smARTpowers: Opportunity for Visual Artists!

International Fri 07-01-2011

smARTpowers: Opportunity for Visual Artists!
By a Corrspondent

Project Description:
smARTpowersm will send fifteen U.S. artists abroad to work with local artists and young people around the world to create community-based art projects.

Carol Reynolds | MFA Show | Fall 2008 image from Calstatela.edu

Travel opportunities of up to 45 days will be awarded to selected artists to design and develop programs in cooperation with local arts organizations in host countries including China, Ecuador, Egypt, Ghana, India, Kosovo, Lebanon, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, Kenya, Sri Lanka, Turkey, and Venezuela. smARTpower will support the development and implementation of community-based art projects that engage youth and other local residents, including artists.

The projects are strongly encouraged to create a tangible legacy of the work accomplished through smARTpower in a variety of visual arts media, including but not limited to painting, sculpture, drawing, video, installation, photo-based work, public art, and interdisciplinary projects. Participatory work is strongly recommended and encouraged. Artists will address a full range of relevant subjects including, but not limited to, women's empowerment, the environment, health, education, and civic engagement.

Emerging to mid-career artists are encouraged to apply. Finalists will be identified through open competition and selected by a national advisory panel of artists and art professionals. Each recipient will be provided with an honorarium, travel funding, a budget for materials, resources for documentation (including photography, video, and web posting), and on-site logistical support. Proposals must be submitted ONLINE ONLY by midnight, February 28, 2011. Please read all of the information below carefully before applying, to ensure eligibility and proper formatting of your proposal. Mailed applications will NOT be accepted.

FAQ:

Can more than one person apply on the same application?
Yes, if you are applying as a collective or team, executing a single project in a single country.

Are dual citizens eligible?

Applicants with dual citizenship will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Will I be able to bring my family members with me?

No. The program is designed as an exchange for selected artists and community members in the host countries. The opportunity is of very limited duration, and partner organizations are not equipped to accommodate partners and/or children.

Will I be able to choose my host site?
Although we will make every effort to accommodate your preference in this regard, we cannot guarantee that you will be assigned to your first-choice country. The determination will be made based on the applications received.

Will I be able to choose my own partner organization, or the location within the country where I will have my fellowship?
Although we will make every effort to assign you to one of the countries listed in your preferences, we will select the exact locations and partner organizations based on our determination of which organizations are in the best position to help artists fulfill the objectives of the smARTpower program through their projects.

Will I be able to travel during my stay abroad?
Recipients should expect to spend their time primarily in the location of their partner organization. Short side trips may be permitted, insofar as they support the overall goals of the smARTpower program. Travel will be arranged with the approval of smARTpower staff.

Will I be able to extend my stay, using my own funds?
Requests for extended stays will be reviewed by smARTpower staff on a case-by-case basis.

How will my visa and travel be arranged?
You must have or obtain a valid U.S. passport yourself. The Bronx Museum of the Arts will help you to arrange for your visa and travel.

How is the date of my project determined?
The Bronx Museum of the Arts will work together with you and the partner organization in your host country to determine the dates for your project, with the aim of beginning the project as quickly as possible. We anticipate that the first projects will be initiated in Summer/Fall 2011, and that some projects may be carried out concurrently.

What about project-related expenses that are not included in travel, or materials expenses?
There are small budgets available to supplement your per diem, travel, and materials expenses, if needed to support your project. All additional expenses would need to be approved by smARTpower staff in advance.

How will I know when my application has been received?
You will receive an email response when your application has been received. If we have questions, we will contact you, but otherwise you should feel secure that it has been received properly through the online electronic form. DO NOT send a printed copy.

Terms/Definitions:

1· Visual Arts:

Visual Arts may include, but are not limited to painting, sculpture, drawing, video, installation, photo-based work, public art, and interdisciplinary projects.

2· Community Engagement:

Community Engagement is an essential component of all smARTpower projects. Artists chosen for the smARTpower program will work directly with members of the local community in the host country to produce their work, and will initiate and execute educational and cultural programs with youth and other local residents, including artists.

3· Host Site:

Host site will be a community, urban or rural, within the selected country, which is determined by the smARTpower staff to be the optimum site for the successful realization of the smARTpower project.

4· Partner Organization:

The partner organization assists the artists in fulfilling his/her vision in the selected country and will help to facilitate the implementation of the community-based projects.

5· Projects and Proposals:

smARTpower supports projects and proposals that are civic-minded and address pertinent social issues in the host country. Themes that are especially welcome are women's empowerment, the environment, health, education, and civic engagement.

Deadline:

- All applications and application materials must be submitted via the smARTpower website by midnight, February 28, 2011.

- Selected artists will be announced in Spring/Summer 2011, and the first round of projects will begin in Summer/Fall 2011.

In the event that the FAQ's and the application information listed have not fully answered your questions, you may email egrady@bronxmuseum.org for more information.

Posted By: Hirum Ndungu

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Related Links

smART Power: Visual Arts

Grant Proposals: smART Power: Visual Arts

smARTpower Visual Arts Initiative Now Accepting Applications

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