Bush Foundation Fellowships

Visit the Bush Foundation

Fellowship Programs Enter Refining Period

Julie Dalgleish Leaving Foundation

Bush Artist Program Introduces 2010 Fellows

FAQ - Dakota Creative Connections

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 DAKOTA CREATIVE CONNECTIONS (DCC)

FAQ – ONLINE APPLICATIONS

 

General Dakota Creative Connections (DCC)

What kinds of artists receive the DCC project grants?

There is no typical DCC grantee. The program is open to artists at every stage in their life’s work-from emerging to mature. Last year, the first for the program, included artists at the beginning of their careers as well as those at mid-career.

There are no quotas that the panels need to fill. In other words, they don’t choose an equal number of artists from each of the categories, 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 who have proposed projects that will likely assist the artists to continue their development. {Go to Top}

May I see copies of applications from people who received the DCC grants?

Because there are no formulas for selecting grantees and because the artists 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}

May I submit an application in more than one category?

No, unlike the Bush Artist Fellowship process, the DCC applicants will be reviewed by only one interdisciplinary panel. We can accept only one application for each artist. {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 project proposal with someone?

Yes, you may call the DCC 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. On average, expect a 48 hour turnaround time on all feedback requests. You may send them to dcc@springboardforthearts.org. {Go to Top}

May a team of artists apply for a fellowship?

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

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

The DCC is open to any artist, from emerging to mature, who is at least 21-years-old. {Go to Top}

May 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. – See guidelines for more information. {Go to Top}

What’s the difference between a project grant and a fellowship?

The DCC requires the applicant to submit a specific project that can be carried out over a year to 18 months and a budget to execute that project. At the end of the grant period, the work carried out by the artist should reflect in the final report the intent of the project proposal that was originally submitted and awarded.

This is different from the Bush Artist Fellowships (grants of $50,000) which are unrestricted grants. While the applicant makes a proposal for this program, the fellows have greater flexibility to change the direction of their work plan. {Go to Top}

How detailed does my budget need to be?

You are provided a form to complete that shows both income and expenses in several general categories. We suggest, however, that you use the box provided following the budget form to include details that will help the panel to better understand the scope of the project. {Go to Top}

 

Online Applications

I applied for a Bush Artist Fellowship a few months ago – can I use the same account and password to submit my Dakota Creative Connections 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 DCC 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.

Please note that the Foundation cannot provide login name and password information if it is lost. {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}

Click on the following link to be added to our mailing list for program news and updates.