Emerging Artists Grant Program
Durham Arts Council
Durham, North Carolina
The Emerging Artists Program (EAP) is a project grant program that provides financial support to developing or established professionals by funding a project pivotal to the advancement of their careers as artists. Pivotal projects may happen at different stages of a career, therefore Emerging Artists Grants are not restricted to un-established artists. 2007-2008 Emerging Artists Grants are intended to fund a particular project that will conclude by September 30, 2008.
An emerging artist is an artist that has mastered the basic techniques in her/his art form and who is attempting to launch a professional career in the arts or an artist taking his/her established career in a new direction. An artist is not required to have any particular degree or type of education to qualify as an emerging artist.
Artists practicing any art form are eligible to apply for a grant. Applicants must have resided in Chatham, Durham, Granville, Orange, or Person Counties for at least one year immediately prior to the application deadline (since September 10, 2006). Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and cannot be currently enrolled in a degree or certificate program in their art form at the time of the application deadline. Recipients of 2006-2007 Emerging Artists Grants may not apply for a 2007-2008 grant.
The criteria are:
• Overall excellence of the applicant's art work and demonstration of exceptional talent,
• The applicant's serious professional commitment to her/his art form,
• Contribution of the proposed project to the artist's professional development,
• Feasibility of the proposed project,
• Timeline--project should happen between January 1 and September 30 of the year following the application date.
The Emerging Artists Program is funded through grants from the North Carolina Arts Council, an agency funded by the State of North Carolina and the National Endowment for the Arts, The Mary Duke Biddle Foundation, the Orange County Arts Commission, the Chatham County Arts Council, the Granville Arts Council, the Person County Arts Council, gifts to the Durham Arts Council Annual Arts Fund, the Ella Fountain Pratt Fund, The Wainwright Fund for New Works and private & corporate donations.
Grant applications and support materials are reviewed by local professional artists in each art form, their comments are then forwarded to the EAP Committee who reviews applications, recommendations and then makes the final award decisions for all EAP grant applications.
The Emerging Artists Grant Committee is interested in assisting the development of an artist’s career as is appropriate to the particular artist’s needs, so be sure to define clearly the relationship of your project to your career development. In the past, grant awards have provided funds for the following types of expenses:
- Promotion/Presentation: the cost of producing a demonstration audio tape or CD for a composer, a video tape or DVD for a choreographer, a portfolio for a graphic artist, editorial assistance for a writer, etc.
- Travel: to specific workshops, auditions, retreats or seminars; or to do research intrinsic to his/her art form.
- Services: rental of equipment or facilities for presentation or creation of a new work.
- Supplies: purchase of supplies, materials or equipment necessary for the completion or production of a new work which is considered by the artist to be essential to her/his career.
- Training: advanced workshops, master classes or coaching that will enhance the artist’s abilities. This program does not support work towards a degree.
Financial and narrative reports are required. A report form will be sent to those receiving awards. Future awards will be contingent upon the submission of a final report.
Timeline:
Applications available ... July 1, 2007
Deadline ... September 10, 2007
Notification ... By the end of November, 2007
Grant checks issued ... mid-January, 2008
Project completion by ... September 30, 2008
Final report due by ... September 30, 2008
Submit applications to Durham Arts Council ONLY. Do not drop application off at any other location.
Download an Emerging Artists Grant Application PDF, file size 106k
Applications are also available at the front desk of the Durham Arts Council Building and/or by calling the Artist Services Office, (919) 560-2719 to request an application.
Visit the website for complete details: http://www.durhamarts.org/artistinfo_emergingartists.html
Durham Arts Council, Inc.
120 Morris Street
Durham, NC 27701
http://www.durhamarts.org/
