Bush Foundation Fellowships

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Fellowship Programs Enter Refining Period

Julie Dalgleish Leaving Foundation

Bush Artist Program Introduces 2010 Fellows

FAQ - Bush Artist Fellowships (2010)

The Program Description & Eligibility section and the category guidelines should answer most of your questions, however we have included a list of the most frequently asked questions we receive. These may be helpful.

FAQ – GENERAL BUSH ARTIST FELLOWSHIP

FAQ – ONLINE APPLICATIONS

 

General Bush Artist Fellowship

What kinds of artists receive fellowships?

There is no typical Bush Artist Fellow. The program is open to artists at every stage in their life’s work-from emerging to mature. Each year usually there are some artists at the beginning of their careers. Some fellows may be established in their work and at a much later stage. Most fellows tend to be at mid-career.

There are no quotas that the panels need to fill. In other words, they don’t choose an equal number of fellows from each of the artistic disciplines, or based on where they live, their age, race, or any other way in which a quota might be defined. The panels are instructed to select the artists whom they collectively believe are the strongest among the group being considered and for whom the fellowship will make a significant difference at this point in their lives. You also may contact Foundation staff for assistance and feedback. {Go to Top}

May I see copies of applications from people who received fellowships?

Because there are no formulas for selecting fellows and because the artist fellows are significantly different from each other, we don’t believe that it is helpful to share the applications. We find that the best applications are the most genuine-in other words they reflect the circumstances, interests, and needs of the individual artist. You may find it helpful to ask a friend or colleague to read your application for feedback. Two important questions you can ask the reader is: Is it clear and focused? The most important way to approach your written application is to be yourself. {Go to Top}

What is the Bush Foundation looking for?

The Bush Artist panels make the decisions and are asked to consider the merits of each individual artist and how they measure up to the basic criteria, which include strong vision, creative energy, commitment to excellence, and perseverance. In addition to the criteria, we ask the panels to consider the artists’ past accomplishments, their fellowship plan, and their current work.

The most important component of your presentation is your work sample(s). It’s critical that your materials represent your strongest work and are of the highest possible quality. Following that, a thoughtful description of your fellowship plan is also important. {Go to Top}

May I submit an application in more than one category?

Yes, but you need to submit a complete application with appropriate work samples for each category. {Go to Top}

Should I send reviews of my work?

No. Please do not send any additional materials including reviews, news articles, or promotional materials. {Go to Top}

May I discuss my fellowship plan with someone to see if it is a strong proposal?

Yes, you may call the Bush Artist Program staff or send an e-mail requesting assistance with your application. If you would like feedback, please be sure to contact the office at least 10 working days before the application is due. Because the staff is on the road from late August through September, it may take up to a week for a response, but we will be happy to review your application and provide a written response as quickly as possible. Ideally, send your written application via e-mail for the fastest response. You may send them to artists@bushfoundation.org. {Go to Top}

Do I need to attend an information meeting? Or, I can’t attend an information meeting. May I call the Foundation to find out what was discussed?

Even if you have attended a meeting in the past, we strongly urge all potential applicants to attend an information meeting. You will gain a better understanding of the program and a deeper understanding of its nuances. However, your attendance is not required in order to apply.

At the meeting we will demonstrate the online application process, and offer tips for writing your application. Most important, you will have the chance to hear questions posed by other applicants, and ask your own.

If you are not able to attend an information meeting, you should first refer to the guidelines and this list of Frequently Asked Questions. You then should feel free to call or send an email to artists@bushfoundation.org with your questions. We will try to answer your questions as quickly and thoroughly as possible. {Go to Top}

My work expands across multiple categories-in which category should I apply?

We suggest that you focus on your primary medium and apply to the corresponding category. Also think about what types of panelists are likely to be reviewing work for the categories you fit and choose the one with the kind of panelists who could best judge your work. {Go to Top}

I am a commercial graphic designer/video maker, and I would like to pursue my own personal work as my fellowship plan. Since I haven’t created much personal work in the past few years, can I show my commercial work so that the panel can see the quality of my work?

For this program, the panel will still want to see personal work in your work samples, otherwise it is difficult for them to assess your fellowship plan. If you don’t have much work at this stage, you might want to continue developing your portfolio of personal work, consider other grant opportunities, and try the Bush Artist Fellowships at a later time. Depending on the panel, including some commercial work may be helpful, but our experience indicates that more often than not, it is better not to include it among your work samples. {Go to Top}

Are there eligibility requirements for applying?

Yes, please see the Program Description & Eligibility section. There are no additional requirements for the 2010 categories. {Go to Top}

Do I have to quit my job if I receive a fellowship?

No. However, we will encourage you to identify ways to focus extended periods of time on your fellowship in order to gain the most from the experience. {Go to Top}

Can I apply for a smaller amount – I just need funds to cover travel, a computer, materials, etc.?

If you live in North Dakota or South Dakota, we encourage you to apply for the new Dakota Creative Connections, which provides project specific grants between $3,000 and $6,000. Those applications will be available February 12, 2010. {Go to Top}

Can a team of artists apply for a fellowship?

Yes, collaborative applications are acceptable. Please see the Categories section for more details. {Go to Top}

I’m an emerging artist at the beginning of my career. Can I apply?

The fellowships are open to any artist, from emerging to mature, who is at least 25-years-old. The panels, however, are most likely going to consider emerging artists who have had some track record and who are able to present more than one work sample for those categories where it is possible or appropriate. {Go to Top}

Can I fax or email my application?

No. Please use the online application tool for your written application. DVD, CD, CD-Rom and other audio/video work samples will need to be submitted separately by mail. Please note work sample materials must be postmarked by the application deadline. Deadlines vary by category – see guidelines for more information. {Go to Top}

 

Online Applications

I applied for a grant last year – can I use the same account and password to submit my 2010 application?

Yes, you’re welcome to use the same account to apply to any of the grants for individuals offered by the Bush Foundation. To begin a new application, access your account as if you are applying for the first time. However, you will have the opportunity to use your email address and existing password.

Go to the Bush Artist Fellowships section on the website, click on Categories & Applications, and click on your category. At the bottom of that page, click on the link found near the bottom in the section Returning and First-Time Applicants. {Go to Top}

I attached/uploaded my narrative document, but can’t open it. Is it really there?

While you aren’t able to open documents attached to your application, you will see a box at the top of the “attachments” page of the application with the header of Uploaded Documents. Any documents that you attached/uploaded will be listed and you will have the option of removing them, if necessary. {Go to Top}

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