(Frankfort, KY) The Kentucky Arts Council’s Individual Artist Fellowship Program recognizes creative excellence in practicing, professional Kentucky artists and supports the advancement and continuation of their arts careers through monetary Fellowship awards and promotional opportunities. Awards of $7500 will be given for each Fellowship. Artists not receiving Fellowships may be selected to receive a $1000 Professional Assistance Award. Applicants for this highly competitive program will be judged by a panel of out-of-state artists and arts professionals. Awards are based on artistic excellence, professional achievement and the potential of the fellowship to enhance the artist’s development.

Individual Artist Fellowships are awarded annually on a rotating basis by discipline. September 15, 2004 is the postmark deadline for musical composers, choreographers, writers and interdisciplinary artists. Visual artists (two- and three-dimensional) and media artists (film, video and audio) will be eligible to apply to the Fellowship Program in 2005. Applicants must be professional artists creating their own work, at least 18 years of age and residents of Kentucky.

Guidelines, instructions and application forms for the Individual Artist Fellowship program can be downloaded from the Kentucky Arts Council's Web site at www.artscouncil.ky.gov. Paper copies of application forms and instruction materials are also available upon request by calling toll free 1-888-833-2787 ext 4800. For more information about the Artist Fellowships and other artist opportunities, please contact Heather Lyons, Individual Artist Program Director, at 888-833-2787, ext. 4827 or [email protected].

The Kentucky Arts Council is a state agency in the Commerce Cabinet. Working in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, the Arts Council invests in programs that develop vibrant communities, provide lifelong education in the arts and support arts participation. Every $1 in grant funds awarded by the Kentucky Arts Council helps grantees secure $20 in earned income and matching funds from individuals, philanthropic sources and other levels of government.

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