Registration deadline: February 22, 2011
Application deadline: April 1, 2011

Support is available for ongoing professional workspace facilities that provide New York based visual artists with a positive working environment and enable artists to advance their work. Support in this category includes access to technical staff, use of equipment, access to other discipline-specific resources, residencies and a stipend. The goals of this category are to assure that artists have the time to focus on the creative process and/or to experiment with new materials and techniques as well as to interact with the local community, and have interchange with mentors and peers. Special consideration is given to organizations offering opportunities to artists at any stage of their career who have not received exposure or recognition for their work.

In general, organizations that schedule short-term use of facilities by artists (less than one month) are expected to demonstrate ongoing usage of the space and to serve a greater number of artists. Organizations offering yearlong access to artists may reasonably serve a smaller number of artists.

Funds are available for direct payment of fees to participating artists, for ensuring the ongoing availability of technical expertise, and for providing materials used by artists during the residency. The applicant organization is expected to cover transportation needs and housing costs if selected artists are not within commuting distance.

Application Instructions

Application Narrative Questions

Artistic/Programmatic

1. Program Overview
Describe the scope and focus of the workspace program. Note how many artists participate annually, the duration of the opportunity, fees, and support services provided to participants. Describe any obligations the artists may have to the organization as part of the workspace residency. Please include your organizational URL.

2. Facilities Overview
Describe the workspace facilities and equipment layout. Please describe the type and/or variety of equipment available. What are the working hours for artists and how is technical assistance made available during those times? What other organizational activities take place in the space during these hours?

3. Technical Support
Why is this program and work environment attractive to artists? Describe the specific expertise provided by on-site technical assistant/s that is available to artists. What level of Internet capacity does your facility or workspace have? What Internet access do artists have through this program?

Managerial/Fiscal

4. Finances/Development
Describe plans, projects and activities for meeting the project expenses. How is the Board involved in this work?

5. Evaluation
Evaluation forms, designed by applicant organizations and completed by participating artists, are required as support material. How have you incorporated feedback from past participants in the design of the workspace program? Give examples of recommendations that have led to any recent improvements.

Service to the Public

6. Artist Selection
Describe the process by which artists are chosen to use the workspace. If an open call was issued, how many applications were received? How many New York State artists were selected? How does this response compare to previous years?

7. Marketing
Describe marketing efforts specific to the proposed workspace facilities program. In what ways are you cultivating new participants in the program?

8. Public Education
What is the value of this program to the artist and to deepening public appreciation of the visual arts?

Support Materials

9. Support Materials
Please list all of the support materials and/or work samples you are submitting. These materials are critical to your application's assessment.

Support Material

Support materials must be postmarked, hand-delivered or made available online by the deadline. Please direct them to your appropriate contact at: NYSCA, 175 Varick Street, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10014 or khelmerson@nysca.org or cleahy@nysca.org.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Refer to the Instructions for Work Samples and Support Materials prior to submission.

NYSCA encourages the submission of Web-based Work Samples and Support Material whenever possible.

1. Up to 10 total images showing work of selected artists, including images of the workspace facility. Include only those images that best represent your request.

2. Representative sample of the organization's brochures and marketing flyers. Do not send press coverage, reviews or notices.

3. A list of selected artists for current and previous years (up to five years), noting dates and stipends. Indicate New York State based artists.

4. A list of tools, equipment and computers, including special software, available on site for artists' use.

5. Completed evaluations (at least 3 and up to 10) from recent New York State-based artists who have participated in your workspace program.