Dear Gentle Readers,
So lately, for whatever reason (increased popularity of my blog, temporary insanity of a few people, astrological weirdness, or general confusion), I've been getting many, many proposals in my in-box and requests from people to read them through and give feedback. Usually a day or two before the applications are due. (By the way, it is bad form to do this on such short notice to people you know, let alone people you don't know personally.) These are proposals for various grants and fellowships or applications to residencies. (Oh, I also have gotten some rather strange and long-winded requests for money too. Lots of money. Odd, that.)
Anyway, most of you are very respectful and take it to heart when I say that I do this blog for free (translated: I spend many hours researching, managing, writing people back, etc.) and that if you have a burning question, you check my FAQs on the side bar first before asking me privately. However, for those of you who don't check my FAQs: dudes, scroll down and read them! I need you to. You need to be resourceful and figure this out and that is why I do this blog. To help people help themselves. As for reading people's proposals--as much as I would love to help, I simply can't. It is just way too time consuming. And if you read my article "Finding Money for Your Dreams," you know that I suffer from a brain injury. I don't mean to whine, so please don't take this the wrong way, but you need to know that the way it works is this: if I read something several pages one day, that means that I will then be way too exhausted to do my own writing later that day and maybe the next. So you see, it is too taxing on my wee brain. It's enough just to do this blog.
I'm about to go back into my book and re-edit it once again, as well as finish all the artwork. That means less time for Mira's List. I will do my very best to keep you all informed but please--do check those FAQs, use the comment forum at the bottom of the right hand sidebar so others can put their two cents in, and do not send me attached documents of your proposals, your Fulbright grant applications, your MacDowell applications, etc. I just can't do it. I get very, very tired just reading your emails asking me to help you. It doesn't mean I don't like you. It means I am not the person for the job.
I don't mean to complain. But things are getting out of hand so I had to say something. Please pass it on to others that I don't look at grant proposals. And if you feel like Mira's List has helped you in anyway whatsoever, consider making a small donation on the donation link on the right hand sidebar. Even if it's five dollars. Every little bit helps. I am trying to maintain this as a free site so any contribution would be appreciated, especially if you feel like you learned something from an article or you found out about an amazing opportunity here. Help keep this blog going or it will fizzle out in the future, as much as I'd like it to grow.
Thanks for listening. I guess I really got bombarded this month with letters and proposals, etc. Probably because the fall is a big application time and everyone out there needs money. Anyway, good luck with your endeavors, keep making art, keep applying for things and be courageous and go forth! I'm here to be your faithful resource and so I shall continue to....
Cheers,
Mira
mr brainwash
click here for the artist's website and here for the sold-out section (crisis? what crisis?? :-))
(via trouble in wonderland)
damien hirst: the dead
two colour foil block prints of 'the death'. each an edition of 15:12 available as individual prints, 3 reserved for portfolio sets. click here if you want them ;-)
showtime: jennifer des
"les sangtiments" is the new show of jennifer des at young gallery in brussels.
don't miss the opening october 29th.
click here for jennifer des and here for young gallery
LATE-BREAKING DEADLINES FOR MUSICIANS, WRITERS AND ARTISTS
Good morning to you all... I still am having formatting problems when I switch from a word doc or from an email to my blog post. The font size changes and other snafoos occur. I'm doing my best to figure this out...sorry once again if things look a little off. Drives me crazy! Anyway, below are some upcoming fall deadlines...best wishes, Mira.
(WRITERS) Biography Fellowships
The Leon Levy Center for Biography is offering resident fellowships at the Graduate Center, CUNY in New York City for the academic year beginning September 2010. Awards include writing space, access to research facilities and a $60,000 stipend. Deadline is October 15, 2009. For more information, go to: www.leonlevycenterforbiography.com.
The following announcements are from Kathleen Bitetti from Artist Alliance, an arts advocacy group. Check them out: www.artistalliance.us. Thanks Kathleen!
(MUSICIANS/MUSICOLOGISTS) Grammy Foundation Grants
DEADLINE OCTOBER 1st!: Funded by the Recording Academy, the Grammy Foundation Grant Program administers grants annually to organizations and individuals to support efforts that advance the archiving and preservation of the music and recorded sound heritage of the Americas. The foundation will also award Scientific Research Project grants up to a maximum of $20,000 each to organizations and individuals to support research on the impact of music on the human condition. Examples might include the study of the effects of music on mood, cognition and healing, as well as the medical and occupational well-being of music professionals and the creative process underlying music. Priority is given to projects with strong methodological design as well those addressing an important research question. The Foundation's Archiving and Preservation Project grants support efforts that advance the archiving and preservation of the music and recorded sound heritage of the Americas. The Archiving and Preservation area has two funding categories: Preservation Implementation ($20,000 maximum award each); and Planning, Assessment, and/or Consultation ($5,000 maximum award each).
A Letter of Inquiry is now required before submission of a full application. Inquiries must be received by no later than October 1, 2009. If the project is recommended for further consideration, the applicant will be invited to submit a full application in early November. Full applications will be due within approximately four weeks of notification and wards will be announced in March 2010. For more information, please go to: http://www.grammy.com/GrammyFoundation/
(FILMMAKERS) Native American Film Awards
National Museum of the American Indian seeks submissions of films on Native American Veterans. The National Museum of the American Indian is seeking submissions of four-minute films about Native American veterans that illustrate the impact and meaning of participation in the military for native peoples. All types of nonfiction film, including documentary, experimental, and animation, will be accepted. Prizes will be awarded to winners, and selected films will be shown on Veterans Day 2009 during a special program at the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C. Deadline October 18, 2009. Visit the Web site of the National Museum of the American Indian for further information: http://www.americanindian.si.
(ARTISTS) NYFA Award for Excellence in Painting
New York Foundation for the Arts Announces New Award for Excellence in Painting. As part of this year's New York State Artists' Fellowships program, the New York Foundation for the Arts has announced a special award for excellence in painting. The Basil H. Alkazzi Award for Excellence in Painting will provide two painters with an award of $20,000 each. The award is open to painters of all nationalities, provided they are residents of New York State. All those who apply to Fellowships program will automatically be considered for the Award for Excellence in Painting. The awards will first be presented in 2010 and on a biennial basis thereafter. The Artists' Fellowships painting category accepts work that involves painting of any kind upon any surface. The deadline for the painting category is November 3, 2009. Visit the NYFA Web site for complete award information and Artists' Fellowships program guidelines: http://www.nyfa.org/level3.
(WRITERS) Biography Fellowships
The Leon Levy Center for Biography is offering resident fellowships at the Graduate Center, CUNY in New York City for the academic year beginning September 2010. Awards include writing space, access to research facilities and a $60,000 stipend. Deadline is October 15, 2009. For more information, go to: www.leonlevycenterforbiography.com.
The following announcements are from Kathleen Bitetti from Artist Alliance, an arts advocacy group. Check them out: www.artistalliance.us. Thanks Kathleen!
(MUSICIANS/MUSICOLOGISTS) Grammy Foundation Grants
DEADLINE OCTOBER 1st!: Funded by the Recording Academy, the Grammy Foundation Grant Program administers grants annually to organizations and individuals to support efforts that advance the archiving and preservation of the music and recorded sound heritage of the Americas. The foundation will also award Scientific Research Project grants up to a maximum of $20,000 each to organizations and individuals to support research on the impact of music on the human condition. Examples might include the study of the effects of music on mood, cognition and healing, as well as the medical and occupational well-being of music professionals and the creative process underlying music. Priority is given to projects with strong methodological design as well those addressing an important research question. The Foundation's Archiving and Preservation Project grants support efforts that advance the archiving and preservation of the music and recorded sound heritage of the Americas. The Archiving and Preservation area has two funding categories: Preservation Implementation ($20,000 maximum award each); and Planning, Assessment, and/or Consultation ($5,000 maximum award each).
A Letter of Inquiry is now required before submission of a full application. Inquiries must be received by no later than October 1, 2009. If the project is recommended for further consideration, the applicant will be invited to submit a full application in early November. Full applications will be due within approximately four weeks of notification and wards will be announced in March 2010. For more information, please go to: http://www.grammy.com/
(FILMMAKERS) Native American Film Awards
National Museum of the American Indian seeks submissions of films on Native American Veterans. The National Museum of the American Indian is seeking submissions of four-minute films about Native American veterans that illustrate the impact and meaning of participation in the military for native peoples. All types of nonfiction film, including documentary, experimental, and animation, will be accepted. Prizes will be awarded to winners, and selected films will be shown on Veterans Day 2009 during a special program at the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C. Deadline October 18, 2009. Visit the Web site of the National Museum of the American Indian for further information: http://www.americanindian.si.
(ARTISTS) NYFA Award for Excellence in Painting
New York Foundation for the Arts Announces New Award for Excellence in Painting. As part of this year's New York State Artists' Fellowships program, the New York Foundation for the Arts has announced a special award for excellence in painting. The Basil H. Alkazzi Award for Excellence in Painting will provide two painters with an award of $20,000 each. The award is open to painters of all nationalities, provided they are residents of New York State. All those who apply to Fellowships program will automatically be considered for the Award for Excellence in Painting. The awards will first be presented in 2010 and on a biennial basis thereafter. The Artists' Fellowships painting category accepts work that involves painting of any kind upon any surface. The deadline for the painting category is November 3, 2009. Visit the NYFA Web site for complete award information and Artists' Fellowships program guidelines: http://www.nyfa.org/level3.
miranda july - def the guiltiest one!
click here for miranda's website, or see & take a pic of yrself standing on/beside/behind/next to the "eleven heavy things" @ venice biennale until november 22nd this year
heather braun-dahl : artists who blog
Heather's website: www.dahlhausart.com
Heather's blog: www.dahlhausart.blogspot.com
Heather's shop: www.dahlhausart.bigcartel.com
Why did you decide to start a blog?
I decided to start a blog as a way to document my own journey while also giving people the opportunity to get to know me in an uninvasive and yet authentic way, no matter where they were from. I really enjoy writing and taking photos of my inspiration and my work and decided that a blog would be a good format for me to put that together. I wasn't as concerned with having a huge readership, just wanting a bit of company along for the ride, especially during the times when I'm more isolated between the studio and at home.
How did you come up with the name of your blog?
Dahlhaus art is the official name I launched my website with around 2 years ago. I came up with the name because as both a ceramic artist and a painter I needed a way to link my work together under one roof, so to speak. An interest in the Bauhaus movement in art, design and architecture along with the root function of both painting and ceramics being for the home made a play-on-words that worked well with my last name too. It just made sense to use the same name for my blog.
How has blogging affected your work as an artist/designer?
Sometimes I catch myself with a running commentary going on in my head while I think of things to blog about during the day. Silly, I know, but I guess having a blog has made me more aware of my process while also giving me permission to present it to the world way before I ever would have before I had a blog. Process is always important and I've always felt that it was in the process that a lot of interesting bits happen in art. Often your audience just sees the final result and never the process and they miss out the in between stuff.
What are your favorite artist/designer blogs? Why?
I pop by the Sycamore Street Press and Lovely Design blog daily, more because I feel some sense of connection with who they are and what they post about than anything. I get a kick out of Whitney Smith's blog (this artists life) where she rants about the ins and outs of the studio potter's life- I can totally relate to some of it. I love seeing inspirational images of great blogs like design*sponge and Poppytalk, but also love reading smaller blogs by other designers and makers on occasion, just to see what they are up to and how they are managing to balance their lives.
Do you have any advice for artists/designers who are starting a blog?
I'm sure this has all been said before, but be yourself, try to blog about what you know- what concerns you and your work. Be consistent and blog every couple of days at least. If you aren't great at writing, take pretty pictures, blog about other artists and highlight your successes and blog about your failures. Other artists will be sure to come by and check out your work if you are consistent in this. Broadening your community should be what having a blog is about at the get go, the sales will follow after time!
What has been the most positive and inspirational aspect of having a blog for you?
I would have to say just seeing where I've come from this past year and where I'm going. I now have a record of past goals turning into reality on my blog, and when I'm feeling particularily frustrated or low, I've been able to look back on the year and celebrate the big and little things that came my way.
What do you find the most difficult/most rewarding part of having a creative profession?
Well off the top, I would have to say the most difficult thing is the lack of consistent income and sales compared with the high cost of running and keeping up a creative profession. To sell what a person makes actually costs a lot of money, whether it be the costs of online shops, the costs of materials and space to make what you sell, the costs of doing art and craft shows, or the 50% cut the galleries take, it all adds up! In other words, there's not a lot left over for a pay check at the end of the day and this can be really discouraging some times.
The most rewarding part of a creative profession would be to be approached by someone who owns your work and have them tell you they use my mug or bowl every day, that it doesn't even get to the dishwasher and that they fight with other family members over who gets to use their mug. I also really appreciate hearing from people that they've never seen work like mine around- that they've seen a lot of pottery out there, but none like mine, and that it's really lovely. Yay, that's what I was going for!
Other than your blog, what has been the most effective way for you to promote your art/design?
Online the most effective way for me to promote my work are on other blogs- be it to be on some design blogs or online markets. I was able to be on Poppytalk Handmade a few times and have seen a difference in my online exposure. Articles and interviews also help, I'm sure ads on prominent blogs would make a difference but my advertising budget is pretty low still. I send out emails to my contacts quarterly, telling them about up-coming shows and sales, and just meeting people face to face at exhibits and shows, or out and about lays the groundwork for up-coming sales.
How do you maintain a healthy work/life balance?
Having kids has forced me not to become a complete studio recluse, at the same time, I find my stress level with having time to maintain a healthy studio practice and business a lot higher because of the balancing act that I'm on. I can't do it all, and sometimes I realize I'm trying too hard to do too many things and something's got to give. This year I've specifically stepped back from painting to focus on ceramics, but maybe in a couple of years it will switch. My kids are in Kindergarten and grade 2 this year, so next year when they are both in school for full 5-6 hour days, my balancing act will change once again.
What would you like to accomplish by the end of 2009?
Outside of some financial goals that I have (completely pay off my Visa bill and pay myself a decent paycheque every month), I am working towards a magazine feature, and some of my work being published. I just got the news that my work will be part of a large contemporary ceramics book that will come out next year sometime and that's been great news for me! I've been deliberately getting professional photos done of my work every 6 months or so, with books and publishing in mind, so I'm excited about keeping at this.
I would like to finish some paintings this year that I've started, but we'll see if I get some time in to do that. I have a number of shows lined up for the season and have high hopes of being ultra prepared with lots of stock for the winter rush, so that is pretty foremost in my mind!
Thanks Heather! Best of luck in all of your upcoming endeavors :)
showtime: happy famous artists @ berliner kunstsalon
don't miss yr chance to see our western & eastern philosophical series, presented by director's lounge @ this years' berliner kunstsalon
for an online preview of "western philosophy I", click here and then browse through the curator's tour
(the western & eastern philosophy series is a work realized by happy famous artists & jeff blind)
citizen m - a place to be :-)
looking for an awesome & affordable place for your city/leisure/business trip to amsterdam? the citizen m hotels (there's one located @ schiphol airport, while the other opened recently in the centre) will make you feel like u're a member of a star trek team on a futuristic spaceship. love @ first sight!! click here and here to judge for yourself ;-)
SCHOLARSHIP SITE FOR U.S. AND INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
Good morning all...so I just got this great link from my friend Sticker Kitty: http://www.eastchance.com/index.asp . It's a site called East Chance and it's for those of you seeking funding for undergraduate and graduate school in the U.S. and abroad. It's for both American and international students. I have only just skimmed through it a bit but already found some useful things so hopefully, for those of you seeking academic funding, you'll find it helpful too. I have more announcements coming later today or tomorrow so come back and visit. In the meantime, don't forget to check out my google ad links on this site. A lot of them are for academic funding, government grants, other grant programs, etc. and every time you check them out with a little click, it helps out Mira's List a tiny bit. Don't go crazy clicking them just to help me though! But do check them out. Thanks and I'll talk to you all later....Mira
URGENT DEADLINES FOR FELLOWSHIPS, RESIDENCIES AND MORE!
(PRINTMAKERS) St. Michael's Printshop Residency in Newfoundland: Each year St. Michael's Printshop invites applications from international, national and provincial artists who wish to come and work at the Printshop for a one-month period. A total of six residencies are offered during the year. The one-month residency must be completed during the period of April 1st in the year in which it is awarded and March 31st of the following year. During the residency, the artist will be asked to give a workshop for the membership of the Printshop. Up to $1500 in funding for each artist plus 24-hour access to all facilities. Deadline is October 1, 2009. For more information, please go to: http://www.stmichaelsprintshop.com
(ALL) Radcliffe Fellowships: Fellowships for creative artists and scholars in the humanities. Stipends are funded up to $65,000 for one year with additional funds for project expenses. Some support for relocation expenses is provided where relevant. If so directed, Radcliffe will pay the stipend to the fellow's home institution. Fellows receive office or studio space and access to libraries and other resources of Harvard University during the fellowship year, which extends from early September 2010 through June 30, 2011. Visual artists and film, video, sound, and new media artists may apply to come for one semester only. The stipend is $32,500. Fellows are expected to be free of their regular commitments so they may devote themselves full time to the work outlined in their proposal. Since this is a residential fellowship, fellows are expected to reside in the Boston area during that period and to have their primary office at the Institute so that they can participate fully in the life of the community. For more information, please contactL fellowships@radcliffe.edu or call: 617-496-1324. Deadline is October 1, 2009. Visit the website at: http://www.radcliffe.edu/fellowships/apply.aspx
(ALL) Collaboration Opportunity: The Artists and Writers Alliance Internationale is a project dedicated to encouraging collaborative creative projects and is currently accepting listings for its website from artists of all disciplines interested in connecting with others to create collaborative works of art. All are welcome to submit a free listing to the AWAI website.
(WRITERS) Amsterdam Writer-in-Residence Program: Amsterdam Writer-in-Residence Program is from three to five months in the heart of the old city. Guest writers use their time in Amsterdam for their own work and research, but they will also be involved in the city's literary and cultural life. It has been decided to give preference to those authors whose works have been translated into Dutch or will be shortly, and authors who work in a wide range of literary genres. For more information visit: http://tinyurl.com/nqm542
(WRITERS) Hodder Fellowship
(FILMMAKERS) Emerging Documentary Filmmaker Grants: The Pacific Pioneer Fund gives grants to emerging documentary filmmakers or videographers who live and work in California, Oregon, and Washington. The term "emerging" is intended to denote a person committed to the craft of making documentaries, who has demonstrated that commitment by several years - but no more than ten - practical film or video experience. Grants range from $1,000 to $10,000. Fiscal Sponsor required. Funding Cycle: The board meets three times a year. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. The applications deadlines in 2009 are 4/15, 8/15, and 12/15. For more information visit: http://www.pacificpioneerfund.com./
(MEDIA/FILM) Artist-in-Residence in Boston: The Artist in Residency at HOME, Inc. offers a three month to six month residency which may be renewable for an additional six months upon mutual agreement. The Residency provides free access to HOME's video production facilities at the HOME studios in Jamaica Plain (Boston, MA). Facilities include access to 4 Apple Studio Suite equipped editing systems, with Live Type, Motion, Final Cut Pro and other software. Additional equipment includes Betacam SP editing deck, and DVCAM camcorders, a camera boom, wireless microphones, fluid head tripods, lights etc.
carolyn gavin : artists who blog
Carolyn's blog: www.designerjots.blogspot.com
Carolyn's website: www.ecojot.com
Why did you decide to start a blog?
I think it's an extension of what I do, and people seem to be interested (I think) in the day to day process, of a designer or Illustrator. The blog is a discipline, a day to day diary of what's happening in my life creatively. I think it has to be kept up and kept current to maintain it's interest. I generally try to update everyday. Sometimes this can be tiresome. It's a back and forth process and it provides another creative medium for my work.
How did you come up with the name of your blog?
Well my company is called Ecojot... so designerjots was a natural followup from that.
How has blogging affected your work as an artist/designer?
I sometimes use the blog as a tool, so if I'm working on a particular design I will extend this into a work for the blog only. And vice versa. It provides another medium for my work to be seen and it definitely keeps me busy. It's a lot of work to keep it fresh and intesting.
What are your favorite artist/designer blogs? Why?
Nate Willliams of n8w & Helen Dardik of Orange You Lucky
I am crazy for both their work and Helen updates everyday also. Always with something interesting.
Do you have any advice for artists/designers who are starting a blog?
Try and focus on your speciality and keep it consistent. Make it very visual and colorful. Try and be original. Engage people and don't be afraid to show your work.
What has been the most positive and inspirational aspect of having a blog for you?
If you're visually exposed with a blog like I am, then more people get to know and understand your work and relate to it. This helps the work sell 'cause more people are starting to recognise it. I also have met some wonderful people through blogging.
What do you find the most difficult/most rewarding part of having a creative profession?
I have to work all the time! I have to create all the time. Sometimes this can be challenging. But then I go on a nice long vacation somewhere and literally just drop everything. I think this is important. My creative self needs a complete break and rest to come back fresh and rejuvenated!
Other than your blog, what has been the most effective way for you to promote your art/design?
Well I have a company with my family called Ecojot. I am principal designer/creative director for Ecojot and year after year, my work is featured. Also I now have Lilla Rogers as my agent and that has enabled my work to find other outlets which has been fantastic! They are the BEST agents to have and really try and promote your work to the max.
How do you maintain a healthy work/life balance?
It's a juggling act for sure. I do yoga which helps, try and eat well, sleep well and travel a bit. In between working a lot.
What are your main goals for 2009?
To stay calm, and continue to get lots of work from LRS and hope that ECOJOT continues to grow.
Thanks Carolyn!!
