New Things Coming Your Way....

Greetings everyone! So sorry I have been out of earshot as of late. I have been out of town, visiting with my sister and my oldest friends from childhood. We found each other after my book, The Memory Palace came out this past January. Speaking of which, it is coming out in paperback on August 9th! More on that later. But you should know that I will be going on book tour one more time, starting August 20th. You can check out my schedule on my memory palace website (under 'events') to see if I will be coming to a town near you. There are more events being added, including an event in Philedephia and maybe others, so please check my schedule from time to time if you think you might want to come and hear me read. The other announcement I have is that along with posting opportunities for artists, writers, composers, etc., I will also start posting opportunities for children's book authors and illustrators. To start the ball rolling, this weekend I will be posting an interview with children's book author Jane Schoenberg. So keep those eyes peeled.... For now, here are a couple things for you---there are tons of deadlines in September for many residencies and grants. And I will try to gather some good things for you soon. xoxo, Mirabee

(ALL) MILLAY COLONY ANNOUNCES IMPORTANT NEW RESIDENCY OPPORTUNITIES—The Millay Colony for the Arts is pleased to announce some important new additions to its roster of artist residencies on its pastoral upstate New York/Berkshire area campus. While continuing to offer month-long residencies to visual artists, writers and composers, the Millay Colony is now offering three new ways to spend time as a resident. "In our continuing efforts to meet the ever-evolving needs of the artistic community,” says Executive Director Caroline Crumpacker, “we are now able to support artists who can’t manage a full month away, but for whom a shorter residency could provide a tremendous boost. We also want to recognize the importance of collaborations and collectives to and within contemporary art-making."

The Two-Week Residency
In order to accommodate artists who cannot partake of a month-long residency, we are now offering two two-week sessions in the month of September only, for up to seven artists per session. These sessions function exactly as our popular longer sessions do, highlighted by private bedrooms, private studios, and all meals.

The Virtual Residency
This new residency is specifically for working artists and/or artists with children who cannot spend prolonged time away from home but could benefit from the support of a residency in modified form. The 'Virtual Resident' can participate in one of The Millay Colony's month-long residency on weekends only and will receive a stipend of $1,000 to assist in securing time off/childcare/art supplies or other resources necessary to the making of new work.

The application process for these residencies is the same as that for the month-long residencies. Applicants will note on their application form that they are looking for the two-week residency or the virtual residency.

The Group Residency
The Millay Colony awards one five-day Group Residency each year to a group of between three and seven collaborating artists. This is available to any artists groups, including but not only musicians and bands, publishing collectives, theater and dance troupes, galleries, etc. -- or simply individuals collaborating on a project.

The basis for the application as a group is work samples, a statement detailing the history of the collaboration or organization, and a project description describing proposed activities for the residency. The residency may be used only to support the creation and dissemination of new or revived art works. It is not available for institutional support or organizational retreats. The residency is awarded through a separate application process and includes private bedrooms, studios, public meeting spaces, and all meals.

The Millay Colony for the Arts is an artists' residency program and artists' center located on the extraordinary property of poet Edna St. Vincent Millay in Austerlitz, NY. Our mission is to nurture and promote the vitality of the arts by providing artists with a rural home that encourages intensity and exploration in the context of nurturing artistic community.

New deadline for 2012 residencies is September 15, 2011.

To apply for any of these residencies visit http://www.millaycolony.org/apply. Or for more information call Residency Director Calliope Nicholas at 518-392-3103.

(SOUND ARTISTS/RADIO/MEDIA ARTISTS) WARM YOUR EARS = Apply for Sounds Elemental in NYC! | December 12 - 16, 2011
The summer temperatures are climbing. You know you'll be dreaming of these
days come shivery December. Make sure your ears keep warm this winter by
signing up for AIR's Sounds Elemental intensive at Harvestworks Digital
Media Arts Center in NYC. It's happening December 12 - 16.

We just finished up a smashing summer session focusing on ”metal," with
reviews like "…it was great to be surrounded by people who don't need an
explanation for why [working with] sound is awesome" and "I feel like I have
new ears for listening, a new toolkit for making sound." This time around,
our focus is Wood.

Are you up for it? We're looking for ten producers open to learning unconventional approaches to assembling sound and telling story. Slots are
already filling up!

THE DEADLINE FOR APPLYING IS MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 26.

This opportunity may be especially appealing to those working in traditional
documentary formats eager to recalibrate their orientation to sound and
craft. Producers benefit from intensely individualized attention from renowned
sound artists-teachers, Harvestworks’ Hans Tammen, and public radio producer
and musician Brenda Hutchinson. New York _Times_ new media editor Amy
O’Leary will also lead an afternoon mini-dive into audio slideshows - called
"bang on," "cutting edge," and "the highlight of the week" by participants.

The cost is $700. A non-refundable $350 deposit is required upon acceptance.
AIR members who live outside of New York City are eligible for a small
stipend to help underwrite the cost of the intensive and travel to NYC.

+++Attendance is mandatory for all sessions. If you are unable to attend
each day of the intensive, please do not apply.+++

Learn more:
http://www.airmedia.org/PageInfo.php?CatID=5&PageID=562

_Listen to instructor and AIRster Brenda Hutchinson's audio montage of
Sounds Elemental: Sky:_
http://airmedia.org/AIRblast/audio/AIRmuse_April2011.mp3

_Apply:_
http://www.airmedia.org/PageInfo.php?CatID=5&PageID=563
Questions? Contact AIR's Membership Director Erin Mishkin
at erin@airmedia.org.
+++AIR is everywhere.+++
www.airmedia.org

New Radio Documentary Workshop with Transom.org!

Okay, this is a big love of mine—radio, that is. I wish I could go to this workshop/residency on Cape Cod this fall but I can’t. But maybe YOU can! Here’s a little bit of information from transom.org....check out their website for more. The project is run by one of my heroes of radio, Jay Allison. The deadline is coming up soon: July 30th, 2011. I know it is pricey but it really isn’t if you consider (after reading their site) how much you get for the cost. But who knows, you might find a grant on Mira's List! And if you want to read a little about my own little venture into radio documentaries, go here: northofradio.com

The Transom Story Workshop

The Transom Story Workshop pilot is for beginning producers. We hope to offer more advanced workshops in the future. This first session will take place in Woods Hole, MA from October 3 through November 18, 2011. Cost for the seven-week training is $5,500 and includes a license to Hindenburg Journalist, our favorite new audio editing software.

Read more here: http://transom.org/?p=18798

Artist Residency Deadlines, Awards for Women Artist Collaborations and More!

Today's announcements brought to you by WomenArts.org:

(COLLABORATIVE ARTISTS) **NYCWAM (New York Coalition of Women in the Arts and Media) Collaboration Award** : Designed to encourage professional women in the arts and media to work collaboratively with women from other arts and media specializations on the creation of new work. Applicants must be 2 or more women working on a creative project, and must belong to one of NYCWAM’s member organizations (see list on website). Proposed collaborations may be new projects or works in progress. All topics and subjects will be considered, but special attention will be given to proposals that reflect the goals of the Coalition: advancing women’s work and women’s issues. See website for complete guidelines and application instructions. NYCWAM, PO Box 2537, Times Square Station, New York, NY 10108, T: (212) 592-4511, collaborationawards@gmail.com, www.nycwam.org/. Deadline: July 1, 2010.

(WRITERS & MEDIA ARTS) Willard R. Espy Literary Foundation Residency: Residencies of an average duration of 1 month open to writers (including playwrights and screenwriters) and artists working in electronic arts, film and video, multimedia, sound art, TV, and radio. Not open to performing artists. Artists are expected to participate in onsite public presentations. Residency provides: housing, some meals, work space, and a general stipend of $400. Residents are responsible for travel and materials. See website for application. FEE: $15. Willard R. Espy Literary Foundation, P.O. Box 614, Oysterville, WA, 98641, T: (360) 665-5220, FAX: (360) 665-5224, info@espyfoundation.org, www.espyfoundation.org. Deadline: July 1, 2010.

(ALL) Ox-Bow School of Art and Artists’ Residency (September 5-October 9, 2010, Saugatuck, MI) – Residencies of 2-5 weeks. Open to writers, filmmakers, visual artists, and multimedia artists. Organization provides housing, food, and studios. Residents are responsible for residency fee ($250/week); some scholarships available. See website for complete guidelines and application forms. NO FEE. Ox-Bow School of Art and Artists’ Residency, Campus: 3435 Ruprecht Way, P.O. Box 216, Saugatuck, MI 49453, T: (269) 857-5811, FAX: (269) 857-5636. Administrative office: 36 South Wabash Ave., 12th Floor, Chicago, IL 60603, Attn: Artists’ Residencies, T: (800) 318-3019, FAX: (312) 629-6156, ox-bow@saic.edu, http://www.ox-bow.org/residency/artists/index.html. Receipt Deadline: July 2, 2010.

***Mirabee insider trading secrets: I did a couple residencies here when I was in my twenties and also taught at Oxbow once when I got out of school. I LOVE this place: very magical and a productive, inspiring environment!

(ALL) Santa Fe Art Institute Residencies: (1-3 months, year-round, Santa Fe, NM) – Residencies between 1-3 months for creative artists in all fields, including film and media artists, performing artists, and writers. Organization provides: housing and studios, including access to the College of Santa Fe’s performance and moving-image arts facilities and the Institute’s digital media lab and exhibition/installment space. Residents are encouraged to participate in the Institute’s outreach program, including public presentations of work, workshops, and individual critiques with students in the community. Residents are responsible for residency fee ($1,000 per month), refundable key deposit ($150), meals, travel, and materials. Most artists receive financial support from the Institute. See website for application. FEE: $25. Artist and Writer Residencies, PO Box 24044, Santa Fe Art Institute, Santa Fe, NM, 87502, T: (505) 424-5050, FAX: (505) 424-5050, info@sfai.org, www.sfai.org. Deadline: July 5, 2010.

These next ones are from FundsforWriters.com (thanks Hope!)

(ALL) Seaside, Florida Residencies: Escape to Create offers two four-week sessions are offered every January and February to artists working in the literary arts, musical composition, scholarship, visual and interdisciplinary arts. 2011 residency sessions are: January 3 - 30 or January 31 - February 27. Artists live and work in private cottages or apartments that have been generously donated in support of their creative work. Travel costs are the responsibility to the artist. Artists receive a $100 weekly stipend and are provided a weekly group dinner in a home environment. Artists are required to contribute community service such as a reading, a performance, or a lecture. School visitations are also encouraged. Deadline June 15, 2010.

(ALL) Caldera Residencies in Portland, OR: Each winter, National and International visual artists, writers, dancers, choreographers, musicians, composers, interdisciplinary artists, collaborators, performance artists, media and design artists, architects, scientists and engineers apply to come to caldera for month-long residencies. Each accepted resident is given the time, space and solitude to devote themselves to their work in a private creek-side cottage with additional rehearsal and studio space nearby. Since caldera's residencies are designed to support the creative process, we don't require residents to produce a specific product. Deadline June 15, 2010.

(ALL) A Studio in the Woods Residencies: Visual, musician/composing, performance, literary, new media, and interdisciplinary artists. Both established and emerging artists are encouraged to apply, but a rigorous work ethic and demonstrated commitment to environmental issues are expected. Students are not eligible. Location New Orleans, LA. The deadline
for submissions is June 18, 2010.

SWEET DREAMS

Well...for your information, the interview I did on the radio today with wonderful Mo Ringey at Valley Free Radio went really well and was a blast but...due to the spontaneous and meandering nature of the show, we ended up talking nearly the entire time about my forthcoming book, The Memory Palace, which left only about five minutes of air time to chat about Mira's List and how to find residencies, fellowships and grants. Sorry everyone! But I had to follow the flow of conversation and my radio host's interest ao it just turned out that way. Anyway, I promise I will do another sometime in the not so distant future. I might post the recording anyway, once I edit it a bit, just so you can hear about my book (and a little about this blog).

I have one more day of final edits and then my book is going out. I'll get back to hunting things down for you over the weekend, if not before. In the meantime, TAKE MY NEW TWO SECOND POLL on the right side bar...keep making art, apply for everything and be fearless! Sweet dreams....Mirabee

RADIO INTERVIEW TOMORROW, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17th!

Well, believe it or not, it's really true. The radio interview is going to happen tomorrow morning (Wednesday, June 17th) from 8 to 9 a.m. EST, so if you are in the Pioneer Valley in Massachusetts, tune in to 103.3 FM or go to http://www.valleyfreeradio.org and stream it live. I will be on Mo Ringey's Valley Free Radio (Mo Radio) talking about Mira's List and how all you people can get money, time and a place to create. If you aren't in the area, you'll be able to listen to the interview sometime soon after at http://www.benigngirl.wordpress.com or www.valleyfreeradio.org. OR check back here at Mira's List because I'll post an MP3 of the interview on my blog.

RADIO INTERVIEW POSTPONED TILL JUNE

BREAKING NEWS: I'm sorry to say that my radio interview tomorrow on Valley Free Radio has to be postponed until June, probably June 3rd, but I'll let you know soon. There was a technical snafu and the equipment is down this week. But I promise that you'll be able to hear my slightly nasal Midwestern twang very, very soon. In the meantime, why not peruse this site and find the perfect grant or residency? Talk to you later and have a great eve...and thanks for visiting.

I'LL BE ON THE RADIO TOMORROW, WEDNESDAY, MAY 13th

RADIO INTERVIEW! First of all, I want to tell everyone that tomorrow, on Wednesday, May 13, from 8 am to 9 am (EASTERN STANDARD TIME), I will be speaking about Mira's List on an indie radio station in Western Massachusetts called Valley Free Radio. The show is called "Mo Radio" and I will be informally chatting about the blog, opportunities for artists and other related info. Tune in at 103.3 FM if you are in Massachusetts' Pioneer Valley, or stream it live at www.valleyfreeradio.org OR check back on Mira's List in a week or so, sooner or later, and I will have it posted as a downloadable MP3 file. You can also check the radio station a couple days after the show is aired as there should be a link to the podcast (filed at the link under “Mo Radio” at right.) For more info about the interview and me, go to Mo Ringey's blog called Benign Girl. And just so you know, you radio fans, down the road, I will be doing interviews with artists and writers, etc. who have gone to residencies and get their feedback and their stories as well as interviews with residency and grant foundation directors. With my partner, musician and music producer, Doug Plavin, we are setting up a production company called North of Radio (website to come) that will help facilitate podcasts on this blog.

On another note, have I told you lately how much I love doing this blog? Well, I do. Today in my mailbox were letters from artists from as far away as India, the Netherlands, the UK and elsewhere. Not to mention those of you who posted thank-you's and great questions and requests on my Calling All Artists post where I ask (and still asking) everyone to tell me how you found this blog and tell me what you are looking for in terms of a grant, fellowship or residency. Essentially: What is Your Dream? Anyway, thank you, thank you, thank you for visiting this site, passing on the word, and providing me with such great feedback. I will develop an FAQ link in the future, it's just that I'm on deadline with my book right now. I am in the process of reading and compiling everyone's comments and questions that I have received from that posting and also privately from emails and will, over time, try to answer all your questions. (By the way, also check out an earlier question and answer post. You might find a couple questions you have answered there. You can also go to the sidebar at the right and look for the label "question and answer forum" for more Q and A's on MFA programs, residencies, grants, etc). I'll answer a couple easy questions right now and then do more over time...

Q: When you post grant opportunities, are those for U.S. citizens only?
A: Excellent question. It's only recently that I have realized that I not only have artists from the U.S. visiting my site but artists from all over the world. I would say that just about 100 percent of the residencies I post are for international artists, however, the grants are mostly for U.S. citizens, only because that is my largest audience and also, it is an area that I know pretty well. I spend so much time as it is doing research and compiling what I know and keeping up with deadlines, all for gratis (yes, please donate! Please buy books on my site, and more are coming soon!) that I simply can't do it all. That said, I will A. keep a look-out for grants that are also for non-US citizens and B. try to tell you when I know that a grant I'm posting IS for all citizens EVERYWHERE. I hope I find more of those and I promise that I will do the best I can to seek them out, given my limited resources and time.

Q: Where can I find your own art and/or writing?
A: Well, the thing is that I really didn't plan for this blog to be the Mira Show and had no intention of ever posting my art or books since this blog is really about YOU and furthering your dreams. But so many people have been asking me, which is a surprise, that I thought I better answer that question. Here goes:

I was a visual artist for many years and had a gallery in NYC (and exhibited across the US and some places in Europe). These were the years before the digital world took off so a lot of that work is not scanned (yet). Anyway, I showed mostly egg tempera paintings, drawings and artists' books. Also, some experimental short films. But in the mid-90s, I began to write more seriously and started publishing. I started out writing books for children on various cultures (I might start selling those on this site soon so keep an eye open for that), then essays and articles in literary magazines, and now I have just finished my first book for adults, an illustrated memoir called The Memory Palace. You can't find it yet as it is going to be sent out by my agent next month. I'll keep you posted about what happens.

If all goes well, the book should be in stores within the year or so. When it comes out (which will have a lot of my art in it by the way, new and old), there will be a website set up for the book and I'll post a link on my sidebar. I'm not posting any of my art anywhere on the web right now as a lot of it is going into my book and I just don't want to mess around with copyright issues before the book is out. And I don't have a website for my art because I have been mostly writing these past few years. You can look at my professional bio on the right-hand side bar for some of the places I have published. Thanks for your interest in my own work. I didn't expect that at all.

Keep on working hard, keep on applying, and when you get rejected (if you do), use the rejection form to create a collage, a poem or the bull's eye for your dart board. Cheers all, Mira

AUDIO STORIES COMPETITION

First, I want to thank you all for responding to my last post (http://miraslist.blogspot.com/2009/05/calling-all-artists-writers-composers.html) where I asked you to tell me how you found my blog and what you are looking for in terms of a grant, residency, etc. I have stored your comments inside my fecund and ever curious brain and will, over time, try to help at least some of you in your endeavors. If you haven't answered the questions on that post, please feel free to now by clicking on the above link.

AUDIO STORIES: Okay, so I don't normally announce competitions because I really like to focus on grants, fellowships and residencies and there are enough sites that you can go to (see my sidebar on the right for some) that post deadlines for competitions, exhibitions, publishing opportunities, film festival competitions, etc. But because more and more writers (and other artists) are doing audio stories and sound projects for radio, I think you all need to know about the Third Coast International Audio Festival and their competition coming up next month. They are now accepting entries for this year’s TCF / Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Competition and up to $26,000 will be awarded across the following categories: Best Documentary (Gold, Silver,
Bronze, Honorable Mentions, Directors’ Choice), Best New Artist, Radio Impact and Best News
Feature. Winning stories will be featured on the 2009 Third Coast Festival Broadcast, which airs
on more than 120 stations nationally. I am and have always been a radio buff so I am particularly appreciative of Third Coast and hope to make it to their annual festival this fall in Chicago.

Additionally, the TCF will present the Audio Luminary Award to an honoree for his/her outstanding contributions to the audio field. Radio fans and professionals alike are encouraged to submit nominations for the 2009 ALA, and for the first time ever the nominator of the ALA recipient will receive a free plane ticket to Chicago and a ticket to the 2009 Awards Ceremony. This year, also for the first time, entries will be submitted online (!), with the help of Public Radio Exchange (http://www/PRX.org). EARLY DEADLINE - Midnight (PST), June 19, 2009 LATE DEADLINE - Midnight (PST), July 10, 2009. For more information about the Third Coast International Audio Festival, go to http://www.thirdcoastfestival.org/ or send an email to: info@thirdcoastfestival.org or you can even call! 312-948-4682