Friday, January 13, 2012; Last Professional Development Grant Deadline of the Fiscal Year!
Bob Booker, our executive director, was strolling through the grounds of the Audubon Center in Phoenix when he met an artist selling her artwork. She proceeded to tell him about the Professional Development Grant that she had received, which made it possible for her to attend a workshop with a mentor and learn new techniques that she had incorporated into her repertoire – she pointed to a sample – that had in turn led to increased sales.
We are always delighted to learn about the pivotal impact these mini-grants have on the careers of artists, arts administrators and art educators in Arizona. We continue to support individuals by annually offering a limited number of Professional Development Grants (a subset of the Quick Turnaround Grants) with January 13, 2012 being the last of two deadlines for the current fiscal year. This spans opportunities occurring in the period between January 1 through June 30, 2012.
Meant to assist with the next step in one’s career, these grants can be utilized towards expenses related to registration fees at conferences/seminars/workshops, travel, lodging and meals. Grants up to $750 must be matched by a minimum of 25% of the grant amount (i.e. $187.50 for a full $750 grant award) and the budget can be a combination of funds from various sources. Grant funds are meant to supplement the overall budget, not cover all expenses. In an era of increasing competitiveness, all applicants must make a compelling case for how these funds will make a substantial difference in their own work and/or organization/educational institution/community, and in moving them from one stage to another along a career path. Self-presenting – the presentation of one’s own work at an exhibition, reading, performance, workshop or panel – does not qualify, unless accompanied by a significant learning, skill building, or networking component for oneself.
Please refer to our website for more details about the guidelines, process, eligibility and restrictions, and to access the application form at http://www.azarts.gov/grants/quick-turnaround/. Notifications on award status will be made prior to the end of the month. New guidelines for fiscal year 2013, spanning July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2013, are expected to be posted in June 2012.
Professional Development Grants have made a variety of opportunities possible for many artists in all disciplines, arts administrators and art educators, and have often served as a turning point in a person’s career. You could be amongst the next batch of grant recipients, so send in your application by Friday, January 13, 2012!
Jaya Rao
Accessibility and Grants Coordinator
