Creative Stimulus Project – Call to Artists
Applications due: Monday, June 1st, 2015 by 5:00pm
Since 2008, Critical Mass for the Visual Arts has recognized the needs of outstanding local visual artists through the Creative Stimulus Project. Building upon the upon the mission of Critical Mass to promote and initiate contemporary visual art in St. Louis, the Creative Stimulus Project provides up to three artists or artist collaborations with $1,500 of unrestricted operating capital, as well as the chance to exhibit their work in a group exhibition.
Award recipients will receive stipends based on the outstanding nature of their work and their commitment to advancement and career-development. Submissions will be reviewed by a jury panel comprised of local artists, arts professionals, and former Creative Stimulus Award winners. Past recipients include: Jessica Baran, Martin Brief, Tate Foley, Cameron Fuller, Emily Hemeyer, Sarrita Hunn, David Johnson, Asma Kazmi, Angela Malchionno, Sarah Paulsen, Carlie Trosclair, and Mel Watkin. *For a full list of past recipients please visit the Critical Mass website: https://criticalmassart.org/the-creative-stimulus/
Artists may use the non-matching stipends in any way to assist in the creation of new work or to contribute to the growth of their career. The award should make possible an experience or project that the artist would otherwise be unable to pursue.
Selection Criteria
- Artistic excellence and innovation as evidenced by past work.
- Well articulated statement of how the award will allow you to realize new work and/or advance your career.
This call is open to established and emerging artists who live within a 100-mile radius of St. Louis.
Submission Requirements
- A single electronic document (Microsoft Word or PDF) containing:
- A letter (2-page maximum) that presents a strong, clear artist statement and explains how you would use this stipend to advance your career.
- A resume/cv no longer than 3 pages including current contact information and email address.
- An image list providing image number, title, medium, dimensions, date of work, and a brief description for each image submitted.
- Up to 10 images of previous works. Or, artist may choose to submit 5 images and up to two websites and/or videos (60 second clips only).
Applications from collaborations/teams of two or more artists will be accepted. Artist teams may submit a resume/cv for each team member and a total of 15 images of past work or 8 images and three websites and/or video clips.
Image File Format: Images must be submitted as JPG files and be less than 1 MB each. “High quality” files at 300 dpi, no more than 1920 pixels on the longest side, are recommended for best viewing by the jury.
Image File Labeling: Files must be titled with a number indicating the viewing order, followed by the artist’s last name. Use “0” in front of single digit numbers. Do not use more than 30 characters; use only letters, numbers and underscores. Example: 01_Smith; 02_Smith. Mac OS users: Image files must be in JPEG format and include “.jpg” at the end of each image title. Example: 01_Smith.jpg.
Reporting Requirement
Upon completion of the project year, recipients must provide Critical Mass with a follow-up artist statement/letter so that the organization can track and evaluate how funds are being used. The recipients of the stimulus funds will also participate in a group exhibition in summer 2015 that will be curated by a past Creative Stimulus recipient. This year’s recipients will be eligible to guest curate future Creative Stimulus exhibitions.
Selection Dates
June 1, 2015 – Applications due, 4:00 PM
June 2015 – Critical Mass Creative Stimulus recipients notified
July 5, 2015 – Exhibit opening for 2014 recipients
June 16, 2015- Gallery Talk and announcement of 2015 recipients
All applications must be submitted electronically to: stlcriticalmass@yahoo.com
Attachments can total no more than 5MB in a single e-mail. If necessary, please divide images into multiple e-mail messages or use YouSendIt.com or a similar file sharing service. Call or email Meridith McKinley with any questions: 314-735-9268 or mckinley@viapartnership.com.
The Creative Stimulus Project is supported in part by a grant from the Regional Arts Commission, the Missouri Arts Council, and by generous donations from individuals who believe that supporting and promoting local artists makes St. Louis a better place to live.
Click the link below for a PDF of the Call to Artists
Critical Mass for the Visual Arts 