Artist Grants & Residencies for Media Artists, Sound Artists, Native American Artists and More!

Greetings all. Today's selection of opportunities are brought to you by: re-title.com, womenarts.org, artisttrust.org and Mirabee's periodic sniffing around....Happy 4th of July!

(ARTISTS/MULTIMEDIA) Weir Farm Trust, Wilton, CT—November-April—Residencies of 2-4 weeks for film, video, and multimedia artists (in addition to visual artists of all types). Organization provides housing, studio, and stipend ($500 per month). Residents are responsible for deposit ($75, refunded on artist’s arrival), food, travel, and materials.

***I just heard from a Mira's List fan that this place no longer gives out stipends so please check with them first before applying. Sometimes things change season to season in this economy. Application available on website: www.nps.gov/wefa

Deadline: July 15, 2011

FEE: $25.
Weir Farm Trust
735 Nod Hill Rd.
Wilton, CT 06897
T: (203) 761-9945, FAX: (203) 761-9116
evanswft@optonline.net
allenwft@optonline.net
www.nps.gov/wefa

(ALL) Fogo Island Arts Corporation Residency Program 2012-2013—The Fogo Island Arts Corporation is a new contemporary art venue on the east coast of Canada. The Arts Corporation runs two distinct yet complementary programs, the Residency program and the Production program. Both programs encourage dialogue between visiting artists and local people to share experiences and perceptions.

The Fogo Island Arts Corporation's mission to bring together local communities and the international art scene is reflected in the accommodations and work space provided to Residency Program participants. Striking new studios are being built at locations across the island. Living spaces are provided in refurbished traditional homes located in nearby communities on the island.

how to apply

Visual artists, curators, writers and filmmakers can apply for residencies on Fogo Island in 2012 – 2013. Residencies are from 3 to 6 months. Visiting professionals are provided with a studio (work space) and a house to live in. Individuals selected to the program can apply for stipend to cover materials and living costs on the island and for travel (to and from Fogo Island only).
For more info, go to: http://artscorpfogoisland.ca/?page_id=6

Deadline: 31 July, 2011

Fogo Island Arts Corporation Application Committee
Highway 334, suite 100 NL - A0G 2X0
Newfoundland Canada
tel: +1 709 270 0011
info@artscorpfogoisland.ca
http://www.artscorpfogoisland.ca

(WASHINGTON ARTISTS) Artist Trust Arts Innovator Award – Awards of $25,000 to individual artists in any discipline who reside in Washington State and are originating new work, experimenting with new ideas, taking risks and pushing the boundaries in their fields. Applicants must be at least 18 years old and have a minimum of 5 years in their professional art practice. A letter of recommendation is also required. See website for complete guidelines and application instructions. Artist Trust, 1835 12th Ave., Seattle, WA 98122, Contact: Miguel Guillén, Program Manager, T: (206) 467-8734 ext. 11, Miguel@artisttrust.org, http://artisttrust.org/index.php/for-artists/money#arts_innovator_awards. Deadline: July 25, 2011

(ALL) Yaddo (year-round, Saratoga Springs, NY) – Residencies of an average of 5 weeks for writers, media artists, visual artists and performing artists working at the professional level in their fields. Facilities include dance/choreography studios, exhibition/installation spaces, metal shop, music studio, and performing arts space. Residency provides housing, meals, studio, travel assistance, and materials stipend. Artists responsible for additional materials or travel costs. FEE: $30. Yaddo, P.O. Box 395, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866, T: (518) 584-0746, FAX: (518) 584-1312, yaddo@yaddo.org, www.yaddo.org. Deadline: August 1, 2011

(ALL) AMA Grant—AMA supports mobility within the African continent by providing the costs of travel, visa and travel insurance for the duration of stay. AMA supports all artists and cultural operators living and working in Africa for travels within and between the African regions. It supports the travel of artists and cultural professionals working in the following artistic fields:

- Performing arts : theatre, dance, story telling...etc
- Music
- Visual arts
- Cinema
- Literature

Art Moves Africa (AMA) aims to facilitate cultural and artistic exchanges within the African continent. AMA offers travel funds to artists, arts professionals and cultural operators living and working in Africa to travel within the continent in order to engage in the exchange of information, the enhancement of skills, the development of informal networks and the pursuit of cooperation. Deadline : 01 September, 2011
More Information: http://www.artmovesafrica.org/

(MEDIA ARTS/SOUND ARTISTS/SCULPTORS) Nodar Artist Residency Program—Binaural is a Portuguese non-profit Cultural Organization founded in 2004 with the aim of promoting the exploration and research in sound / visual and new media arts, focusing on the crossing of media and languages and on the articulation between the artistic production and the surrounding context, particularly through its activities in the rural space of Nodar.

Rural Architechtures: The 2012 Nodar Artist Residency Program will specifically explore the interactions between landscape, architecture and sound in the rural context of the Gralheira Mountains, municipality of São Pedro do Sul.

12 art projects by individual artists or collectives will be selected. The art works will acoustically "activate" different types of rural constructions, through the creation of context-specific sound installations and sculptures. Deadline: 15 September, 2011

Application Form
http://www.binauralmedia.org/news/en/artist-residency/application-form

Nodar Artist Residency Center: Associação Cultural de Nodar, Nodar – Caixa Postal 119, 3660-324, S. Martinho das Moitas, Portugal
Tel. +351 232 357 060
http://www.binauralmedia.org/

(NATIVE AMERICAN ARTISTS) First Peoples Fund Invites Applications for Artist in Business Leadership Program—The First Peoples Fund’s Artist in Business Leadership Program is designed to help entrepreneurial Native American artists develop their marketing and business skills and build self-sustaining, arts-based businesses.

This one-year, self-directed program provides a working capital grant of up to $5,000 to support work on a marketing plan/strategy or business goal as defined by the artist applicant. Additional program benefits include technical assistance, a professional network of peers, and travel expenses to FPF’s professional development workshops. The fellowship places emphasis on new works to stimulate creativity and a renewal of energy in Native art expression.

Applicants must be members of a Northern Great Plains tribe located in South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Minnesota, Nebraska, the Eastern Plateau region of Idaho, Oregon, or Washington; a tribe from the Great Lakes region of Minnesota, Michigan, or Wisconsin; a tribe belonging to the U.S. Eastern Seaboard states; or a Hawaiian or Alaska Native. Affiliated Canadian First Nations artists are also eligible. For complete program information, eligibility rules and application procedures, visit the FPF Web site: http://www.firstpeoplesfund.org/artists_artist_in_business_leadership.html

(NEW MEDIA) New Arts in Media Grant—The National Endowment for the Arts is accepting applications for their new Arts in Media category open to mobile technology, digital games, and other platforms. Grants are available to support the development, production, and national distribution of innovative media projects about the arts and media projects that can be considered works of art. Grants generally will range from $10,000 to $200,000, based on the platform and the complexity and scope of the project. For more info, go to: http://www.nea.gov/grants/apply/AIM-presentation.html Deadline is September 1, 2011.

(PHOTOGRAPHERS) Vision Quest Residency—Vision Quest Photo Workshops announces a new yearly grant of a one-week photographic artist’s residency. This grant provides mid-career fine-art photographers a retreat-like experience to work on their art, reflect on their artistic direction, make new photographs, plan new career paths, or to simply have time away from work/family/life pressure and stress. Photographers can use this time to move their art or career forward or to reflect on where they are at and where they are headed.

The artist will stay in a very private retreat in the woods along the banks of a pristine sand-bottom river, located near Grantsburg, Wisconsin (about an hour drive from the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul). The residency will include a private consultation, in person or via phone, with Vision Quest Photo Workshops founder and director Douglas Beasley before the week begins and after its conclusion. For more details please visit the website. For more info, go to: http://www.vqphoto.com
Contact: 651-644-1400

Grants & Fellowships for Research, Making Art and Travel!

Greetings all!

I’m back from the conference in New York and it was great! It was also great to see a couple Mira’s List fans there. Thanks for attending, those of you who went to the CLMP Conference and I hope you learned some enlightening things about the publishing industry. So upward and onward! We have a couple interviews coming soon but in the meantime, here are a few grants and fellowships for you to take a look at!

Cheers,
Mirabee

(ARTISTS) Emergency Assistance Program—The Adolph and Esther Gottlieb Foundation: The Emergency Assistance Program provides interim financial assistance to qualified artists whose needs are the result of an unforeseen, catastrophic incident, and who lack the resources to meet that situation. Each grant is given as one-time assistance for a specific emergency, examples of which are fire, flood, or emergency medical need. The program does not consider requests for dental work, chronic situations, capital improvements, or projects of any kind; nor can it consider situations resulting from general indebtedness or lack of employment. The maximum amount of this grant is $10,000; an award of $4,000 is typical. To be eligible, an artist must be able to demonstrate a minimum involvement of ten years in a mature phase of his or her work. Artists must work in the disciplines of painting, sculpture, or printmaking. Please visit http://gottliebfoundation.org/grants/emergency-grant for more information. Deadline: 12/31/12.

(ARTISTS) Individual Support Grants—Adolph and Esther Gottlieb Foundation:
The Adolph and Esther Gottlieb Foundation wishes to encourage artists who have dedicated their lives to developing their art, regardless of their level of commercial success. This program was conceived in order to recognize and support the serious, fully committed artist, and we hope these individuals will consider applying. Twelve grants are awarded each year. Applications are reviewed by a panel of five professionals in the arts who have no affiliation with the foundation. Please visit http://gottliebfoundation.org/grants/individual-grants for more information and to request an application by mail. Deadline: 12/15/10

(ALL & SCHOLARS) New England Regional Fellowship Consortium Grant: Massachusetts Historical Society: The New England Regional Fellowship Consortium, a collaboration of 18 major cultural agencies, will offer at least 11 awards in 2011–2012. Each grant will provide a stipend of $5,000 for a minimum of eight weeks of research at participating institutions. Each itinerary must include at least three different member institutions, and include at least two weeks at each of these. For more information about the Consortium’s research grants, please check the NERFC web site: www.nerfc.org, or contact Kate Viens, Massachusetts Historical Society, 1154 Boylston St., Boston, MA 02215 (fellowships@masshist.org) or 617-646-0568. NERFC application deadline: February 1, 2011.

(ART HISTORIANS & SCHOLARS) Hamad bin Khalifa Travel Fellowships—Virginia Commonwealth University: The Hamad bin Khalifa Travel Fellowships are awarded to up to 20 individuals who wish to attend the 4th biennial Hamad bin Khalifa Symposium on Islamic Art, "God is Beautiful; He Loves Beauty: The Object in Islamic Art and Culture," October 29-31, 2011 at the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, Qatar. Fellowships cover the cost of roundtrip travel to Doha, lodging and meals during the symposium, and special events and excursions. The fellowships are intended to enable junior and senior scholars at all levels to attend the symposium; preference will be given to applicants from diverse backgrounds with long-standing research interests in Islamic art and architecture. To apply, please submit an application form, a one-paragraph statement of interest and a current CV on the website,
www.islamicartdoha.org by February 1, 2011. Fellows will be notified by May 1, 2011. Please direct any questions to mabrown@vcu.edu. Deadline: 02/02/11

(GRAD. STUDENTS & SCHOLARS) Residential Research Grant—University of Wisconsin--Madison: The Friends of the University of Wisconsin—Madison Libraries (FOL) is pleased to offer several one month residential grants-in-aid, for research in the humanities in the university’s Memorial Library. The Library’s collections include (among other fields): History of science from the Middle Ages through the Enlightenment. Pseudo science and medical and scientific quackery. The largest American collection of avant-garde “Little Magazines.” Scandinavian and Germanic history and literature. Dutch post-Reformation theology and church history. French political pamphlets of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Applicants should have Ph.D. Foreign scholars or graduate students who are ABD are also eligible. For more information, see http://giving.library.wisc.edu/friends/grant-in-aid.shtml, or FOL, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Rm. 990, 728 State St., Madison, WI 53706, or 608-265-2505; E-mail: friends@library.wisc.edu. Deadline: 02/01/11

(MUSICIANS & ARTISTS) The Harriet Hale Woolley Scholarship for study in Paris: The Harriet Hale Woolley Scholarship is a private grant awarded annually to up to four graduate and post-graduate American students in the visual fine arts (painting, graphic design, print-making, sculpture, photography) and music (composition, instrumental or vocal performance). The scholarship is not intended for research in art history, or musicology, nor for dance or theatre.
Successful candidates propose a unique and detailed project related to their study which requires a one-year residency in Paris. As this project should include enrollment in a recognized French art school or music conservatory, it is strongly suggested that the candidate establish a significant contact with a teacher or institution prior to arriving in France and to show evidence of this contact in his/her application dossier. For more info, go to: http://www.feusa.org/en/culture/harriet-hale-woolley-scholarship

Good Link for Overseas Funding

Hi guys,

Laying low these days because my left hand is funky—Could be repetitive motion stuff or that evil spider that bit me there three weeks ago! Anyway, I'm sure it will be find soon....But just a short note today....I wanted to share this site with you because it has some great links for overseas travel as well as some cool links and projects involving Turkey. Turkey is one of those countries where it is hard to find funding to travel there so I was happy to get this link from my friend. Check it out: http://www.caravansarai.info/index.php?/library/projects-and-resources/

Hope you all are well!
Love,
Mirabee

Fellowship and Grant Deadlines for Artists, Writers & Graduating Seniors

(ARTISTS) The Lillian Orlowsky and William Freed Foundation Grant: The Provincetown Art Association and Museum (PAAM) is proud to announce The Lillian Orlowsky and William Freed Foundation Grant, a new source of funding for mature American painters. This marks the first year that these grants are made available to the public.

Grants will be offered to American painters aged 45 or older who demonstrate financial need. The primary emphasis is to promote public awareness and a commitment to American art, as well as encouraging interest in artists who lack adequate recognition. Grants will range from $5,000 to $10,000. Applications are available online at www.paam.org or by calling 508.487.1750. Completed applications must be postmarked by August 16, 2010.

(ALL) The Bush Foundation Fellowships: The Bush Artist Program creates opportunities for artists who live in Minnesota and North and South Dakota to advance their work, stimulate dialogue and contribute to deeper community engagement by providing them financial and professional development support. Applicants must be from Minnesota, North Dakota
or South Dakota, and U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Each year, up to 15 artists receive unrestricted grants of $48,000. In addition, fellows receive up to $2,000 to plan and implement an individual communications strategy. For more information, please visit the Bush Foundation website: http://www.bushfellows.org/artist.

(GRADUATING STUDENTS) Thomas J. Watson Foundation Fellowship Program: The Thomas J. Watson Fellowship Program is designed to give exceptional graduates from fifty participating colleges the freedom to engage in a year of independent study and travel abroad. The fellowship provides a grant of $25,000 to each recipient; fellows whose spouse or dependent child(ren) will accompany them may be eligible for a grant of $35,000.

The Program supplies, in addition to the stipend, an amount equal to twelve months' payment of outstanding federally guaranteed student loans (based on 120 months of repayment), to ease the financial burden of fellows during their fellowship year, and to provide encouragement for students to apply for fellowships. Graduating seniors at participating institutions are eligible for nomination by their institution. Write or see web site for additional information, including list of participating institutions, and application procedures. Email: tjw@watsonfellowship.org. Website: www.watsonfellowship.org. Deadline is November 4th, 2010.

(WRITERS or SCHOLARS) The Princeton University Hodder Fellowships: Two fellowships, $62,000 each, are given annually to writers and/or scholars with "much more than ordinary intellectual and literary gifts," for the pursuit of independent work in the humanities. The selected fellows are usually from outside academia, and in the early stages of their careers. Fellows spend an academic year in residence at Princeton. Ph.D. candidates are not eligible. For further information, see web site or write to Hodder Fellowship at above address. Email: jbraude@princeton.edu. Deadline is November 1, 2010.

(ALL) John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation Fellowships: are given annually to advanced professionals with a significant record of publication for research in any field of knowledge or creative work in any of the arts. Candidates should already have demonstrated exceptional capacity for productive scholarship or exceptional creative ability in the arts. The awards are given for a minimum of six months and a maximum of one year. The average fellowship grant is approximately $43,200. Write or consult the web site for additional information and application. Email: fellowships@gf.org, Website: www.gf.org. Deadline is September 15th, 2010.

(ARTISTS) Eben Demarest Trust: The Eben Demarest Fund makes one annual grant (never given for scholarship aid) of approximately $15,000 to a mature artist or archaeologist who wishes to concentrate for a time on a chosen field without having to depend entirely on the sale of work or outside employment. The beneficiary is chosen by the Eben Demarest Council. Unsolicited applications from individuals will not be accepted, but applications from organizations or institutions for unusually gifted people will be considered. Write to above address for more details and application. Eben Demarest Council, 650 Smighfiled, Street #240, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. Email: regina@grable.org. Deadline to be announced. ***(Note from Mirabee: here is a case where you could ask an organization that you have a professional relationship with to submit an application for you.)

(WRITERS) The Bard Fiction Prize: annually recognizes a promising young fiction writer under the age of 39; it consists of a monetary award and appointment as writer-in-residence at Bard College for one semester. The recipient gives at least one public lecture and meets informally with students.

To apply, candidates should write a cover letter explaining the project they plan to work on while at Bard and submit a C.V., along with three copies of the published book they feel best represents their work. No manuscripts will be accepted. Write or see the web site for more details. Email: bfp@bard.edu, Website: www.bard.edu. Deadline is July 15th, 2010.

TIPS ON FUNDING ARTIST RESIDENCIES

Good morning. I just found this on the Transartist site and thought it might be useful for those of you applying to residencies overseas and far from home. Please check out their site sometime to learn about residencies and other opportunities around the world. Also, they have a message board for people looking for studio space or studio exhanges, etc.

From Transartists.org:

Of course a residency costs money. Some residency programs cover all costs, some residency programs don't cover any costs at all. In general, residential art centers will partly cover the costs, which always makes it necessary to find additional funding. Be sure about the budget before you go!

You got a grant of the residential art center?

Congratulations! But you have to check the following:

• Do you get to keep the grant yourself or does the residency itself use it to pay for rent and facilities?

• If you get the money yourself, are you free to use it for your own purposes or do you have to pay with it for the rent or for use of facilities?

• How much is it? Can you pay the whole residency with the money?

• Get a written agreement, stating how much you receive, when and how.

• How much money do you still have to pay yourself?

You need additional funding?

You're selected, but the money offered or the facilities offered for free are not enough to cover the whole budget. Check out the following:

• Don't agree to come over without being sure you can cover the whole budget.

• Ask the residential art center for invitation letters or letters of support for applying for additional funding.

• Ask the residential art center for information about their local funding possibilities.

• Applying for additional funding takes time, always ask the residential art center if you can come over later when you need more time to arrange the budget.

You need to cover all costs yourself, even accommodation costs and costs of living?

Be sure about the motivation of the residential art center. Is it really a guest center 'for art's sake'?

• Many guest studios just don't have the money to pay for your residency. But they do have a lot to offer 'in natura'. Just check out if the relation between what they offer and what you have to pay, is fair.

• If a residential art center is operating on a purely commercial basis, it doesn't have to be a 'bad' center. It can be a quality center for art's sake. Just be sure about it!

• Do you need to pay in advance, during or after your residency?

To read more about this subject and find a residency that might be good for you, go to:
http://www.transartists.org/articles/funding_check.147.html
Have a great day! Cheers, Mirabee

NEW GRANTS & FELLOWSHIPS FOR ARTISTS, WRITERS, COMPOSERS, & FILMMAKERS

Some new items for y'all...cheers,
Mirabee

(ARTISTS) Henry Moore Foundation Artist Fellowships and Grants: The Foundation awards grants worth up to £6,000 each to artist, supported by host institutions, for fellowships or residencies between 2-6 months. Joint applications may be made at any time and the number of fellowships awarded will depend on the resources available in any year.

The Henry Moore Foundation also offers other grants to visual artists—The Foundation’s grants program is focused on specific objectives. It is the Trustees’ policy to support all aspects of the arts in which Henry Moore himself was engaged, e.g. sculpture, drawing and print-making. Projects in the UK may include the work of artists from any country. Overseas projects must contain a British component, e.g. a British artist. (New projects grants: This includes exhibitions, exhibition catalogues and commissions. In order to encourage ambitious proposals, a very small number of grants may be awarded as follows: £40,000 (exhibition), £15,000 (exhibition catalogue) and £60,000 (commission). Applicants are asked to bear in mind that most awards will be substantially less than these sums.) For more information and to find out about deadlines, please visit the website: http://www.henry-moore-fdn.co.uk

(COMPOSERS) soundSCAPE Fellowship in Italy: In 2010 soundSCAPE will be held on Lake Maggiore in the Italian Alps, just minutes from international borders of France and Switzerland. Festival dates are 14 - 25, July, 2010. The festival now known as soundSCAPE debuted in 2005 as an initiative to bring together composers and performers interested in new music. soundSCAPE is now accepting proposals for a composer in residence for the 2010 summer season. The fellowship involves: the composition of one work for faculty ensemble (piano, soprano, & percussion); the possibility of additional performances of other compositions; mentoring composer participants at festival (lessons, master classes); one or more lectures; opportunities to perform (if applicable). soundSCAPE provides round trip travel (airfare/train), accommodation, meals.

Interested composers must meet the following criteria: * hold a PhD or DMA in composition; granted between 2000 and June of 2010 (individuals with a terminal degree in areas other than composition may be considered); * evidence of activity as a composer (commissions, performances, etc.). For more information, please email: newmusic@soundscapefestival.org or visit the website at: www.soundscapefestival.org. Deadline is March 31st. 2010.

(ARTISTS) Fonds BKVB Grants: Fonds BKVB in the Netherlands has a wide variety of grants for Dutch nationals and International artists living in the Netherlands who have legal residency: A basic stipend intends to enable visual artists and autonomous designers to maintain a basic level of professional practice. A basic stipend (€ 36.000) consists of a contribution to basic living costs (€ 21.000) and a contribution to professional expenses (€15.000). Only visual artists and autonomous designers who have been professionally active for longer than eight years are eligible for a basic stipend. A basic stipend is intended to cover a period of at least two years. This stipend can be awarded only once every four years. For more information on more of their grants, please visit the website: http://www.fondsbkvb.nl/english/01_overview.php

(ALL) Step-Beyond Travel Grants: Mobility is the life-blood of cultural cooperation. Artists and cultural workers need to move easily across borders to meet their international peers, exchange views, cooperate, and influence one another. ECF's mobility programme is called STEP beyond. Their mobility fund stimulates and supports cross-cultural creative projects in a wider Europe, enabling artists and cultural workers to collaborate, exchange, network and explore unfamiliar ground and different ways of working.

Who can apply? Individual artists, cultural operators, cultural researchers and cultural writers (art critics and cultural journalists, etc) travelling to/from EU countries to/from the European Neighbourhood. In collaboration with the Arts and Culture Network Programme of the Open Society Institute, ECF's STEP beyond also supports travel to/from the South Caucasus (Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia) as well as Turkey. For more details, please read carefully the guidelines and the Frequently Asked Questions. Application details below.

Next Deadline: You can apply at any time of year, but make sure that you do so AT LEAST 8 weeks before the actual travel date. Maximum grant: There is no specific maximum, but grantees get on average between €300 and €700. For more information, go here: http://www.eurocult.org/we-support-cultural-cooperation/programmes/mobility/STEP

(FILMMAKERS) The All Roads Film Project Grants: The All Roads Film Project is a National Geographic program dedicated to providing a platform for indigenous and underrepresented minority-culture storytellers around the world to showcase their works to promote knowledge, dialogue, and understanding with a broader, global audience.

The seed-grant program is open to indigenous and underrepresented minority-culture filmmakers as well as filmmakers who can demonstrate that they have been designated by indigenous or minority communities to tell their story. Grant funds should be used toward the development and production of a feature film, long documentary, short documentary, shorts, animation, or music video. Funding may be used for equipment, travel for field research, editing time, etc. All Roads Film Project Seed Grants range up to a maximum of $10,000. Rolling deadlines are the 15th of March, June, September, and December. Applications and terms are available at http://events.nationalgeographic.com/events/all-roads/seed-grants/.

(POETS) Ruth Lilly Poetry Fellowships: Five Ruth Lilly Poetry Fellowships in the amount of $15,000 are available to poets between the ages of 21 and 31. Established in 1989 by the Indianapolis philanthropist Ruth Lilly, the fellowships are intended to encourage the further study and writing of poetry. Applications must be made via the submission form at https://fellowships.poetryfoundation.org/. Application materials sent via e-mail or standard mail will not be considered. For more information go to http://www.poetryfoundation.org/foundation/prizes_fellowship.html or contact grosemellia@poetrymagazine.org. Deadline is March 31st.

(WRITERS) The Richard J. Margolis Award: The Richard J. Margolis Award of Blue Mountain Center combines a one-month residency at Blue Mountain Center with a $5,000 prize. It is awarded annually to a promising new journalist or essayist whose work combines warmth, humor, wisdom and concern with social justice. The Blue Mountain Center is located near Blue Mountain Lake in Northern New York State. For more information, please go to: http://margolis.com/award/ Deadline: July, 7, 2010

KICKSTARTER: ANOTHER WAY TO FUND CREATIVE PROJECTS

Good morning all....one other thing I forgot to mention about finding money for residencies (or other creative endeavors)—you might want to look into Kickstarter which is one of those sites where you make a time-limited pledge appeal on their site to help fund your project. I don't know if an artist residency fall into their realm of approved projects but it might. I know musicians who are funding the production of CDs this way and other artists who are raising money for large public projects. I know that you must have an invite to join but you'll have to check out their FAQ section to find out how that works ( don't think it's hard to get invited). Check out their FAQs here: http://www.kickstarter.com/help/faq. Here's what they say about their funding process :

Every project has a funding goal (any dollar amount) and a time limit (from 1 - 90 days) set by the project creator. When the deadline is reached, there are either of two results:

1. Funding Successful: If a project has met or surpassed its funding goal, all backers' credit cards are instantly charged and funds go directly to the project creator. Project creators are then responsible for completing the project and delivering rewards as promised.

2. Funding Unsuccessful: If a project has NOT met its funding goal, all pledges are canceled. That's it.

If anyone out there has had any experience, good or bad, with Kickstarter, I'd love for you to comment below!

Cheers,
Mira

HOW DO I FUND MY ARTIST RESIDENCY?

Greetings all!

I am still in the thick of my editing process so I will continue to only post when I briefly come up for air. But I wanted to alert you to the fact that I just noticed today that some of your personal emails to me have been landing in my spam folder. Dang! And most of the messages were clearly from people who actually read my FAQs but still needed more in-depth information. So I sincerely apologize for that. I haven't been checking my spam folder as I get hundreds of spam messages that I usually just ignore or delete. I guess the thing to do is this: if you have thoroughly searched my FAQs for grant and fellowship information, info on residencies, retreats and art colonies, or Fulbright Grants, then do write me (mirabartok@yahoo.com) but be patient and if you don't hear back from me after a couple weeks, write me again. Hopefully you won't get sucked into the vortex of SPAM. I apologize for the inconvenience.

And speaking of FAQs, probably the most frequently asked question of all is: What grants are out there for funding a residency? In my FAQs I do touch on this a bit in regard to international residencies but probably should go more in-depth. Basically, here's my take on this issue—most, but not all, of the residency opportunities that I post are highly competitive but if you get in one of these places, they will be free or not cost that much. I really try to post announcements for places that either cover room and board and studio space or at least offer partial scholarships. That said, I realize you need money to GET THERE. Some of these places are far. And the other issue is that if you do take off from your normal life for a month or two, how will you support your life back home, even if your room and board is covered at a residency?

These are great questions. Hard to answer, unfortunately. There are very few grants out there that specifically finance residencies. So what do you do? Well, you get creative. One possibility is to see if your regional arts council (not just state arts council in the U.S. but local council, i.e. your town) and see if they offer any professional development grants. I know the UK and Canada also have regional councils but I don't know about other countries. Anyway, I have gotten these kinds of awards in the past and have used them to pay for residency travel. They aren't huge but every amount helps.

Other things I've done in the past to help fund residencies that are free but that don't offer travel assistance or stipends:

1. I apply for other kinds of grants! I plan ahead and apply for grants that are solely to support the production of new work. Big ones and small ones. So if you get a little extra money from some foundation to work on your next book of poems or a new series of paintings, why should anyone know that you are going to do that in Brazil or Southern France or Alaska? It all comes out of the same place. It's all about your work anyway.

2. I contact the residency and ask if they offer any stipends or financial aid to people in need. Most places post this info on their website but not all. Once I wanted to go to some big conference but couldn't afford the airfare. No scholarships existed for people who couldn't afford to go and who did not have university affiliation (and therefore, had their expenses covered, unlike me). The people running the conference sent me money for a plane ticket! I couldn't believe it. And there was enough to also pay for the hotel.

3. If you are going to a foreign residency, contact the embassy or cultural institute connected to the embassy in your home country to see if they offer any assistance. You'd be surprised how rarely any artists do this. I've even gotten free language courses in Italy this way. THREE TIMES.

4. Go on a funding-raising campaign for yourself. Be unabashedly self-serving for once. Offer on your website a poem or a small print for a certain amount of money. Have a sense of humor about it. I really wanted to go to a particular place in France years ago and I made a bunch of small paintings, called all my friends over and had a bidding war. They all knew I was trying to raise money to go to an art colony. Guess what? It worked.

5. Start saving. Do things the old-fashioned way and get another part time job.

6. Oh yeah. There's that credit card burning a hole in your pocket. I know you didn't want to hear that one but that might be your reality.

Any other ideas? Write them here. Send your comments, suggestions, innovative ways you've paid for your dream residency. Until then....more great stuff on the way but first, back to the grindstone for this gal.

Cheers,
Mirabee

ARTISTS RESIDENCIES IN ITALY & FRANCE, TRAVEL GRANTS AND MORE!

Just so you know, I'll be gone from around the 10th to the 18th so no posts during that time. For now, I'd like to tell you about some upcoming deadlines for grants and residencies. The first is a relatively new one, which opened in the south of Italy in 2008. Unfortunately, there aren't any stipends available yet, but they are working on that with various foundations. The cost to stay there isn't bad though and I recommend checking it out. I used to live in Italy years ago and this is one of the most beautiful places on earth. To see a short video by Francis Ford Coppola about the area (his ancestral home), go here.

(ALL) RESIDENCY IN SOUTHERN ITALY: Applications are now open for summer residencies at Palazzo Rinaldi, a historical property dating back to 1822 located in the charming hilltop village of Noepoli, in the Pollino National Park (south of Italy). The Palazzo provides artists of all disciplines with a unique and inspiring retreat away from the stresses and distractions of urban living. Resident artists are provided with elegant private accommodation, 24 hour access to in-house studios, free wi-fi Internet and home-made full traditional breakfast daily. For details, price information and application forms please visit the website at: http://www.palazzorinaldi.com .

(ARTISTS) RESIDENCY AT FLUX FACTORY IN NEW YORK: Five spots are available in Flux Factory's residency program in Queens, NY, beginning January 1st, 2010. Flux Factory offers housing, studio space, studio visits by curators, exhibition opportunities and more. URGENT DEADLINE is this friday, December 11th so if you are interested, go to the website for more info (www.fluxfactory.org/residency) or write for more information: residency@ fluxfactory.org.

(COMPOSERS & SOUND ARTISTS) VAN LIER FELLOWSHIP: The purpose of this fellowship is to provide financial support for young composers in the early stages of their careers, working in any style of music or sound art. The fellowship is open to African-American and Latino composers 32 years of age or younger. The applicant must be a full-time resident of New York City (any borough) and show financial need. The applicant must not be enrolled in a degree-granting program at the time of application (i.e., no students).

The one-year fellowship award is $8,500. Funds can be used for any purpose, including the creation of new work, the purchasing of music/tech equipment, travel, or research and development. An additional $1,500 will be allotted to each fellow to design and execute an educational outreach program to benefit students and/or youth groups. This educational proposal is not part of the original application; those who win a fellowship will design the proposal after the award is conferred. For more info, go to: http://www.meetthecomposer.org/node/47. Deadline is SOON: December 14th, 2009.

(ALL) RESIDENCY/FELLOWSHIP AT SPIRO ARTS, UTAH: Open to all artists at all stages of development from all over the world. Fellows receive studio space, housing and a $600 stipend. Deadline is January 2nd for the Spiro Arts Residency, located in Park City, Utah. For more info, visit the website: http://www.spiroarts.org/residencies/eligibility.

(ALL) CAMARGO FOUNDATION RESIDENCY IN FRANCE: The Camargo Foundation, located in Cassis, France, is an interdisciplinary center for scholars and artists of all disciplines pursuing creative projects. The Foundation provides furnished apartments, a reference library, a music/conference room, artist studio with darkroom, composer's studio, and a studio for either artist or composer. Residencies are one semester long. The Camargo Fellowship is a residential grant (they used to give money as well, although I think they only offer housing and studio space now, plus a $1500 stipend.) Deadline is January 12, 2010.

(ALL) ARTSLINK TRAVEL GRANTS: CEC ArtsLink is dedicated to creating cultural exchanges between artists of all disciplines in the United States and artists in Central and Eastern Europe, Russia, Central Asia and the Caucasus. Several kinds of opportunities are available from CEC, for both artists and arts managers in the U.S. and the countries listed above. The following announcement is for U.S. artists but please check the website for grants and residencies for non-US citizens.

ArtsLink Projects provides support to US artists, curators, presenters and arts organizations undertaking projects in Central Europe, Russia, Central Asia and the Caucasus. Applicants must be working with an artist or organization in that region and projects should be designed to benefit participants and audiences in both the US and the host country.

Maximum award this year will be $10,000. ArtsLink has a cycle of alternate year deadlines according to discipline. In 2010, applications will be accepted from individual artists, curators and non-profit arts organizations working in dance, music, literature and theater. In 2011, applications will be accepted from individual artists, presenters and non-profit arts organizations working in visual and media arts. To consult with ArtsLink staff or to receive information about ArtsLink, please call 212-643-1985 x22 or e-mail al@cecartslink.org.

Deadline: Performing arts & literature application deadline: January 15, 2010. In 2011 the grants will be for visual and media arts. For more info, go here: http://www.cecartslink.org/grants/usa.html.

(CONDUCTORS) WOMEN CONDUCTORS GRANT PROGRAM: The Leaugue of American Orchestra's Grants to Outstanding Women Conductors are designed to contribute to the career development of women conductors at the highest level of potential. They are intended for those who are primed for national and international recognition and who are ready for top conducting posts. Deadline is January 15th, 2010. For more information, please visit the website.

That's it for today. There are so many deadlines coming up around January 15th, it is impossible to even count them. If you are interested in a residency for this coming year, I highly suggest that you visit the links on my sidebar under the heading "Residencies." Scroll down on the right hand side and you'll find it. Also, in the U.S., there are many deadlines coming up for state and local arts council grants. You can probably find your state arts council website link here.

CALLING ARTISTS WHO WORK ON PAPER!

Hi everyone...more stuff coming probably tomorrow or later today but because so many of you are always asking me about travel grants, I wanted to tell you about this great opportunity for young artists, between the ages of 20 and 30 years old. The Jean-Claude Reynal Foundation, under the auspices of the Foundation of France, in collaboration with the Fine Arts School of Bordeaux, is offering a grant of 10,000 euros to enable a young artist, who works directly on paper, to travel to a country of his/her choice for a period of six months maximum. The deadline for online registration is November 15th, 2009. For more information, go to http://www.rosab.net/bourse-reynal/

More later....Cheers, Mira

FAQs: RESIDENCIES, ARTIST COLONIES, RETREATS AND AIRs

Here are some FAQs for those who want to learn more about residencies, artist colonies, retreats and AIRs (Artist-in-Residence Programs):

Q: What's the difference between a residency, a retreat, an artists' colony and an AIR (Artist-in-Residence)?

A: Residencies: When I talk about residencies on my blog, I'm generally referring to artists' foundations/institutions that offer a place to live and work for a set period of time, places such as Yaddo, Ragdale, MacDowell and the like. These are also known as "artist colonies" but I find that this term is used less and less as the years go by. Most places like the ones I just mentioned offer artists, writers, composers etc. respite from their normal routine. Often (but not always) there is no fee and the length of time one can stay varies (from two weeks to up to two months, but some are longer.) Usually food is provided and sometimes the artist is even cooked for! There is studio space provided for visual artists and other facilities for composers and dancers, if the residency can provide pianos, recording equipment, etc. Basically, a residency or colony offers much needed solitude and time.

Retreats: Although some residencies advertise their place as a 'retreat' away from the artist's normal life, retreats are something else. One example of a retreat would be my friend Patricia Lee Lewis' Patchwork Farm Retreat where writers can take workshops, or travel together and write while studying yoga, etc. AROHO's (A Room of Her Own Foundation) is another example. It's a summer retreat in New Mexico where women writers get together to attend workshops, to network, to write, to rest and replenish their creative juices. VERY DIFFERENT than going to a residency at a place like MacDowell Colony, where the writer works all day in his/her room and only join others for dinner and the occasional (and optional) evening reading or studio visit. Retreats also cost money, while many residencies, if you get accepted, are free or if they aren't free, they often offer need-based financial aid. And retreats tend not to be competitive and operate on a first-come, first-serve basis. That's not to say that they aren't valuable! Many people get a lot out of them and I recommend them highly for those who are seeking a therapeutic and creative experience.

Artist-in-Residence Programs are usually hosted by an institution (college, foundation, etc.) and generally last longer than a normal "residency" at an artist colony. Some last for a semester or a year and very often, the artist is given a stipend. They often involve involvement with the community, either academic community or the community at large. They all vary but most AIRs require the artist to participate by giving workshops or readings, i.e. some event for the public.

Q: How long can I stay at a residency?

A: Most residencies at artist colonies are from two weeks to two months, although some are longer (but not much longer). There are ones that offer time and space to artists, writers, etc. for longer periods, such as the Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown, Massachusetts, which last seven months I think. There is the Artist-in-Residence Program in Roswell, New Mexico (which I posted about here.) and that program is for one entire year. You get a house and stipend and can even have your family with you! (That is, IF you want them!). There are also ones in Europe that I have come across that offer places to stay for extended periods of time. For more information on the distinction between residencies, retreats, etc., go here (Washington Art) for more info.

Q: Where is the best place to look for residencies?

A: On Mira's List of course! Must you ask? Go to my labels on the right side bar, scroll down and click on "residencies." And for other sites to visit, there are none better than these (they are also listed on my sidebar in the links section, further down): Artist Communities, Res Artis, and Trans Artists.

Q: Can I apply for a Fulbright Grant to help fund a residency overseas?

A: Nope. Absolutely not. For more on Fulbright Grants, click here.

Q: I'm a very emerging writer and haven't had anything published yet. Can I still apply for a residency at an artist colony?

A: In most cases, you do have to have at least some publishing history, even if it is only a couple stories or essays published in a literary journal. However, it really depends on which place you are applying to. Read the eligibility requirements. Some places, like Yaddo, are very hard to get into and I wouldn't bother applying unless you have published. Other places are more open to emerging writers and artists. You just have to check on the website and if you can't find your answer, email the place to find out.

Q: I'm an emerging artist and haven't had any exhibitions yet. Can I still apply for a residency at an artist colony?

A: Please see the above answer because the same applies to you.

Q: I just got accepted to a residency overseas but don't have enough money to pay for all my travel expenses. Where can I look for funding?

A: This is probably my most frequently asked question. Finding funding for travel is the toughest thing to find. Here are a few suggestions: * Go to the links section on my side bar and check out those sites. * go to Trans Artists and click on their "funding" link to see what you can find. * Google the embassy or cultural council sites of the country you want to visit. * Contact the residency and ask them for ideas. * See if the country you want to stay in has a partnership with another country. For example, Japan and America have a special cultural relationship. The Japan-US Friendship Commission helps individual artists fund their international projects. The American-Scandinavian Foundation also offers funding for projects in Scandinavia. You MUST apply for these grants way in advance! * Go to university grant databases. Leave no stone unturned as this is the hardest thing to fund!

Q: Are international artists allowed to apply to U.S. residencies?

A: In most cases, yes! But always double-check with the institution. And if it is a residency or AIR that involves a long stay, i.e. longer than the normal tourist visa allotment (usually three months), you have to check with the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to see what the visa requirements are.

Q: Can my family stay with me if I get a residency?

A: If it is at a U.S. artist colony (residency), most likely no. Although the one I mentioned above, the program in Roswell, New Mexico, allows families. Some European residencies offer accommodations for families and some let families stay for part of the time. Some do not. You just have to check on the institution's website for their rules.

Q: I want to go to an artist colony with another artist so we can work for a month on our artistic collaboration. What should I do?

A: First check if the place you want to go to offers what you are looking for. Most places state that each artist must apply separately, even if they are collaborating on a project. But then you run the risk of only one of you getting in. When I come across a residency that is specifically looking for collaborative applicants, I label it, so always check my sidebar labels. I have noticed a trend of there being more and more collaborative residencies, which is great!

Q: Are artist colonies/residencies accessible for disabled artists?

A: Some are and some aren't. And most often than not, they will tell you right on their website. If you have special needs, never hesitate to write the institution and ask. Some places have really done some great things the past few years as far as accessibility goes. The Millay Colony in Austerlitz, New York, has an entire building completely designed for disabled artists, writers, etc. A couple years ago, I stayed in Ragdale's accessible artist studio and it was wonderful!

Q: How can I tell if the residency I want to apply for has an artist studio with natural light? That's really important to my work!

A: Why don't you write an email to them and ask them? And often, residency websites describe studios, performance spaces, housing, etc. in detail.

Q: How much in advance should I apply for a residency?

A: Most places have deadlines a couple times a year and are on a seasonal cycle. Some have open deadlines and you can apply at anytime. My rule of thumb is this: if you want to apply for a grant or a residency or fellowship, plan A YEAR IN ADVANCE. At the very least, plan six months before the time you want to go away.

Q: Can I bring my dog to a residency?

A: Don't I wish! I don't even bother applying to places anymore because I can't take little Sadie with me. Seems like a dumb rule, right? Oh well. Such is life. If anyone comes across a dog-friendly residency, PLEASE LET ME KNOW! Of course, you can bring a seeing-eye/companion dog in some places (you must double-check though). But you can't bring Fido just for company I'm sorry to say. I did run across one place in upstate NY that is a short-term sound artist residency and they say you can bring dogs. I'll have to search for that one....can't find it right now.

Q: Will you help me find a residency and help me find money to fund it?

A: While that would be a dream come true for any artist, it's just not going to happen, sorry to say. I do a lot of research and I do it all for free. My blog is specifically designed to help people help themselves. I want artists to be resourceful, read my articles, and use the labels and links on the sidebar to find what they need.

Q: Can I send you my residency application to look at?
A: You are joking, right?

TRAVEL FUNDING & INTERNATIONAL RESIDENCIES

Dear Gentle Readers,

Every day I get dozens of letters asking me how to find money for research/art trips overseas or to help fund international residencies. I'll be honest with you: this is one of the hardest things to find money for. In most cases, you have to be really creative in your search. First, see what is out there. Please use my links on my side bar, listed under "Funding for Travel and Research." Also, go to transartists.org and click under "funding" to see what foundations might fund overseas travel. Check with the embassy of the country you want to visit, or the cultural institute connected to the embassy. I got three language scholarships to Italy that way several years ago.



Another thing to try, after everything else, (including doing a google search for "travel grants artists" or something like that) is to google without using the words "writer" or "artist" and so on. You will most likely be sent to a university grant database and it is highly possible that you could find a travel grant in the humanities that would work for you. Don't be put off by academic library databases and the phrases they use, like "PhD candidates only or those with professional equivalent." If you are a professional artist of some kind, you just might qualify. Most practicing artists do not have a PhD anyway, nor do most writers/filmmakers, etc. Start by looking under "humanities" on these databases and you might find the right grant. On my links, I have the Michigan State University Library listed but there are many, many others. Some of you read my article on Fulbright grants and discovered that I got a Fulbright to go to Norway as an "independent scholar," even though I did not have a PhD. Do not fear academia! Make academia work for you. And PLEASE check out those links I set up for you. It will make my job (which I don't get paid for, mind you) a bit easier. And please read my FAQs before writing me a question that I might have already answered. Sorry to belabor this point but the more you figure out for yourself, the more resourceful and successful you will be in the long run. I still welcome letters, so fear not! It's just that sometimes it is clear to me that some people want me to do their work for them and I really can't.



One more thing on trying to find money for travel...you have to be imaginative and also plan WAY in advance. I can't tell you how many letters I get from people saying they got accepted to a residency in another country but don't have enough money for the plane ticket. They usually write me a month before they have to go. Plan a YEAR in advance if you can. And why not apply for another kind of grant, say, one that could pay your living expenses for a couple months---use that grant to pay for what it is for and then in the meantime, save the money you would have used for living expenses to buy that ticket to Spain or wherever your residency is. If you really want to go, you'll figure out a way to get there. Okay, I'm off my soap box. Now for some new opportunities!



(SCHOLARS) Short-term Research Travel Grants to Japan

The Northeast Asia Council (NEAC) of the Association for Asian Studies, in conjunction with the Japan-US Friendship Commission, supports a variety of grant programs in Japanese studies designed to facilitate the research of individual scholars, to improve the quality of teaching about Japan on both the college and precollege levels, and to integrate the study of Japan into the major academic disciplines. Please Note: Applicants in this category must be current AAS members. Grants of a maximum of $3,000 are available to cover expenses WHILE IN JAPAN conducting a specific project explicitly related to Japan which can be accomplished in the period of time requested. These grants are intended for short-term research trips by scholars who are already familiar with Japan and with their topic, but who need time in Japan in order to complete their work. Grantees are expected to seek supplementary funds from other sources and must include a detailed budget with their application. Grants are made only to people with a Ph.D. or comparable professional qualification. For more information, go to: http://www.aasianst.org/grants/main.htm#NEAC-JAPAN.



(ALL) Note to all: Travel Grants to Japan

The Japan-United States Friendship Commission (JUSFC) has a fellowship program that helps fund artists/writers, etc. to travel to/from the U.S. and Japan. Please check it out at: http://www.jusfc.gov/creativeartists.asp.

(WOMEN) American Association of University Women International Fellowships International Fellowships of up to $30,000 are awarded for full-time study or research in the United States to women who are not United States citizens or permanent residents. Both graduate and postgraduate study at accredited institutions are supported. Several of fellowships are available for study outside of the U.S. for members of the International Federation of University women. Deadline December 1, 2009. See web site for more details: website: www.aauw.org/education/fga/fellowships_grants/international.cfm

(UK & JAPANESE ARTISTS) The Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation Grants

The Foundation awards grants to individuals and institutions in the UK and Japan in all areas of the visual and performing arts, the humanities, the social sciences, science and engineering, mathematics, business studies, and education, including schools and universities, and grass roots and professional groups. They offer both small grants (£1,000- £5,000) and large (up to £15,000) to individuals and groups. Please check the website for more information on these grants: http://www.dajf.org.uk. I think the deadline for these grants is coming up soon: September 30th, but please check their site to make sure.



(INDIAN ARTISTS) Grants, Fellowships and more

For information on opportunities, grants, project funding, fellowships and scholarships for young artists in India, go to: http://indiaculture.nic.in/indiaculture/index.asp.

Also.....A couple good links you should know about:

Culturelink

A network of networks for established by UNESCO and the Council of Europe in 1989 to promote regional, inter-regional, and international research projects relating to culture.



Aid to Artisans

A nonprofit organization that works in partnership with international organizations and multilateral banks, among other institutions, to offer practical assistance to artisans and foster artistic traditions, cultural vitality, and community well-being worldwide.



Arts International

New York City-based Arts International is an independent, contemporary arts organization dedicated to the development and support of global cultural interchange in the arts and to educating audiences and the public about the richness and diversity of the arts worldwide.



More to come....Happy hunting!

Mira