Knit wear by 2010-2011 grant recipient Annie Larson

This program is designed to expand opportunities for emerging fiber artists in Minnesota, support the artists as they undertake specific artistic projects. Four $4,500 grants will be awarded to support a wide range of project activities—from purchasing equipment, devoting time to studio work, traveling or studying with established artists.

ABOUT THE GRANTS

• Be an artist committed to the field of fiber art.
• Have completed all formal academic training by the start of the grant period (December 2011), and are not enrolled either part- or full-time in a degree granting institution or employed as a fiber art instructor at the college level.
• Be a resident of Minnesota for at least six months prior to the application deadline.
• Be in an emerging or developing stage in your artistic development.

Artists who have previously received a Jerome Project Grant cannot apply again until three years after the date of their award.

Defining Fiber Art
Work should include the construction or manipulation of fibers and textiles using textile techniques such as weaving, dyeing, knitting, quilting, needle work, beading, lace making, felting, hooking, sewing, spinning, basketry etc. Mixed media work is acceptable if the materials or techniques used are primarily textile related.

Defining Emerging
Textile Center identifies emerging fiber artists as artists who are in a formative career stage. While the definition of emerging remains flexible to accommodate individual circumstances, Textile Center uses several broad indicators to determine eligibility in the Fiber Artist Project Grant Program. These indicators include:

• Artist is committed to the field of fiber art.
• Artist is in a developing stage. The term emerging refers to artistic development, professional accomplishment and recognition, not to stylistic evolution within an artist's work.
• Artist has limited exhibition exposure/experience (include exhibitions, reviews, commissions, performances,residencies, publications and productions).
• Artist is the recipient of limited previous grants and awards.
• Artist is under recognized and has not received acknowledgment as an established creator from fellow artists and other arts professionals.

Projects
Proposed projects may include but are not limited to:

• Experimentation with new techniques and materials.
• Working or studying with a mentor or established artist.
• Purchasing equipment or tools to facilitate work.
• Providing studio time or rental.
• Technical support or training.
• Collaborations with other artists.
• Education, attending workshops or conferences.
• Exhibition related fees (jury fees, professional photography).
• Travel for research or study.

Expectations for Grant Recipients

• Artists will complete their proposed project between December 15, 2011 and September 28, 2012.
• Artists will attend 3 mandatory meetings for project and exhibition planning at Textile Center and/or College of Visual Arts Gallery.
• Artists will exhibit finished work representing their project activities in the College of Visual Arts Gallery at CVA Saint Paul from October 18 to November 11, 2012.
• Artists will complete a final report due to Textile Center on December 20, 2012.
• Artists will assist with promotion and marketing of the exhibition by providing photos and written statements of their work.
• Artists will attend the opening reception for the exhibition.

Project Grant Timeline

September 2011: Information sessions and photo help sessions

October 14, 2011: Applications due by 5 p.m.

November 28, 2011: Awards announced

December 15, 2011—September 28, 2012: Project period
(There will be three mandatory meetings for artists during this period, dates TBA.)

October 18—November 11, 2012: Exhibition of project grant recipients' work in the College of Visual Arts Gallery

December 21, 2012: Final Reports due from artists

Gallery Exhibition
For the 2011 round of the Fiber Artist Project Grants program, Textile Center is partnering with the College of Visual Arts for the final exhibition of grant recipients’ work. The exhibition will be held at the College of Visual Arts Gallery and will be promoted by both Textile Center and CVA. The opening reception for the exhibition will be held at the CVA gallery.

Jury Process
A panel of three jurors will select the grant recipients for the 2011-2012 Project Grants. The panel will be comprised of accomplished fiber artists and/or art educators from throughout the region. Jurors are anonymous for the application period, but will be announced after the grants are awarded.

Jurors will review individual applications and images and each select their top five semi-finalists based on project merit (15 semifinalists total). Due to the high number of applications received, the jury panel will only discuss in detail the project proposals of their semi-finalists during the selection meeting. Specific notes and comments from the jurors will only be available to those top 15 semi-finalists; general feedback about applications and juror selection process are available by contacting Becka Rahn at 612-436-0464 or brahn@textilecentermn.org after November 28.

Notification letters of the outcome of the selection process will be mailed on November 28, 2011.

Note
Textile Center is no longer accepting applications for the 2011 Jerome Fiber Artist Project Grants. Please check back in the fall of 2012!