Application Deadline is January 12, 2012

Queens Council on the Arts is pleased to announce the 2012 Build Your Own Business (BYOB) for Individual Artists funded by the National Endowment for the Arts. Queens based emerging artists chosen for this opportunity will work with a professional consultant to establish career goals and create strategies to achieve them.

Qualified BYOB recipients will have received recognition for their artistic work and demonstrated a dedication to their career as an artist. Applicants will be evaluated on the quality, clarity and feasibility of the project goal, career goal or strategic plan that they expect to develop during the BYOB program.  The goal may include but is not limited to the development of a business plan for a project, a site map for a website, or a fundraising strategic plan.

Deadlines & Guidelines

Eligibility

• Recipient must be a full-time resident of Queens at the time of application and for the duration of the initiative. No P.O. Boxes accepted. Proof of residency will be requested at time of application to the program.
• Recipient must be at least 18 years of age.

Submission Guidelines

• Applications must be submitted online by January 12, 2012 at 5:00pm through the CueRate e-grant system locate at qca.cuerate.org  .No applications will be accepted after the deadline has passed.
• One application per person per year will be accepted.

Non-eligibility

• Full-time students in a graduate or undergraduate program.
• Previous Individual Artist Initiative recipients.

Criteria

• Quality, clarity and feasibility of proposed work during consultancy.
• Demonstration of readiness to effectively work with consultant.
• Quality and clarity of vision in artist statement.
• CV including previous recognition.
• Contact information for two references (i.e. past professor, curator, funder or mentor). Recommendation from previous Individual Artist Initiative recipients will be strongly considered.

Award Components and Commitments

• Fully financed consultancy including individual coaching meetings led by professional consultants to explore recipient’s professional needs. Between February and July 2012 there will be 3-4 meetings with your assigned consultant including at least one face-to-face meeting.   Additional email/phone support will be offered.
• Participation in Peer Leadership Circle meetings led by trained artist facilitators to promote the exchange of information, resources and ideas.  Monthly meetings will be held between February and July 2012.

Requirements Upon Receipt

• Attendance at program orientation tentatively scheduled for Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 5:30pm (location TBA).
• Attendance at program closing tentatively scheduled for Thursday, July 19, 2012 at 5:30pm (location TBA).
• Completion of deliverables agreed upon by artist and consultant.
• Completion of consultancy by July 19, 2012.
• Submission of program evaluation.
• Mentorship of future Individual Artist Initiative BYOB recipients, including attendance at workshops in subsequent years and meeting individually with other BYOB participants.

Selection Process

• Recipients will be selected through a competitive panel process.

Important Dates

• November 2011: Applications available
• January 12, 2012: Applications due
• Early February 2011: Recipients selected
• February 2012: Attend Orientation
• February – July 2012: Consultancy
• July 2012: Attend Program Closing
• July 2012: Program Evaluations

Required Application Materials

Answers to Application Questions

*Reminder: All Applications must be completed online through the CueRate system at QCA.Cuerate.Org

1. Provide an artist statement which includes your vision and mission as an artist. (250 words)
2. Describe your business philosophy as a professional artist. Include proactive steps you have taken to develop your career as an artist. (250 words)
3. What is the specific goal you wish to achieve as a BYOB recipient? For example, if your greatest need is fundraising then specify your objective within that, such as locating and targeting your potential corporate funders. Or, if it is marketing, specify your objective, such as creating a web presence through social media. (250 words)

References

Please submit contact information for two references. They may or may not be contacted by the panel.

Resume

Please include a one page artist resume. (Word/.doc file) (NO .docx files will be accepted)

Other Materials

• Proof of Queens residence (No P.O. Boxes or Studio addresses. Utility bills or driver’s licenses are accepted.)
• Supplemental materials (work sample description by discipline)
• In addition to these materials submit a work sample description. Be sure to include the medium and dimensions if applicable to your work. (60 words max). Supplemental materials that fall out of the artist’s disciplinary guidelines listed below will not be considered.

Work Samples

Work samples will supplement the panelists understanding of your project goals.

Visual Artists

Upload four to eight jpeg images. Include medium, dimensions, title, and date.

Performance Artists

Upload three to five minutes. You may show up to three separate samples, but the presented material must stay within the five minute maximum. No promotional videos or stills. Include medium, title, and date.

Media, Film, and Video Artists

Upload three to five minutes. You may show up to three separate samples, but the presented material must stay within the five minute maximum. No promotional videos or stills. Include medium, title, and date.

Literary Artists

Prose: Up to 5 pages from a singular literary sample. Format in a word document; 12 point font; double spaced. Include title and date.

Screenplay: Up to ten pages from a singular literary sample. Format in a word document; 12 point font; double spaced. Include title and date.

Poetry: Up to 5 poems, no more than five pages total. Format in a word document; 12 point font; double spaced. Include title and date.