What is a Contracts for Services Panelist?

The Fulton County Arts Council is seeking individuals interested in reviewing applications for cultural funding from the Fulton County Commission. Each year the Fulton County Arts Council relies on the services of many volunteer panelists, who review and evaluate applications and make funding recommendations. Panels are comprised of artists, arts-related professionals, educators, community members, business leaders and others with current or prior active involvement in the arts, such as board members of cultural organizations. Participation is solicited by Department staff on a program basis. Panelists help to maintain a fair and open process and assist in the continuous development of Fulton County’s artistic and cultural communities by bringing their expertise to the review panel process. All panel meetings are open to the public.

In assembling panels, every effort is made to achieve balance by looking at such factors as professional backgrounds, geographical representation, minority representation, age and diverse aesthetic, institutional and cultural viewpoints. The Arts Council is committed to convening panels that are representative of our community.

Panelist Profile

Prospective panelists should possess experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Knowledge of and familiarity with the Fulton County non-profit arts community and relevant issues;
• Artistic experience in an arts discipline (music, theatre, visual arts, etc.) as a creator, administrator, board member and/or general supporter of the arts;
• Experience in non-profit sector or arts management, including, but not limited to, organizational planning & management, finance & accounting, development & fundraising or marketing;
• Arts education; and
• Experience with cultural facilities and venues (acquisition, building, renovation, management) as an architect, contractor, builder, operations/programming manager and/or.

In addition, panelists are expected to exercise integrity and fairness and adhere to the code of ethics and conflict of interest requirements that guide all of the Arts Council’s work.

How much time does panel service require?

Panelists are required to attend an orientation session. Most funding category review meetings span one business day and may involve a substantial time commitment to read orientation materials and review and pre-score grant applications prior to the panel meeting. During the panel meeting, panelists may review support materials (slides, DVD, CD) discuss each application, and finalize scores and recommendations, which are then forwarded to the Arts Council Advisory Committee for approval before being sent to the Fulton County Board of Commissioners for final approval. Panel meetings are scheduled throughout the County’s fiscal year.

Length of Service?

Panelists are appointed for one-year terms and may be re-appointed annually for a maximum tenure of three years.

Conflict of Interest?

The Arts Council makes every effort to make the funding process fair and equitable by screening potential panelists for conflicts of interests. Panel members are required to withdraw from consideration of a proposal affecting an organization where a conflict of interest has been indicated. Declaring a conflict does not mean that you cannot serve on panel, it merely means that you may not discuss or vote on applications with which a conflict of interest exists.

Prior to any discussion of an application, panelists are required to disclose any connection with an applicant, direct or indirect. If you serve on a panel, you must review the Art’s Council conflict of interest rules and notify the Program Administrator of any direct financial or employment interest relating to any grant proposal under review. Affiliations may include employment, board memberships, consultant relationships, familial relationships with individual applicants or staff or board members of applicant organizations. You will be asked to complete the Conflict of Interest Form which will be kept on file with the Department.

What happens when I submit an application?

When the Arts Council receives your completed application form and accompanying resume, your name will be entered in the Panelist Database. You will be considered for an appointment to a Department panel as staff members prepare to put panels together. The Department will invite panelists to serve based on their background and experience. Panelists will be contacted by phone, email or letter when they are being considered for appointment to a panel.

To Apply:
1. Submit this fill-in Panelist Information Form (Word template).
2. Attach a resume, c. v., or bio.

Submit both items to the attention of Contracts for Services Staff in one of the following ways:

E-mail – shantras.lakes@fultoncountyga.gov
Fax – 404-224-1052
Mail -141 Pryor Street, Suite 2030, Atlanta, GA 30303