How much money is awarded?
Amounts awarded for Strategic Opportunity Stipends range from $200 to $1,500.
What is the selection process?
Evaluation and selection of applications will be made by a panel of artists and arts administrators from each region with diverse disciplinary, geographic, and ethnic backgrounds. Family members of applicants may not serve as panelists for that review round. If you are interested in serving as a panelist and are not currently an applicant, please contact the sponsoring organization for your region (see back page).
What does the panel consider?
Because the intent of this award is to substantially advance an artist’s work or career, applications should clearly describe the concrete impact the artist's career will gain from the proposed opportunity. An important element of the panel’s work is to compare the resume directly to the opportunity being applied for. The panel determines if the opportunity will be a unique and advanced experience for this artist, based on the artist’s career as the resume describes it. The merit of the opportunity and its feasibility will also be considered.
A note on Ongoing Work: SOS funding exists to help artists act on unique events in their careers. The uniqueness of a given opportunity in an artist’s career is determined by review of his or her resume. Therefore, even exceptional opportunities may be viewed as ongoing work if they duplicate previous activities in an applicant’s work or career. In addition, because photographing or recording new work is an ongoing part of an artist’s career, documentation of work, unless associated with a unique opportunity, is considered ongoing work.
Are all qualified opportunities funded?
No. Unfortunately requests for SOS support are usually greater than available funds, therefore it is important for artists to submit the strongest possible application.
How is a mentorship defined?
A mentorship is an opportunity to work directly with a master artist one-on-one, or in a very small group setting.
What if I collaborate with someone?
Applications for collaborative proposals between two artists must be made in the name of one
artist with the other artist listed on the application form. One application will be accepted per collaborative pair; however, resumes from both artists must be included. Artists applying collaboratively should document a history of working together. Applications for collaborations between more than two artists will not be accepted.
What are the deadlines for applying?
Applications will be accepted in 2 rounds, each
with its own submission deadline and award dates.
The deadlines for completed applications are September 24th, 2010 and April 20th, 2011. Applications must be in the appropriate regional office by 5:00 p.m. on the day of the deadline. No emailed or faxed applications will be accepted. An artist may apply only once in each round.
When am I notified?
Artists will be notified of results within one month of each deadline.
If I receive an award, what must I do?
Upon receiving notice of award the artist must show proof of residency in the region (lease, tax return, utility bills, etc.). Funds cannot be released without this proof. A one-page final report and submission of receipts or record of expenses are due within 4 months of award notification. Money not used by the artist must be returned within 4 months of award notification. Artists who fail to do so will forfeit the chance to apply for any SOS funds in future rounds.
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