2016 ARTIST AS ACTIVIST: TWO YEAR FELLOWSHIP …...The Robert Rauschenberg Foundation is seeking to...

Submit your application online at https://rauschenbergfoundation.submittable.com/submit

2016 ARTIST AS ACTIVIST: TWO-YEAR FELLOWSHIP GUIDELINES + APPLICATION WORKSHEET

CONTENTS

Fellowship at a Glance p/2 Program Overview p/2 Applicant Eligibility p/3 Eligible Project Goals + Stages p/4 Selection Criteria p/5 Frequently Asked Questions p/6 Online Application Instructions p/7 Application Worksheet p/8-9

Submit your application online at https://rauschenbergfoundation.submittable.com/submit 2

2016 ARTIST AS ACTIVIST FELLOWSHIP AT A GLANCE THEME Racial justice with particular focus on mass incarceration WHO SHOULD APPLY? US-based artists and artist collectives seeking to work full-time on an

ambitiously-scaled creative work tackling this issue FELLOWSHIP PERIOD May 1, 2016 – April 30, 2018 FELLOWSHIP GRANT Up to $100,000 over a two-year period

DEADLINE December 7, 2015, 5:00 pm (EST) Please note, the foundation is not able to grant extensions or accept late submissions AWARD NOTIFICATION Late April 2016 APPLICATION WEBINARS October 1, 2015, 3:00 pm (EST) and November 16, 2015, 10:00 am (EST)

PROGRAM OVERVIEW The Artist as Activist Two-Year Fellowship provides game-changing resources to independent artists who tackle important social challenges through their creative practice. Fellows receive up to $100,000 over a two-year period in order to advance an ambitiously scaled project of their design. Most grants will be in the $50,000 – $100,000 range. Fellows are also eligible to attend foundation-sponsored events, to gain access to technical assistance, and to be included in foundation publications. The Artist as Activist program has evolved from commissioning a print edition to benefit an organization, to a national open call for proposals from artists and artist collectives who work in an issue area to pursue long-term projects and/or travel and research related to a long-term project. (See list of current fellows + grantees on www.rauschenbergfoundation.org/grants/art-grants/artist-as-activist.) Thematic Frame Moving forward the foundation will continue to offer an open call for proposals but will use an alternating thematic frame. For the 2016 and 2017 cycles of the fellowship, the thematic frame guiding the open call for proposals is racial justice in the United States, and more specifically, the epidemic of mass incarceration of black and brown bodies. Through this lens we seek applications from activist artists who are pursuing ambitious creative projects that directly tackle this issue. Month-Long Artist Residency In addition to receiving financial support for the proposed project, Fellows in the 2016 and 2017 cycles will gather as a group for three weeks at our residency campus on Captiva Island, Florida. Participation for the full three weeks is a requirement of the fellowship. The specific timing will be informed by the group’s collective availability, but the residency will take place during the fellowship period (between May 1, 2016 and April 30, 2018). The goal of this focused time together is to allow fellows to build an extended network of peers, gain access to new strategies for addressing mass incarceration and racial justice, and where appropriate, to form productive collaborations. The foundation intends to select a diverse cohort of fellows with complementary projects that individually and collectively contribute positively to the movement’s ecosystem.


APPLICANT ELIGIBILITY The Robert Rauschenberg Foundation is seeking to support full-time, independent artists and artist collectives with a demonstrated ability to effectively apply their creative work to the public sphere AND who are dedicating the next two years of their practice to addressing Mass Incarceration in the United States. More specifically:

o The Artist as Activist program defines the word “artist” in broad terms to include architects, culture bearers, cultural organizers, designers, master craftsmen, musicians, painters, performers, photographers, spoken-word poets, storytellers, and so forth. It is not the particular creative practice we are interested in as much as the efficacy of the approach.

o Artists and creative professionals may be at any stage of their career but must provide evidence

of 1) a demonstrated capacity to fulfill the project they propose, and 2) an intention and capacity to work on the project full-time during the fellowship period.

o Applicants cannot be enrolled as full-time students during the award period. o Projects and applicants must be U.S. based. o Each applicant can submit only one proposal to the program.

o These fellowships are awarded to individuals directly; they are not designed as grants to

organizations. If an artist or artist collective has formed a 501c3 structure to facilitate their work in the public sphere, they may still apply for this fellowship as long as the entity’s annual budget is less than $1 million. This cap does not apply if an applicant is simply using a 501c3 organization as a fiscal sponsor.

o There are tax and budget implications to any method of receiving the fellowship funds whether

you wish to receive the funds directly, through a fiscal agent, or through a 501c3 you have formed. We cannot advise you as to which is the best method. You may wish to seek out the counsel of an accountant (or an artist services organization that can direct you to a similar resource).


ELIGIBLE PROJECT GOALS + STAGES The foundation is particularly interested in projects that employ creative problem solving to push toward a world where mass incarceration does not exist. That said, we understand that creative projects at the intersection of art and activism exist along a spectrum of change, seeking varied goals. Eligible projects can have one or more of the following GOALS:

o Imagining a world where mass incarceration does not exist and creating innovative tools, techniques, strategies, or alternative systems to make that possible.

o Creatively engaging people who are directly and/or indirectly impacted by mass incarceration to pursue specific, effective actions toward its eradication.

o Building a deeper and broader awareness of mass incarceration and its relationship to racial justice and/or insightfully changing public perception of the men and women who have been captured in this system. In other words, “changing hearts and minds.”

o Some combination of the above.

Please note that this opportunity is geared toward independent artists and artist collectives working on a project at ambitious scale that is already in process (whether it has been over the last six months or for the past six years) so that the fellowship provides resources to build on existing progress. This is not an opportunity to explore an idea that is only newly formed or at a small-scale. “Ambitious” projects are those that extend for a significant period of time; and/or reach a large number of people, and/or effect systemic change, and/or engage a variety of partners and strategies. The project may be in one of the following STAGES:

o Early stage/Launch: having completed some initial testing and “proof of concept,” you are ready to move the project from its pilot into a full-scale production.

o Advancement: having gleaned initial lessons as well as accomplishments, you are seeking to grow the project to its next level of efficacy and reach.

o Late stage/Conclusion: having grown the project to its full scale, you may be seeking to transition

to a more permanent partnership and to sustain it long-term; to document your model for application elsewhere; or otherwise position the now-established work to have sustained impact.


SELECTION CRITERIA The selection committee is comprised of foundation leadership, program staff, and a national panel of experts. Foundation leadership determines all final grant decisions. Successful applicants will demonstrate:

o A clear goal (see Eligible Project Goals + Stages above) that reflects strong analysis of the problem of mass incarceration, its relationship to racial justice, and how the proposed project will make a meaningful intervention in this terrain based on your desired goal.

o How the project’s success is defined and how you will know when you have been successful.

o How you are uniquely positioned to execute this project. To what degree you have the ability to deploy a wide range of resources to address this issue.

o Substantial experience working at the intersection of art and activism broadly, as well as tackling

issues of racial justice and mass incarceration specifically. Additionally, a track record of success and evidence of capacity to accomplish your project’s goals.

o Strong work samples, where the work reflects thoughtful, clear objectives that have been

executed well in terms of both the intended social impact and artistic excellence.

o A sound project plan that includes a well-considered budget consistent with the scale and scope of the project’s aims. Most grants will be in the $50,000 - $100,000 range.

ELIGIBLE GRANT EXPENSES In order to remove some of the barriers for independent artists to effectively pursue creative projects applied to social challenges, the fellowship grant is unrestricted. Eligible expenses in the project budget are broad and can include:

o Stipends for you, as well as for project collaborators

o Living and healthcare expenses as you execute this project

o Production expenses o Travel or related costs to support working closely with and in the communities that inform the

project

o Other costs directly related to executing the project The fellowship can cover the full amount of the project, however, it is common for the fellowship to cover only a portion of the entire project budget.


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs) + APPLICATION WEBINARS This Guidelines + Application Worksheet provides a full account of the program’s requirements and application instructions. However, if after reviewing these materials you have additional questions, please visit www.rauschenbergfoundation.org/grants/grants-faq for a complete list of Frequently Asked Questions. Prospective applicants are highly encouraged to register for one of the Application Webinars, which provide an overview of the fellowship program along with tips for putting together a competitive proposal. Any remaining questions can be directed to [email protected].


APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS 1. All application materials must be provided through the foundation’s online application

portal: https://rauschenbergfoundation.submittable.com/submit. Materials will not be accepted through email, USPS, or any other method.

2. The online application will ask you to create a username and password. Individual applications are assigned to one account and cannot be edited by others unless the login ID is shared. If you are applying as a collective, this is especially important to note. We recommend all applicants create login IDs immediately in order to become familiar with the application platform. We do not recommend waiting to create a login at the time of uploading final materials.

3. Although you can save drafts of your online application as you go, you may find it helpful to

prepare responses offline in advance, entering them into the online portal as they are complete. Below, you will find an Application Checklist and Worksheet, which preview the application components and questions.

4. Proof your materials for spelling and grammar. Use succinct clear language, free of jargon. In

addition, be sure to test any links/urls you may have included. 5. DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE DEADLINE TO UPLOAD YOUR MATERIAL. We highly recommend that

you upload all application components well in advance of the 5:00 pm (EST) deadline. Applicants who wait until the last minute are very likely to encounter technical difficulties due to the high volume of web traffic on the deadline date. Please note, the foundation is unable to grant extensions and incomplete applications will not be considered for funding.

6. When uploading materials, please make sure to follow naming conventions and platform

requirements. See the Application Worksheet below. 7. Only one application per applicant will be accepted. You may be engaged in several relevant

projects, however this fellowship is an opportunity to pursue one project in particular. Uploading multiple applications will not boost your chances of support; we will only review the first application that we encounter.

8. Questions about the program and application content can be directed to the foundation via

[email protected]. Staff will endeavor to help you as quickly as possible. If you encounter technical problems with the online platform, please contact (855) 467 8264. Tech support is available 24/7.

ONLINE APPLICATION CHECKLIST ❑ Applicant Profile ❑ Project Summary Project Description ❑ Project Budget ❑ CV/Resume ❑ Bio ❑ Video Statement ❑ Work Samples (5) ❑ Letters of Endorsement (3)


ONLINE APPLICATION WORKSHEET This worksheet will help guide you through preparing your application before uploading materials to the online application portal. Please follow these instructions carefully.

1. APPLICANT PROFILE If you are applying as a collective, please designate one person as the

primary contact. Please do not submit separate applications for each member. 2. PROJECT SUMMARY (50 words or less) Briefly describe your proposed project. This summary is

meant to be a quick snapshot.

3. PROJECT DESCRIPTION (1,000 words or less) Please upload a more detailed project plan and description that does not exceed 1000 words. Upload file as AAA16_LastName_FirstName_ProjectDescription.pdf

Be sure to address the following:

o Building on your project summary, briefly describe the creative project to address mass

incarceration you would pursue during the fellowship period.

o Please share your analysis of the problem of mass incarceration and how mass incarceration itself or the general public’s understanding of it might be different as a result of your fellowship project.

o Please share your project plan. Help us understand the current status/stage of the proposed

project and what specifically you will do to move it forward during the fellowship period. Be sure to note any specific resources (e.g. partners, networks, technical skills, subject matter expertise, etc.) available to you to accomplish the project’s goals.

o How will you know your project has been successful?

4. PROJECT CATEGORY (select one category that best describes your project’s approach)

o Creative Problem Solving: imagining a world where mass incarceration doesn’t exist and creating

a vehicle or set of vehicles to make that possible.

o Engaging All Affected: Mobilizing constituents and stakeholders to take direct action(s) toward a solution.

o Building Knowledge: Affecting the awareness or perception of mass incarceration in order to change hearts and minds about this issue and its relationship to racial justice.

5. PROJECT BUDGET Please provide a detailed outline of the project’s income and expenses over

both years of the fellowship. Note: the foundation is willing to be the sole funder of the project, however applicants who have secured other sources will be more competitive candidates for support. You may use your own format or follow the example provided on the foundation’s How to Apply page. In your budget be sure to indicate which funding sources are secured and which you are still pursuing, as well as to include any relevant budget notes. For Eligible Grant Expenses please reference page 5 of this worksheet. Upload the file as AAA16_Last name_First Name_Budget.pdf


6. REQUESTED AMOUNT Most grants will be in the $50,000 - $100,000 range.

7. CV/RESUME Upload file as AAA16_Last name_First name_CV.pdf 8. BIO (250 words or less) 9. VIDEO STATEMENT (five minutes or less)

This video is a chance for us to understand “Why you? Why now?” It does not matter whether the video has been recorded professionally or by using a web camera or your phone. What is important is that you help us clearly understand why you are the right person to lead this project. Please address:

o How do your values, beliefs, experience, and training inform your approach to this project? o Why does this work matter to you? o Why is now the right time for you to execute this project?

Provide a link to a YouTube or Vimeo video. If password protected, please remember to include it.

10. WORK SAMPLES + WORK SAMPLE NARRATIVES (five total) Provide five examples of your work (in any medium), which best demonstrate your capacity and skills to execute this project. At least one example must be from the proposed project. Using the field below each work sample file, please provide a brief narrative (150 words or less) that includes: the caption for the work (title, medium, year it was completed), any contextual or background data that helps reviewers better understand what they are seeing/hearing/reading, and your rationale for including this particular work sample. IMAGES – Please upload images at 300dpi/25MB or below. Save files as AAA16_Last name_First name_Worksample#.extension (File extensions can be .pdf .jpg .tiff .gif or .png) TEXT – Please upload text that is no longer than 2,500 words. Save files as AAA16_Last name_First name_Worksample#.pdf VIDEO/AUDIO — A/V samples should be no longer than two minutes. You may include an excerpt from a longer piece if you provide a timestamp for where reviewers should begin (i.e., “Start at 1:05”). We will review for two minutes starting from that point. Please provide a link to URLs from YouTube, Vimeo, or Sound Cloud. Remember to include the password, if applicable.

11. LETTERS OF ENDORSEMENT (three total) Please provide testimony from three community partners or other voices relevant to the proposed project. Please ask them to describe in their own words: the need for this project, why you are particularly qualified to execute it, and what their role (if any) will be in its successful execution. Save files as AAA16_Last name_First name_Endorsement#.pdf

2016 ARTIST AS ACTIVIST: TWO YEAR FELLOWSHIP …...The Robert Rauschenberg Foundation is seeking to...

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