Arts Idaho Writer in Residence Program (US)

The residency encourages an interaction with and appreciation for excellence in literature throughout the state.

Anonymous applications are adjudicated by a panel of out-of-state experts in the field. The Writer in Residence is required to engage with Idaho residents through readings, craft workshops, presentations, events or projects four times a year, throughout their appointment (6/8 in underserved communities). A final report is due by July 31, which must then be approved for the grantee to remain eligible for future funding.

Funding Information

• Grant amount: $5,000 annually.
• Allowable travel expenses are also reimbursed.

Ineligible Activities

• Establishment of or contributions to an endowment;
• Fundraising projects that do not raise funds for the arts;
• Prizes, scholarships, or free tickets;
• Projects or programs to generate or attract audiences;
• Offsetting of debt, payment of fines, penalties, or legal fees;
• Activities that are primarily promotional or created for mass distribution, such as duplication of CDs, creation of portfolios, private gallery announcements, brochures, or websites;
• Self-published books;
• Student exhibitions, anthologies, publications, or performances, unless those activities document an arts education grant;
• Costs associated with any degree or professional certification, such as tuition, fees, and teaching materials;
• Projects or activities already completed or beginning before the eligible start date or documentation of previously completed projects;
• Documentation of projects except for arts education activities;
• Projects primarily recreational, vocational, or religious;
• Activities restricted to an organization’s membership;
• Costs for consecutive attendance at annual activities that are routinely within an arts organization’s budget including, but not limited to, conferences of the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies, Americans for the Arts, American Folklore Society, or the Western Arts Alliance;
• Pageants, festivals, or celebrations unrelated to arts, ethnic, or cultural activities;
• Journalism;
• Historical or academic documentary film and electronic media arts that do not demonstrate significant artistic emphasis, consideration, and distinction;
• Scholarly or academic works in history, languages, archeology, and political science;
• Lobbying expenses or political activities;
• Hospitality expenses such as food and drink, alcohol, flowers, etc. Any such expenses included in a project approved for funding must be paid with applicant funds;
• Capital expenses for an individual; or
• Writing intended for youth.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicant must be a practicing writer
• Applicant must be at least 18 years old
• Applicant must be a United States citizen, legal resident, or refugee, and be an Idaho resident for at least one year prior to the application deadline
• Final reports for past Commission grants and awards must be submitted and approved
• The Writer in Residence is limited to two nonconsecutive awards
• The Writer in Residence may receive a Fellowship before becoming Writer in Residence, but after that, he or she is ineligible for a Literature Fellowship
• Applicant may apply for Writer in Residence and a Fellowship in the same cycle. Only one will be awarded.

For more information, visit Idaho Commission on the Arts.