Waiting Periods and Restrictions:

• Artists applying in a discipline that they teach at an undergraduate level are ineligible to apply in the Emerging category. They must apply in the Established category.
• Only one fellowship application may be submitted per year.
• Previous Individual Artist Fellowship recipients are not eligible to apply for a second fellowship in the same artistic discipline and category.
• Emerging Artist Fellowship recipients may apply in the Established Professional category in the same discipline after a three-year hiatus that begins after the Fellowship year.
• Fellowship recipients need to observe a three year waiting period before applying in a different artistic discipline at the Emerging or Established levels.
  • Exception: Artists may apply in the Masters category if they received an Established Fellowship in that discipline more than seven years ago regardless of subsequent awards in different disciplines.

Guidelines:

Applicants may select between the Emerging ($3,000 award) and Established ($6,000 award) Professional categories:

• An Emerging Professional is in the early stages of his/her career
• Established Professional is more experienced and has achieved some recognition for his/her artwork (example: prizes, awards, publication)

The Masters ($10,000 award) category is offered to artists who have received an Established Professional Fellowship in the same artistic discipline from the Division more than 7 years ago (prior to January 2016). The Masters is offered in select disciplines that rotate on a three-year basis:

• Fiscal Year 2023: Visual Arts and Folk Arts
• Fiscal Year 2024: Dance, Jazz, or Music
• Fiscal Year 2025: Literary and Media Arts

Download the 2023 Individual Artist Fellowship Guidelines here.

Deadline:

The next deadline for the Individual Artist Fellowship is 11:59 p.m. on August 1, 2022. Please read through the guidelines before applying. 

Application:

Applications must be submitted electronically through https://smartde.smartsimple.com/

Download the smARTDE Instructions to learn how to log in and navigate within the system.

Application components:

• Artistic Statement (350 word maximum): The statement provides the juror information about your current work. This statement should convey things such as your artistic inspiration, philosophy, evolution of style, current direction, etc. Artistic statements must be written in the first person.
• Professional Resume: Upload a resume or a statement that outlines your artistic training, experience, and awards; publications, exhibitions, etc. This is for the Division’s use only – the jurors do not receive these.
• Work samples: Requirements vary depending on the artistic discipline. See guidelines for full details.
• Submission consent: Artists awarded a fellowship will enter into a contract with the State of Delaware. The Statement of Assurances is the contract that all Division grantees must sign. By submitting a Division of the Arts grant application, applicants are affirming that they are familiar with the requirements of the Delaware Division of the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts, as presented in the Division of the Arts Statement of Assurances.

Notes:

• Masters applicants must also submit a full CV or resume and a one-page narrative describing the breadth of their work to include the impact it has had in Delaware and beyond. Masters applicants should leave their name on their CV and in the narrative.
• To maintain your anonymity, do not provide any information which might reveal your identity to the jurors. Do not include your name in your artist statement, your work samples, embedded metadata, or in the work sample file names. Visual artists are encouraged to obscure their signatures.

Notification:

All applicants will be notified by email after the December Delaware State Arts Council Meeting.

Grantee Requirements:

Artists awarded a Fellowship will enter into a contract with the State of Delaware. In the event that you receive an Artist Fellowship, this Statement of Assurances and Obligations serves as your contract, if you, as an applicant individual (ARTIST), are awarded a grant. Funding for the Division of the Arts (DIVISION) is provided by the Delaware General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts: Catalog of Federal and Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Partnership Agreement #45.025. Individual grants consist of state funds, federal funds, or a combination. Submission of the application and acceptance of a fellowship award signifies the intention to comply with the following requirements:

1.  The ARTIST shall present to the public in the State of Delaware, examples of work in an exhibit, performance, master class, screening, public reading, or other presentation appropriate to the artistic discipline in which the ARTIST works. The public presentation shall take place before the end of the Grant Year and shall be scheduled after consultation with the Division for full publicity and statewide exposure. Extensions may be granted, but final payment withheld until after the public presentation occurs.
2. The public presentation shall comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended; The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 as amended; The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act of 1990; The National Environmental Policy Act, if applicable; The National Historic Preservation Act, if applicable and where applicable; The Age Discrimination Act of 1975; statutes regulating lobbying with appropriated monies including Title 18 USC Section 1913, Sec 319 of Public Law 101-121 Certification regarding lobbying, etc., and Title 45 CFR Part 1158; and all other restrictions and requirements in the DIVISION grant guidelines corresponding to this PROJECT/PROGRAM.
3. In addition to the required public presentation listed above, the applicant is expected to participate in a group exhibition of Fellowship winners organized by the Biggs Museum and attend the Award Ceremony in Dover.
4. The ARTIST shall indemnify and hold harmless DDOA from any and all liabilities, losses, or damages including reasonable legal costs and fees, which DDOA may incur as a result of claims, demands, law suits, or judgments arising from or in connection with the ARTIST’s performance of this agreement.
5. The ARTIST shall submit a Final Report on or before December 1 of the Grant Year. Failure to do so may result in forfeiture of final payment and preclude the applicant from future funding.
6. Certify that he/she will comply with the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988. (45 C.F.R. sec. 1154.600, 48 C.F.R. subparts 9.4, 23.5, and 52.2)
7. Complete/update an e-supplier registration form via the State’s online portal for payments as an individual (not a business).

If awarded a fellowship, the ARTIST also affirms that:

1. Uses of funds may include, but are not limited to, studio rental, supplies and materials, technical production, score reproduction, continuing education, professional critique.
2. Funds received in conjunction with this application will not be used for lobbying or foreign travel or for tuition used in degree-granting programs. If the ARTIST enrolls in a degree-granting program for the arts during the year, a portion of the Fellowship may be forfeited.
3. The ARTIST must remain a resident of the State of Delaware until the Fellowship is completed. If the ARTIST moves out of state, a portion of the Fellowship may be forfeited.
4. The ARTIST acknowledges that his/her services in this connection shall be as an independent contractor and that nothing contained herein shall be construed to constitute him/her as an employee of the Division or the State of Delaware.

Final Report:

A completed Final Report is required of all fellowship recipients. Final Reports are due by December 1 of the fellowship year, and must be submitted through smARTDE.

Fifteen percent (15%) of the fellowship amount will be forfeited if the Final Report has not been submitted to the Division by the December 1 deadline.

Contact:

Roxanne Stanulis
Program Officer, Artist Programs and Services
302-577-8283
roxanne.stanulis@delaware.gov

Waiting Period:

Artists who have received an Opportunity grant must wait a year before applying for another one. Priority may be given to new applicants.

Guidelines:

Artists will select one of two grant categories

1. Professional and Artistic Development

Artists may apply for funding for unique, short-term opportunities that will significantly advance their work or careers, such as: study with a significant master available for a limited time, or participation in a residency or exchange program. Travel costs are not covered but should be included in the budget.

2. Presentation Opportunities
Artists may apply for funding for unique, short-term opportunities that will significantly advance their work or careers such as: materials to complete work committed to an exhibition, performance, or publication; contracting of professional services; or rental of equipment, instruments, or work space for a specific performance, exhibition, or publication opportunity.

Download the full Artist Opportunity Grant guidelines here.

Quarterly Deadlines:

• January 1 for activities occurring between February 15 and May 15
• April 1 for activities occurring between May 15 and August 15
• July 1 for activities occurring between August 15 and November 15
• October 1 for activities occurring between November 15 and February 15

Please read the guidelines before applying.

Application Components:

• Individual contact information
• Narrative questions describing the project and how it meets the evaluation criteria
• Conference/workshop brochure, mentor bio, or invitation from sponsoring entity, as applicable to the specific opportunity
• Project budget
• Professional resume
• Work samples

Applications must be submitted electronically through the smARTDE.

Notification:

Applicants will be notified of the decision of the grant review committee within four weeks of the application deadline.

Grantee Requirements:

Full payment will be issued following notification of their selection and after the grantee has completed or updated Delaware’s eSupplier Portal. Grantees may opt to receive payments through electronic fund transfer (recommended) when completing or updating Delaware’s eSupplier Portal. Note: Grantees who have previously received payments from the State of Delaware should not create a new vendor account on the eSupplier Portal, but may opt to update information through the “Change Profile” option.

The Statement of Assurances is the contract that all Division grantees must sign. Grant applicants must indicate that they have read and agreed to the obligations of grant recipients, should a grant be awarded. Receipt of state and federal grants carries with it certain obligations and responsibilities. By submitting a Division of the Arts grant application, applicants are affirming that they are familiar with the requirements of the Delaware Division of the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts, as presented in the Division of the Arts Statement of Assurances, including but not limited to:

• Crediting the Division appropriately on all materials
• Keeping public arts events current on DelawareScene.com
• Notifying the Division of any significant changes to the program or budget
• Providing complimentary tickets for use by on-site evaluators, if appropriate
• Compliance with Accessibility Requirements
• Submitting all required Final Reports

Final Report:

Grantees are required to submit a final report for each grant received. Final Reports are due 30 days after completion of the project. To complete and submit your final reports, you must log into smARTDE. Failure to submit this form may preclude future Division of the Arts funding.

Contact:

Roxanne Stanulis
Program Officer, Artist Programs and Services
302-577-8283
roxanne.stanulis@delaware.gov