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Technical Support
What if I do not have access to the internet at home?
There are many public places to access the internet: the local library, copy shops, arts councils, friends, internet cafes and family.
What should I do if I have trouble with my login?
If you are experiencing login or registration problems, please clear out the temporary Internet files in your browser software, close your software completely, then reopen it, go back to NYFA.org, and try logging in again.
If that fails, please choose to enable cookies in your Internet browser and virus/firewall software. NYFA.org drops a cookie onto your computer once you register so our site recognizes you every time you return. And please rest assured, your personal information will remain private and will not be shared with anyone, ever.
Who can I contact if I have technical problems?
Email Fellowships@nyfa.org, or click on “Technical Problems” in the upper right-hand corner of your application. To avoid technical problems we strongly recommend applying in advance of the deadline.
Should I read the guidelines before contacting NYFA for help?
Yes. Many of your questions will be answered by the guidelines. For the most competitive application, follow all the rules outlined in the guidelines and apply on time.
Program Questions
What is a Fellowship?
Artists' Fellowships are intended to fund an artist's vision or voice, regardless of the level of his or her artistic career point. NYFA is committed to supporting New York State artists of diverse cultural, sexual, and ethnic backgrounds. NYFA does not discriminate based on the age, gender, ethnicity, sexuality, or ability/disability of artists, and welcomes work whose content reflects the lived experiences of the applicants. Artists’ Fellowships are not project grants.
How are fellows selected?
Artists' Fellowships are chosen based on the single criterion of work that demonstrates a compelling vision as defined by the assembled panel's collective opinion. Materials are reviewed and voted on by the panelists in elimination rounds which produce a smaller pool for each round. An artist's advancement is a product of the collective vote of the panel. A single panelist cannot ensure an applicant's success or failure. Panel proceedings are reviewed by the Artists' Advisory Committee and by NYFA's Board of Trustees. Neither the Committee nor the Board reviews the work of applicants or makes any aesthetic judgments. Panelists' names are kept confidential until the awards are announced. Artists are awarded fellowships at all career levels.
How is work reviewed?
In visual arts, an artist's digital images are projected four at a time, horizontally, in the order uploaded by the applicant. Moderators will read aloud the materials, dimensions, and date of the first and fifth images to the panel. In categories accepting video, panelists review up to a total of four minutes of an applicant's work samples, and may scan through the entire work in later rounds. In the literature categories, manuscripts are reviewed by five readers across the state before assembling at NYFA for the final decision. For all categories, an applicant's statements are available for panelists to read as they review support materials. NOTE: This review process is not anonymous. Applicants' names are known by the panelists in all categories.
How are panels assembled?
Recommendations for potential panelists come from many sources including: the Artists' Advisory Committee, arts and cultural organizations around New York State and Indian Nations located in New York State, and suggestions from practicing artists. All potential panelists must be practicing artists in the discipline they review and must receive three recommendations from their field. The Artists' Advisory Committee then approves final choices that reflect considerations of genre, age, ethnicity, and geography within New York State and Indian Nations located therein. Applicants may participate in this process by suggesting themselves or others as panel candidates on the application. NOTE: Panelists change each year.
How important is my work statement?
The purpose of your work statement is to describe the work you have submitted for the panel to better understand it. Work is reviewed in a series of rounds, and the work statement is made available to panelists after the first review round. We recommend that you keep it concise and stay away from lengthy philosophical statements or “art speak”. Imagine that you were in the room with the panelists. What would you say briefly to describe the work you have submitted?
How do I choose the appropriate category in which to apply?
Ultimately, this decision starts and ends with the applicant: no applications will be disqualified - all applications are seen in the panel review process. However, each individual panel has the ability to choose not to advance applicants to further rounds if they deem the work noncompetitive in the category. Review the guidelines carefully; if you have further questions at that point, please contact us for advice.
How should I choose which of my work to submit?
Choose work to show the panel that represents your vision as an artist and work that you have done recently. Panelists are looking to fund an artist’s voice or vision, they prefer a strong stylistic presence, voice, or theme. This can be achieved by showing the panel the depth rather than breadth of your work and by showing a sample of something that you do well. When making your work sample selection, narrow it down to focus on one or two bodies of work that relate in some comprehensive way. The job of the work sample is to get you from the first round to the next, the panelists need to understand your work enough to peak their interest and vote for you to advance to the next round.
How important is my resume?
An applicants career point and publication or exhibition history are NOT a criteria for selection. Your resume is only available in later rounds upon the panelists' request: it is solely a way to give the panelists a context for your work. It will not make or break your application. We offer the option of using a traditional resume format or a biographical short paragraph format.
Can I send published work?
Yes, you may send published work. You may also have work published in the interim while we review applications. There is no restriction on published or unpublished work. In addition, applying with work samples does not put your materials in the public domain. Panelists are asked to review work samples independent of the artists career point, therefore the status of your work’s publication has no bearing on whether you receive a fellowship.
If I work with another artist, how do I apply?
Collaborating artists should apply together. A collaboration is defined as up to three artists who can clearly demonstrate an ongoing collaborative career. Collaborators only need to establish one online account, wherein each artist will provide his/her biographical information. However, only one set of statements and work sample(s) is required for the collective application. Should a collaborative application receive an award, the grant will be divided evenly between the collaborating artists. All individual applicants must clearly state their roles and must meet eligibility requirements.
Can I apply in more than one category?
You may apply in up to two different categories per year, but you may only receive funding in one. Open one account online, create an application for each category and submit separate support materials for each category. Indicate the other category in which you are applying on each application.
Can I apply if I am taking a class in an unrelated subject towards a degree or am a student in a degree-granting program that is unrelated to my application?
No. Regardless of your field of study, no matriculated students are allowed to apply for a Fellowship.
When are the fellowships announced?
All applicants will be notified of final decisions in early summer 2013. The names of all Fellows and the panelists who selected them are listed online at www.nyfa.org.
If I receive an award, what must I do?
Fellows must first verify their New York State residency or residency on an Indian Nation within New York State. Once a recipient has received notification of their award, they are required to submit documentation verifying their residency for the years 2010, 2011, and 2012. Acceptable documents include tax forms, phone bills, utility bills, bank statements, etc. Each Fellow must submit a final report on the Fellowship year. Most recent tax laws state that Fellowships are taxable income; consult your tax advisor.
How are my materials returned?
Artists’ Fellowships does not return any support materials. Please do not send originals.
I haven't received notification about the status of my application. When should I contact NYFA?
All Fellowship applicants will be notified by in early summer 2013 whether or not they have received Fellowships. If you have not received a letter by mid-June, please contact us.
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