Eligibility for Individual Creative Artists - Application Material
Please note that artists and writers need not have a Ph.D. or an M.F.A. to apply; however, they must meet other specific eligibility requirements, listed below.
Applicants in creative arts cannot be students in doctoral or master’s programs at the time of application submission. Applicants in creative arts cannot apply in consecutive years; those applicants may apply after waiting two complete application cycles. For example, creative arts applicants who applied in the fall of 2008 must wait until the fall of 2011 to apply again; those who applied in the fall of 2009 must wait until the fall of 2012 to apply again.
Applicants whose projects draw on the resources of the Institute's Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America (the country's foremost archive in women's history) are looked on favorably, but such a focus is not a requisite for applying. In addition, because of collaboration with the Harvard Stem Cell Institute, topics related to research in this area are of particular interest.
Creative Writers
Fiction and Nonfiction: To be considered for a fellowship in fiction or nonfiction, applicants must have any of the following: one or more published books, contract for the publication of a book-length manuscript, or at least three shorter works (longer than newspaper articles) published. Evidence of publication in print format within the last five years is highly desirable; Web site publications are not acceptable as the only form of previously published work. Applicants should note that reviewers take into account evidence of a distinctive, original voice, richness or dimensionality of text, and coherence in the project plan. Professionals interested in writing about their work experiences should apply in the category of nonfiction. Recommendations from editors and/or agents are not acceptable.
Poetry: To be considered for a fellowship in poetry, applicants must have had at least 20 poems published in the last five years or a published book of poetry and must be in the process of completing a manuscript. Reviewers examine the submissions for evidence of originality, vision, and maturity. Recommendations from editors and/or agents are not acceptable.
Journalists
Applicants in this genre are required to have worked professionally as a journalist for at least five years.
Playwrights/Screenwriters
Applicants in this genre must have a significant body of independent work in the form. This will include, most typically, a play or screenplay produced or under option.
Film, Video, Sound and New Media Artists
Applicants in the areas of film, video, sound, and new media must have a body of independent work of significant achievement. Such work will typically have been exhibited in galleries or museums, shown in film or video festivals, or broadcast on television or radio. Fellowships in film, video, sound, and new media are awarded jointly by the Institute and the Harvard Film Study Center (filmstudycenter.org), which supports practitioners of innovative nonfiction media whose work displays exceptional promise and demonstrated accomplishment. Reviewers focus on formal innovation, personal vision, and the impact that the work has had within its field.
Musicians
Composers: It is highly desirable, but not required, for applicants in music composition to have a Ph.D. or D.M.A.
Theater Performers
Applicants must have a significant body of work characterized by originality, reach, and mastery of technique. Reviewers expect that the artist has worked in at least two professional theaters or venues.
Visual Artists
To be considered for a fellowship in the visual arts, applicants must show strong evidence of achievement, with a record of at least five years of work as a professional artist, including participation in several curated group shows and at least two professional solo exhibitions. Reviewers take into account originality, consistency, and ability to transcend the artistic medium.
Application Materials for Individual Creative Artists
Checklist of application materials for individual creative artistsThe application is comprised of the following:
Completed application form
1) Curriculum vitae, not to exceed 10 pages
2) Project Proposal, with bibliography when appropriate. Poets and visual artists need only provide an abstract.
Supporting Materials
3) Audiotape, CD, DVD, image, or videotape list where appropriate
4) List of three recommenders
Supporting Material Upload
Applicants in the Creative Arts need to upload their curriculum vitae and project proposal with abstract. The non-written supporting materials required of each type of creative arts applicant are listed below. Please read the instructions carefully as we accept the non-written supporting materials by post.
1) Curriculum Vitae:Please submit your curriculum vitae, no longer than 10 pages.
2) Project Proposal:Note that poets and visual artists need only upload a project abstract. A full project proposal is optional for applicants in these two areas only. Visual artists who choose to submit a proposal should limit it to a maximum of one page (250 - 500 words).
Visual Arts and Poetry Only:
Project proposals must be in a 12-point typeface, double-spaced, with a 1-inch margin. Visual artists choosing to submit a proposal should limit it to a maximum of one page (250 - 500 words).
All other Creative Arts Disciplines:
Project proposals must be in a 12-point typeface, double-spaced, with a 1-inch margin. Proposals should contain no more than 1,400 words, including the abstract but excluding the bibliography and supporting materials. Submit only one project.All applicants should begin their proposal with a 150-word abstract summarizing their proposed project. The abstract should be the first page of the proposal and should include your name and title of the proposed project. The body of the proposal should describe the project, explaining the significance of the topic, placing the work in the context of the discipline, and indicating how the project would contribute to your discipline. Be clear about the theory and methodology. Cite work of others, if relevant; indicate the status of any project already begun and any data already collected.Selection criteria include: the overall quality of the application, the overall quality of the proposed project, the significance of the project to the discipline, and the demonstrated capacity of the candidate. All applicants should write for an informed but broad disciplinary audience. All proposals will be read by peers in the specific field of the applicant. Finalists are reviewed by a multidisciplinary committee.
Supporting Materials:
Supporting Materials to be uploadedCreative Writers and Visual ArtistsFiction and nonfiction writers: Submit a recent book chapter, manuscript, or article, no more than 30 pages total. Submitted material should be published.
Poets: Submit up to 10 poems.Short-story writers: Submit one or two short stories, no more than 30 pages total.Journalists: Submit three substantive published articles, no more than 30 pages total.
Playwrights/Screenwriters: Submit one play/screenplay or a section of a play/screenplay, no more than 30 pages total.
Visual Artists: Submit image list of 12 images only. The list should include title, medium, date completed and dimensions (H” x W” x D”). List should be arranged in chronological order, beginning with the most recent work. This list must correspond to the supporting materials sent by post.Non-written supporting materials to be sent by postFilm, Video, Sound and New Media ArtistsSubmit a maximum of 15 minutes of work on DVD, CD, or VHS. Submit two copies. Please specify which section(s) you wish to have the committee review, and indicate your role in the work (i.e., director, cameraperson, etc.). Submit work from only the last five years.
Musicians and Composers: Submit one or two samples of recent compositions or performances. Please attempt to put all samples on one CD. All CDs should be accompanied by written scores, except for electronic or improvisational work. Submit four copies of CD and four copies of the scores. Specify which sections you wish to have the committee review (i.e., indicate where samples are located on the CD).
Performing Artists: Submit a maximum of 15 minutes of work on DVD, CD or VHS. Submit four copies of the videotape or DVD. Indicate in your project proposal your role in the submitted work and, where feasible, identify yourself in the sample. Submit work only from the last five years. Include four copies of a video list illustrating the contents of the tape or DVD.
Visual Artists: Submit one CD or DVD with 12 images only, arranged in chronological order, beginning with the most recent work. Please show images only and upload the corresponding image list, as noted above. Clearly indicate the correct file on the disk and its viewing application. Please make sure your CD can be read by a standard application within the Windows operating system, such as QuickTime or PictureViewer, etc. Submit work only from the last five years. Include detail shots as well as at least one installation shot.
FOR ALLMail your package of supporting materials to:
Radcliffe Fellowship Program,
Attn.: Creative Arts Supporting Materials,
list discipline code8 Garden StreetCambridge,
MA 02138, USA
Supporting materials are returned only if a self-addressed, stamped envelope is provided by the applicant along with the supporting materials. The Institute cannot be responsible for lost or damaged materials. Do not send original or “only” copies. Please specify if you want your materials returned on the application form (under General Information). Write the name and address of the Radcliffe Application Office as the return address in the upper left-hand corner of your envelope.
