About our Panel

Funding decisions for the Genesee Valley Arts Grants are made by a process of peer review. All panels are selected, trained, and administered by GVCA (Genesee Valley Council on the Arts) staff.

Genesee Valley Arts Grants Panelists are comprised of community leaders and arts and cultural professionals with a commitment to the development of arts and culture in Monroe and Livingston Counties. Knowledge of the communities of the Genesee Valley Region and expertise in an artistic discipline, arts administration, or community arts programming are key.

The Genesee Valley Council on the Arts solicits panelist nominations on an ongoing basis. If you would like to nominate yourself or another individual whom you believe would be a valuable addition to our panel process, please complete the Panelist Nomination Form.

Process

Panelists are selected for the responsibility of reviewing and scoring each submitted application before the set deliberation meeting(s).

If selected to serve, Panelists receive an online panel packet that includes access to all submitted applications, a panel handbook, a summary sheet, and any other required documents.

Panel meetings are held in Nov-Dec for first round applications, and May-June for second round applications.

Duties

Panel service requires a 15-20 hour commitment, depending on the number of applications received.

Panelists are required to:

  • Participate in panelist training, including an hour-long panel orientation with the GVCA grants team and a thorough read through of the provided panelist handbook.

  • Read all applications and score them before the set panel meeting, dates decided by the panel in collaboration with the grants team. Panelists are encouraged to take notes and will be expected to present a portion of the applications to their peers at the panel meeting.

  • Attend the set panel meeting(s), usually 2-4 hours per full review meeting.