Catalyze Program Application 2025

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Catalyze, a program of Mid-America Arts Alliance made possible through the support of the Windgate Foundation, provides grant funding and professional development opportunities to individual artists of all disciplines in the Arkansas counties of Arkansas, Chicot, Clay, Cleburne, Conway, Craighead, Crittenden, Cross, Desha, Drew, Faulkner, Garland, Grant, Greene, Hot Spring, Jefferson, Lee, Lonoke, Mississippi, Monroe, Perry, Phillips, Poinsett, Pope, Prairie, Pulaski, Saline, St. Francis, Van Buren, White, and Yell.


The Catalyze program is designed to ignite the careers of Arkansas artists by providing them with $10,000 grants to support their creative practices, learning opportunities to develop entrepreneurship skills and build enduring creative practices, connections to a dynamic regional artist network, and ongoing support.


Application deadline is Tuesday, February 18, 2025 at 5:00pm CST.

Applicants will be notified by mid-April, 2025.


 For more information on the Catalyze program visit:

https://www.maaa.org/artists-grants-fellowships/catalyze.

M-AAA encourages those who self-identify as Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC); LGBTQIA2S+; and/or disabled to apply. 

 

M-AAA encourages the applications of artists who have historically lacked access to traditional forms of institutional support and resources.


Applicants with questions regarding the application or facing difficulties completing the online submission form should contact: artistservices@maaa.org.


*Applicants have the option to complete their applications verbally with M-AAA staff. We recommend that all information be prepared in advance of verbal application meetings. Requests for assistance must be received by Friday, February 7, 2025.


Applicants may save their progress at anytime while filling out this form by clicking the "save" box in the upper right-hand corner.

REVIEW CRITERIA

Review of application materials will focus on:


Artistry

Selected artists will demonstrate artistic excellence, broadly defined by the practitioners and norms in their discipline, and show a deep commitment to their work. Selected artists will have an active creative practice for a minimum of three years and show motivation to continue and further evolve.  

 

Program Readiness

Selected artists will have the desire to advance their career and deepen their practice, engage in an active strategic management process surrounding their practice, as well as an interest in sharing their work and process as part of a network of artists in a peer learning environment.

 

Impact of Funding on Practice

Selected artists will clearly identify the ways in which Catalyze funds will impact their careers and creative practices. These identified impacts should relate to previous challenges and/or desired futures.


Questions? Visit: 

https://www.maaa.org/artists-grants-fellowships/catalyze

or email us at: artistservices@maaa.org

Artist Eligibility Information











Thank you for your interest in the Catalyze Artist Grant Program.

Given the answers you provided, you are not eligible to apply. If you would like to be added to our mailing list for updates and other opportunities, click here. 

If you have questions or concerns, please email artistservices@maaa.org.
Contact Information






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If you do not have a website, please include a URL of an internet platform which showcases your work (i.e., Facebook, Soundcloud, Etsy, Instagram, etc.)

Follow the link to find your U.S. Congressional District Number.

Follow the link to find your State House Legislative District Number.

Follow the link to find your State Senate Legislative District Number.

Creative Background




This is an opportunity to describe your creative practice in your own words. Examples: "Ceramic Artist and Gallerist" or "Folk Singer-Songwriter". (10 word maximum)

Narrative Responses
Note: To expand the size of a text box, drag the lines in the lower right corner down so you can see your narrative in full. Insert a line space between paragraphs for ease of reading when applicable.

Provide a short biography to be used in Catalyze publicity materials should you be awarded. Your biography should be in third person. For examples, see Writing Your Artist's Bio. (100 word maximum)  

Please share what you do, why you do it, and who it is for. For examples, see Writing Your Artist's Statement. (250 word maximum)  

In your own words, explain the evolution of your creative practice over the previous few years. What work have you been pursuing? How has the work evolved? Why has it evolved in that way? Have you faced challenges or constraints in making work? (250 word maximum)   

Where do you want your creative practice to be in five years? What self-determined measures of success for your practice have you identified? (250 word maximum)    

If awarded a Catalyze Artist Grant, how do you intend to use the funds to further your artistic practice? (250 word maximum)    

Considering the criteria of this grant, explain how participating in the Catalyze Retreat, learning alongside a dedicated, small group of your peers, accessing One-On-One mentoring sessions with Artist Peer Facilitators, and building a network of regional artists, will be beneficial to the development of your creative practice. What strengths will you bring to share with your peers? (250 word maximum)    

Application Support Materials
Please ensure that each document is uploaded to the correct and corresponding category to avoid potential disqualification. See the information below for URL and uploaded file format restrictions.

Upload your Art Resume/CV. Limit three (3) pages, .pdf format, titled as <FirstnameLastnameResume.pdf> (no spaces or special characters). For examples, see Writing Your Artist's Resume and CV. (1 MB maximum).

Proof of residency in one of the following Arkansas counties: Arkansas, Chicot, Clay, Cleburne, Conway, Craighead, Crittenden, Cross, Desha, Drew, Faulkner, Garland, Grant, Greene, Hot Spring, Jefferson, Lee, Lonoke, Mississippi, Monroe, Perry, Phillips, Poinsett, Pope, Prairie, Pulaski, Saline, St. Francis, Van Buren, White, and Yell. A proof of residency document must include your name and your address. Provide an image of only ONE of the following acceptable documents: valid Arkansas Driver's License; bill from a bank, mortgage company, utility company, credit card company, doctor, hospital, or bank statement; current valid homeowner's or renter's insurance policy; current valid motor vehicle insurance card or policy; property tax bill; current valid Arkansas motor vehicle registration; or most recent year tax filing (IRS or state of Arkansas). Please remove or cross out any sensitive and/or financial information. Panelists will not have access to this information. (1 MB maximum, .png, .jpg or .pdf format)  
Work Samples
Include up to a total of five (5) artwork samples. 
  • Samples may be uploaded or provided as URLs below.  You may mix and match a combination of uploads and URLs.
  • All uploaded files should be titled with the name of the artist, FirstnameLastnameSample1.png /.jpg /.pdf. No spaces or special characters.
  • Uploaded files may not be larger than 1MB.
  • You may mix and match the following sample types:
    • Visual Images -.jpeg, .jpg or .pdf file format or URL.
    • Audio - (1 minute = 1 sample) Audio files should be uploaded to a streaming service (Soundcloud) or hosted on a website and shared via URLs.
    • Video - (1 minute = 1 sample) Video should be uploaded to a streaming service (YouTube or Vimeo) or hosted on a website, and shared via URLs. Videos make sure are set to public viewing, or can be viewed with link. Remove ads from playing before/during videos, if possible.
    • Literary - (2 pages = 1 sample) Written work should be uploaded as .pdf files. You may submit one or more typed, double spaced work samples in a 12 point font.


Work samples must be named FirstnameLastnameSample1.jpg/.png/.pdf (no spaces or special characters). 1 MB maximum. Provide clear instruction for intended review on the Work Sample Summary section.

For Media/Video/Performance artist submissions: If your supplemental material is audio or video, submit a URL which links directly to video or audio as one of your 5 work samples. Please provide clear instruction for intended review in the Work Sample Summary section.

Clearly indicate the selection intended for review of your audio or video sample (i.e. 1:36 to 2:36) (1 minute = 1 sample). Only 5 minutes total over all work samples allowed.


Work samples must be named FirstnameLastnameSample1.jpg/.png/.pdf (no spaces or special characters). 1 MB maximum. Provide clear instruction for intended review on the Work Sample Summary section.

For Media/Video/Performance artist submissions: If your supplemental material is audio or video, submit a URL which links directly to video or audio as one of your 5 work samples. Please provide clear instruction for intended review in the Work Sample Summary section.

Clearly indicate the selection intended for review of your audio or video sample (i.e. 1:36 to 2:36) (1 minute = 1 sample). Only 5 minutes total over all work samples allowed.


Work samples must be named FirstnameLastnameSample1.jpg/.png/.pdf (no spaces or special characters). 1 MB maximum. Provide clear instruction for intended review on the Work Sample Summary section.

For Media/Video/Performance artist submissions: If your supplemental material is audio or video, submit a URL which links directly to video or audio as one of your 5 work samples. Please provide clear instruction for intended review in the Work Sample Summary section.

Clearly indicate the selection intended for review of your audio or video sample (i.e. 1:36 to 2:36) (1 minute = 1 sample). Only 5 minutes total over all work samples allowed.


Work samples must be named FirstnameLastnameSample1.jpg/.png/.pdf (no spaces or special characters). 1 MB maximum. Provide clear instruction for intended review on the Work Sample Summary section.

For Media/Video/Performance artist submissions: If your supplemental material is audio or video, submit a URL which links directly to video or audio as one of your 5 work samples. Please provide clear instruction for intended review in the Work Sample Summary section.

Clearly indicate the selection intended for review of your audio or video sample (i.e. 1:36 to 2:36) (1 minute = 1 sample). Only 5 minutes total over all work samples allowed.


Work samples must be named FirstnameLastnameSample1.jpg/.png/.pdf (no spaces or special characters). 1 MB maximum. Provide clear instruction for intended review on the Work Sample Summary section.

For Media/Video/Performance artist submissions: If your supplemental material is audio or video, submit a URL which links directly to video or audio as one of your 5 work samples. Please provide clear instruction for intended review in the Work Sample Summary section.

Clearly indicate the selection intended for review of your audio or video sample (i.e. 1:36 to 2:36) (1 minute = 1 sample). Only 5 minutes total over all work samples allowed.
Work Sample Summary
Use the space provided below to include supporting information for each work sample. This Work Sample Summary should identify the work samples in the order submitted (i.e. Work Sample 1) and share the following information for each (as relevant to the type of each sample submitted). For examples see Preparing Your Work Sample Summary. (1000 word maximum).

    • Title of the work
    • Medium
    • Dimensions
    • Date of completion, performance, or publication
    • Clearly indicate where panelists should begin and end reading literary samples. (i.e. pages 21-22).
    • Clearly indicate selections intended for review of audio and visual samples (i.e. view from 1:36 to 2:36).
    • Other details regarding the creative development, inspiration, or relevance of the work.

Demographics
Mid-America Arts Alliance values diversity, seeking to be inclusive and accessible to all applicants. Collecting demographic data helps us assess whether the program is achieving its goals. This data will not be shared with panelists. 






Feedback

How did you hear about the Catalyze Program?






Certification and Assurance of Compliance

By submitting this application, the applicant certifies that the information contained in the form is true. Furthermore, the applicant certifies it is in compliance with the statutes outlined below and all related M-AAA regulations, will maintain records and will submit all necessary reports.

 

Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility, and Voluntary Exclusion

The applicant confirms that neither it nor its principals is presently debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, declared ineligible, or voluntarily excluded from receiving federal funding by any federal department or agency.

 

Nondiscrimination Statutes

The applicant certifies by checking the box below that all information contained in this application is true and further, it does not discriminate:

  • on the grounds of race, color or national origin (including limited English proficiency), in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended (42 U.S.C. 2000d et seq.) (Justice.gov website);
  • on the basis of physical or mental disability in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA.gov website);
  • on the basis of age, in accordance with the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 (42 U.S.C.6101 et seq.) (house.gov website); and
  • on the basis of sex, in any education program or activity, in accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. 1681 et seq. (Justice.gov website).
Certification Agreement


Please note: Once you hit "Review" below you will be taken to a Review page. You must hit "Submit" on the Review page for your application to be complete. The Artist Services team will be in contact if there are any issues with your application. Thank you.
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Questions? Email artistservices@maaa.org