The Memory Palace Book Launch!

Happy New Year everyone! I hope you all had a great holiday and that this new year brings you much success in all your creative endeavors. I apologize for being a bit out of touch. Things have gone a little wonky on the home front because of my book coming out all over the U.S., Canada and the U.K. this coming Tuesday, Jan. 11th. I am about to go on book tour starting Monday until late April. However, I will do my best to post opportunities during my down times. I promise!

So without further ado, please forgive my shameless self-promotion at the moment because I really need to rally all my readers and friends and tell them about my book—The Memory Palace. Please, if you feel so inclined, spread the word about it, share my website (which has up-to-date info on my readings, reader’s guide and info for book clubs, resources, a blog and more ) and if you can afford it, buy a book!

Below are a couple things coming up. I am also sharing with you the book trailer I did with my husband, Doug Plavin, for the book. And please check my calendar on my website to see if I will be reading anywhere near you. It would be so great to meet some of you! I will definitely be reading in: LA, Pasadena, San Francisco and Berkeley, Chicago, Cleveland, Boston, and a bunch of Northeastern towns in the U.S.

Thanks for supporting me so much the last couple years and I hope to see you at one of my events. And don’t worry—I will keep on posting about grants, fellowships and residencies. Read on below....xox Mirabee

Tomorrow, Sunday, January 9th, New York Times Book Review: get the real thing or read it here: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/09/books/review/Thernstrom-t.html

Monday, January 10th, listen to me on NPR’s Fresh Air with Terry Gross! Check their website for local times and also when you can stream it online: http://www.npr.org

Tuesday, January 11th, my book comes out in stores! And I’ll also be on the radio, live on WNYC, talking with Leonard Lopate on his show: http://www.wnyc.org/shows/lopate/

Check out the review of The Memory Palace in O Magazine: http://www.oprah.com/book/The-Memory-Palace-by-Mira-Bartok, listed as one of fifteen books to read in 2011. There are lots more reviews out there available and on the way: Elle, Bust, Bitch, Whole Living, Psychology Today, Washington Post, Cleveland Plain Dealer, More, and a bunch of others that frankly, I can’t recall where and when. Some have already been out there and some are coming soon. I’ll try to post links on my memory palace site when I can. It’s all been a bit overwhelming, to say the least!

Here’s the book trailer as promised, made thanks to my new venture called North of Radio, a multi-media collaborative I just started with my husband (the website is going up in a day or so so if it’s not up yet, please check back). Thanks and I will post again as soon as I can! Wish me luck!
Mira

EAST COAST AND MIDWEST RESIDENCIES

(ALL DISCIPLINES) Residency at Edenfred
Edenfred in Madison, Wisconsin provides creative artists uninterrupted time to work in a peaceful setting. It is a gracious 1916 Georgian-style mansion in Madison, Wisconsin, on 2.5 acres with beautiful gardens, a lovely pond, a small woods and outdoor swimming pool (summer only). The Resident Fellows Program is designed as a retreat experience to pursue personal creative opportunities while sharing collegial interaction with a small group of artists (four resident suites). Edenfred is located in the quiet and serene Highlands neighborhood of Madison, one of the highest points in the city, and includes 1.5 acres of park-like woodland with walking trails. It is also minutes from downtown, Lake Mendota, UW-Madison campus, shopping and entertainment and multiple options for walking including a nearby conservation park. Madison, one of the most bicycle friendly cities in the US, is located in south central Wisconsin known for its verdant rolling hills and beautiful landscapes. Open to all disciplines, however, no art studios or private sound studios are provided. Arrangements are sometimes made with local arts organizations to help facilitate visual artists and sound artists/musicians. Please check the website for details and application materials: http://www.edenfred.org/. Deadline for the February 2010 to June 2010 season is August 1, 2009. The average residency length is two to eight weeks and the average number of artists in residence at a time is one to five. Edenfred is especially interested in collaborative and interdisciplinary residencies. All arts disciplines are eligible; we welcome all artists who can work within our equipment and spatial limitations. The house is particularly suited to up to four individuals working together on a single project. Scholars in any discipline are eligible as long as the specific project is related to the arts. Arts administrators and other arts professionals are also welcome to apply as a retreat or re-engagement with art-making endeavors.

(ALL DISIPLINES) free103point9 Wave Farm AIRtime Residencies
The AIRtime residency program provides artists with valuable space in which to concentrate on new transmission works and conduct research about the genre using free103point9's resource library and equipment holdings. Ten residents are selected from an open application process each year. The residencies take place at free103point9's Wave Farm, a retreat-like setting on 30 acres in the town of Acra, in upstate New York. Situated within the spectacular Hudson Valley, Wave Farm is free103point9's upstate New York location. Home to artist residencies, a performance and exhibition series, a transmission sculpture garden, and a forthcoming study center, the property features ponds, meadows, walking paths through a mature pine forest, and mountain views on 30 pastoral acres in the northern foothills of Catskill Mountain Park. The average length of residency is one week; average number of artists in residence at one time: one to five. Artists who are collaborating may apply as a team. This residency is open to both US and non-US artists and open to all disciplines, however it looks like they are seeking artists who can utilize their audio and video equipment.The Wave Farm equipment inventory includes audio and video transmitters, receivers, recording equipment, post-production equipment, and a unique array of instrumentation. Artists can participate in online Radio (Audio & Video) presentations and public performances in conjunction with the residency program. Private housing (individual apartment/cabin/house) is provided, as well as some meals. A $200 stipend is offered to help off-set cost of groceries/meals, transportation to/from airport, bus & train stations. Contact Information: free103point9 Wave Farm AIRtime Residencies, 5662 Route 23,, Acra, New York 12405 United States. Work Tel: 518-622-2598, Email: info@free103point9.org, www.free103point9.org

(ALL DISCIPLINES) MacDowell Colony
The MacDowell Colony, located in Peterborough, New Hampshire, facilitates a balance between focused work and interdisciplinary interaction, among composers, writers, and visual artists. The average length of residency is four weeks with a maximum stay of two months. The next deadline for MacDowell is Sept. 15, 2009. Open to all disciplines and artist from all nations.This retreat-style residency was founded in 1907 and is situated on 450 acres in the Monadnock Region of New Hampshire. Private housing is provided (individual apartment/cabin/house), or a private bedroom in a shared housing facility. Travel grants available as needed; writers’ aid, etc. is based on need. Contact: The MacDowell Colony, 100 High Street, Peterborough, New Hampshire 03458 United States. Work Tel: 603 924-3886, Fax: 603 924-9142, Email: info@macdowellcolony.org, www.macdowellcolony.org.

***Just so you know, MacDowell is, like Yaddo, very high on the food chain so you should only apply if you are really serious, have the track record to prove your accomplishments. If you are just starting out, i.e. emerging, and have never published or have exhibited only a little, I would first try applying to a residency that clearly states that they are open to emerging artists and writers, etc. Not to disuade you, but it's good to know where you stand before you apply for certain things. On that note, good luck!

EMERGENCY GRANTS FOR EMERGING VISUAL AND PERFORMANCE ARTISTS

FOUNDATION FOR CONTEMPORARY ARTS EMERGENCY GRANTS
Created in 1993, The Foundation for Contemporary Arts Emergency Grants provides speedy funding for visual and performing artists who have unanticipated, sudden opportunities to present their work to the public, or who incur unexpected or un-budgeted expenses for projects underway and close to completion. The grants are intended to support the creation of innovative and experimental work, and are meant to assist individuals and groups when there is insufficient time to seek other sources of funding. Requests are primarily granted to artists who are "emerging" and have few sources of financial support. Emergency Grants applications are accepted year round; there is no deadline. There is no application form; please go to website for more information on how to apply: http://www.foundationforcontemporaryarts.org/grant_programs/immediate_needs.html. Grants are determined on a monthly basis. In 2007, grants ranged in amount from $200 to $2,000; the average grant was $1,000. In keeping with the FCA's mission of encouraging, sponsoring and promoting work of a contemporary, avant-garde nature, applicants must demonstrate that they are working within this context.

ARTIST TRUST FELLOWSHIPS FOR WASHINGTON STATE ARTISTS

(ALL) The Artist Trust/Washington State Arts Commission Fellowship awards $7,500 to practicing professional artists of exceptional talent and demonstrated ability. The Fellowship is a merit-based, not project-based award. Artist Trust seeks applications from individual generative artists for the 2009 Fellowship. This year artists in the following categories are invited to apply: Music, Media, Literary and Craft Arts (Emerging Fields, Cross-Disciplinary, Performing, Visual and Traditional & Folk Artists can apply in June 2010.)
Deadline: June 12, 2009

EMERGING ARTISTS: NEW MEDIA GRANT WITH TECHNICAL SUPPORT

For a fourth year, the Caisse populaire Desjardins du Mont-Royal and OBORO in Montreal unite to offer a creative grant to an artist under 35 access to OBORO’s New Media Lab resources and equipment (a $5,000 value). The grant will be awarded to produce an innovative project that delves into the realm of new media (video, audio, web, or multimedia). In addition to basic technical support, the chosen artist will have the opportunity to present his or her completed work to the public in an artist talk. The winning project will also be given a choice spot in OBORO’s annual programming. OBORO also offers prizes for short films and videos and help with production assistance for creative media projects. For a complete project description go to: http://www.oboro.net/pdf/press/0809/news/bourse_pop_eng.pdf For Questions and further info, email:oboro@oboro.net