2023 Craft Research Fund Artist Fellowship Grant - Eligibility

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Proposals are welcome from mid-career artists, artisans, designers, makers, sculptures, and so on, who identify their practice within the field of craft. The Center, and by extension this grant, recognizes craft to be a particular approach to making with a strong connection to materials, skill, and process. We believe in empowering artists, makers, scholars, and curators to grow the field, embracing new definitions, technologies, and ideas while honoring craft's history and relationship to the handmade. Craft, in all its forms, demonstrates creativity, ingenuity, and practical intelligence. It contributes to the economic and social wellbeing of communities, connects us to our cultural histories, and is integral to building a sustainable future.

Applicants must be:

• 21 years of age or older
• Eligible to receive taxable income in the U.S.
• Residing and working in the U.S. for the last two years and for the duration of the Fellowship period
• Mid-career: Artist must self-identify as mid-career

Applicants cannot be:

• An institution
• A full-time student in a degree-granting program or its equivalent
• Students at the time of applying, even if graduation is pending the same year
• Disqualified persons, such as substantial contributors to the Center for Craft as well as current employees, consultants, or board members of the Center for Craft, or immediate family members of such a person
• A previously awarded Craft Research Fund - Artist Fellow

For the purpose of this grant, the Center for Craft understands craft research to be:

• A method of working in an established craft practice used in relation to a proposed project that will contribute to new knowledge.
• A systematic investigation to establish facts, test theories, and reach new knowledge or new understanding.
• A combination of qualitative and quantitative research that underscores a specific craft practice.
• Thinking in, through, and with craft in a way that expands the field.
• The work (material development, process, subject, information, experiences) that goes into creating a new work of art.

Examples of craft research might include:

• Archive and museum-based research
• Material innovations, experimentation
• Process-oriented research/innovation
• Historical research
• Collaborations among artists and/or other disciplines and/or institutions
• Projects that have the potential to transform questions that are being asked in an academic context

The Center for Craft prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation based on sex, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability or perceived disability, age, marital status, gender identity, veteran status, or any other protected category. The Center encourages applications from historically underrepresented populations. Submitting an application does not constitute a promise or guarantee of being awarded a grant or fellowship.

USE OF FUNDS 

• For the purpose of this grant, the Center for Craft requires that all grant recipients provide financial remuneration to working artists for their time, labor, and services rendered toward the awarded project scope and goals. For remuneration estimates, we recommend consulting the floor wages listed on the Working Artists and the Greater Economy (W.A.G.E.) fee calculator website at https://wageforwork.com/fee-calculator#top. 
• When working with community members, the Center for Craft requires that all grant recipients provide financial remuneration for their time, labor, and services rendered toward the awarded project scope and goals.
• For travel purposes, the Center for Craft recommends recipients follow the Federal Travel Regulation and Reimbursement Rates.
• 2023 Craft Research Artist Fellows are expected to propose and use a portion of the grant funds to cover the cost of dissemination. Additional funding will not be provided to cover exhibition costs, publication printing, or other forms of dissemination.

2023 Craft Research Fund Artist Fellowship Grant – Requirements

• 70% percent of the grant will be awarded upon return of a signed contract. 
• Recipients will provide a two-page status report and plan for disseminating research to include a title, a 250-word description and 3-5 marketing images by January 30, 2023. 
• The final 30% will be awarded upon receipt of a final report, including a project narrative, and two copies of any publication produced as a result of the research grant. The project must be completed within 18 months, due June 2024, with a final report deadline of August 31, 2024. If there is no publication, please provide a copy of the completed research in full. Please include the location and number of attendees if the research was disseminated through a conference presentation, lecture, or performance.
• Recipients will acknowledge support from “Craft Research Fund Artist Fellowship administered by the Center for Craft” in any publications or presentations resulting from the grant, to include the Center for Craft’s logo.
• This application requires a $15 fee to be paid through SlideRoom.

2023 Craft Research Fund Artist Fellowship Grant - Review Process

‍A panel of reviewers, who are recognized craft artists, scholars, and/or curators, free of any conflict of interest, will evaluate the applications based on the following criteria and five Fellows will be selected:

• Artistic merit and/or originality
• Proposal supports the creation of new research and knowledge through craft practice
• Feasibility, i.e. applicant contains the experience and ability to carry out proposed research project
• Timely - both in the sense of: Are the questions asked by the applicant timely? Is this grant timely in the artists career trajectory/ is this the right time for them to receive this grant?
• Representation and/or visibility - priority will be given to artists who are underrepresented in the field.
• Demonstrates a new and/or significant contribution to the field of craft
• The research is consistent with and furthers the mission of the Center for Craft.

Considerations in final selections:

The Center for Craft respects, values, and celebrates the unique attributes, characteristics and perspectives that make each person who they are. We foster open communication of diverse perspectives and bring a broad range of individuals together to enrich and support programming. Ultimately we will ask the jury to compose a group of recipients deserving of further recognition while prioritizing diversity, both in and outside of academia, and representing a range of geographies, materials, and communities served.

2023 Craft Research Fund Artist Fellowship Grant - How to Apply

‍GRANT INFORMATION SESSION: A virtual application information session will be held on Tuesday, September 6, from 3 - 4 pm ET. The information session recording will be available on the Center for Craft website.

DEADLINE: The application for Craft Research Fund - Artist Fellowship must be submitted via SlideRoom no later than 11:59pm on October 21, 2022. Notification of awards will be released by the end of December 2022 for projects beginning January 2023. Work outlined in the grant request must be completed within 18 months of the award.

NOTIFICATION: Notification of the results will be sent via email by the end of December 2022 for a start date of January 1, 2023. The e-mail address listed on the application form will be used to send out notifications. Please be sure that it is a valid account that you check regularly.

HOW TO APPLY: Applicants must apply using the online application program SlideRoom at http://www.centerforcraft.slideroom.com.

Please review the sample application below before beginning your application.

Please note there is a separate application for each Craft Research Fund category.

All applicants should create a login to be able to partially complete the form and return to finish it at a later date. Before submitting your application, you will be directed to a confirmation page where you will be able to review your form and return to edit or delete your uploaded files as needed. Once you submit your application, you will not be able to access your form again. Applicants will receive a confirmation email once the application form has been successfully submitted.

2023 Craft Research Fund – Artist Fellowship SAMPLE APPLICATION

This is only a sample application, all applications must be completed in SlideRoom.

Proposal to be submitted via SlideRoom as follows:

Demographic Survey

Please note that the data from the demographics section will only be used anonymously for grant writing and reporting to provide an overall understanding of who the Center for Craft serves. Center for Craft has and upholds an organizational nondiscrimination policy. Completion of this survey will in no way affect your application. You must complete the form; however, you may answer each question with the "prefer not to answer" option. Thank you.

1. What is your age?
2. What is your gender identity?
3. Do you identify as LGBTQ?
4. Do you identify as Latinx/Hispanic?
5. What category best describes your race?
6. What is your current household income in US dollars?
7. What is the highest level of school you have completed? If currently enrolled, mark the highest degree/level already achieved.
8. Would you like to receive the Center for Craft newsletters?
9. How did you learn about this opportunity?
10. Have you previously applied for a Center for Craft grant/fellowship? 

Cover sheet

1. Applicant name(s)
2. Your title and organization (if applicable)
3. Your personal or project specific website
4. Are you over the age of 21? (yes or no)
5. Have you lived in the United States for at least two years? (yes or no)
6. Are you able to receive income in the UnitedStates or U.S. territories that is taxable by the United States or U.S.territories for the duration of the project period? (yes or no)
7. Do you self identify as a mid-career artist? 
8. Project Title (up to 15 words/ 85 character limit)
9. Summary of research proposal (50 words/ 300 character limit)

Application‍

1. Artist statement (up to 500 words/ 3,000 character limit)

2. Summary of research proposal, including project deliverables (up to two pages/ 10,000 character limit)

3. How will this research advance your artistic practice? Why is now an optimal time in your career to receive this award? (250 words/ 1,500 character limit)

4. How do you define research in the context of your practice? What questions will you address through your research? (250 words/ 1,500 character limit) *Please see the "Eligibility" tab on the grant website for a definition of research.

5. How will you plan to share your research? (250 words/ 1,500 character limit)

6. What communities do you hope your project will impact (please limit to up to three) (250 words/ 1,500 character limit)

7. Timeline (form provided in SlideRoom): Please provide a timeline and schedule for completing the project. The grant period begins on January 1, 2022. Projects must be completed by June 30, 2024 (18 months from start date).‍

8. Budget Income Form (form provided in SlideRoom): Please list the total amount requested from the Craft Research Fund here ($10,000). If you have additional sources of secured or anticipated (prospected) income, please list them here. Please list no more than 10 items. Examples of income: 

• Other grants secured/prospected
• Support from institutions 
• In-kind support (for example percentages of salaries or hourly rates for time commitments)

9. Budget Expense Form (form provided in SlideRoom): Please complete the Budget Expense Form for your proposal (provided in SlideRoom). Please include your plan for disseminating your research. Please list no more than 20 items. Please request the full award amount of $10,000. Examples might include: 

• Support Stipends/Honoraria
• Travel/Expenses (include lodging and meals- itemized by location)
• Contracted Services (such as photography)
• Materials/Equipment
• Exhibition costs, publication printing costs, or other formats of disseminating  research

10. Please provide a budget narrative for any budget items that require further explanation. (4,000 character limit)

11. Attachment: CV of relevant education and experience (no more than 4 pages).

12. Please provide two letters of support. References should be requested through your application in SlideRoom and are due at the same time as the application, October 1 (11:59pm EST), 2020.

13. 10 to 15 work samples.

Allowed Media Types

• Images (up to 5MB each) 
• Video (up to 250MB each) 
• Audio (up to 30MB each) 
• PDFs (up to 10MB each)
• 3D Models via Sketchfab 
• External media from YouTube, Vimeo, and SoundCloud Only

You have the option of uploading any combination of images or video links (from hosting sites such as Vimeo, Flickr, or YouTube.) During the review process, only the first 2 minutes of each video sample, so please edit your materials accordingly. Images should be in a JPEG format no larger than 1600 pixels on any side @ 300 dpi. Name each jpeg file with “Last NameImageTitleNumber.jpg,” i.e., “SmithUntitled1.jpg”, “SmithUnititled2.jpg,” etc. Each uploaded image or video link must be accompanied by a corresponding image description (up to 50 words). Please include the title, date, medium, size, and a short description of each uploaded image or media file.

2023 Craft Research Fund Artist Fellowship Grant - FAQ

Can collectives apply?

We understand that there are many collaborative partnerships in the art world and we encourage you to apply as long as all members of the collective meet the requirements of the application. You can find specific instructions on how to navigate our application as a collective in the application itself. Collectives must demonstrate an extensive collaborative practice.

Where can I find information about previous recipients of the Craft Research Fund Artist Fellowship?

Check out our online Grant Recipient Archive here. You can sort by grant opportunity by clicking on “Grant” or search “Artist Fellowship” in the search Filter.

‍Does the Craft Research Fund Artist Fellowship support ongoing projects?

The purpose of the Craft Research Fund Artist Fellowship is to support new research projects. Past research in similar subject areas or methodology can bolster and strengthen an application, but is not required for new research project proposals.‍

If I don’t win the award, can I apply again next year?

Yes, as long as you still meet the requirements for application.‍

If I receive a fellowship, will I have to pay taxes on my award?

Yes, all cash prizes are taxable income.

May I mail a hard copy of my application materials to the Center for Craft’s office?

No, hard copy submissions will not be accepted. The application must be completed and submitted through SlideRoom.

Can I work on my application and return to complete it at a later date?
Yes, creating a login account will enable you to complete the form in several online sessions.

I just submitted my application but I want to return to it and make an edit. Is this possible?

No, once your application is submitted, you will not be able to return to the form or change any submitted information. The application fee must also be paid at the time of submitting your application as you will not be able to log-in again to access the payment page again.

What if my project timeline is affected by COVID? ‍

If your project timeline is affected by COVID, requests for extensions of up to 6 additional months may be made after the grant is awarded.

I have previously received a Center for Craft grant. Am I eligible to apply? 

Yes 

I have previously received a Center for Craft Research Fund Artist Fellowship. Am I eligible to apply? 

No 

I have previously received a Center for Craft grant but did not complete the project or am still in the progress of completing the project I was funded for. Am I eligible to apply? 

No

Are applicants responsible for obtaining copyrights to documents, images, and manuscripts included in their research? 

Yes

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I have a question that wasn’t answered. How can I reach the Center for Craft?

If you have any further questions, please contact grants@centerforcraft.org.