Proposal

Narrative

The University Galleries (UG) seeks funding to purchase (1) GCC Jaguar V LX Vinyl Cutter plotter, (1) iMac desktop, and (4) rolls of vinyl. A vinyl plotter is a versatile device for printing and cutting thin adhesive vinyl for various branding purposes, including signage, exhibition wall text, decals, and enhancing 3D objects like sculptures, prototypes, and models. Using Adobe software, students will be able to create professional-looking lettering and logos. Yearly, over 35 students enrolled in the Gallery Practices course (ARH 4974) participate in hands-on learning in exhibit production, graphic design, marketing, museum education, and arts management. 6 to 30 graduating BFA students produce professional exhibits with the galleries in their senior seminar (ART4955C). Additionally, 4 interns, 8 student workers and many volunteers all gain hands-on experience at the galleries. UG also presents MFA and Faculty exhibits, which directly benefit 80+ FAU students and 10+ FAU faculty members annually. We also welcome the entire university community to enjoy free art shows. Through these experience, students gain skills needed to compete in today's arts industry job market. Many UG interns and student employees have gained full-time employment in South Florida cultural institutions. The requested equipment would not only cut exhibit production costs and time, and allow students to be more creative in their designs but also serve to give them a new professional skill. Affiliated VAAH students, including graphic design students, photographers, sculptors, painters, and printmakers, will also have access to the tool with appropriate training to explore and enhance their work using vinyl decals. Getting this plotter will cut vendor costs, expand student access, and reduce exhibit and brand design production expenses. It equips students with a valuable skill for art making, architecture, and design careers, enhancing their employability and resume credentials.

Facilities

No renovation are required. We may need to move furniture around to make space for the plotter and run the appropriate cable to the Ethernet connection (less than 15 feet). We intend to place the plotter in the Ritter Gallery Production area, near the Art History Teaching Lab.

Hardware Requirements

(1) GCC Jaguar V LX Vinyl Cutter Plotter 24"- $2,600.00 (1) 24” iMac with Retina 4.5k display; Apple M1 chip w/ 8-core CPU and 8-core CPU-silver- $1,899

Software Requirements

(1) Photoshop software - $503.76 for 2-years (1) 4-year AppleCare+ for Schools -iMac

Personnel Costs

N/A

Other Costs

(6) rolls of vinyl - $300.00.

Timeline

If awarded, UG staff will purchase and install the approved hardware and software within three months of award notification. The software, Adobe Creative Cloud 12 month subscriptions will be renewed again when they expire during FY23-24.

Sustainability

Plotter are fairly simple machine and require almost no maintenance. Adobe Creative cloud maintenance are already in the university rotation. The only recurring cost to keep this device in action are rolls of vinyl which can easily be folded in exhibition production costs already expense in contracting vendors to produce similar vinyls at a much higher cost.

Resource Matching

The University Galleries at FAU, like other non-proit visual arts organizations or other centers on campus, succeed in their mission in part by successfully seeking and winning a variety of outside funding sources to all its mission. That mission, presenting highly professional exhibition programs involving professional, regional, national and international artists and curators in a learning laboratory context that engages FAU students in a class, as interns and as employees. Student jobs are made possible in large part by outside funds matching University allocations. The students we engage through this matching funding receive important career training by participating in planning and producing diverse professional exhibitions and community service through arts education programs serving school-age youth in schools and Palm Beach County Boys and Girls Clubs. Current University Galleries recurring matching funding/grant sources: • The Isadore and Kelly Friedman University Galleries Fund, an annual grant (since 2014) supporting FAU student employment and exhibition programs • The Kaye Arts Integration Fund, an endowment providing the Galleries Museum Education program that regularly employs a recent MFA grad ½ time Coordinator, and two to four undergrad arts educators in training • The State of Florida Division of Arts and Culture, an annual General Program Support grant (2001 – 2009; 2013 – present) • Cultural Council of Palm Beach County, annual grant for Professional Artists Services and Marketing Selected other grants to UG • Florida Humanities Council, 3 major grants since 2001 • Community Foundation of Palm Beach County, grants for an exhibition project and a 3-year grant for the Artists Mentorship Program (AMP) funding more FAU student employees as arts education mentors. • Ritter Family Foundation, general program grants, Namesake of Ritter Art Gallery • Beatrice Cummings Mayer Foundation, student employment, exhibition and arts education programs

Implementing Organization

If awarded, University Galleries staff will purchase and install the approved hardware and software within three months of award notification. The software, Adobe Creative Cloud 12 month subscriptions will be renewed again when they expire during FY23-24.