Alliance Diversity + Leadership Fellows

New! The Alliance Diversity + Leadership Fellows program is a year-long experience that launches with participation in the annual 2017 AAC Conference in Denver, CO. Recognizing a marked lack of diversity in the residency field, the fellowship aims to celebrate and advance the careers of emerging practitioners of color and practitioners with disabilities in the residency field regardless of their current role. Six fellowships will be awarded and include travel + registration for the 2017 conference, a visit to a leading artist residency center (Spring 2018 dates to be determined) and travel + registration to attend the 2018 Emerging Program Institute (October 13-15, 2018).

The fellowship supports residency leaders interested in:

• Developing leadership skills to take their career to the next level
• Joining an international network of residency leaders
• Working closely with a field mentor
• Attending the 2017 AAC Conference in Denver, CO (October 2-5, 2017)
• Visiting a leading artist residency center (Spring 2018)
• Attending the 2018 AAC Emerging Program Institute in Philadelphia, PA (October 13-15, 2018)

Eligibility Requirements: Artist residency practitioners of color or practitioners who have a disability from the United States who have worked within the residency field, or associated roles, for 2- 5 years are encouraged to apply. Applicants must be able to attend all fellowship activities. Program costs are covered with travel and accommodation stipends.

Application Deadline: The deadline is July 31st. Fellows will be announced in early August.

Apply at: artistcommunities.org/diversity-leadership-fellows-application

Alaska

The Alaska State Council on the Arts' Career Opportunity Grants provide financial assistance to professional artists and arts leaders in Alaska for travel to in-state, national, or international events, programs or seminars and for other activities that will contribute to the strength of the artist's professional standing or skill.

To apply: Applicants may request grants up to $1,000. Access the Career Opportunity Grants guidelines and application for more information and to apply. Deadline is June 1, 2017.

About the Alaska State Council on the Arts:
The Alaska State Council on the Arts is a state agency that fosters the development of the arts for all Alaskans through education, partnerships, grants and services. For more information, visit www.eed.state.ak.us/aksca.

California

The Center for Cultural Innovation's Quick Grant Program provides reimbursement funds to nonprofit organizations and individual artists in the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles to enroll in workshops, attend conferences, and to work with consultants and coaches to build administrative and business skills and strengthen the economic sustainability of an organization or arts practice.

To apply: Arts organizations may receive up to $1,000 in professional development reimbursement funds for activities that will build administrative and business skills. Applications are due on the 15th of the month with a one-month turnaround. Applications received after the 15th of a given month will be reviewed in the following month's application cycle. See more at: www.cciarts.org/quick_grant.htm.

Center for Cultural Innovation:
The Center for Cultural Innovation (CCI) works to promote knowledge sharing, networking and financial independence for individual artists and creative entrepreneurs by providing business training, grants, and incubating innovative projects that create new program knowledge, tools and practices for artists in the field. For more information, see: www.cciarts.org.

Colorado

Colorado Creative Industries will sponsor conference registrations for five Colorado-based organizations. In addition, awardees will be able to participate in the Alliance member network throughout 2017/18 at no cost. Organizations may send up to two staff members to the conference.

To apply: Please provide a brief statement describing your organization and your professional interest in attending the conference. The statement should describe why the conference aligns with your program's current goals and the impact you hope this opportunity will have. Materials should be submitted to info@artistcommunities.org by July 31st.

Colorado Creative Industries:

Colorado Creative Industries believes in the power of creativity to inspire human connections, create social change and support economic vibrancy throughout Colorado. We believe in the practice of creation, the artists and entrepreneurs who contribute to our rich culture and the benefits of our creative economy. We support and encourage the innovators, creators, change-makers and dreamers who improve our quality of life and make Colorado creative. We focus on strengthening the vitality of visual, performing and literary arts through promotion, resources and funding opportunities. We believe in bold innovation and the invaluable contributions the arts bring to this beautiful state. For more information, visit www.coloradocreativeindustries.org.

Idaho

The Idaho Commission on the Arts is able to support Idaho arts organizations' attendance of the Alliance's October 2014 annual conference through QuickFunds Technical Assistance grants. These grants provide up to $1,500 in 1:1 matching funds for costs related to conference travel and registration. QuickFunds grants are offered quarterly. The latest QuickFunds deadline still applicable for this request is June 6. Applicants are strongly encouraged to call the office well in advance (a month or more) of their application submission and request a courtesy review by agency staff.

To apply: Download guidelines and application at: https://arts.idaho.gov/grants/profdev-individuals/.

 Idaho Commission on the Arts:
The Idaho Commission on the Arts endeavors to provide quality experiences in the arts for all Idahoans. The Commission, funded by the state of Idaho, the National Endowment for the Arts, and by private funds, is both a service organization with a professional staff offering technical assistance and training, and a funding organization providing financial assistance. For more information visit, arts.idaho.gov.

Montana

The Montana Arts Council encourages attendees of the Alliance of Artists Communities' conference to apply for Strategic Investment Grants. The grants provide matching funds to professional artists, nonprofit 501(c)(3) arts organizations and Pre K–12 teachers in Montana.

To apply: Grant deadlines are monthly and individuals can apply. Grant amounts are up to $1,000 and require a 1:1 match of cash and/or in-kind. More information and the application are available at art.mt.gov.

Montana Arts Council:
The Montana Arts Council is the agency of state government established to develop the creative potential of all Montanans, advance education, spur economic vibrancy and revitalize communities through involvement in the arts. MAC's vision is that Montana will be known far and wide as "The Land of Creativity," where the arts are essential to the creativity, imagination and entrepreneurship that make Big Sky Country the very best place on earth to live, learn, work and play. For more information, visit art.mt.gov.

Nevada

The Nevada Arts Council encourage and support attendance at conferences like the Alliance of Artists Communities Annual Conference and offers Professional Development Grants for Nevada-based artists and administrators. No match required.

To apply: Organizations or individuals interested in this opportunity can apply for up to $650 to support attendance at the Alliance of Artists Communities conference on a reimbursable basis. More information and guidelines can be found here. Applicants are encouraged to apply early.

Nevada Arts Council:
The Nevada Arts Council is a division of the new Nevada Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs. NAC is divided into five programs: Artist Services, Arts Learning, Community Arts Development, Folklife, Grants. Through these program areas, NAC provides grant funding; offers professional assistance to the state's creative industry (artists, educators cultural organizations and schools); and coordinates statewide outreach programming, initiatives and activities for Nevada's residents and visitors. For more information, visit their website.

North Dakota

The North Dakota Arts Council encourages attendees of the Alliance of Artists Communities' conference to apply for Professional Development Grants. This grant program offers financial aid for, but not limited to, arts organizations, individual artists, arts educators, and educational institutions who wish to take advantage of informational, educational, and training opportunities relating to the arts and arts development.

To apply: Grant deadlines are monthly and individuals can apply. Grant amounts are up to $500. Guidelines and application are available at nd.gov/arts/grants/general/professional-development.

North Dakota Arts Council:
North Dakota Council on the Arts works to promote, preserve and perpetuate the arts in North Dakota. For more information, visit www.nd.gov/arts.

Rhode Island

The Rhode Island State Council on the Arts is pleased to offer Rhode Island's arts leaders the opportunity to attend the Alliance of Artists Communities' 2017 Conference. RISCA is offering two $500 scholarships to a Rhode Island-based artist or arts leader to subsidize conference registration, travel, and lodging for this event. Conference registration is $350 for scholarship recipients, and attendees are asked to register by the early bird registration deadline.

To apply: Submit a current resume and a brief statement describing your background and professional interest in attending the conference, including the impact you hope it will have on your career in the arts. Preference will be given to an artist or arts leader who has not previously attended conferences of the Alliance of Artists Communities. Letters are due July 15, 2017 and should be sent to info@artistcommunities.org (subject line: RISCA Scholarship). The awardee will be announced July 20th.

Rhode Island State Council on the Arts:
The Rhode Island State Council on the Arts is a state agency supported by appropriations from the Rhode Island General Assembly and grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. RISCA provides grants, technical assistance and staff support to arts organizations and artists, schools, community centers, social service organizations and local governments to bring the arts into the lives of Rhode Islanders. For more information, see http://www.arts.ri.gov/.

Wyoming

The Wyoming Arts Council offers Arts Projects/Professional Development grants for Wyoming arts administrators. The funds require a 1:1 match, and can be used toward registration, travel, hotel and meals for one of more staff members.

To apply: Organizations interested in this opportunity can each apply for up to $750 to support sending one or more of their staff to the Alliance of Artists Communities conference. More information and guidelines can be found at http://wyoarts.state.wy.us/wac-grant/professional-developmentcareer-advancement-grant-fy18/. Applicants are encouraged to apply early.

Wyoming Arts Council:
The mission of the Wyoming Arts Council is to enhance the quality of life for the people of Wyoming by providing resources to sustain, promote, and cultivate the arts. For more information, visit wyoarts.state.wy.us.