Apply to be a Sauk County UW-Extension, Arts and Culture Panelist

WHAT IS A PANELIST?

Each year, the Sauk County UW-Extension, Arts and Culture Committee relies on the services of many volunteer panelists, who review grant applications and make recommendations on two separate panels: Arts/Culture and Humanities/Historic Preservation. Panels bring together artists, historians, humanities professionals, educators, community members, and others actively involved in the arts and humanities. Their participation is solicited by UW-Extension staff on a panel-by-panel basis. Panelists are volunteers and therefore they are not reimbursed for travel, meal or lodging expenses. The Sauk County UW-Extension, Arts and Culture Committee actively solicits and accepts nominations for panelists from constituents and private citizens in an open nominations process. All panel meetings are open to the public.

PANELIST PROFILE

Prospective panelists should be at least 18 years of age and possess experience in one or more of the following areas:

• An artistic/humanities discipline
• Arts/humanities education
• Financial or organizational management for nonprofit organizations
• Community-based arts/humanities projects

The Sauk County UW-Extension, Arts and Culture Committee seeks panelists with strong knowledge and professional qualifications in the arts and/or humanities and the ability to work well in a group. In addition, the Sauk County UW-Extension, Arts and Culture Committee looks for panelists who are willing to commit time and energy to the review process and who will exhibit sensitivity in making constructive critical comments on grant applications. To help reflect the diversity of the county on all panels, the Sauk County UW-Extension, Arts and Culture Committee considers gender, geographic representation and cultural background in selecting panelists.

HOW MUCH TIME DOES THE PANEL SERVICE TAKE?

This depends on the particular panel. Most panelists come together for a half day meeting in March to discuss and score the applications. However panelists are expected to read orientation materials and grant application prior to the meeting. Panelists receive copies of all applications to review at home at least two weeks prior to the panel meeting. Typically the panels will each review about ten grant applications.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I SUBMIT THE QUESTIONNAIRE?

When the Sauk County UW-Extension, Arts and Culture Committee receives your completed questionnaire you will be entered in the Panelist Database. You will be considered for an appointment to a panel as staff members prepare to put panels together. If you are interested in serving on a particular type of panel, please check the Apply to be a Sauk County UW-Extension, Arts and Culture Panelist appropriate box on the questionnaire. Otherwise, the Sauk County UW-Extension, Arts and Culture Committee will invite panelists to serve based on their background and experience.

PANELIST APPLICATION FORM WHAT ABOUT CONFLICTS OF INTEREST?

If you are applying for an Arts/Culture or Humanities/Historic Preservation grant you cannot serve on the corresponding panel. If you serve on a panel, you must notify the Sauk County UW-Extension, Arts and Culture Committee 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.

Please contact the Sauk County UW-Extension office for more information at (608) 355- 3250.