Today, I'll start with a quote by Martin Luther King Jr.: "Almost always, the creative dedicated minority has made the world better." On that note, here are a few tidbits for you recent grads, for women, scholars and others in the arts....coming soon will be some new FAQs! Oh, by the way, my book is going out today to publishers! Wish me luck and best to thee, Mirabee.
(RECENT GRADUATES) I originally got this announcement from artbistro.com about the new program in the U.S. for reducing student debt:
Income-Based Repayment Program:
Income-Based Repayment (IBR) is a new payment option for federal student loans. Starting July 1, 2009, it will help borrowers keep their loan payments affordable with payment caps based on their income and family size. For most eligible borrowers, IBR loan payments will be less than 10 percent of their income - and even smaller for borrowers with low earnings. IBR will also forgive remaining debt, if any, after 25 years of qualifying payments.
Who can use IBR? IBR is available to federal student loan borrowers in both the Direct and Guaranteed (or FFEL) loan programs, and covers most types of federal loans made to students, but not those made to parents. To enter IBR, you have to have enough debt relative to your income to qualify for a reduced payment. That means it would take more than 15 percent of whatever you earn above 150% of poverty level to pay off your loans on a standard 10-year payment plan. Click here for more information: http://www.ibrinfo.org/what.vp.html
(WOMEN) Career Development Grants
American Association of University Women, Career Development Grants: Career Development Grants offer up to $12,000 to women who hold a bachelor's degree and are preparing to advance their careers, change careers, or re-enter the work force. Special consideration is given to women of color, and women pursuing their first advanced degree or credentials in nontraditional fields. Write to: American Association of University Women, Career Development Grants, 301 Act Drive, Iowa City, IA 52243-4030 or e-Mail: aavw@act.org See web site for more details: www.aauw.org/education/fga/fellowships_grants/career_development.cfm. Application Deadline: December 15, 2009.
(RESEARCH) American Antiquarian Society: Research Fellowships
Long-Term Visiting Academic Research Fellowships: Long-Term Visiting Academic Research Fellowships provide support for four-to-twelve-month residences in the Society's library and carry stipends of up to $35,000. See web site for more details and deadlines. American Antiquarian Society, 185 Salisbury Street, Worcester, MA 01609-1634. E-Mail: academicfellowships@mwa.org, Website: www.americanantiquarian.org/longterm.htm. Application Deadline: October 15, 2009.
(PERF. ART/DANCERS) Call for Proposals
STREB is pleased to request proposals for its Emerging Artists Commissioning Program, funded by the Ford Foundation, the Jerome Foundation and the New York State Council on the Arts. The Commissioning Program, housed at the company’s Williamsburg home, SLAM, will accept proposals from artists whose work is movement-based, including choreographers, aerialists and circus artists. The goal of the program is to create a pool of artists who can capitalize on the resources distinct to SLAM. Either literally or conceptually, the space’s special and unusual characteristics and qualities should inform and inspire new and exciting creative experiments. Commissioning program artists will have various opportunities to showcase work throughout its development and to receive feedback from both STREB and audiences. Selected artists will receive a $2,000.00 grant plus a specific amount of time, space and resources tailored to the nature and scope of each particular project. For more info and application guidelines, go to: http://www.streb.org/V2/vision/commissions.html. All proposals must be received by July 13, 2009, 5:00pm.