ARTIST LEADERSHIP
- FUNDING AREA
- ELIGIBLITY
- HOW TO APPLY
- SELECTION PROCESS
EMERGING ARTIST
- FUNDING AREA
- HOW TO APPLY
- APPLICATION (PDF)
FUNDING AREA: ARTIST LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
The Artist Leadership Program enables indigenous artists to research, document, network, and develop life skills to enhance artistic growth and strengthen career development. This program also provides a positive mentorship opportunity for artists and communities through art and cultural learning activities. Artists may apply to the Artist Leadership Program in one of three areas:
1) Youth Public Art
2) Community Arts Symposium
3) Artist’s Community Workshop
Selected artists will participate in this two-part program, first, with a visit to Washington, D.C., to conduct research in the collections of the National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) and other local museum institutions; participate in interviews with Collections and Education staff; conduct lunch-time presentations for NMAI staff and the museum public; and visit area galleries. Selected artists will receive assistance to make appointments for training and museum research visits. While in Washington, D.C., artists will also be provided professional training services that may include grant writing, web portfolio, marketing and career strategies, and business and leadership development.
Artists selected for the Youth Public Art, Community Arts Symposium and Artist’s Community Workshop will be in Washington, D.C., for ten days.
NMAI program staff will provide a detailed itinerary prior to the artist's arrival, give an orientation, and offer administrative assistance for presentations to museum staff. Air travel and hotel lodging costs associated with the trip will be reimbursed to the artist.
The second part of the program follows the visit. The artist will return home to facilitate one community project in order to share the knowledge learned from the experience and research visit to Washington, D.C.. The project should be completed before June of the year following the trip. The artist will choose one of the three following project options:
OPTION #1 - YOUTH PUBLIC ART
After the visit, the artist will return to their community and identify a local youth group to design, develop, and complete a public art project that will result in a finished product such as a sculpture, mural, theatrical work, musical performance, or video. Suggested themes for this public art project: youth identity, language, or the environment. The artist will provide ten art/production lessons to at least five community youth during the project schedule. NMAI staff will document the finished project, conduct oral interviews of the artist and youth group, and post selected materials to the NMAI website. The NMAI will provide an engraved plaque appropriate for the project that will include title, short description, participant names, and completion date.
The selected Youth Public Artist will receive a $7,000 contract award to cover project costs, supplies, and materials. The artist is also responsible for appropriate federal and state taxes on this award amount.
OPTION #2 - COMMUNITY ARTS SYMPOSIUM
This project promotes artistic leadership and scholarship through development of a community symposium on an art-related topic of local significance—one that has far-reaching impact and produces new knowledge and understanding. Suggested themes for the symposium: identity, language, or the environment. Proposals that reflect intercultural exchanges among indigenous peoples of the Western Hemisphere are strongly encouraged.
After the visit, the selected artist will return to his or her community and collaborate with the NMAI and community members on the selection of symposium panelists, moderator, and location; draft a press release; refine the symposium content and direction; and outline how the symposium will be documented on the NMAI website.
The selected Community Arts Symposium Artist will receive a $6,000 contract award to cover project costs, supplies, and materials. The artist is also responsible for appropriate federal and state taxes on this award amount. The NMAI will offer financial support for audio/visual documentation, transcription, travel, and lodging for up to two panelists and one moderator; and honoraria for up to four panelists and one moderator.
OPTION #3 - ARTIST’S COMMUNITY WORKSHOP
After the visit, artists will return to their community to plan and manage a free workshop. The purpose of the workshop is to share knowledge and demonstrate skills gained from the collections research visit to Washington, D.C. The artist will select workshop location, create agenda and syllabus, obtain materials, and facilitate advertising and registration. The workshop should provide one to three days instruction to at least ten community members interested in learning artistic skills. NMAI staff will document portions of the event by photography and video; conduct oral interviews of the artist and workshop attendees; and post selected materials to the NMAI website.
The selected Community Artist’s Workshop Artist will receive a $7,000 contract award to cover project costs, supplies, and materials. The artist is also responsible for appropriate federal and state taxes on this award amount.
To apply to the Artist Leadership Program, the following application material must be received by the first Monday in April:
1) Completed Application
2) Research Proposal (500 words, max.)
3) Project Proposal (500 words, max.)
4) Digital Portfolio (10 images)
5) Letters of support
Please read the following guidelines on organizing and submitting this material:
Research Proposal:
Project Proposal:
Digital Portfolios:
Letters of support:
The application packet with all required supporting materials must be received by the first Monday in April. Only complete applications will be reviewed. All responses must be typed in a minimum 10-pt. font. Application materials will be not returned.
Please send completed applications to:
ARTIST LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of the American Indian
Cultural Resources Center
Community and Constituent Services Department
4220 Silver Hill Road
Suitland, MD 20746-2863
Questions or for additional information, please contact:
Phone: 301-238-1544
Fax: 301-238-3200
Email: ALP@si.edu
An independent review panel will review all complete applications and make recommendations to NMAI program staff. The staff will then prepare letters of recommendation and determine the final awards.
You will receive a letter and/or email of acceptance and telephone communication from NMAI program staff.
All awardees will be announced and letters of non-acceptance will be sent out by August of each year. Projects will begin in October and must be completed by June of the following calendar year.
FUNDING AREA: EMERGING ARTIST PROGRAM
The Emerging Artist Program seeks to enhance the artistic growth of emerging artists in high school and college.
1) College Student Artist
2) High School Student Artist
Selected artists will participate in this two-part program, first, with a visit to Washington, D.C., to conduct research in the collections of the National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) and other local museum institutions; participate in interviews with Collections and Education staff; conduct lunch-time presentations for NMAI staff and the museum public; and visit area galleries. Selected artists will receive assistance to make appointments for training and museum research visits. While in Washington, D.C., artists will also be provided professional training services that may include grant writing, web portfolio, marketing and career strategies, and business and leadership development.
OPTION #1 - COLLEGE STUDENT ARTIST
This program recognizes and promotes indigenous artistic leadership among students enrolled in tribal colleges and American Indian study programs.
The selected artists will participate in a five-day visit to Washington, D.C., to conduct research in the collections of the NMAI and other area museums; conduct a staff presentation at the NMAI; and participate in a recorded interview. The participant will be provided professional training services that may include grant writing, web portfolio, marketing and career strategies, and business and leadership development sessions.
Upon returning to college, the art student will create a new artwork and provide photographic documentation that may be used in future NMAI projects or publications. The artist will also provide a short description about the art process or completed art project. Suggested themes include: American Indian identity in higher education, language, or the environment. The photos and recorded interview may be posted on the NMAI website.
Selected College Student Artists will receive support for travel, hotel, and per diem, and a $500 honorarium.
OPTION #2 - HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT ARTIST
This program is a collaborative effort between the NMAI and the U.S. Department of Indian Education. The NMAI wishes to recognize and promote indigenous artistic leadership for Native high school students. This program is not based on an application submission, but rather it awards the program opportunity to the first-place winner in the U.S. Department of Indian Education’s National Art Contest. For information about the Department of Indian Education’s National Art Contest, please visit www.indianeducation.org.
For the High School Student Artist that is awarded this opportunity, the NMAI will provide training and an opportunity to produce new artwork. The selected artist will participate in a three-day visit to Washington, D.C., to conduct research in the collections of the NMAI and other area museum institutions, and to participate in a recorded interview.
While in Washington, D.C., the artist will receive training that may include grant writing, résumé and web portfolio strategies, marketing, and business and leadership development. Upon returning to high school, the art student will create a new artwork and provide photographic documentation that may be used in future NMAI projects or publications. In addition, the artist will provide a 500-word essay about the artwork. Recommended themes for the piece may include: American Indian identity in high school, language, or the environment. Photos of the new artwork, the recorded interview, and essay may be posted on the NMAI website.
NMAI program staff will collaborate with the student artist for recorded interviews, training options, scheduling for the creation of new art, and content for essays.
The selected High School Student Artist and one parent or guardian will receive support for travel, hotel, and per diem. The student will also receive a $250 honorarium. NMAI Program staff will provide a detailed itinerary prior to the group’s arrival, give an orientation upon arrival, and offer administrative assistance for presentations to museum staff.
The winner of the U.S. Department of Indian Education’s National Art Contest will be receive an invitation to participate as the NMAI High School Student Artist.
To apply to the Emerging Artist Program as a College Artist, the following application material must be received by the first Monday in April:
1) Completed Application
2) Research Proposal (500 words, max.)
3) Project Proposal (500 words, max.)
4) Digital Portfolio (10 images)
5) Letters of support
Please read the following guidelines on organizing and submitting this material:
Research Proposal: Describe the cultural area or community, type of objects, and time period to be researched. Describe any culturally sensitive objects that you wish to research (ceremonial or medicinal items, masks, pipes, etc.) Please note that a letter of community permission may be necessary to examine these culturally sensitive items. Describe how you plan to document your research. Describe how the museum collection research activity will benefit your college education, advance your artistic endeavors, and benefit your anticipated art project.
Digital Portfolios: Submit five (5) images of your work in the last three years. PowerPoint presentations on CD with artist name are preferred. Please include complete caption information with each image. Captions must include your name, title of the work, date created, medium, and dimensions.
Letters of Support: One (1) letter of support from a college professor and one (1) letter from a member of the indigenous community familiar with your art, scholastic, and community experiences and accomplishments.
The application packet with all required supporting materials must be received by the first Monday in April. Only complete applications will be reviewed. All responses must be typed in a minimum 10-pt. font. Application materials will be not returned.
Please send completed applications to:
EMERGING ARTIST PROGRAM
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of the American Indian
Cultural Resources Center
Community and Constituent Services Department
4220 Silver Hill Road
Suitland, MD 20746-2863
Questions or for additional information, please contact:
Phone: 301-238-1544
Fax: 301-238-3200
Email: ALP@si.edu
