Bush Foundation Fellowships

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FAQ — Bush Artist Fellowship

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 – LITERARY ARTS

FAQ – MUSIC COMPOSITION

 

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. {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 a significant amount of time between mid September and mid October, 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?

Because of the recent changes in the program and the introduction of the on-line application, we strongly urge all potential applicants to attend an information meeting. However, your attendance is not required in order to apply. In addition to learning about program changes, you will gain a better understanding of the program and a deeper understanding of its nuances.

At the meeting we will demonstrate the new 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}

Are there eligibility requirements for applying?

Yes, please see the Program Description & Eligibility section and the individual program guidelines for eligibility for the literature and script works categories. There are no additional requirements for the other 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 would encourage you to apply for the new Dakota Creative Connections which provides project specific grants between $3,000 and $6,000. {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 on-line application tool for your written application. Literary and script works work samples also should be submitted through the on-line tool. DVD, CD, CD-Rom and other audio/video work samples for other categories 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}

 

For Literary Arts Applicants

Please also see the Program Description & Eligibility section and the category guidelines for additional information.

Does self-publishing or Internet publishing fulfill eligibility for writers?

We will only consider publications, either print or electronic, that have been through a third-party editorial review. We will not accept self-published works as a part of the eligibility requirements. {Go to Top}

I write a column for my local newspaper. Does that fulfill eligibility for creative nonfiction?

The panel will not review work that is reportorial in nature—in other words, stories about news of the day. However, if the newspaper regularly features fiction or poetry or commentaries in which a personal perspective on a subject of community interest is the focus of the piece, you may include those works under the eligibility requirements for literature. {Go to Top}

I write both poetry and fiction, can I submit samples of both?

While all literary work samples will be reviewed by the same panel, your application will be strongest if you choose one genre. Since you are limited on the number of pages you can submit, you’ll want to focus as much as possible and limiting yourself to one genre will help a great deal. This also allows the panel to focus on making an assessment in one area instead of two. {Go to Top}

When I select a category, is it acceptable to choose fiction even though my samples are non-fiction? If I select creative non-fiction, do I need to submit a different plan?

We would encourage you to submit work samples that reflect the kind of work you’d like to pursue in your fellowship plan. In this process you are asking the panel to make an assessment on your work AND your plan – the panel needs to be able to make an assessment as to whether or not the fellowship plan would help you to advance your work in this particular area. Sharply focusing your entire application is the strongest way to approach your presentation to the panel. {Go to Top}

Can I submit a work sample that has not been published?

Yes. Your work sample does not need to have been published nor does it need to reflect the work identified for eligibility. You may submit a work in progress, but be sure to identify it as such. {Go to Top}

I’d like to send a volume of my work as the work sample, can I just indicate which pages to read?

No, please send manuscript pages only. Actual copies or photocopies of books, magazines or journals will not be accepted. {Go to Top}

 

For Music Compostion Applicants

Please also see the Program Description & Eligibility section and the category guidelines for additional information.

How important are scores? Can I submit work without a score?

When scores are appropriate for the work submitted, the panels do appreciate receiving the scores. Scores are not required for improvised work or for song writing. However, lyric sheets for songs are appreciated. Please see the guidelines for instructions on how to submit the scores. {Go to Top}