Practicing Artist Grants

The Mid-America Arts Alliance is seeking applications for its Practicing Artist Grants to support creative practices and career advancement. Donor Name: Mid-America Arts Alliance State: Arkansas County: Benton County (AR), Carroll County (AR), Crawford County (AR), Sebastian County (AR), Washington County (AR) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 06/10/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: Artists 360 is designed to elevate and energize greater Northwest Arkansas Practicing Artists by providing them with: $10,000 grants to support creative practices and career advancement; Peer-based learning experiences to develop entrepreneurship skills and build enduring creative practices; and Connections to a dynamic regional artist network. Fifteen practice-based grants are awarded annually. Practicing Artist fellows receive financial support they may self-select how to best use. Funds may be used for any purpose that supports the continued development of their creative practice, including but not limited to equipment, travel, studio space, child care, professional services, research, supplies, and contingency savings. Fellows participate in peer-based learning experiences, including an in-person retreat, One-On-One mentorship, and ongoing small peer group discussions. These experiences develop entrepreneurial skills, while expanding a network of leading regional artists. What is a ‘Practicing Artist?’ A Practicing Artist will have an active and current artistic practice. Has specialized training in the field (not limited to academic training). Has demonstrated success in the arts through the creation of high-quality work and/or contributions to the field. Is recognized as a practicing artist by peers (artists working in the same discipline and by experts in the field). Eligibility Requirements  To be eligible for the Artists 360 Practicing Artist Grant program, you must: Be a resident of the State of Arkansas and have established residency of at least one year at the time of application, in one of the following counties: Benton, Carroll, Crawford, Sebastian, or Washington. Retain residency within the five-county region for the duration of the grant period (October 2024 through October 2025). Commit to participating in peer-to-peer professional development activities during the grant year, including the Artists 360 Retreat at the 21C Museum Hotel in Bentonville, AR from 9:00 a.m. Saturday, October 19, 2024 through 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 20, 2024 (meals and private lodging provided). Be 18 years of age at the time of application. Must be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or have non-resident status and provide a valid Social Security Number if selected for funding. Be a practicing artist that creates work in any discipline, including, but not limited to dance, film, literary, music, theatre, and visual art. May not be currently enrolled in a degree seeking program. May not have previously received an Artists 360 Practicing Artist grant. May not have received a grant or award of $1,000 or more through any other M-AAA granting program during its 2024 or 2025 fiscal years (July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2025). Not be a full-time employee of Mid-America Arts Alliance or an immediate family member of a full-time employee of Mid-America Arts Alliance. Review Criteria  Practicing Artist grants will be reviewed using the following criteria: Artistry: Selected artists will demonstrate artistic excellence, broadly defined by the practitioners and norms in their discipline, and show a deep commitment to their work. Selected artists will have an active creative practice for a minimum of three years and show motivation to continue and further evolve. Program Readiness: Selected artists will have the desire to advance their career and deepen their practice, engage in an active strategic management process surrounding their practice, as well as an interest in sharing their work and process as part of a network of artists in a peer learning environment. Impact of Funding on Practice: Selected artists will clearly identify the ways in which Artists 360 funds will impact their careers and creative practices. These identified impacts should relate to previous challenges and/or desired futures. Balanced Cohort: The overall balance of the group of fellows will be considered to ensure a broad representation of perspectives, disciplines, and experiences. For more information, visit Mid-America Arts Alliance.