Application Guidelines

Please read ALL of the following information carefully!

Applications are accepted through artistfound.org ONLY.
No FAX, e-mail, courier, mail, or other delivery methods.
E-mail info@artistfound.org if electronic submission is not possible.

After reading the Foundation Application Guidelines, please submit the following information based on the Award Category to which you are applying.  Please select category most appropriate to the proposal you are submitting.  Each proposal may only be entered into one category. 

Application Deadline

The application period is September 1, 2010 through October 15, 2010.

What to Submit

Artists must propose a project that demonstrates one or more of these characteristics: a potential for artistic growth; a significant shift in their work; or a challenging exploration with new materials, concepts or artistic practices a professional artist producing and maintaining work of high artistic quality.

Work Samples

Work samples are a critical part of the application and serve to introduce you and your work to the panel. Only materials requested in this application will be reviewed. Applicants should submit recent work, created in the past three years. Do not send original artwork. Applicant’s work samples are an important part of the judging criteria and should accurately represent the artist’s work. All work samples should be clear, legible and/or audible reproductions of your work.

Following are the guidelines for submitting work samples. Samples received that do not meet the following guidelines will not be considered and will deem the application ineligible.

Please submit the following work samples: 

• LITERARY ARTS:
  Applying in the Literary Arts category requires that you submit your samples through our online application.
  In addition, applicants are also required to mail 4 hard copies of their manuscript.
  • Applicants should submit up to 5 sample works of any combination of fiction, creative non-fiction, playwriting, screenwriting or poetry completed within the last three years.
    PLEASE DO NOT EXCEED 20 PAGES TOTAL.
    Entries should be:
    • typed
    • double-spaced and 12pt font
    • clearly labeled with the author's name and the title of the work
    • each file should not exceed 4MB in size
  • If your work sample is a longer work, you may choose to submit a short synopsis of the work as a whole, as well as an excerpt.
  • Published work must be submitted in typed manuscript form rather than published form.
• PERFORMING ARTS:
  Original Musical Composition, Original Choreography, or Original Theatrical Production
• Applicants should submit no more than 10 minutes of video or audio excerpts from work completed within the last three years. Submit your files with only what is to be reviewed.
  • clearly named with the applicant’s name and title of work(s)
  • each file should not exceed 10MB in size for audio; or 100MB in size for video
• Applicants will also include the following information with each of their work samples:
  • title of the work excerpted
  • date completed
  • technique
  • original format
  • the specific role of the applicant in creating the submitted work
• Musical Composition applicants will also include a list of instruments featured in their work.
• VISUAL ARTS:
  Painting, sculpture, drawing, printmaking, installation, photography, collage, and static digital art. 
• Applicants will submit images of work samples that have been completed within the last three years. Please format your work samples following these guidelines:
  • 10 (ten) images total
  • jpg files
  • 150 ppi/dpi/resolution
  • images should be uploaded in the order you wish them to be viewed. 
  • each file should not exceed 4MB in size
• Applicants will also submit information on all work samples including:
  • the title
  • medium/a
  • dimensions
  • completion date  
• MEDIA ARTS:
  Film (narrative, documentary, experimental or artistic), video (narrative, documentary, experimental or artistic), time-based digital art, and performance art.
• Applicants should submit no more than 10 minutes of video excerpts completed within the last three years. Submit your file with only what is to be reviewed.
  • clearly label with the applicant’s name and title of work(s)
  • each file should not exceed 100MB in size for video; or 10MB in size for audio
• Applicants will also submit information on all work samples including:
  • title of the work excerpted
  • technique
  • date completed
  • original format
  • genre (documentary, experimental, animation, etc.)
  • specific role of the applicant in creating the submitted work
• SPECIAL PERFORMING ARTS AWARD IN CLASSICAL SINGING: Art Song and Opera
• Applicants should submit no more than 10 minutes of either audio or video excerpts (from multiple songs) completed within the last three years. Submit your files with only what is to be reviewed.
  • clearly label with the applicant’s name and title of work(s)
  • each file should not exceed 100MB in size for video; or 10MB in size for audio
• Applicants will also submit information on all work samples including:
  • title of the work excerpted
  • composer
  • date of performance
  • instruments featured in the work sample
  • specific musical role (i.e. alto, tenor, lead...)
• A project is NOT required for this category
• THE ROBERT L.B. TOBIN AWARD FOR SET DESIGN:
• Applicants will submit images of work samples that have been completed within the last three years. Please format your work samples following these guidelines:
  • 10 (ten) images total
  • jpg files
  • 150 ppi/dpi/resolution
  • images should be uploaded in the order you wish them to be viewed. 
  • each file should not exceed 4MB in size
• Set Design applicants will also provide information detailing medium and dimensions of their work samples.
• Applicants will be given the option to upload up to 10 minutes of video if digital images are not submitted. The video file should not exceed 100Mb in size.
• THE ROBERT L.B. TOBIN AWARD FOR COSTUME DESIGN:
• Applicants will submit images of work samples that have been completed within the last three years. Please format your work samples following these guidelines:
  • 10 (ten) images total
  • should not exceed 6” in the longest dimension
  • jpg files
  • 150 ppi/dpi/resolution
  • images should be uploaded in the order you wish them to be viewed. 
  • each file should not exceed 4MB in size
• Set Design applicants will also provide information detailing medium and dimensions of their work samples.
• Applicants will be given the option to upload up to 10 minutes of video if digital images are not submitted. The video file should not exceed 100MB in size.
• THE ROBERT L.B. TOBIN GRAND PRIZE FOR ARTISTIC EXCELLENCE:
  All recipients of grants from the above categories will be considered for this generous award in the amount of $7,500.  The Foundation board will select the overall winner. 

Foundation awards are highly competitive and do not require a cash match.

The number of awards granted depends on the number of applicants. In 2010 The Foundation anticipates awarding eleven (11) $5,000 awards in addition to the Robert L.B. Tobin Grand Prize Award for Artistic Excellence.

Return of Application Materials

Application materials will not be returned to applicants.  All application materials including work samples will be discarded after the awards are selected. 

Responsibility

• Artists must notify the Foundation of changes to their project that deviate from what was described in their application.
• Artists will keep track of expenses and income during the duration of the project.
• Artists will credit the Foundation with logo or statement in all publicity and materials generated with respect to their project.
• Artists must submit an interim and final report detailing their project’s progress, including expenditures of funds as noted in their budget. On final report artist will  describe project’s impact on their career, methods used to make project available to the public and project’s impact on the community.
• Artists will make their project available in some form to the public with appropriate credit to the Foundation.

Ownership

Works created with assistance of Foundation awards are the property of the artist.  The Foundation will however keep for its archives, the submitted application materials from each award recipient. 

Liability 

During the application and selection process the Foundation will not be responsible for loss or damage of support materials. However, the greatest care possible will be taken in handling the materials. 

Taxes

Award funds are taxable to the recipients under IRS guidelines.  Recipients should consult their tax advisor regarding proper reporting for the award.  Each artist receiving an award will be sent a Form W-9 for completion and return before receiving the award funds.