Friday, April 1, 2011

IS THIS A VACATION? WAYS TO FUND YOUR PROFESSIONAL GETAWAY


IS THIS A VACATION?  The Studio of the Key West
Yes, but it's also a new form of professional development, in a place that will welcome and honor your presence, at a new kind of creative community.
THE FINE PRINT
Cultural managers, arts administrators, artistic directors and producers, program officers and curators who can get away from their busy roles for a week or two are welcome to express interest in the TSKW Cultural Manager Residency. Participants must be able to cover travel to and from Key West, as well as some living expenses while on the island.
Fees, stipends, and funding for residencies Most artists ask: "Where can I go that's free?" The short answer is, nothing is free. While some residencies charge fees, some charge nothing, and some provide funding, any residency will cost you something as an individual. So the real question is: "What will participating in this residency cost me?"
Determining cost
The total cost of a residency includes whether there are fees required or stipends provided, but also includes the direct costs to you (including meals, materials, and transportation), as well as the indirect costs (loss of income from jobs, or whether you’re maintaining a home while you are away, among other factors). For example, a residency that charges fees but provides three meals a day and is within driving distance may actually cost you less than a residency that offers a small stipend, but no food, and that you have to fly to. A one-month residency that charges nothing (while you are still paying rent and utilities on your apartment at home) may cost you more than a 3-month residency that charges fees (if you find someone to sublet your apartment).
Once you've narrowed down a list of residencies you are interested in, list all the factors that have a financial impact, so you can more accurately compare residencies.
Scholarships and subsidies
Many residencies that charge fees also have full or partial scholarships available or offer partial subsidies through work-exchange (for example, working in the kitchen a few days a week, teaching a workshop, or assisting with the box-office for performances). Some scholarships are based on financial need, while others are for artists working in specific disciplines or from particular geographic areas. If you don't see information on scholarships or subsidies listed on the residency program's website, it never hurts to ask!

Other funding sources
Even if a residency charges fees, there may be many other funding sources available. Most state arts councils have grants for individual artists that can be applied to travel costs, materials, etc. Community foundations are also a good source of funding, through professional development, research, or project grants.
The Foundation Center is the largest resource on funders in the U.S., and separates their databases by grants for individuals and grants for organizations. The grants for individuals database includes tutorials, sample proposals, and other tools to assist you in your grant-seeking.

Online funding resources
Foundation Center
Intro to narrowing your search
Free online tools for individuals
Online directory ($9.95/month subscription)
List of libraries where you can access the database for free
State Arts Councils (in the U.S. and territories)
List of state arts councils that fund individual artists
Contact information for each state arts council Arts and Humanities
Free online database of international funding sources and other resources
New York Foundation for the Arts / NYFA Source
Free online database of grants, fellowships, and other opportunities for artists
Other resources
Alumni and student career resources
Almost every college or university has an office of career development, and most offer career services -- online or in person -- to alumni as well as current students. Your specific department or dean may also be able to assist with researching grant and residency opportunities, putting together a funding proposal, and developing a strategy for your creative career.

Fractured Atlas
A national network of more than 50,000 arts organizations and individual artists of all disciplines (visual artists, dancers/choreographers, musicians/composers, writers, filmmakers, and more), Fractured Atlas connects its members to career-building resources.

GYST-Ink
GYST (Getting Your Sh*T together) provides artists with a variety of tools for planning their careers, including in-person workshops and computer software that includes sample business plans, grant proposals, and more.

http://www.museumsusa.org/members/forms/200040


http://www.oprah.com/spirit/Maria-Shriver-Will-Guest-Edit-O-Magazines-April-Poetry-Themed-Issue
https://www.oprah.com/ownshow/plug_form.html?plug_id=6998315

No comments:

Post a Comment

Thank you for your thoughtful comments,“Water your dreams, feed your imagination, let hope blossom”