annex at 344 Broadway.

Information and forms are available online.

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