Submit your application online at https://rauschenbergfoundation.submittable.com/submit

2017 ARTIST AS ACTIVIST: TWO-YEAR FELLOWSHIP GUIDELINES + APPLICATION WORKSHEET

CONTENTS

Fellowship at a Glance p/2 Program Overview p/2 Applicant Eligibility p/3 Eligible Project Goals + Stages p/4 Selection Criteria p/5 Eligible Grant Expenses p/5 Questions + Resources p/6 Online Application Instructions p/7 Application Worksheet p/8-10

Submit your application online at www.rauschenbergfoundation.submittable.com/submit 2

ARTIST AS ACTIVIST FELLOWSHIP AT A GLANCE THEME Racial justice with particular focus on mass incarceration WHO SHOULD APPLY? Artists and artist collectives seeking to work full-time on an existing creative work

tackling this issue FELLOWSHIP PERIOD May 2017 – April 2019 FELLOWSHIP GRANT Up to $100,000 over a two-year period

DEADLINE December 7, 2016, 11:59 pm (EST) Please note, the foundation is not able to grant extensions or accept late submissions

PHONE INTERVIEW DATES March 17, 2017 –March 24, 2017 For applicants invited to move to next round AWARD NOTIFICATION Late April 2017 APPLICATION WEBINAR October 27, 2016, 3:00 pm (EST)

PROGRAM OVERVIEW The Artist as Activist Two-Year Fellowship provides game-changing resources to independent artists who tackle important social challenges through their creative practice. Fellows receive up to $100,000 over a two-year period in order to advance an ambitiously-scaled project of their design. Most grants will be in the $50,000 range. Thematic Frame The thematic frame guiding the current open call is racial justice in the United States, with a particular focus on the epidemic of mass incarceration. Month-Long Artist Residency In addition to receiving financial support for the proposed project, 2017 Artist as Activist Fellows will gather as a group for five weeks at the foundation’s residency campus in Captiva, Florida. Participation for the full five weeks is a requirement of the fellowship and will take place during the fellowship period (between May 2017 and April 2019). The goal of this focused time together is to allow fellows to build an extended network of peers, gain access to new strategies for each fellow’s work in mass incarceration and racial justice, and to form productive collaborations as appropriate. The foundation intends to select a diverse cohort of fellows with complementary projects that contribute individually or collectively to the movement’s ecosystem.

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APPLICANT ELIGIBILITY The Robert Rauschenberg Foundation is seeking to support full-time, independent artists and artist collectives with a demonstrated ability to effectively apply their creative work to the public sphere AND who are dedicating the next two years of their practice to addressing racial justice through the lens of mass incarceration in the United States. More specifically:

o The Artist as Activist program defines the word “artist” in broad terms to include architects, cultural organizers, culture bearers, designers, master craftspeople, musicians, painters, performers, photographers, spoken-word poets, storytellers, and so forth. It is not the particular creative practice we are interested in as much as the efficacy of the approach.

o Artists and creative professionals may be at any stage of their career but must provide evidence of a

demonstrated capacity to fulfill the project they propose, and an intention and ability to work on the project full-time during the fellowship period.

o This opportunity is geared toward independent artists and artist collectives seeking to advance a project

that is already in process. This opportunity is not for the development of new work (see Stage of Project on page 4).

o Applicants cannot be enrolled as full-time students during the award period. o Projects and applicants must be U.S. based. o Each applicant can submit only one proposal to the program.

o Fellowships are awarded to individuals or collectives directly; they are not designed as grants to

organizations. If an artist or artist collective has formed a 501(c)(3) structure to facilitate their work in the public sphere, they may still apply for this fellowship as long as the entity’s annual budget is less than $300,000. This cap does not apply if an applicant is simply using a 501 (c)(3) organization as a fiscal sponsor.

o There are tax and budget implications to any method of receiving the fellowship funds whether you wish

to receive the funds directly, through a fiscal sponsor, or through a 501 (c)(3) you have formed. We cannot advise you as to which is the best method. You may wish to seek out the counsel of an accountant (or an artist services organization that can direct you to a similar resource).

Submit your application online at www.rauschenbergfoundation.submittable.com/submit 4

ELIGIBLE PROJECT GOALS + STAGES PROJECT GOALS The foundation is particularly interested in projects that employ creative problem solving to push toward a world where mass incarceration does not exist. That said, we understand that creative projects at the intersection of art and activism exist along a spectrum of change, seeking varied goals. Eligible projects should have one or more of the following GOALS:

o Imagining a world where mass incarceration does not exist and creating innovative tools, techniques, strategies, or alternative systems to make that possible.

o Creatively engaging people who are directly and/or indirectly impacted by mass incarceration to pursue specific, effective actions toward its eradication.

o Building a deeper and broader awareness of mass incarceration and its relationship to racial justice and/or insightfully changing public perception of the people who have been captured in this system. In other words, “changing hearts and minds.”

o Some combination of the above.

STAGE OF PROJECT Please note that this opportunity is geared toward independent artists and artist collectives working on a project at an ambitious scale that is already in process (whether it has been over the last six months or for the past six years) so that the fellowship provides resources to build on existing progress. This is not an opportunity to explore an idea that is only newly formed or at a small-scale. “Ambitious” projects are those that extend for a significant period of time; and/or reach a large number of people; and/or effect systemic change; and/or engage a variety of partners and strategies. The project may be in one of the following STAGES:

o Early Stage/Launch: having completed some initial testing and “proof of concept,” you are ready to move the project from its pilot into a full-scale production.

o Advancement: having gleaned initial lessons as well as accomplishments, you are seeking to grow the project to its next level of efficacy and reach.

o Late Stage/Conclusion: having grown the project to its full scale, you may be seeking to transition to a

more permanent partnership and to sustain it long-term; to document your model for application elsewhere; or otherwise position the now-established work to have sustained impact.

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SELECTION CRITERIA The selection committee is comprised of foundation leadership, program staff, and a national panel of experts in art, criminal justice, and philanthropy. Foundation leadership determines all final grant decisions. Successful applicants will demonstrate:

o A clear goal (see Eligible Project Goals + Stages on page 4) that reflects strong analysis of the problem of mass incarceration, its relationship to racial justice, and how the proposed project will make a meaningful intervention in this terrain based on your desired goal.

o How the project’s success is defined and how you will know when you have been successful.

o How you are uniquely positioned to produce this project. To what degree you have the ability to deploy a wide range of resources to address this issue.

o Substantial experience working at the intersection of art and activism broadly, as well as tackling issues of

racial justice and mass incarceration specifically. Additionally, a track record of success and evidence of capacity to accomplish your project’s goals.

o Strong work samples, where the work reflects thoughtful, clear objectives that have been executed well in

terms of both the intended social impact and artistic excellence.

o A sound project plan that includes a well-considered budget consistent with the scale and scope of the project’s aims. Most grants will be in the $50,000 range.

ELIGIBLE GRANT EXPENSES In order to remove some of the barriers for artists to effectively pursue creative projects applied to social challenges, the fellowship grant is unrestricted. Eligible expenses in the project budget are broad and can include:

o Stipends for you, as well as for project collaborators

o Living and healthcare expenses as you execute this project

o Production expenses o Travel or related costs to support working closely with and in the communities that inform the project

o Other costs directly related to producing the project

The fellowship can cover the full amount of the project, however, it is common for the fellowship to cover only a portion of the entire project budget. Few applicants receive the full requested amount.

Submit your application online at www.rauschenbergfoundation.submittable.com/submit 6

QUESTIONS + RESOURCES This document has provided a full account of the program’s requirements and application instructions. However, if after reviewing these materials you have additional questions, we have provided applicants with several resources that can be found on the foundation’s website in the How To Apply section. Before contacting foundation staff we encourage you to:

o Visit the Frequently Asked Questions page at: www.rauschenbergfoundation.org/grants/grants-faq

o Participate in the free webinar on Thursday, October 27, 2016, at 3pm (EST), which will provide an overview of the program and tips for putting together a competitive proposal. To register for the webinar, go to: www.rauschenbergfoundation.org/grants/upcoming-webinars-0

o Learn about the 2016 Artist as Activist Fellows by visiting: www.rauschenbergfoundation.org/grants/artist-as-activist-fellows

o Review the Budget Template on the Current RFP page: www.rauschenbergfoundation.org/grants/current-rfp-0

o Read the Program Statement on the Current RFP page: www.rauschenbergfoundation.org/grants/current-rfp-0

Any remaining questions can be directed to grants@rauschenbergfoundation.org. Due to the volume of inquiries we receive, please do not contact the foundation by phone.

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ONLINE APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS 1. All application materials must be provided through the foundation’s online application

portal: www.rauschenbergfoundation.submittable.com/submit. Materials will not be accepted through email, USPS, or any other method.

2. The online application will ask you to create a username and password. Individual applications are assigned to one account and cannot be edited by others unless the login ID is shared. If you are applying as a collective, this is especially important to note (see applicant profile on page 8). We recommend all applicants create login IDs immediately in order to become familiar with the application platform. We do not recommend waiting to create a login at the time of uploading final materials.

3. Although you can save drafts of your online application as you go, you may find it helpful to prepare responses

offline in advance, entering them into the online portal as they are complete. You will find an Application Worksheet on pages 8-10, which previews the online application’s components.

4. Proof your materials for spelling and grammar. Use succinct, clear language that is free of jargon. In

addition, be sure to test any links/URLs you may have included. Broken links and invalid URLs result in an incomplete application.

5. DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE DEADLINE TO UPLOAD YOUR MATERIALS. Given that you can save your online

application as you go, we highly recommend that you upload all application components well in advance of the deadline. Applicants who wait until the last minute are very likely to encounter technical difficulties due to the high volume of web traffic, which may result in a late and ineligible submission. The foundation is unable to grant extensions and incomplete applications will not be considered for funding.

6. When uploading materials, please make sure to follow instructions on how to name files and what file formats

to use for media. See the Application Worksheet on page 8. 7. Only one application per applicant will be accepted. You may be engaged in several relevant projects,

however this fellowship is an opportunity to pursue one project in particular. Uploading multiple applications will not boost your chances of support; we will only review the first application that we encounter.

8. Should you have questions about the program and application content we encourage you to use the

Resources on page 6. All other inquiries can be directed to the foundation via grants@rauschenbergfoundation.org. Staff will endeavor to help you as quickly as possible. If you encounter technical problems with online platform Submittable, please contact Submittable directly. Tech support is available at (855) 467 8264, ext. 2, weekdays from 8am-5pm (MST).

9. The foundation will conduct phone interviews in mid-March 2017 with applicants who are invited to move to

next the round. You may wish to block out this time in your calendar.

Submit your application online at www.rauschenbergfoundation.submittable.com/submit 8

APPLICATION WORKSHEET This worksheet is intended to: 1) provide you with a snapshot of the primary questions that will appear in Submittable and 2) give you guidance for those application questions that require more detailed response. The application is divided into three parts: APPLICANT PROFILE, PROJECT VISION, and WORK SAMPLES. All materials should be uploaded in PDF format unless otherwise noted. If you’re applying as an artist collective, files should be saved using the primary applicant’s name. See instructions below. We recommend logging onto Submittable early to get familiar with the application. Please follow the instructions below carefully. 1. APPLICANT PROFILE If you are applying as a collective, submit one application and designate one person to be the primary applicant and contact. Please do not submit separate applications for each member. If you plan to use a fiscal sponsor to receive fellowship funds you will be asked to submit your memorandum of understanding along with the sponsor’s 501(c)(3) tax determination letter. BIO (250 words or less) CV/RESUME Upload file as AAA17_Last name_First name_CV.pdf OTHER EXPERIENCE (200 words or less) We understand knowledge is acquired in a variety of ways and that many valuable experiences may not fit into the format of a CV/Resume. In that spirit, use this section to: 1) expand on experience not listed in your CV or Resume; 2) describe what schools of thought/lineages have influenced you; or 3) note any other training, apprentice programs, etc., in which you have participated.

VIDEO STATEMENT (three minutes or less) This video is a chance for us to understand “Why you? Why now?” It does not matter whether the video has been recorded professionally or by using a web camera or your phone. What is important is that you help us clearly understand why you are the right person to lead this project. Please address:

o How do your values, beliefs, experience, and training inform your approach to this project? o Why does this work matter to you? o Why is now the right time for you to execute this project?

Provide a link to YouTube or Vimeo. If it is password protected, please remember to include it in the indicated fields. LETTERS OF ENDORSEMENT (three) Provide testimony from three community partners or other voices relevant to the proposed project. Please ask them to describe in their own words: the need for this project, why you are particularly qualified to produce it, and what their role (if any) will be in its successful completion. Upload files as AAA17_Last name_First name_Endorsement.pdf

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2. PROJECT VISION

PROJECT SUMMARY Briefly describe your proposed project in two versions, one short (50 words or less) and one long (200 words or less). These summaries are meant to be quick snapshots of your proposed project and will be used on the foundation’s website and for press should your project receive funding.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION (1,000 words or less) Please upload a more detailed description and project plan. Upload file as AAA17_Last name_First name_ProjectDescription.pdf Be sure to address the following:

o Building on your project summary, briefly describe the creative project to address mass incarceration

you would pursue during the fellowship period.

o Please share your analysis of the problem of mass incarceration and how mass incarceration itself or the general public’s understanding of it might be different as a result of your fellowship project.

o Please share your project plan and timeline. Help us understand the current status/stage of the proposed project and what specifically you will do to move it forward during the fellowship period. Be sure to note any specific resources (e.g. partners, networks, technical skills, subject matter expertise, etc.) available to you to accomplish the project’s goals.

o How will you know your project has been successful?

PROJECT OVERVIEW You will also be asked a number of questions about your project such as, where your project takes place, the artistic discipline(s) in which you are working, and if your project is one of three strategies: Imagining a world where mass incarceration does not exist; engaging people who are directly and/or indirectly impacted; or building a deeper and broader awareness of mass incarceration and its relationship to racial justice. PROJECT BUDGET Please provide a detailed outline of the project’s income and expenses over both years of the fellowship. You will also be prompted to enter specific data from your budget in indicated fields. You may use your own format or follow the example provided on the foundation’s website on the How to Apply page. In your budget be sure to indicate which funding sources are secured and which you are still pursuing, as well as any relevant budget notes. For Eligible Grant Expenses please reference page 5 of this worksheet. Upload file as AAA17_Last name_First Name_Budget.pdf

Note: The foundation is willing to be the sole funder of the project, but applicants who have secured other sources will be more competitive candidates for support. The fellowship award can cover the full amount of the project; however, it is common for the fellowship to cover only a portion of the entire project budget. Few applicants receive the full requested amount.

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3. WORK SAMPLES + WORK SAMPLE NARRATIVES (five)

Provide five (5) examples of your work (in any medium), which best demonstrate your capacity and skills to produce this project.

• The first two (2) work samples must come from the project for which you are seeking support. • The next three (3) work samples should showcase past creative work that will help illustrate your

capacity to execute the project. Each WORK SAMPLE should have the following: 1. DESCRIPTION (150 words or less) that addresses the following:

• Contextual or background data about the work sample that helps reviewers better understand what they are seeing/hearing/reading

• Your rationale for including this particular work sample • Caption for the work (title, medium, year it was completed)

2. UPLOAD or LINK

a. Audio or Video Work should be uploaded to YouTube, Vimeo, or SoundCloud, etc. You will then provide a link to the appropriate URL. Remember to include the password, if applicable. This sample should be no longer than 2 minutes. If you link to a longer piece, provide a timestamp where reviewers should begin watching/listening (ex. “Start at 10:05”). Please note that if you don’t provide this guidance, reviewers will be instructed to view only the first two minutes.

b. Visual and/or Text-based If submitting text-based work, please limit it to 2,500 words or less.

Upload file as AAA17_Last name_First name_Worksample.pdf

If submitting images upload at 300 dpi with a file size of 25MB or below. Upload files in any of the following formats: pdf, jpg, tiff, gif or png as AAA17_Last name_First name_Worksample.extension

Please do not try to maximize the number of work samples submitted by putting multiple images in one page.