MIRA’S LIST

Artist Residency in Woodside, NY

noreply@blogger.com (Mirabee (Mira Bartok)) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 19:48:00 +0000

Artist Residency at the Contemporary Artists Center, Woodside (Troy NY)

The Contemporary Artists Center has recently opened its newest residency program on the campus of the Woodside National Historic Register Site in Troy, NY. Two neo-gothic stone church buildings now house our artistprogram and welcome artists from all over the U.S. and abroad. The CAC is located 2.5 hours north of NYC, and is currently accepting
applications for the Spring season.

Award Priority Deadline is February 1. Regular Deadline: Feburary 15th, 2012.

The CAC focuses on emerging and early career artists and accepts applicants who offer quality in their art and encourages diversity of style, medium (2-D, 3-D, 4-D) and concepts.

Our facility features high-ceiling, adaptable studio space open 24 hours a day with some specialized studio facilities, exhibition opportunities, weekly critiques, and free access to all CAC events. The living area includes lofted bedrooms, living room / library, dining room, and kitchen & bath.

The residency program offers artists the time and support to create new work and fosters an environment that encourages creativity, dialog, and experimentation.

Fellowships available. All residency artists receive some level of
financial assistance. Website: http://www.cactroy.org/residencies.php

Residency Testimonial: Voices of the Wilderness in the Tongass National Forest

noreply@blogger.com (Mirabee (Mira Bartok)) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 18:49:00 +0000

From time to time I like to post little snippets of people’s experiences at residencies all over the world. Today’s post is from Julie Denesha, documentary photographer, who went to Juneau, Alaska for a residency called “Voices of the Wilderness” in the Tongass National Forest (http://www.voicesofthewilderness.blogspot.com/)

This is what Julie had to say about her residency there:

The Voices of the Wilderness residency was an amazing opportunity to see a remote wilderness up close guided by a highly-experienced team of forest rangers. The seven-day trip was highly active and involved a fair amount of camping, travel by sea kayak as well as off-trail hiking. It was a fantastic experience, not soon to be forgotten.
Thank you so much for posting such interesting opportunities!
All the Best,
Julie

You can read more about Julie’s final project online: http://tongassguardians.com/ and you can read about other residency experiences here (all of these residencies were found on Mira’s List!) and also find out how you can post your own experiences: http://www.miraslist.com/search/label/RESIDENCY%20TESTIMONIALS

The Creative Capital Grant: The Gift That Keeps on Giving

noreply@blogger.com (Mirabee (Mira Bartok)) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 23:25:00 +0000

Save the Date! On February 1, 2012, Creative Capital will begin accepting online Letters of Inquiry for grants in Emerging Fields, Literature and Performing Arts. The Inquiry Form will be open until March 1. Visit creative-capital.org/apply to read the grant guidelines and learn more about the application process, or attend an in-person or online information session.

Creative Capital provides integrated financial and advisory support to artists pursuing innovative and adventurous projects. Acting as a catalyst for the development of exceptional and imaginative ideas, we support artists whose work is provocative, timely and relevant; who are deeply engaged with their art forms and demonstrate a rigorous commitment to their craft, yet are also boldly original and push the boundaries of their genre; who create work that carries the potential to reshape the cultural landscape. Selected grantees receive up to $50,000 in direct support and a suite of services valued at more than $40,000.

To be eligible to apply, an artist must be:
* A U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident
* At least 25 years old
* A working artist with at least five years of professional experience
* Not a full-time student

Questions? Visit creative-capital.org/apply or email grants@creative-capital.org.

noreply@blogger.com (Mirabee (Mira Bartok)) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 16:04:00 +0000

This is the most inspiring thing I have seen in a long time. Watch it all you artists out there! “Do what you love and it’s going to lead you to where you want to go.” Wayne White.

Correct Link for Italian Residency

noreply@blogger.com (Mirabee (Mira Bartok)) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:52:00 +0000

Hey y'all---sorry the link didn't work before for the residency in Italy. Here's the right one: http://www.chianticom.com/

Artists Call: Residency with Stipend in Italy

noreply@blogger.com (Mirabee (Mira Bartok)) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 14:13:00 +0000

Hi everyone----sorry, I was having problems with the link to this site before but it's working now: http://www.chianticom.com/

ARTISTS FELLOWSHIP – RESIDENCE ITALY 2012

La Macina di San Cresci, Greve in Chianti ( Florence ) Italy

Deadline: April 10 , 2012

La Macina di San Cresci , residence for artists member of RES ARTIS , announces that the Provincia di Firenze will award two residency fellowships to artists. The program invites artists from around the world to apply to work for one month in a studio at la Macina di San Cresci. The Fellowship recipients will receive a € 500 stipend, private room, studio space.

The theme for the program is "Platform 948: where engage ideas and concepts about the environment." Develop a composition in which the machinery of nature and machine of art become one, through a series of interventions and through the perception of the artists. A research that creates "views" and operates in-between reality and the different layers of the territory: the past, the contemporary economic culture, the temporal and spatial interrelationships. A reflection on the socio-cultural, architectural, language, habits characteristics of this place, the environment, the village , interlaced with the man and with habits whom he lives of this environment.

Application form and Guidelines : www.chianticom.com

Calling All Artists, Filmmakers, Dancers, & Writers: New Grants & Residencies Just For You!

noreply@blogger.com (Mirabee (Mira Bartok)) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 19:10:00 +0000

Hey everyone, I'm still alive and kicking! I just really needed a break from the world and so I went off and had a little art retreat at my friend, esteemed children's book author and dear-hearted friend Jane Yolen's house. I hid in her attic, didn't talk to a soul (except for Jane at dinner), and drew all day long for a few days straight. After a year of running around, promoting my book (The Memory Palace) and being in the public eye, I have needed to shut out the world and draw. I feel quite rested and am ready once again to rock and roll with Mira's List.

By the way, I am still figuring out my template and design issues and slowly setting up different pages but I am also need to try to get going on another creative project so I will work on it when I can. In the meantime, thanks for your patience---I know it looks wonky but it won't always look this way! On to some opportunities...

GRANTS

(ARTISTS) The Lillian Orlowsky & William Freed Foundation Grant for American Painters is offered to American painters aged 45 or older who demonstrate financial need. The primary emphasis is to promote public awareness and a commitment to American art, as well as encouraging interest in artists who lack adequate recognition. Grants range from $5,000 to $30,000.

http://www.paam.org/lowf_foundation_grant.html

Applications are available online at www.paam.org or by calling 508.487.1750.

(MEDIA ARTISTS/FILMMAKERS) Chicago Digital Media Production Fund—The Chicago Instructional Technology Foundation and Chicago Filmmakers are pleased to announce that the new “Chicago Digital Media Production Fund” is now accepting proposals.

Independent film and video makers based in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs are invited to apply for the Chicago Digital Media Production Fund. Innovative video projects intended for online distribution by established, emerging and young artists could qualify for cash grants of up to $10,000 toward the project’s production and completion. All genres will be accepted, but content should be aimed at advancing progressive social change and be appropriate for youth (though not necessarily intended exclusively for youth). Distribution plans must include free availability on the web by May 15, 2013 in order to reach the widest possible audience.

Short productions are preferred, but features will be considered. Individual applicants must reside in Cook County. Non-profit organizations are also eligible to apply as long as they are based in Cook County. The deadline for applications is March 19, 2012. Winning projects will be announced in mid April. There is no application fee. For complete guidelines and an application, visit Chicago Filmmakers’ website:
http://chicagofilmmakers.org/cf/content/chicago-digital-media-production-fund. For more information, call Chicago Filmmakers at 773-293-1447, or email productionfund@chicagofilmmakers.org

(WRITERS, DANCERS, POETS) Massachusetts Cultural Council Fellowships—This fellowship award is $7500 for Massachusetts residents, $500 for finalists. Deadline: January 30, 2012 http://www.massculturalcouncil.org/applications/fellows_guidelines.asp

Works in progress are eligible. Work completed prior to 2008 in ineligible.

(NON-PROFIT ARTS ORGANIZATIONS) Harpo Foundation Grants —Harpo Foundation will use a new 2-step application process to review proposals submitted by non-profit institutions and fiscal sponsors who seek support on behalf of under recognized visual artists. In its grantmaking, Harpo Foundation prioritizes projects that advance and cross the boundaries of visual media and artistic disciplines. Proposals are evaluated on the basis of the quality of the artist's work, the potential to expand aesthetic inquiry, and the strength of its relationship to the foundation's priority to provide support to visual artists who are under recognized by the field.

Funding
The foundation awards between 10-15 grants annually and funding decisions are made by the Board of Directors. As a general guideline, requests should not exceed $10,000 per year. Allowable use-of-funds includes direct support to the artist for honoraria, commissioning fees, production costs, and travel.

All projects funded during the 2012 funding cycle should be completed by September 2013. Projects that are scheduled in 2012 but happen prior to the foundation's November notification date may be eligible for funding on a retroactive basis.

In rare cases the foundation will fund multiyear projects up to 3 years to provide support to artists whose projects rely on the passage of time as an essential component to its concept and structure. For more info and guidelines, go to: http://harpofoundation.org/grants.html
Letter of inquiry due February 1, 2012.

RESIDENCIES

(ARTISTS) Goetemann Residency at Rocky Neck Art Colony in Gloucester, Massachusetts—One month residencies for visual artists in America’s oldest working art colony on Rocky Neck. Includes waterfront studio/living space and access to a rich cultural community June-October, 2012. Application deadline March 15, 2012. Fee $25.00. Go to:www.rockyneckartcolony.org

(ALL) The Byrdcliffe Artist in Residence Program provides uninterrupted time, creative space and an inspiring environment to artists of exceptional talent. Month long residencies are available to visual artists, composers, playwrights/screenwriters, and writers of fiction, nonfiction and poetry in the months of June, July, August, and September. It is Byrdcliffe's mission to provide solitude in a creative community and uninterrupted time in which to concentrate on producing independent and enduring creative work alongside fellow artists.

Opened in 1903, the Byrdcliffe Art Colony was placed on the National Register of Historic Sites in 1979 for its architectural and historical significance. It is located in the Catskill Mountains, 1.5 miles from the center of Woodstock, New York. Deadline is March 15th, 2012. For more info and to apply, go to: http://www.byrdcliffe.org/artist-in-residence

(ALL) I-PARK Residencies—A multi-disciplinary residency program on a 450-acre natural woodland retreat in East Haddam, CT. Most sessions are four weeks and are offered to those working in the Visual Arts, Music Composition, Creative Writing, Moving Image, and Landscape/Garden Design. Except for the $30 application fee, the residency is offered at no cost to accepted artists and includes comfortable private living quarters, a private studio, and meal program. For more info, go to: http://www.i-park.org/. Deadline: January 30, 2012.

See You Next Week!

noreply@blogger.com (Mirabee (Mira Bartok)) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 13:04:00 +0000

Greetings all...Sorry I’ve been out of touch a bit. I’ve had a lot going on lately and because of that, decided to go away on a computer-free mini-art retreat at a friend’s house. So see you next week when I will continue to tidy up my messed up new layout, build new pages for you with all kinds of good and useful things. And I will also post a page for any of you who are potential advertisers (paid), so please do not post comments on that page for advertisers. That will be an info section for people who want to advertise on Mira’s List—MFA Programs, Retreat Centers, Classes, etc. Those of you who run residencies that offer free housing, financial aid, etc. will still send me announcements and I will post them for free. Same goes for grant foundations, etc.

So stay tuned, be patient and I’ll see you next week. I just need a little break. It has been a whirlwind of a year!

Cheers,

Mirabee

Please Be Patient: Mira's List is Getting a Face lift

noreply@blogger.com (Mirabee (Mira Bartok)) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 20:37:00 +0000

Hi Everyone,

I am in the middle of five million things, including giving this website a face lift. Right now, it looks pretty wonky so please be patient. Soon, you will be able to navigate between different pages and information will be easier to access and read. There will also be info on the upcoming art contest, info for advertisers, better organized FAQs and more. Hang in there...it’s coming! In the meantime, stay tuned and please forgive the weirdness right now.

Your faithful servant, Mirabee

My Words are My Shelter 2011: Thank You Notes

noreply@blogger.com (Mirabee (Mira Bartok)) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 19:48:00 +0000

Dear Beloved Readers,

So I know I said this before (at least I think I did) but in case I forgot: The 2011 My Words are My Shelter Project was a success! We sent over 150 journals, pens and pencils to every woman at my mom’s shelter in Cleveland, the Norma Herr Women’s Center (NHWC). Plus a $300 check and another one for $250 is on the way. I really, really appreciate your generosity because I know these are hard times for so many of you. And even those of you who couldn’t donate wrote really supportive emails to me which meant a lot to me. Below are a couple messages from two women who are movers and shakers at Mental Health Services for Homeless Persons, Inc. in Cleveland, the organization that runs NHWC. I just wanted to share their emails with you and thank you once again. I love you guys!

From Cathleen M. Alexander, LISW-S, Associate Director, Women's Homeless Services, Norma Herr Women's Center:

On Christmas Eve, we distributed 140 brand new journals and pens to each of the 140 women staying with us at the Norma Herr Women's Center over these holidays. Every woman we shelter has a unique and compelling story. In many ways, their stories are not so different from any of our stories as women, mother, sisters, daughters--but they also tell of despair, broken hearts, troubling thoughts and hard times. Thanks to your generosity, our residents have the means to write down their stories and memorialize their experiences. As I walk through the shelter, I see women bent over their journals, writing away with intense concentration. Their words truly are their shelter, and we thank you for making this possible with your gifts.

From Susan Neth, Executive Director of MHS, Inc.:
Mira, my heartfelt gratitude for your continued commitment to the women seeking safety and shelter at the Norma Herr Women's Center. I am so humbled by the resiliency of the human spirit of those we serve. Thank you for touching their lives and for increasing awareness that we can each make a difference. Hugs Mira!
So thank you all again and if any of you wish to contribute to the MHS, Inc. or my mom's shelter (they are tax-deductable donations), you can either go to the MHS website and scroll to the bottom of the page for the donation button or just go here: https://www.networkforgood.org/donation/ExpressDonation.aspx?ORGID2=341607734

Have a safe and happy New Year's Eve!
Love,
Mirabee

Where to Find Grants

noreply@blogger.com (Mirabee (Mira Bartok)) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 16:07:00 +0000

Happy New Year everyone!

Just a little note to suggest that you check out this blog post about where to find funding by Julija Sukys on the shewrites.com. Go here: http://www.shewrites.com/profiles/blogs/show-me-the-money-where-to-find-writers-grants and you will find a nice mention of Mirabee as well. It’s technically a writers’s site but the info is really for all disciplines.

Cheers!
Mirabee

In the Image: a Kickstarter Project Worth Supporting!

noreply@blogger.com (Mirabee (Mira Bartok)) — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 17:45:00 +0000

Greetings,

I don’t normally post about a kickstarter project unless it is rather extraordinary and I think this one is. Please take a look at the short video below and consider donating to this amazing project. What the filmmakers have to say about their project (which can be found here: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/705674251/in-the-image):

IN THE IMAGE: CAPTURING THE STRUGGLE FOR PALESTINIAN HUMAN RIGHTS
IN THE IMAGE is a documentary about Palestinian women who film human rights abuses throughout the occupied West Bank. Each woman in our film belongs to the Camera Project, a unique collaboration of Jews and Arabs who use video to fight for justice, equality, and against intimidation by Israeli settlers and soldiers. Most importantly, the film explores the lives of these young Palestinian women as they enter the 21st century: their struggles between tradition and modernity, between invisibility and international media attention. The film also reveals the heartwarming collaboration between Arabs and Jews - a joint effort to achieve a just peace.

My Words are My Shelter Project 2011 Was a Success!

noreply@blogger.com (Mirabee (Mira Bartok)) — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 16:45:00 +0000

Dear Readers,

I just want to say Happy New Year and to let you know that the My Words are My Shelter Project to send every woman at the Norma Herr Women’s Center (a women’s shelter in Cleveland where my mother spent the last three years of her life) a journal, a pen and pencil is now officially over. We made our goal! Those of you who donated to this project: thank you from the bottom of my heart! When I get an official thank you from the Director, I will post it on Mira’s List.

While last year there were under 125 women staying at the shelter at Christmas (normally they have about 80 to 120 or so), this Christmas there were around 150 women there. This was a tough year for the homeless population, given the downward economy and severe cut in social programs. At times this past year, my mom’s shelter had up to 200 women staying there, even though their capacity is full at 150.

Nevertheless, even though the cost for this venture increased, thanks to all of you, we were able to send 160 journls, pens and pencils to the shelter along with a $500 donation ($300 last week and I’m sending out another $200 today that I received in the last couple days!). I will keep this project going each and every year during the holiday season and if any of you are inspired to start your own My Words project, please write to me and let me know! Who knows....this could be a non-profit organization in the making....

I have a couple new things to post this week...maybe later today if you are lucky. Things to look out for in 2012:

** a little facelift on Mira’s List, along with my now official new website address: www.miraslist.com (same site as this, but if you pass on my web address, please use the miralist.com one).

** I will be posting info in January about an art contest coming up with two amazing curators as judges. The entry fee will be low and there will be a cash prize.

** If you run a retreat center or residency and do not offer financial aid or scholarship assistance or at least free housing and studio, you will now have to pay a small fee to post your announcement or pay for advertising on my site. I will be posting a fee scale for advertisers soon. Unfortunately, I can’t keep doing this site without a tiny bit of income since I am on disability. If you run a retreat or residency center and offer aid, etc. you will continue to be able to make announcements for free.

Thanks and stay tuned!
Cheers,
Mirabee

New Grants & Residencies for International Artists of All Disciplines

noreply@blogger.com (Mirabee (Mira Bartok)) — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 17:07:00 +0000

Greetings everyone! Your response to the My Words are My Shelter Project to send a journal, pen and pencil to every woman in the homeless shelter my mother lived in in Cleveland was overwhelming! I made my goal and then some. I will still be taking in donations until December 23rd but know that I have made enough from all of you loyal and generous readers to send out 160 journals, etc. to the Norma Herr Women’s Center in Cleveland (named for my mom!) and to also send a check for....so far counting....at least $300 but maybe and most likely more. To find out more about this project, go here: http://miraslist.blogspot.com/2011/12/my-words-are-my-shelter-project-2011.html

Now on to some opportunities coming up in the new year....

(ALL) 2012 Artists in Residence Program at I-Park, Application Deadline: January 30, 2012—I-Park announces its twelfth season hosting its multi-disciplinary residency program. Self-directed artists’ residencies will be offered from May through November 2012. Most sessions are 4-weeks in duration and are offered to those working in the Visual Arts, Music Composition, Creative Writing, Moving Image and Landscape/Garden Design. Except for the $30 application fee, the residency is offered at no cost to accepted artists and includes comfortable private living quarters, a private studio and meal program. International applicants are welcome. To defray the cost of travel, four $750 grants will be awarded in 2012 to international artists.

For details and to apply, visit http://www.i-park.org/residency.html or contact the office: applications@i-park.org or 860-873-2468.
--
(WRITERS, PERFORMING ARTISTS, EMERGING FIELDS) On February 1, 2012, Creative Capital will begin accepting online Letters of Inquiry for grants in Emerging Fields, Literature and Performing Arts. The Inquiry Form will be open until March 1. Visit creative-capital.org/apply to read the grant guidelines and learn more about the application process, or attend an in-person or online information session.

Creative Capital provides integrated financial and advisory support to artists pursuing innovative and adventurous projects. Acting as a catalyst for the development of exceptional and imaginative ideas, we support artists whose work is provocative, timely and relevant; who are deeply engaged with their art forms and demonstrate a rigorous commitment to their craft, yet are also boldly original and push the boundaries of their genre; who create work that carries the potential to reshape the cultural landscape. Selected grantees receive up to $50,000 in direct support and a suite of services valued at more than $40,000.

To be eligible to apply, an artist must be:
* A U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident
* At least 25 years old
* A working artist with at least five years of professional experience
* Not a full-time student
Questions? Visit creative-capital.org/apply or email grants@creative-capital.org.

(ALL) haNorth Artist Residency in Pine Plains, NY announces a 2012 call for applications.

Website: chanorth.org

Winter Residency

chaNorth is happy to announce a new Winter Residency Program. Individual artists and groups of collaborators are invited to send project proposals. Artists will be provided with studio space and living space on a weekly basis and are able to specify the amount of time they would like to be in residence.

There is not a formal application process for our winter session. If interested in off-season residency, please email chanorth@chashama.org with a project proposal, artist bio, links to related work, contact information and the residency dates you are requesting. Available dates: February 19-April 28.

More information: http://chanorth.org/?page_id=90

Summer/Fall Residency

Our summer/fall residency session is comprised of five one-month sessions. Selected artists will be given a four-week residency that includes a private bedroom and studio, a fully stocked kitchen and one communal meal per day. As part of the residency artists are also given an “organic internship,” where they complete one four-hour work shift per week at McEnroe Organic Farm, allowing a deeper connection to the land and the food it produces.

Artists are responsible for travel costs and supplies. Collaborative teams of artists are invited to apply. The residency fee for one month is $875. Five artists will receive fully subsidized residencies at chaNorth.

2012 Summer/Fall residency dates:
Session 1: May 4-June 1
Session 2: June 4-July 2
Session 3: July 6-August 3
Session 4: August 6-Sept 3
Session 5: Sept 7-Oct 5

Applications are due February 21, 2012.

More information and applications: http://chanorth.org/?page_id=80

(MA WRITERS, POETS & CHOREOGRAPHERS) The Massachusetts Cultural Council is pleased to announce that we are now accepting 2012 Artist Fellowships applications in the categories of Choreography, Fiction/Creative Nonfiction, and Poetry.

The deadline for Artist Fellowships applications in Choreography, Fiction/Creative Nonfiction, and Poetry is January 30, 2012. Read the program guidelines and apply online. The Artist Fellowships are competitive, anonymously judged fellowships of $7,500 and finalist awards of $500, direct support to individual artists in recognition of artistic excellence. For more info, please go to: http://www.massculturalcouncil.org/programs/artistfellows.asp

(ALL) Artist Residency in Paris—Semapa, an urban development company of the Paris Rive Gauche area in the 13th arrondissement of Paris, is launching an international call for applications open to all forms of artistic creation. Open to all forms of artistic creation and artists from all over the world, located in Paris, Rive Gauche

Selection criteria The provisional budget, including fees and production costs, amounts to 600.000 euros, excluding taxes.

The selection will take place in two steps.
The first part will be open to all applicants; a maximum of five artists will be selected to participate in the second phase. Each of these artists will have until the final trimester of 2012 to produce sketches on the basis of the contract specifications. Each of these proposals will be compensated in the amount of 15.000 euros, including taxes.

Further Information and Application
http://www.commandeartistiqueparis13.com/en/index.php

Deadline: 03 March 2012

My Words are My Shelter Project, 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Mirabee (Mira Bartok)) — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 19:26:00 +0000

Dearest Readers,

Many of you know that my book, The Memory Palace, came out last January and that I have been on the road since then, doing readings and book events. For those of you who don’t know what the book is about, it’s about my relationship with my beautiful and brilliant mother who was tragically afflicted with schizophrenic and who became homeless the last seventeen years of her life. My mother spent her final three years in a women’s shelter in Cleveland, Ohio that has since been named for her: The Norma Herr Women’s Center.

Now wait a minute, you might be asking...what does this personal story have to do with Mira’s List’s mission, which is to help artists find “money, time and a place to create”? Well...here’s what I wrote last year when I was asking people to help out and donate a small amount for the MY WORDS ARE MY SHELTER project:

Recently, the shelter where my mother lived, the Community Women’s Center of Cleveland, was rebuilt and renamed in her honor. It is now called The Norma Herr Women’s Center and is sponsored by the Mental Health Services, Inc. of Cleveland. It is a safe haven for women who have fled domestic abuse, substance abuse, homelessness and poverty. There they can receive food and shelter, friendship, counseling and assistance in employment.

One of the things the shelter does is encourage the women to keep a journal. They also hold poetry workshops when they can get funding or a writer to volunteer his or her time. This writing process is key to their empowerment. When I found my mother at the end of her life, I discovered that she kept a storage unit at U-Haul all those seventeen years. When I opened it up, I found seventeen years of diaries.

My mother wrote each and every day to help keep her imaginary voices at bay. She wrote descriptions of flowers in the park, she wrote poems, screenplays and soaring lyric prose. I read each and every one of these diaries and was blown away at their beauty and power, and yes, their sense of tragedy, delusion and loss. But ultimately, I realized how much keeping a journal helped my mother navigate through the world. I believe that she found a certain strength in writing every day—it gave her a different kind of sustenance than the food she received at shelters and from strangers. It gave her a voice.

This is why I am starting a project this year called My Words Are My Shelter. I am sending a box of hardbound journals made from 100% recycled materials, along with a pen and a pencil, to each and every woman at my mother’s shelter in Cleveland. The cost of sending that box is more than I can afford right now so I am asking you if you would be willing to help me out and be a part of this process. That said, I realize that everyone is asking for money these days, so please do not feel pressured. But if you do feel so inspired, here is what you can do to participate...

1. To send one woman one journal, one pen & pencil, plus postage, it costs $5. You can click the donate here button on my blog (right hand side bar) and use your paypal account or credit card. Please write that it is for the “My Words” project because it is not a Mira’s List donation.

2. Or you can send a personal check made out to me, Mira Bartók, or to Mira’s List, and mail it to my post box address: Mira’s List, P.O. Box 273, Athol, MA 01331.

3. OR...if you don’t feel like donating, please consider donating something to your own local shelter or donating your time. Or buy a sandwich for someone on the street or a cup of hot chocolate, and tell them where the nearest shelter is. Do you know where the nearest shelter is?

Thanks for reading this. I’d love to raise $500 by December 20th and put a lot of names on the card I am sending out. Any money I receive above and beyond this amount will just be donated to the shelter for other much-needed items or put into an account for next year’s My Words Project. Please spread the word about this project and if you get inspired, why not start a My Words Are My Shelter Project of your own for your local shelter next year?

That’s the scoop everyone. Last year when I wrote the above post, I raised enough money to send not only a box of journals and pens to every woman at the shelter but I also was able to send them a substantial cash donation too. I am starting this way later than I wanted to because of being on book tour but better late than never. Let’s see if I can get enough money to send a big box of journals this year too!

Thanks so much for your help. Please pass this post on. And if you cannot contribute the $5 or more, thanks for at least passing the message on to others who can afford to help. Please try to send your donations to me by December 22nd. Anything I receive after that date will be sent in as a financial donation to the shelter to use as they see fit. Thanks.

Love,
Mirabee

Colorado Residency for Artists, Writers and Composers

noreply@blogger.com (Mirabee (Mira Bartok)) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 23:45:00 +0000

(ARTISTS, WRITERS & COMPOSERS) ART342 is now accepting artist-in-residence applications for 14 week and 6 week residencies in 2012.

On-line application: https://art342.slideroom.com/

Deadline for all Summer and Fall 2012 residencies: February 1, 2012

ART342 offers 14-week and 6-week residencies to emerging and established artists, writers and composers. Studios, a kiln and basic equipment are available for most visual artists, including ceramicists. Quiet spaces exist for creative or scholarly writers. The composer’s studio is outfitted with a Steinway B, computers and software for writing and recording.

Awards for accepted applicants include 24-hour access to free studios, living space and a modest stipend. Residents are responsible for personal expenses and travel to and from the site. Situated in a semi-rural area, ART342 is just 6 miles north of Historic Old Town in Fort Collins, Colorado. Up to 7 studios and 5 living spaces are maintained as private places for creative work. Pets, children, visitors and partners are strongly discouraged.

$30 application fee

For more information regarding application and residency details, visit: www.art342.org

Romanian Visual Arts Residency

noreply@blogger.com (Mirabee (Mira Bartok)) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 22:37:00 +0000

Hi Everyone,

If anyone is interested in finding out more about the residency in Romania that I mentioned here: http://miraslist.blogspot.com/2011/11/new-artist-residency-testimonials.html, I found the website and contact info. Go to: http://arthouse-visualarts.blogspot.com/
Or call or email: ELISABETH L. OCHSENFELD visual artist TEL-FAX 0049 6221 25232 info@elisart.de

Cheers,
Mirabee

Chicago Winter Artist Residency Fellowship Deadline Extended to Dec. 10th!

noreply@blogger.com (Mirabee (Mira Bartok)) — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 19:04:00 +0000

Chicago Winter Artist & Writer Retreats and Writer Residencies Fellowship Deadline NOW EXTENDED UNTIL: December 10, 2011

Writers and artists of all disciplines are welcome to participate this winter in 6 day residencies in the accessible and vibrant Wicker Park neighborhood of Chicago. Each day will offer time to write, research and an opportunity to communicate your experiences and challenges of being a creative individual with others. Chicago has one of the most vibrant and cultural communities in the country and we would like you to experience it firsthand.

The Writer's Residency provides six days focused on writing without major distractions; we encourage writers to visit the city for research, but encourage use of this time to concentrate on a specific writing project. The Artist's Retreats are an invitation for artists of all disciplines to discover Chicago and be inspired. Unfortunately, we cannot provide studio space, but these 6 days with other artists will encourage discussion, forge lasting friendships and hopefully spark new ideas.

We encourage all to apply for a fellowship to reduce the cost of participation. Fellowships of up to $300 are awarded based on your letter of intent or writing samples and are not based on financial need. Costs are $750 without fellowship and $450 with a fellowship. Private accommodations with bath, writing desk, continental breakfast and light lunch are provided daily. Salons are held on Friday and/or Saturday evenings to foster discussion and interaction with Chicago artists and writers.

For more information contact:
Kapra Fleming 773-354-1239
www.chicagoartretreats.org

Hosted in cooperation with the House of Two Urns B&B, 1239 N. Greenview Avenue Chicago, IL 60642 www.twourns.com.

New Artist Residency Testimonials!

noreply@blogger.com (Mirabee (Mira Bartok)) — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 17:49:00 +0000

Hi everyone. Well, it’s time once again to hear from some of my readers who have recently been to residencies that they found on Mira’s List. If you have had a great residency experience too, please let me know!

All you need to do is:
1. Give me your name (or if you like, just your first name if you are shy!) and what discipline you do (visual artist, writer, etc.)

2. WHERE you went (town, state, country) and the link to the residency site.

3. Tell me in one or two sentences (please, no more than that) what was great about the place.

4. Send me one to two pictures of the place or your studio or you doing something there. The pictures must be in jpg form and NO LARGER than 400 KB.

5. Please only pick one residency, not several. Thanks! And if you write way too much or end huge jpgs that I have to reduce and I have to spend time editing what you write or looking up information, I probably won't post your pictures and story, just so you know. Thanks for understanding.

6. Email this to me: mirabartok@yahoo.com.
And one more thing....Mirabee is going to do an art contest! Coming soon....low fee, low impact and cash award....stay tuned....

RESIDENCY TESTIMONIALS

From Arina Melkozernova (I'm not sure what her medium is---CAMAC is open to all disciplines):

I spent three weeks at CAMAC (Centre D'Art - Marnay Art Centre) residency in France (June, 2010). It was my first residency experience such as meeting the diverse group of artists and sharing our ideas, inspirations and cultural wisdom. It worked as "jump out of the hamster wheel" for me - in terms of breaking the "being provider" routine and keeping my dream alive. I finally started to work on my project, and I hope to continue:) One step at a time...Thank you, Mirabee, for your encouragement, support and being here for us....just one of many - Arina

From writer and poet Athena Edmonds: The first picture is looking out my window at Ragdale, poetry residency, April 2011. Five writers, two artists, in a beautiful Chicago suburb, we worked and lived together, feeding of each others work.

This next one is from Hedgebrook, Feb 2011, my fairy tale cabin in the woods on Whidby Island in Washington State, US. Seven cabins, seven women writers. We wrote all day, and gathered every night for an organic meal cooked by a friendly fabulous chef at the main farmhouse.

I love your blog. thank you for all the work you do putting it together. Athena Edmonds

www.athenaedmonds.com

Artist Blake Brasher went all the way to Romania:

Arthouse Garana is in a tiny, one and a half street village in the mountains of western Romania. The program was only ten days long, but they are ten days that will remain with me for the rest of my life. It was so great to interact with artists from around the world, to see how they saw the world and what their art meant to them. For me, as a somewhat younger artist at the beginning of my career, it was also very informative and inspiring to be around artists at all stages of their careers. The group was very warm and inclusive, and despite some difficulties with languages we all managed to form some form of bond with each other. I wrote a bit about the experience on my website shortly after returning to Boston. It's part of this post: http://www.blakebrasher.org/2011/away-from-home/ You can see more of my work at my web site, http://blakebrasher.org

If anyone is interested in finding out more about the residency in Romania, go to: http://arthouse-visualarts.blogspot.com/
Or call or email: ELISABETH L. OCHSENFELD visual artist TEL-FAX 0049 6221 25232 info@elisart.de

*** Dear Readers—please include a link to the residency so curious readers can check the place out. Thanks so much! Your Faithful Servant and and Helpful Curmudgeon, Mirabee

McKnight Fellowship for Mid-Career Musicians

noreply@blogger.com (Mirabee (Mira Bartok)) — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 20:05:00 +0000

(MUSICIANS) The 2012-13 McKnight Fellowship—With the generous support of the McKnight Foundation, MacPhail Center for Music awards fellowships which recognize and provide support for mid-career performing musicians. A McKnight Fellowship can help an artist set aside periods of time for study, reflection, experimentation, and exploration; take advantage of an opportunity; or work on a new project. These prestigious fellowships are intended to reward artistic excellence and to support performing musicians who have reached a critical point in their career development.

If you are a performing musician, MacPhail Center for Music invites you to apply for a McKnight Fellowship for Performing Musicians. MacPhail awards four $25,000 fellowships to outstanding solo musicians or small ensembles. All finalists receive a $1,000 honorarium. For the winners this is considered part of their $25,000 award. Ensembles that are recognized as finalists and/or fellowship recipients will split awards between members; individual ensemble members will not each receive the full award amount. Awards are subject to state and federal income tax guidelines.

For more info, go to: http://www.macphail.org/MCKNIGHT-FELLOWSHIPS/index
Deadline is January 23, 2012.

Urgent December 1 Deadline for Fellowship for Young Artists!

noreply@blogger.com (Mirabee (Mira Bartok)) — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 16:17:00 +0000

Hey everyone, hope you had a great holiday. This opportunity just came up and the deadline is THIS THURSDAY, December 1, 2011. More to post soon....just wanted to get this out to you!

Cheers,
Mirabee

(ARTISTS) The Van Lier Visual Artist Fellowship for Young Artists—Wave Hill is pleased to announce a new fellowship program for young artists. The Van Lier Visual Artist Fellowship, funded by the Edward and Sally Van Lier Fund of the New York Community Trust, provides an opportunity for two young artists to develop the skills and professional credentials needed to establish a successful career as visual artists. The new fellowship expands Wave Hill’s Visual Arts programming, which includes major topical exhibitions from spring through fall; its Sunroom Project Space, a program for emerging artists to create solo shows; and Wave Hill’s Winter Workspace, consisting of two, six-week sessions for artists to work in residence. A public garden and cultural center in the Bronx overlooking the Hudson River and Palisades, Wave Hill invites artists to draw inspiration from its stunning natural setting, gardens and greenhouses. Wave Hill’s mission is to celebrate the artistry and legacy of its gardens and landscapes, to preserve its magnificent views, and to explore human connections to the natural world through programs in horticulture, education and the arts.

The 12-month Van Lier Visual Artist Fellowship will be awarded to two New York City-based artists, ages 30 or younger who are from culturally diverse backgrounds. The fellowship provides valuable mentoring, and opportunities to learn from the curatorial staff about the creation and interpretation of exhibitions and arts programming, as well as to work with artists and arts professionals to define career paths over the course of the program, which begins in January 2012. Van Lier Fellows will be given studio space during the second session of the 2012 Winter Workspace (February 14–March 25, 2012), as well as a solo show in Wave Hill’s Sunroom Project Space (July 7–August 26, 2012). Each Van Lier Fellow will receive a stipend of $7,000.

Applications should be submitted at www.wavehill.org/apply by December 1, 2011.

Qualifications for Van Lier Fellowship applicants:

Emerging artists 30 years of age or younger;

From underserved communities and/or culturally diverse backgrounds;

Reside within one of the five boroughs of New York City;

Have completed college and are not enrolled in a degree-granting program in 2012;

Demonstrate artistic and career potential;

Are not represented by a commercial gallery; and

Are available to participate in the Winter Workspace and Sunroom Project Space Programs.

New Residencies for Choreographers, Artists, Writers and More!

noreply@blogger.com (Mirabee (Mira Bartok)) — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 18:16:00 +0000

Hey Everyone, a couple new residency announcements below and the first deadline is very urgent—This Friday! By the way, if anyone is in the Bay Area this weekend, I will be reading in San Francisco on Friday night, the 18th and in Corte Madera on Saturday morning, the 19th. I hope to see some of you Mira's List peeps there! For more info, go to my calendar: http://thememorypalace.com/calendar Also, Please vote for The Memory Palace for the 2011 Goodreads Reader's Choice Awards by November 20th! Click here: http://www.goodreads.com/award/choice/2011#56605-Best-Memoir-&-Autobiography

And please keep sending me pictures and brief testimonials on the residencies you have found on Mira's List. It's great to get the inside picture from people who have stayed somewhere. Send a couple sentences about where you stayed, a link for the residency site, tell us where it was and send a link to your website if you have one and a couple jpgs, no larger than 500 KB. And I will post your experience! Let me know if I can use your full name.

Okay....off we go!

(DANCERS/ CHOREOGRAPHERS) The Next Stage Residency in Pittsburgh, PA—One week residency in Pittsburgh, PA at the Kelly Strayhorn Theater. The deadline its quickly approaching (this Friday, November 18th, 2011!) The Next Stage Residency supports the creation of new work by choreographers. Next Stage gives talented choreographers the opportunity to explore and develop new material in the historic and beautiful Kelly Strayhorn Theater. The Next Stage Residency includes six days (Jan 23-28) of creative rehearsal time (3-5 hours daily/choreographer) and a work-in-progress showing on Saturday, January 28, 2012. Selected choreographers will receive a $1000 honorarium. The Residency will include lighting design support and one two-hour technical rehearsal. A photographer will document the week and the showing. The week will also include video documentation of the showing available to the artist. Housing & meals are available for visiting choreographers.
For more information and details visit www.kelly-strayhorn.org or email Stephanie at stephanie@kelly-strayhorn.org

(ALL) Community & Artist-in- Residence Program in the Galilee in Israel—The Bat Shalom Guest House is an expansive contemporary artist villa nestled in the hills of the Galilee between the Sea of Galilee and Mount Tavor. Inspired by the land absorbed with the sources of the Bible, Druze villages, Christians, Muslims, and Jews, we invite artists of all walks of life to join us for a one-month Art Laboratory December 18, 2011-January 18, 2012.

12 selected international artists will research and explore the connection between art and peace work with the world-renown multi-media artist and peace activist, Dorit Bat-Shalom. She will lead this group on a journey through the ancient cultures and spiritual paths
that live in the land of Israel while connecting them with acclaimed Israeli artists.
The Guest House will provide a sanctuary where from every window and balcony the beautiful view of the ancient Lower Galilee will enrapture you. With an atmosphere of inspiration, creativity, and tranquility, this unique location deeply serves each artist.
For more details see the file below.
how to contact:
doritbatshalom@gmail.com
doritdror@gmail.com
972-774246166
miki- 972-56445333
Deadline unknown—please contact organization for more info and go to their blog: http://batshalomartistinresidence.blogspot.com
(***the cost of this residency is around $2000 and I think it includes everything except for travel to and from your own country. They are currently looking for funding for future scholarships. There used to be another place like this in the Galilee that I stayed at years ago and you can read about it in my book, The Memory Palace! It's a beautiful area and very interesting.)

(ALL) Residency applications for 2012 for artists, writers and the general public are being accepted for the Fowler and C-Scape Dune Shacks in the Cape Cod National Seashore. One to three weeks stays available, including a 3-week $500 fellowship for a visual artist, and two funded weeks for writers. Contact Provincetown Community Compact, www.thecompact.org Deadline January 15, 2012.

Please vote for The Memory Palace for the 2011 Goodreads Reader's Choice Awards by November 20th! Click here: http://www.goodreads.com/award/choice/2011#56605-Best-Memoir-&-Autobiography

PLEASE VOTE FOR MIRABEE by NOVEMBER 20th!

noreply@blogger.com (Mirabee (Mira Bartok)) — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 17:56:00 +0000

Hey everyone, I just found out that my book The Memory Palace was nominated for the semi-final round of the 2011 Goodreads Choice Award for Memoir and Autobiography. My publisher asked me to rally my troupes to vote for me so I can get into the finals. Would you please click on the link below or on the side and vote for The Memory Palace? I have no idea if I win anything but apparently it's a good thing to win! You need to vote before November 20th, which is this Sunday. Over 200,00 votes were cast to get me into the semi-finals so it's pretty cool. Thanks!
Here's the link: http://www.goodreads.com/award/choice/2011#56605-Best-Memoir-&-Autobiography

2011 Goodreads Choice Awards: Best Memoir & Autobiography

Vote now for your favorite books!

Calling All Printmakers! Special Editions Residency Program in NYC

noreply@blogger.com (Mirabee (Mira Bartok)) — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 16:55:00 +0000

Special Editions Residency Program

Application deadline:

Friday, December 2, 2011

Lower East Side Printshop offers artists the opportunity to complete a significant new body of work in printmaking in collaboration with our experienced Master Printers, fully published by the Printshop. Artists working in all disciplines are encouraged to apply; printmaking experience is not necessary. The application deadline for the Special Editions Residency Program is Friday, December 2, 2011 postmarked or delivered by 6pm.

Residencies take place for a period of three to six months, including production time, scheduled between February 2012 and February 2013. The Printshop will provide up to $4,000 honorarium, studio access, all materials and supplies, full technical assistance, project documentation, exhibition opportunities, and limited travel and accommodation stipends for artists residing outside of New York.

For more information about the residency and application guidelines, click here.

Contact:

Christine Walia

Programs Director

Christine@printshop.org

Lower East Side Printshop

306 W. 37th Street, 6th Floor

New York, NY 10018

212-673-5390

www.printshop.org

Calling All Book Artists! Residency & Grant Deadlines for November & December

noreply@blogger.com (Mirabee (Mira Bartok)) — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 23:41:00 +0000

Hey everyone, my power is back on! I'm very happy about that right now. And I hope most of you on the east coast have your power back now too. Anyway, I'm leaving for Philadelphia tomorrow morning to read at Chester County Book & Music Store but I thought I'd blast a couple opportunities to all you book artists out there. Enjoy and I will post more as soon as I can. I have a pretty insane schedule from now until Thanksgiving but I will do my best. If you would like to know where else I am reading, go here: http://www.thememorypalace.com/calendar
Cheers,
Mirabee

Artist Book Residencies at the Women's Studio Workshop

These residency grants are designed to enable artists to produce a limited edition book work at the Women's Studio Workshop (WSW). Working intensively in our studios for six to eight weeks, artists print and bind their own books. WSW technical assistance includes training on new equipments, introduction to new materials, and assistance with production.

The grant includes a stipend of $2,000 to $3,000 for six to eight weeks, materials up to $750, access to all studios, travel costs (within the Continental US), and housing. Projects are chosen by a jury of outside artists and curators.

Generally, we encourage an edition size no larger than 100 and no smaller than 50. WSW has developed a series of archive and exhibition opportunities for the books. The contract stipulates 10% (or ten books) for WSW archives, exhibition, and display copies; 10% of the edition for the artist; and 80% of the edition for general marketing. Artist have the option of collaborating with WSW on marketing of artists' books for a 50% commission fee. WSW has artists' books in collections world-wide and six institutions are repositories of all the artists' books published by WSW. The repositories are: Indiana University (Bloomington), Rochester Institute of Technology, University of Delaware, Vassar College, Virginia Commonwealth University and Yale University.

Deadline Nov. 15th, 2011
http://www.wsworkshop.org/_art_opp/artopp_grant_abr.htm

SPARE Book and Print-Making Residency in Chicago

SPARE is a modest short-term residency intended to facilitate the making of prints or books. We give artists a small bedroom studio plus access to a Risograph stencil printer and kitchen.

This residency is open to all types of artists and designers looking to make printed work. In addition to providing space and tools we can assist with design and print work as well if appropriate. Please see the details on our website as the printer and working arrangements are unique. The next deadline is December 15.

Application Requirements: Portfolio, Statement, Description of Intentions, and Project Plan
We have a printer and want to know how you would use it.
email: info@spareresidency.com
website: www.spareresidency.com