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The Template System

Investing in Creativity - Artist Fellowships

Purpose
To recognize the creative excellence of individual Virginia artists and to support their pursuit of artistic excellence.

Description
A limited number of fellowships are available to professional creative artists living in Virginia. Funding in this category is highly competitive. In past years approximately 10% of the applicants have received funding. Specific arts disciplines will be eligible for support each year on a rotating basis, depending upon the amount of state and federal funding available to the Commission. Artists should confirm with the Commission staff the categories to be funded each year.

Eligible Applicants
Artists who are legal residents of Virginia at the application deadline and who plan to remain in the state for the coming year. A legal resident has a valid Virginia driver’s license and/or pays income tax in Virginia and/or is a registered Virginia voter. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age. An individual may apply in only one category per year and may receive only one fellowship from the Commission within any four year period.

Deadlines

August 1, 2008, for applications in artistic disciplines that will be announced in May of 2008, depending upon the amount of state and federal funding available to the Commission. Artists should confirm with the Commission staff the categories to be funded each year.

Amount of Assistance
$5,000. Artists are not required to provide matching funds.

Criteria for Evaluating Applications

Application Review and Payment Procedure:

  1. Artists submit complete application forms by the deadline (not a postmark deadline). The Commission does not accept application materials via facsimile transmission or other electronic means, such as e-mail.
  2. Applications are reviewed by an advisory panel of professionals in the appropriate discipline. The panels make their recommendations after group discussion.
  3. The board of the Commission makes the final decision on all applications.
  4. Artists approved for fellowships receive the full amount in one payment. Artists are responsible for paying all required taxes on this funding. Artists are required to send a brief narrative report on their professional activities during the fellowship period at the end of a year.