RFPs: Individual Artist Fellowship (US)

To qualify, an artist must be financially compensated for his or her work, and this compensation must be a significant source of support for their livelihood. To qualify for a Literary Fellowship, a writer must meet most of the following criteria:

• Have a significant publishing history other than vanity or print-on-demand publication
• Have been recognized with local, regional, or national awards for their writing
• Work in a literature related field such as teaching literature or writing, editing, or publishing
• Hold a degree or have other specialized education in Writing or Literature
• Have received significant financial compensation for their work

Categories

• Visual Art:
  • Two-Dimensional Work
  • Mural Arts
  • Craft
• Media:
  • Film
  • Photography
• Dance:
  • Solo Dance, Choreography, or Movement-based Work
• Music:
  • Performance-based Work
  • Composition-based Work
• Theatre:
  • Acting or Directing
  • Playwriting
  • Production Design (set, lighting, or costume)
• Literary Arts:
  • Fiction
  • Children’s Literature/Young Adult Literature
  • Poetry

Funding Information

• The Commission anticipates that each fellowship will be awarded $5,000.

Eligibility Criteria

• Fellowship applicants must be professional practicing artists of exceptional talent working in their chosen discipline.
• Fellowship applicants must be at least 18 years of age and be legal residents of Tennessee with a Tennessee mailing address.
• Applicants must have resided in Tennessee for the past three consecutive years.
• Proof of residency will require a valid Tennessee voter registration card or a legal Tennessee driver’s license.
• Applicants may be requested to submit a copy of their most recently filed Federal Income Tax Form 1040 if there is a question concerning legal residency.
• Individuals may apply in only one fellowship category each fiscal year.
• Those not eligible to apply include:
  • Past fellowship and partial fellowship recipients
  • Minors (individuals under 18 years of age)
  • Full-time students (elementary, secondary, college, or university)
  • Full-time State of Tennessee employees (other than instructors on the faculties of state-supported educational institutions), Commission or staff members or members of their families.

Evaluation Criteria

• Out of state adjudicators who are professionals with expertise in your discipline will review all the applications submitted in your category.
• The primary evaluation criterion is artistic excellence based on work samples you submit with the application.
• Specific instructions on what and how to submit discipline based supporting and work materials are at the end of this document.
• In making final recommendations, adjudicators may also take into consideration the artistic statement, and other portions of the application.

For more information, visit Tennessee Arts Commission.