ArtsForward How to Apply

Before Applying

Read the entire set of Program Guidelines.
Identify with whom you want to work and meet with them in advance of submitting an application. Presenters can reach out to artists with whom they want to apply. Artists (or their agent, manager, or producers) can approach presenters about applying together.
Presenters must be a member of APAP in good standing or become a member of APAP. If not yet a member, the membership process must begin by November 9, 2021.

Applying is a two-part process designed to reduce the workload for both presenters and artists.

1. The Initial Application

The initial application phase will ask about the nature of the proposed engagement. In addition to contact and demographic information about the organization and artist, questions include:

How do the artist and presenter envision working together (in-person indoors, in- person outdoors, virtually, other, and/or unknown)? Note: All activities cannot be virtual. Engagement projects must include some live performance elements.
How and why did they decide to apply together? What mutual needs and interests does their engagement address?
What is the approximate timeline for the engagement?
Will a broader community be involved, and if so, how?
How does the engagement reflect the artists’ intent and interests at this time?
How does the engagement fit the presenter’s overall plans, goals, or season?

In addition, applicants will need to provide the following:

A brief organizational background from the presenter.
A brief bio from the artist.
An overall budget figure for the engagement project, including how much will go to the artist and a general description of expenses to be included.
Presenters will be asked to sign a general agreement to pay artists in phases, including an initial payment soon after funds are received, and structured payments around the overall engagement).
Both the artists and presenters must sign the Application. In advance of the deadline please allow sufficient time to obtain the artist’s signature or clearance to sign on their behalf. Upon submission, the presenter and artist will both be emailed to confirm that the application was submitted and signed by both parties.

You can find detailed instructions for the initial application, including all questions asked here, and guidance for artists here.

Ready to Apply?

2. Additional Information

A set number of applicants will advance to the final application phase and be asked to provide additional information. The full requirements will be available in December and will likely include:

Any additional details on the engagement, including plans, formats, locations and/or creative process, as known.
Description of their tentative payment agreement, including schedule and cancellation language.
A short (2- to 3-minute) informal video statement that could be recorded in Zoom, wherein both the presenter and artist speak, together, to their planned engagement, possibly by addressing several prompts.
A comprehensive budget.
Work sample from the artist.

Applicants that advance to the final application phase but are not funded will receive an honorarium of $1,000, to be split evenly between the presenter and artist.

What Happens to Your Application?

Applications will be reviewed for eligibility and other considerations. Upon submission, the presenter and artist will receive an email confirming that the application was submitted and signed by both parties. A panel of approximately six peers from the field, including artists, will be convened to review the applications and select approximately 100 to be invited to participate in the second phase.

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Camera Crew at APAP|NYC by Adam Kissick/APAP

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ArtsForward How to Apply

Before Applying

1. The Initial Application

2. Additional Information

What Happens to Your Application?

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