Artist Grant

Purpose

The Artist Grant recognizes individual artistic excellence. The funding category is designed to:

• Encourage the creative achievement of South Dakota artists.
• Recognize artists of exceptional talent in any arts discipline.
• Assist artists in continued development of their careers in the arts.

Eligible

Artists in any discipline may apply. Applicants must be residents of South Dakota for at least two years immediately preceding the application. Artists may apply for only one of the following grants per fiscal year: Artist Grant, Artist Collaboration Grant or Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Grant.

Ineligible

Recipients of a $3,000 Artist Grant or a $6,000 Artist Collaboration Grant are not eligible to receive either grant for three consecutive fiscal years. For example, an artist awarded either grant in FY 2008 is ineligible to receive another grant in the two categories for fiscal years 2009, 2010, and 2011. However, the artist could apply March 1, 2011 for an FY 2012 grant in either category. Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Grant recipients may apply for an Artist Grant or Artist Collaboration Grant in subsequent years.

• Funding will not be granted for academic research or formal study toward an academic or professional degree.
• Students pursuing graduate or undergraduate degrees are not eligible.
• South Dakota Arts Council board members, staff, and grant review panelists are not eligible to apply for Artist Grants.

Deadline

Applications must be sumitted on-line by March 1. Applicants may start to apply in January. Grant awards will be announced in May for the fiscal year starting July 1.

Grant Amount

Artist Grants of $3,000 are like fellowship grants and will be awarded on a non-matching basis to professional artists of exceptional talent to set aside time to pursue their work, to purchase materials and equipment, to produce new work, aid in the marketing or promotion of their work, or reach new audiences for existing work, but is not limited to these examples. From the pool of $3,000 Artist Grant applicants, the Council may, at its discretion, award $1,000 Artist Grants as career advancement incentives to artists who demonstrate potential as professional artists and whose careers would benefit from SDAC support. Such an award would be a one-time only award. In such cases, artists will be asked to work with the Council staff to amend their application budget. Recipients of the one-time only $1,000 grant are not eligible to receive the $3,000 Artist Grant or the Artist Collaboration Grant for a full fiscal year. For example, the recipient of a $1,000 grant for FY 2010 (July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010) could not receive a grant for FY 2011. However, the artist could apply in March 2012 for an FY 2012 (July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012) grant. The number of Artist Grants awarded each year will be left to the discretion of the South Dakota Arts Council, depending on total budget and applicant artists’ qualifications.

Criteria for Awarding Grants

In reviewing applications, panelists consider the following:

• Quality of the applicant’s work as demonstrated by artistic documentation submitted.

Note: Artistic quality accounts for 50% of an applicant’s total score and plays a critical role in panel ratings and funding recommendations. Artistic quality is determined only by the quality of the submitted documentation.

• A complete description of the proposed project and the artist’s intended use of grant funds.
• Record of professional activity and achievement.
• How an Artist Grant will contribute to the artist’s professional growth and career at this time.
• Potential for contribution to higher standards for the arts in South Dakota.

Application Procedure

Applicants must submit one copy of the following materials:
1. the application form must have an original signature.

• Before completing the application form, read the Glossary, Grant Application Codes , and guidelines above.
• A summary of the applicant’s proposal and projected use of grant funds must be included in the space provided.

2. Budget Page.
3. Narrative. Up to three pages for a narrative to include the artist’s statement and to explain the artist’s project.
4. Resume. Artist’s current resume to be no longer than five pages.
5. Supporting Print Materials. Up to five single-side pages of supporting print materials may be submitted; i.e. published reviews, feature stories, exhibition catalogs, event programs, letters of support, etc.
6. Artistic Documentation. Examples of the artist’s work via manuscript, CD or DVD. See Artist Documentation for a list of documentation requirements for disciplines. Desciption of each document submitted.

Evaluation

Grant Evaluation Form, Evaluations are due 30 days after the end of the fiscal year. The narrative should give a brief description of work accomplished with grant funds during the grant period and a statement indicating the impact of the Artist Grant on career development.

Subsequent grants are dependent upon receipt of complete evaluation reports.

Back to grants listing