The following post is by Georgina Madrigal. Georgina is currently the Strategic Initiatives Intern at the Arizona Commission on the Arts. She holds a B.A. in Museum Studies and Art History from Arizona State University and has previously held internship positions with the Heard Museum, Tempe Public Art and Willo North Gallery.
It is that time of the year again! The Arizona Commission on the Arts is happy to announce the launch of the 2011-2012 Artist Project Grant (APG) program with new and improved application resources. This distinguished and highly competitive grant supports individual artists of all disciplines and aims to help with project-related costs that allow for research and development of new works of art.
Supporting Arizona artists through grant programs and services remains a top priority for the Arts Commission. We acknowledge that artists encourage innovation and new thinking often re-contextualizing our surroundings, challenging our collective misconceptions and highlighting relationships between various community sectors. Their work stimulates local economies and improves quality of life for Arizonans, as seen through artist’s work in education, community engagement and partnerships with local vendors. The Artist Project Grant has been known to catapult recipients into the next phase of their careers, further increasing their capacity to contribute to cultural progress.
The Artist Project Grant is an important resource for artists and averages approximately 200 applications every fiscal year. For 2011-2012, Artists can apply for up to $5,500 in funding support for their projects. The number of grants awarded is dependent on the amount of funds available. As with last year, we will continue to provide the Distinguished Merit Award that offers additional funding support of $2,500 to one Artist Project Grants winner, in recognition of a notably exceptional project. Thanks to the continued generous support from the Bill and Kathy Desmond Endowment, the Arts Commission is able to offer the Bill Desmond Writing Award, in the amount of $500 for nonfiction writers towards specific project-related costs, offered separate of or in addition to the Artist Project Grant.
To aid in the development of strong applications, artists are encouraged to take advantage of the resources available on our website at http://azarts.gov/grants/artists:
- The Artist Project Grant Application Guide, outlines requirements and instructions, and provides essential resources.
- The Artist Project Grant Application Manual is a visual guide with a sequential outline of the online application process.
- The Essential Tools for Grantwriting Video is a free online video podcast featuring the Cultural Community Workshop series produced by the New York Foundation for the Arts and presented by Aaron Landsman.
Additionally, applicants can visit the Arts Commission’s resource library to review Artist Project Grant applications by previous grant recipients, to review successful applications from previous years. If further assistance is needed after reviewing the above mentioned resources, please feel free to contact Arts Commission staff to discuss any part of the grant application process.
We hope that these new and enhanced resources make the application process more manageable; the Arts Commission is commited to continued excellence through long-term engagement and meaningful investment in the valuable contributions Arizona artists bring to our state.
Artist Project Grant applications are now being accepted. Apply today!
