Craft/Sculpture Guidelines
➔ Craft/Sculpture
Application Deadline: Wednesday January 25, 2023, 5:00 PM EST
NYFA only accepts applications submitted online at apply.nyfa.org/submit.
GRANT TIMELINE
Application Open: Tuesday, October 25, 2022 10:00 AM EDT
Application Deadline: Wednesday, January 25, 2023, 5:00 PM EST
Applicants Notified: Summer 2023
DESCIPLINE DEFINITION
The Craft/Sculpture category accepts work in all forms of craft, including ceramics, glass, wood, metal, fiber, textiles, and mixed media. This category accepts work in all forms of sculpture, including kinetic works and installations.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
When submitting an application to the Craft/Sculpture Category you will need to complete:
Required:
- Work Samples – up to 10 digital images with descriptions
- Artist Statement – up to 100 words
- Work Statement – up to 100 words
Optional written statements:
- Excerpt Explanation – up to 400 words
- Technical Statement – up to 200 words
- Cultural Statement – up to 400 words
Questions? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions Page or email [email protected].
WORK SAMPLES – IMAGES
Applicants can submit up to 10 digital images. You do not need to submit all 10 work samples if you feel your practice is represented well with fewer.
Work samples are a representation of your artistic work created within the last five years. This is the most important part of your application, as it will be the primary point of review. Keep in mind the panel reviews a large volume of material in quick succession; therefore, it is very important that you present your work clearly.
We do not recommend applicants combine multiple independent work sample images into one image file (for example: including 4 non-connecting image files together in a grid format). Each application can only have up to 10 artworks represented through the image work samples. Images of diptychs, installations, and multi-part works are accepted.
Work Sample Descriptions: Before you upload your files to your application, you will need to name your files. Do not label any work samples with your name. Instead, label each uploaded work sample starting with a number 01 through 10, followed by the title of the work. Number your files in the order you would like them to be reviewed.
Metadata Section in Application: A metadata section will appear on your application form after your work sample has been uploaded. In this section, you will be able to provide a description of your work which includes the title(s), date(s) the work was completed, materials, dimensions, and additional information (for example: format, equipment, location etc.). If your piece is largely conceptual, and requires additional written context, please explain this in the “additional information” section using 1 – 2 sentences.
File name: label each image starting with a number 01 through 10, followed by the title of the work, ex. 01_Landscape.jpg. Do not include your name.
File size: No larger than 4.0 MB (each image)
File format: .jpg
Formatting tips for images: When formatting your images, RGB is the recommended color profile for screen viewing. You can use image editing software such as Photoshop or Preview to edit, resize and format your images.
SUPPORT STATEMENTS
A short, concise statement giving an overview of your artistic practice. This statement should give a brief introduction to ideas, themes and methods in your practice. This is not an Artist’s Bio. The artist statement is available to panelists in the second round of review.
A statement explaining your artistic vision as directly related to your submitted work samples. This is not an artist statement, but should instead reflect only the ideas and inspiration relevant ONLY to the work submitted. The work statement is available to panelists in the first round of review.
Questions to consider for your Work Statement: Referencing only the submitted Work Samples
1. What is your submitted work about?
2. How does this work represent the primary concerns and intentions of your artistic practice as described in your artist statement?
A supplemental statement further explaining the context, concept, and execution of your work sample(s). This statement can also explain how the excerpted work sample(s) relate to the entire original piece. Within the Excerpt Explanation you can itemize each submitted Work Sample and talk about them individually.
Questions to consider for your Excerpt Explanation: Referencing only the submitted Work Samples
1. What information is needed to give context to your work samples?
2. Consider itemizing your excerpt explanation, describing each work sample.
A supplemental statement describing the key technical aspects of the work. Use this statement to highlight your role in creating/executing the work. Be sure to note whether your work samples represent documentation of a performance, installation, experience, etc. You can also describe the circumstances in which the viewer/audience should experience the work. Please include instructions on how to navigate your work if it’s interactive.
Questions to consider for your Technical Statement: Referencing only the submitted Work Samples
1. How was the work created/executed?
2. What specific techniques are integral to creating the work?
3. What is the original context for this work, i.e. photo essay, book, etc?
A supplemental statement describing how your work is rooted in a specific cultural technique, tradition or community.
Write a Cultural Statement if: Referencing only the submitted Work Samples
1. Your practice stems from a specific and/or unique cultural tradition.
2. The understanding of your work is dependent on the context of a cultural community.
HOW TO APPLY
All applications must be submitted via the online application platform Submittable at https://apply.nyfa.org/. NYFA does not accept any physical copies of applications.
Applicants must have a Submittable account in order to access the application form and upload supporting materials. To create a free account, click on the NYSCA/NYFA Artist Fellowship: Craft/Sculpture application, enter your details, and click Create Account and Continue. A verification email will be sent to your email address; check your inbox and click on the link provided in the email to verify your account.* If you already have an account, sign in and begin the application.
*If you do not receive an email from Submittable in your inbox, be sure to check your Spam inbox.
Saving your progress on Submittable: To save your working application as a draft, scroll to the bottom of the form and select Save Draft. Applications are not considered complete until you hit Submit. Sign in here to access your draft application.
Locating your Submitted Application: Click here review your Submitted application.
Notifications: Applicants will be notified of their application results via Submittable. We recommend using an email address that is regularly active to ensure that you are receiving updates.
HOW ARE APPLICATIONS REVIEWED?
Applications are reviewed online over the course of 3 elimination rounds. All applications will be reviewed anonymously in the first round of review.
In Round 1, the panel will have access to each applicants’ Work Samples (up to 10 images) and the Work Statement. Applications are assigned a number and reviewed anonymously. In this round, panelists are directed to review and score applications independently.
In Round 2, panelists will have access to all supplemental written statements (i.e: Artist Statement, Excerpt Explanation, Cultural Statement, and/or Technical Statement). Similar to the first round, the panel will continue to review and score applications independently.
In Round 3, the panel will meet online and collectively discuss the applications that have made it into this round before selecting the Fellowship Recipients.
Please note, panelists will not look at websites of any kind during the application review process.
Submitting any work that has been awarded a NYSCA/NYFA Artist Fellowship in the past will automatically disqualify your application.
Once submitted, you will no longer be able to make changes to your application!
APPLICATION ASSISTANCE
To request an accommodation or if you need assistance in applying online, please email [email protected] or call (212) 366-6900 ext. 166 on Tuesdays-Thursdays between 10:30 AM and 5:00 PM ET (NYFA is currently working on a hybrid schedule). We ask that requests for accommodations be made as soon as possible, and no later than Tuesday, January 10 to allow adequate time for staff to support you in submitting an application before the deadline.
