Sunday, April 24, 2011

Interview with Author Robert V.S. Redick!

Greetings, Dear Readers. I’m about to run off to France because my sister, lovely soul that she is, bought me a ticket to come visit her while she is there this semester teaching. Lucky me! Anyway, I will be out of the country until May 11th, then immediately off to the New England SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators) conference for the following weekend. Speaking of which, I am going to start posting opportunities for children's book writers and illustrators so tell all your kid's book friends to visit my site.

Okay, on to our daily business. Today I am thrilled to welcome author Robert V.S. Redick to Mira’s List to talk a bit about his new book and his creative process. Robert is the author of three epic fantasy novels:
The Red Wolf Conspiracy, The Rats and the Ruling Sea (The Ruling Sea in the U.S.) and The River of Shadows, the latter published April 19 by Del Rey and Gollancz U.K. Together with the final volume (2012) these books make up The Chathrand Voyage Quartet. Before turning full-time to fiction, he worked for the antipoverty organization Oxfam, reviewed theater for two New England newspapers, taught in a bilingual school in Cali, Colombia, and ran a writing workshop as part of the International Development and Social Change program at Clark University. His unpublished mainstream novel, Conquistadors, is set during the Dirty War in Argentina, where he studied and traveled extensively in the 1990s. Redick has an MFA from the Program for Writers at Warren Wilson College and an M.A. in Tropical Conservation and Development from the University of Florida. He lives in western Massachusetts with his partner Kiran Asher, as well as a cat, dog and three-striped mud turtle. He can be reached through his website, redwolfconspiracy.com


1. Robert, thanks so much for visiting my blog today. First I want to say congratulations! You have a book coming out on April 19th, River of Shadows, the third book in the Chathrand Voyage Series. I’m reading book one right now, The Red Wolf Conspiracy and it’s amazing! Without giving away any spoilers, can you tell my readers a little bit about your fantasy series?

With pleasure, Mira, and thanks for having me here! The Chathrand Voyage is epic fantasy. It tells the story of the crew and passengers of an immense, 600-year-old sailing ship, the Chathrand, who find themselves at the epicenter of forces that are rending the world about them to pieces. That world is called Alifros, and like many fantasy settings it’s both very like and utterly unlike this world. Like, in that it is war-torn, and perhaps standing on the edge of an abyss. Like in that it is fractured along ethnic, religious and economic lines, and no one’s hands are clean. Unlike, in that it is populated not by humans alone, but also by a growing number of intelligent species. I say “growing” because that is literally the case: a disease or spell is at work in Alifros, which causes animals to suddenly attain human intelligence--often with disastrous consequences for their sanity. This force is spreading quickly, and no one knows just where it will lead. There are also many non-human but humanoid species, though they appear to have been deciminated in numbers by human civilization.

Fortunately we enter this world through just a handful of core characters. Pazel Pathkendle, first of all, is a youth working as a “tarboy” or shipboard servant in the merchant navy of the very empire which seized and annexed his country five years before—and no, the choice was not really his. Thasha Isiq is a young woman born into the military elite of that empire: in fact she is the daughter of the very admiral who led the invasion of Pazel’s homeland. By the oddest circumstances they both end up on the Chathrand, which is under the command of the infamous, sadistic and possibly deranged Captain Nilus Rose. Who is in turn under the eye of the emperor’s elderly spymaster, Sandor Ott. Who in turn has some ugly connections to Thasha’s family...and so on.

By the time you reach The River of Shadows, you’re good 1200 pages into a story that pulls few punches with complexity. Peace treaties become tools for warmaking, allies become foes and vice-versa, conspirators are used by other conspirators, ships sink, monsters devour pivotal characters ... And the choices of Pazel and Thasha remain at the heart of it all. You can probably tell I’ve had the time of my life, writing these books.

2. Wow, what a huge project. What have been some of the greatest challenges so far in working on such a long series?

Doing it very well, and fast. No other challenge compares to that one. Publishing is a lean business, and publishers don’t want any part of the audience for a series to drift away between volumes. Nor do writers, of course. The challenge is to not appall anyone with the length of time it takes you to continue the story, nor to harm your books by rushing them, nor to collapse. It’s a very tough balance to maintain.

Beyond that, it can be tough to know just how much allowance you want to make for readers who pick up a book out of sequence. For the record, I’d strongly urge readers to start at the beginning. This is one story, not four, and you’d never read a story bound in one volume by cracking it open halfway and plowing forward. All the same, sometimes you just end with the second or third book in a series in your hands, and want to get started. I try to make that enjoyable, without distorting the narrative as a whole.

3. Would you mind telling us about your writing process?

So many ways to answer that question! Do you mean the daily routine, the overall effort with a book, the psychologial approach I try to take? Or perhaps something else?

Well, I get asked that question a lot myself when I do readings and I find most people want to know what I do on a daily basis. So I’ll approach it that way. What does a normal writing day for you look like, if there is in deed a 'normal' day? Do you ever take time off from writing, i.e. long stretches of time or do you tend to write every day?

With very few exceptions, I write each morning. At that time of day my mind’s uncluttered, and I tend to be more able to access the storytelling part of me. It often feels like a race, to see how quickly I can get up, attend to the animals, warm the house and my body enough to contemplate holding very still for a number of hours. If it’s a free-and-clear day with no other commitments, I keep up the work until early afternoon. Then I get out of the house on any pretext whatsoever. I tend to make it back to the desk in the evening at some point—maybe just before or after dinner—but that second work session is nearly always shorter.

Of course when you’re in the middle of a book, a part of you is always wrestling with the next scene, the next chapter, the next challenge. When something clicks in me, it doesn’t matter where I am—I stop and think about it, and write out my thoughts before they vanish into the ether. The same is true at night. Pencil and paper on the bedside table are a must.

4. I do that too. I actually keep a small notebook in every single room, even the bathroom! Anyway, I'm intrigued about your past—you’ve had such an unusual background—you’ve studied Russian and tropical conservation, you worked at Oxfam, you lived and traveled extensively in South America, just to mention a handful of things. Eventually, you ended up in Warren Wilson's low-residency MFA writing program. What ways do you feel your pre-MFA life experiences helped shape your writing today?

Everything that I feel and think and ponder and remember has an effect on the story. The Chathrand Voyage, of course, is not about my life. But it is nonetheless a most intimate project for me, as I hope all my fiction will be. As you say, I have roamed around a bit. And I dare say you, Mira, know how much that can change a person. Provided, of course, that you go there open to change, not wrapped in a cultural coccoon. I did have transformative experiences in Argentina and Colombia and elsewhere. But the truth is that the urge to go places was itself the symptom of a much older way of relating to the world, which I’d describe as both a desperate hunger to belong and a militant effort not to. I’ve never been comfortable with the notion of membership in a club. And I’ve never been able to resist trying to speak across boundaries of belonging. There’s something a bit pathetic in this, if you ask me. But it does create good circumstances for storytelling.

5. Do you feel like going to an MFA program was helpful?
Tremendously. And I say that as someone who walked away from an MFA, after spending two semesters and $20,000 on the experiment, and moving to the opposite side of the country. All that before eventually finding a program that did help me, and loving every minute of my studies. OK, not every minute. Just 92% of them. Warren Wilson was a delirious joy.

But the point I’d like to stress is that you must stay true to yourself and your work, even as you open yourself up to learn. You will get bad advice along with good. You will see pettiness and backbiting, alongside generosity and kindness. And you must never, ever downgrade your depth of feeling about a story. That story is what counts. It is never a “school project,” never a “thesis.” You have to be prepared to fight your program for the sake of your own work—or even walk away if necessary. Just as vitally, though, you have to be not just willing to hear what’s wrong with your work, but famished to hear it. That’s what you’re there for! And when you’ve begged and pleaded and cobbled together all the feedback you can get, you must be able to decide what part of it you believe, and what you don’t.

MFAs can do great good, or great harm. You have to be the judge of your experience, and act accordingly.


6. That's great advice. I went back to get my MFA in writing after many years doing other things. For me, the best part of it was finding a handful of great readers who became friends. They are still my readers now and then and still my friends. On another note, as you know, I help people find funding and residencies so that they have time and money to do their creative work. Have you ever done a residency program anywhere? If so, where was it and in what ways did it impact your writing?

I’ve never participated in such a thing, and would love to. But I should note that low-residency programs like Warren Wilson are essentially short, hyper-intensive learning retreats strung together by semesters of one-on-one mentorship. Those retreats, or residencies as they’re called, squeeze the book geekery of a whole year into about ten days (for which you may well have prepared for months). I had six such residencies, each challenging and strange and exhausting and adrenal. They were a bit like the scenes in The Matrix where Keanu Reeves is force-fed knowledge through a brain cable. You walk away feeling electrified, feeling there’s nothing you can’t do. And then the work begins.

7. Hah! I love that. The Matrix thing sounds a little like what it felt like going to my first AWP (The Association of Writers and Writing Programs) conference years ago. So in closing, any brilliant words of advice to emerging writers out there?

Don’t burden your writing or yourself with awful spectres—as I did. Don’t tie up your sense of self-worth with “making it” as a writer. Embrace things—many things, if you can—that have nothing to do with putting words on a page. Then you’ll have more stories to tell, and some natural immunity to the foolishness that you’ll encounter in the writing life. And then, if and when you do write—well, respect your dreams. They’re on your side. They’re the gold in your hands.

What a wonderful way to end our interview! Thanks so much for joining us today and I wish you great success on your new book, The River of Shadows, and good luck on finishing up the final book in the series. I can’t wait to read them all.

Thank you Mira!

You can get Robert V. S. Redick’s books at your local bookstore (please support your local indie bookstores!) or on Amazon and Barnes & Noble of course. But have I mentioned yet that you should support your local independent bookstores and keep them alive and thriving? I will try to post from France if I can—I will have limited email access though and won’t be bringing my computer (yay!). So if you don’t hear from me, you will later in May. Also, I do have other kinds of artists in the queue for interviews (painters, printmakers, filmmakers, etc.) but for some reason, the writers always respond pronto and my other interviewees are a bit slower to write their answers back to me. See you soon! Love, Mirabee

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Grant for Artists Over 45

Hi Everyone,

Here's a great grant coming up for artists over forty-five. Coming tomorrow or Monday, an interview with author Robert V.S. Redick. Until then, hope you all are well!
Mirabee

(ARTISTS) Provincetown, MA: Provincetown Art Association and Museum (PAAM) is proud to announce the second round of The Lillian Orlowsky and William Freed Foundation Grant, a source of funding for mature American painters.

Grants will be offered to American painters aged 45 or older who demonstrate financial need. The primary emphasis is to promote public awareness and a commitment to American art, as well as encouraging interest in artists who lack adequate recognition. Grants will range from $5,000 to $30,000.

Applications are available online at www.paam.org or by calling 508.487.1750. Completed applications must be postmarked by August 15, 2011.

Friday, April 22, 2011

For All You Fantasy Book Lovers Out There: Book Launch Party Tonight in Amherst, MA

Coming soon....this weekend in fact....a delightful interview with author Robert V. S. Redick! And just so you know, those of you who live in my neighborhood, i.e. the Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts—there is a book launch party for Robert TONIGHT to celebrate the third book in his fantasy book series. The book is called The River of Shadows and details for the book launch party are here:

Book Launch Party
to celebrate the publication (at long last) of
Book III of The Chathrand Voyage Quartet

HAPPY HOUR, FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 5:30-7:30 PM, at Amherst Books
8 Main St, Amherst MA

Drinks (booze and other) • Indian Snacks • Cake • Books for Sale

I hope to see some of my Mira's List peeps there! And keep your eyes peeled this weekend for an interview with Robert Redick.

---------------------------------------------

Mirabee Update

Hi everyone! I just came back from NYC----the last of my book tour events for THE MEMORY PALACE. Thanks to all of you who came out to hear me read this week in NYC and last week in CT. The paperback is coming out early—August 9th! So all of this starts again. If you have a book club, you should know that the paperback version of my book will have a great book club reader's guide in it as well as an author Q & A.

Anyway, I'm going to post a new interview shortly but first, I want to let you know that I will be out of the country from April 26th to May 11th, then at a conference until May 15th. So you probably won't hear from me in a little while unless I can get computer access where I will be staying overseas. If not, have a great couple/few weeks and check out the interview I'm about to post!

Happy Earth Day!

Mirabee

Monday, April 18, 2011

International Residency Program at The Darling Foundry in Canada

(ARTISTS) International Residency Program at The Darling Foundry—The Darling Foundry, located in Old Montreal (Quebec, Canada), is an alternative visual arts complex with an outstanding architectural design. The Darling Foundry provides opportunities for research, creation, production, and exhibition. Its multifaceted spaces, spanning 3500 square meters, provide room for residency studios, living accommodations, technical workshops, gallery spaces, a restaurant and offices.

The International Residency at the Darling Foundry is supported by the Canada Council for the Arts. The program supports foreign visual artists from outside of Canada. One residency of six months will be awarded. The schedule of the residency is from the beginning of January 2012 to the end of June 2012. The resident artist will receive a grant amount of 23,000 CDN which contributes towards travel, subsistence, and production costs.

The resident artist will be provided with a studio measuring 100 square meters and a separate living accommodation (for single occupancy), with access to common living spaces. In addition, the Darling Foundry provides the laureate with organizational and technical assistance, promotion and networking opportunities. The resident artist will have the option to participate in open studio events, studio visits by arts professionals, and trips to artistic events. Applications are evaluated by a selection committee consisting of arts professionals. The committee base their selection on the artistic quality of the applicant’s artistic work, the potential impact of the residency on the applicant’s career, and the contribution to the Montreal and Canadian arts community. Application deadline: June 1st, 2011

Application and Support Materials must be submitted by June 1st, 2011 to:
SELECTION COMMITTEE - International Residency Program at the Darling Foundry
Darling Foundry 745 Ottawa Street
MONTRÉAL, Quebec H3C 1R8 CANADA
Tel: 514.392.1554
Email: [email protected]
http://www.fonderiedarling.org/encourager_e/residences_int.html

Saturday, April 16, 2011

Grants for Artists & Writers with Children, Fellowships for Photographers, A New Residency with Stipend in Norway and More!

Greetings...first, a quick note to all of you who send me notices of opportunities from your organizations: I do not post about contests, opportunities to exhibit, etc. I really try to focus on finding people funding and residencies.

Below are a few things coming up—very soon and down the road. Also, I will be posting a new interview in a few days, this time with fantasy writer Robert V. S. Redick who has a new book coming out on April 19th called River of Shadows. I also have some other great interviews coming up this spring and summer with a printmaker, children's book author, and a couple artist residency directors, so keep checking back or subscribe via email or RSS feed (see my right hand side bar for info).

Cheers,
Mirabee

(A couple of the announcements below are from http://artrubicon.com, a Canadian site for visual artists).

(PHOTOGRAPHERS) Howard Fellowship—Stipends of $30,000 will be awarded to support photographers working on projects for the academic year 2011-2012. Howard Fellowships are intended primarily to provide artists and scholars with time to complete their work. They are not intended for publication subsidies, for equipment purchase, for preparation of exhibits, or to support institutional programs. There are no residency requirements for individuals who receive awards. The deadline for submission of applications is November 1, 2011. Fellowship recipients will be announced in April 2012. http://www.brown.edu/Divisions/Graduate_School/Howard_Foundation/

(ARTISTS & WRITERS) Sustainable Arts Foundation 2011 AwardsIn recognition of the challenges of leading a creative life while raising children, the Sustainable Arts Foundation provides financial support to writers and artists with families. They offer a number of $6,000 awards in both the Spring and in Winter. The applicant must have at least one child under the age of 18. They welcome applications from anywhere, but give some preference to residents of the San Francisco Bay area. In addition, they award a number of Promise Awards of smaller dollar figures to applicants whose work may not qualify for the main awards, but demonstrates both skill and potential. As with most grants, your portfolio aids the judges to rank you. They are also interested in hearing about your plans and how this award might assist you in attaining your goals. For more info, go to: http://www.sustainableartsfoundation.org/ (Thank you Hope Clark @ FundsforWriters for this new one!)

(WOMEN/PHOTOGRAPHERS) Magnum Foundation and Inge Morath Foundation - Inge Morath Award 2011—
The Magnum Foundation and the Inge Morath Foundation announce the tenth annual Inge Morath Award. The annual prize of $5,000 is awarded by the Magnum Foundation to a female documentary photographer under the age of 30, to support the completion of a long-term documentary project. One award winner and up to two finalists are selected by a jury composed of Magnum photographers. Deadline: 30 April, 2011! Further Information and application http://www.ingemorath.org/index.php/2011

(WOMEN ARTISTS) New Canadian Artist Residency At MAWA, Winnipeg, Manitoba—Two deadlines: April 29, 2011 (for residencies in 2011) and October 28, 2011 (for residencies in 2012) MAWA is offering their urban, loft-style apartment to women visual artists for residencies of 2-4 weeks in duration. Applicants can use this space and time for research, reflection, networking and/or production. They will provide free accommodation and a $300 honorarium.

Please send applications to: Residency Program, MAWA, 611 Main St., Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 1E1. If you have any questions, contact Lisa at 204-949-9490 or [email protected] For more info, go to: http://tinyurl.com/43fqvpq

(ALL/ENVIRONMENTAL ARTISTS) Chesapeake Bay residency—Annmarie’s residency program provides a serene place on the Western Shore of the Chesapeake Bay for visual, musical, and literary artists to create works that address ecological issues and/or inspire community involvement. Residencies are meant to focus on merging the arts and the environment and should include the involvement of the local community to some capacity. Spring/Fall Residencies: residents are required to work with field trip groups and/or school outreach programs as scheduled. Summer Residency: summer residents are required to design a public art project that engages the visitors to Annmarie Garden in the art-making process. Summer residents are required to work alongside the public for at least 12 hours/week.
Studio InformationResident artists have access to studio space within the living quarters (one bedroom), and are also welcome to use other gallery and classroom space as available. Annmarie has a modest ceramics studio with a kiln, slab roller, and potter’s wheels that are also available for use, as well as a painting studio with easels. With numerous indoor and outdoor exhibition and installation options, artists are encouraged think creatively about how and where to display their work. Artists should bring their own equipment. For more information, please E-mail [email protected] or visit the website: http://www.annmariegarden.org DEADLINES: April 30 (summer), July 15 (Sep-Nov), Jan 15 (Mar-May)
(ARTISTS) AiR Sandnes Residency in Stavanger, NorwaySandnes City Council and Rogaland County Council, offer a residency to professional artists. The artist can be from abroad, a Norwegian national or a regional artist wanting an alternative project space. The offer consists of a 1-3 months residency in a rent-free studio with accommodation situated in the city of Sandnes in the municipality of Rogaland, close to the city of Stavanger.

The art studio is situated in the same building as several other artist studios at Stasjon K, right next to Kinokino – Centre for Art and Film. Housing is located at the city end of the largest park in Sandnes, Sandvedparken, about a five-minute walk from the city centre and studio space. In addition to a one-person bed the flat has a sofa that can turn into a two-person bed. On those premises we can accommodate for collaborators, a couple, or possibly a family of three.

The organization also provides funding—all artists receive 1,000 Euro per month. There is no specific application form. The application should contain a CV, a brief project proposal, documentation of earlier works and preferably some info about yourself as an artist and your artistic practice. Please do not send original work, as we do not return the applications. Application deadlines: June 1st and December 1st. For more info, go to: http://www.airwestnorway.no/default.asp?art=47&kat=6&sp=2



Thursday, April 14, 2011

Mirabee is Reading in NYC Next Week!

Greetings all,

Well, I’m back from the TransCultural Exchange Conference in Boston where I got to meet people from all over the world who run artists residencies. I'll be posting some deadlines from those places over the next few weeks and months as well as an interview or two. If you can make the conference in two years, I highly suggest going! And if you plan ahead, you can apply for a scholarship as well as a small professional development grant from your local arts agency so you can help pay for your trip. I hope to see some of you there in 2013!

The other thing I wanted to tell you is that I will be coming to NYC next week to read from my book The Memory Palace. This is the last leg of my book tour until the paperback comes out in late summer. If you are around and can come and hear me read, please do! On Tuesday, April 19th, I'll be reading at the Strand Book Store, 828 Broadway, at 7 pm and on Wednesday, April 20th, I'll be reading at Cake Shop, 152 Ludlow Street at 7 pm with writers Moshe Shulman and Emily Rubin, followed by the band Flutterbox.

And tonight I'll be at the Fairfield Public Library, 1080 Old Post Road in Fairfield, CT at 7 pm. I hope to see some of you at one of these events!

Friday, April 1, 2011

Calling All Filmmakers! April Deadlines for Grants

Some more stuff, thanks to WomensArts.org!

(FILM/MEDIA ARTS/WOMEN) Women in Film Finishing FundProvides cash awards ranging from $1,000-$15,000, as well as in-kind services, for the completion of films by, for or about women. Open to short and long formats in all genres, including narrative, documentary, educational, animated and experimental. Principle photography and rough cut must be completed by time of application. Applications accepted from filmmakers around the world (men may apply, as long as their work is about or for women). Student projects ineligible. See website for complete guidelines and application. Women In Film Foundation, Los Angeles Office, 6100 Wilshire Blvd., Ste. 710, Los Angeles, CA 90048, T: (323) 935-2211, [email protected], http://www.wif.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=114&Itemid=88. Deadline: April 29, 2011

(FILMMAKERS) Pacific Pioneer FundSupports emerging documentary filmmakers who live and work in California, Oregon, and Washington with grants of $1,000-$10,000. Open to organizations and individuals with fiscal sponsorship. Filmmakers should have demonstrated a commitment to the craft of making documentaries with several years (but no more than 10) of practical film or video experience. Submit application (available on website), along with a DVD of up to 10 minutes of edited footage from the project for which support is sought. Pacific Pioneer Fund, 2887 College Ave., Ste. 106, Berkeley, CA 94705, Contact: Armin Rosencranz, [email protected], www.pacificpioneerfund.com/. Deadline: April 15, 2011

(VIDEO/FILM) The Roy W. Dean New York City Video GrantFunds Shorts, Documentaries, and Independent Features under $500,000. Funds films that are unique and make a contribution to society, that tell compelling stories about little known subjects. Seeking films that expose and bring important information to light through story. Projects with strong story-telling aspects are most likely to be awarded grants. Projects must be original, but may be of any length and may be works-in-progress. Independent filmmakers, student filmmakers, independent producers, and independent production companies may all submit.

Winner receives over $18,000 worth of equipment, services, and consultations toward completing project; for a breakdown of products and services, see website. Submit a sample of previous work, along with a two-page project proposal describing the target audience for the film, plans for distribution, how the project is unique and how it benefits society, your relationship to the material, a synopsis, stylistic approach to the material, and a list of names and positions of proposed key production personnel. See website for complete guidelines and application form. NOTE: Applicants may reside anywhere; it is not necessary to be a New York resident to apply. FEE: $38/students $28. Carole Dean, From The Heart Productions, 1455 Mandalay Beach Rd., Oxnard, CA 93035-2845, (805) 984-0098, [email protected], http://www.fromtheheartproductions.com/howto.shtml. Deadline: April 30, 2011

Calling All Emerging Writers, Painters Over 45, Musicians, Dancers and Other Creative Creatures in Need of Sustenance!

Hey everyone, Mirabee is still alive and kicking! Sorry about not seeing some of you in Chicago. That was pretty disappointing BUT my reading at Book Cellar has been rescheduled for September 22nd, 2011 and there will be another reading in the Chicago area that week as well, probably in Winnetka. Stay tuned....

For now, I'm trying not to sit long at the computer so I'll be brief (still very much on the mend....not great but not bad)....just want to remind you all that this coming week I will be reading at Raab Auditorium at the Boston Public Library at a free event sponsored by TransculturalExchange. My reading will be on Thursday, April 7th at 6:30 but please come to the other readings as well: Reif Larsen (reading at 5:30 pm) the amazing author of The Collected Works of T. S. Spivet, a genre-breaking illustrated novel and Jayne Anne Phillips (reading at 7:30) wonderful author of several books, most recently Lark and Termite. For more info about this event and the rest of the conference (YOU CAN STILL REGISTER FOR THE ENTIRE CONFERENCE, believe it or not!), please go here: http://transculturalexchange.org/conference_2011/schedule.htm

Also, for those of you in the Boston area who are interested in learning more about publishing your first book, from finding an agent, working with editors to promoting your book, you are more than welcome to come to on yet another TCE sponsored free public eventFriday afternoon, April 8th from 1:30 to 3:30 pm in the Boston Room at the Boston Public Library. I'll be moderating a panel with novelist and editor Jedediah Berry (The Manual of Detection) and poet Marissa Crawford (The Haunted House). For more info, go here: http://transculturalexchange.org/conference_2011/schedule.htm

I'll also be reading at Fairfield Library in Fairfield, CT on April 14th AND in New York Friggin' City on April 19th and 20th. I'll be at the Strand on the 19th and The Cake Shop on the 20th. Please check my calendar for details: www.thememorypalace.com.

Enough of THAT stuff, on to YOU:

(MUSICIANS/COMPOSERS) Exploring the Metropolis administers the Con Edison Musicians’ Residency: Composition Program. Heading into its third year, this expanding program serves three constituencies: (1) composers get consistent, long-term, private creative space; (2) host cultural facilities fill underused space and also present the composer in a public program; (3) the community is invited to at least one free program – a master class, an opera-in-progress, etc. This year, we will be expanding the program to accommodate 8 NYC-based composers in 4 sites (Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens). Online applications will be available early April 2011. If you’d like to be notified of the next call for applications in spring 2011, sign up for their e-newsletter. http://exploringthemetropolis.org/musicians-residency

(DANCERS/ PERFORMING ARTS/FILM) Dance MOViES Commission ProgramThe Experimental Media & Performing Arts Center (EMPAC) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY is now accepting proposals for the DANCE MOViES Commission program. Selected artists receive awards ranging up to $40,000, and can also apply to create their works in conjunction with the Artist-in-Residence program at EMPAC. Works commissioned may take advantage of EMPAC’s infrastructure and technology, such as computer-controlled rigging, flexible black-box studios, and post-production engineering for audio and video. Previously commissioned works range from a punk marching band creating mayhem in the streets of Chicago to a poetic film based on the autobiographical account of a US-based African choreographer returning to dance in Zimbabwe. Read more about EMPAC and the DANCE MOViES Commission. Questions: 518-276-3918 or [email protected]. Deadline: April 18, 2011

(ARTISTS) Lillian Orlowsky and William Freed Foundation Grant is offered to American painters aged 45 or older who demonstrate financial need. The primary emphasis is to promote public awareness and a commitment to American art, as well as encouraging interest in artists who lack adequate recognition. Questions: Call 508-487-1750 or visit www.paam.org Deadline: August 15, 2011.

(ARTISTS) Galeria Bielska BWA is happy to announce the first edition of Artist In Residence programme. Artists from around the world working in the field of visual arts, are kindly invited to send a proposal for a site-specific work, an intervention in the public space of the Bielsko-Biała city.

During three months artists will have the time and chance to research, develop and make an art project in the public space which will relate to the subject of Beyond the time and to the history of the city. Besides the opportunity of showing your work in a public space Galeria Bielska BWA will include the digital presentation of the works made during the residency in the exhibition 1st of September. The Gallery provides two apartments, living room, fully furnished with kitchen and bathroom. Artist pays own travel expenses, materials and personal needs.

How to apply: Please send the project proposal, CV/Statement (maximum 3 A4 pages) and portfolio (preferred format: Pdf )- in Polish or English via e-mail to the project coordinator Izabela OÅ‚dak, e-mail: [email protected] before 30th of April. For more information please contact the project coordinator. Deadline April 30, 2011.

(ALL) Vermont Creation GrantsApplicants to this category must be able to demonstrate that the primary component of the proposal is to fund the time, supplies, facilities (rehearsal or studio), etc. for the creation of new work. Work may be at various stages of completion. Grant amount $3,000. The council typically
awards 10-12 grants. Deadline May 2, 2011.For more info, go to: http://vermontartscouncil.org/Grants/ForArtists/CreationGrants/tabid/80/Default.aspx







Welcome to Mira's List

This blog provides information on upcoming grants, fellowships and residencies for artists, writers, composers, and media artists. It is for serious professionals only, from emerging to mid-career to established. I also publish information for graduate students from time to time. However, I do not publish information on exhibition or publishing opportunities, nor do I advertise artist retreats and workshops that charge money. At least that is my current policy. For more info on where to exhibit or publish, please see my links section which I try to periodically update. I sift through hundreds of search engines and websites to find opportunities for YOU dear artist. In return, I ask you to pass the information along to those who need it. Also, since this is a free blog, I don't always have the time to weed carefully through everything. If you find a grant or website or residency that is not up-to-date, is dodgy in some way, or is no longer in existence, please let me know! Also, if you stay somewhere at one of the residencies I suggest and have a good experience, I want that feedback too. Please check my FAQs at the top right side bar if you have questions before starting your search. Best wishes and happy hunting!