Grants

Arts-based Community Revitalization Grants Available
The National Endowment for the Arts is accepting proposals for its

Our Town Program. Proposed projects should demonstrate activities that enhance the livability of communities. Additionally, projects should catalyze a persuasive vision for enhanced community vibrancy by supporting local artists, design professionals and arts organizations, by integrating design and the arts into the fabric of civic life; reflect or strengthen a unique community identity and sense of place, and; capitalize on existing local assets. The National Endowment for the Arts provides support for planning, design and arts engagement activities seeking to improve communities’ quality of life, encourage creative activity, create community identity and a sense of place, and revitalize local economies. Applications must be submitted by March 1.

Free Paint Available for Community Restoration Projects
The Minneapolis-based Valspar Foundation is partnering with each of the six Initiative Foundations across Greater Minnesota to provide free paint and coating products for community restoration or beautification projects. Selection will be based on the visual impact of the proposed projects, potential advantages to the public, volunteer participation and support, current and/or intended use of the structure to be refurbished, and benefits to those in need. Qualifying projects might include, but are not limited to, those involving historic structures, senior citizen and community centers, facilities for the disabled, publicly owned buildings, and murals or other visual-impact designs. Applications are due to respective Initiative Foundations by March 5.

Grants Promote Music Collaborations
New Music USA seeks to increase opportunities for composers by fostering the creation, performance, dissemination and appreciation of their music. Through the Commissioning Music program, New Music USA provides grants between $10,000 and $20,000 to commissioning organizations for the composer’s fee and copying expenses. The 2012 grant round will consider applications for collaborative works that involve music with other visual, media or performing art forms in integrated and inseparable ways. Applications are due by March 19.

Call for Artists

The Healing Arts Program is a rotating art show mounted at the Owatonna Hospital through a partnership with the Owatonna Arts Center. The purpose of the exhibit is to contribute to the healing environment of the Owatonna Hospital. We seek to display artistic work that reflects the nature of healing.

Submissions will be juried by members of the Healing Arts Committee, which is comprised of people from the Owatonna Hospital, Owatonna Art Center and from the Owatonna community.

For information about the Healing Arts Program contact: Tracy Frederick, Curator Healing Arts Tracy.frederick@oacarts.org I 507.451.0533 I www.oacarts.org

Mail information to: Owatonna Arts Center Attn: Tracy Frederick

435 Garden View Lane P.O. Box 134 Owatonna, MN 55060

EXHIBIT DATES:

Summer/Fall 2011 (July through the end of October)
Fall 2011/Winter 2012 (November through the end of February)
Spring/Summer 2012 (March through the end of June)
Summer/Fall 2012 (July through the end of October)
Fall 2012/Winter 2013 (November through the end f February)

SUBMITTING WORK:

Indicate which exhibit you will be showing at. (ie: Summer/Fall 2011)
Send low resolution images via CD, email or website showing pieces you will be able to show in the exhibit.
Framed artwork must have wire hanging method
Art work on canvas must have wire hanging method
All 3 dimensional pieces are exhibited in locked display cases. Pieces need to fit within a 4’H x 2”10”W x 1’3”D display case.
All artwork must be labeled with your name, title, technique and price
Artist to provide an artist statement
Artist to provide contact information
Please provide a self addressed stamped envelope of the appropriate size if you want your materials returned.

VSA arts Invites Applications From Teaching Artists With Disabilities for Professional Development Fellowship Program

VSA arts is seeking applications from artist-educators for the Teaching Artist Fellowship, a program to identify, engage, and support outstanding teaching artists with disabilities in the visual and performing arts.

Benefits to Teaching Artist Fellows include a professional development retreat in Washington, D.C., designed especially for teaching artists; subscriptions/memberships within the teaching artist network (i.e., Teaching Artist Journal, Art Education, Teaching Theatre); networking and teaching opportunities in Washington, D.C., and other areas (stipend and travel costs included); and enrollment in VSA Community of Practice, a professional development Web site. Fellows will also serve as facilitators for VSA education programs and will be profiled in VSA publications.

The program is open to artists with disabilities who have had experience working in pre-K-12 classrooms within the past three years. Applicants should demonstrate artistic achievement in visual or performing arts. (Note: This program is designed specifically for teaching artists. Classroom instructors are not eligible for the fellowship.)

See the VSA arts Web site for complete program information.

Contact:
Link to Complete RFP

National Geographic All Roads Film Project Offers Seed Grants for Indigenous Storytellers

The All Roads Film Project is a National Geographic initiative dedicated to helping indigenous and underrepresented minority-culture storytellers around the world showcase their works and promote greater knowledge, dialogue, and understanding with a broader, global audience. All Roads includes a film festival, photography program, and seed-grant program.

The seed-grant program is open to indigenous and underrepresented minority-culture filmmakers as well as filmmakers who can demonstrate that they have been designated by indigenous or minority communities to tell their story. Grants funds should be used toward the development and production of a feature film, long documentary, short documentary, shorts, animation, or music video.

The program awards grants ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 to up to sixteen film projects annually. Funding may be used for equipment, travel for field research, editing time, etc.

Submission deadlines are quarterly on the 15th of March, June, September, and December.

Visit the All Roads Web page for complete guidelines and application instructions.