Recipients are chosen based on the evolution of their work, the quality of their existing work, and the promise of future potential. They are chosen by a panel of arts professionals familiar with the work of Oregon visual artists, the national contemporary art discipline, and who are experienced in fellowship selection processes.
The Foundation contracts through the western States Art Federation (WESTAF), a non-profit arts service organization, for access to the web-based CaFE (www.CallforEntry.org) application system to both accept and jury applications.
The panel reduces the initial field of applicants to a pool of semi-finalists and then convenes as a group to collectively review and discuss the merits of each before reaching consensus on the final three recipients. The Foundation confirms eligibility and compliance with award terms and will contact references before awarding the fellowships. Panelists' names will be disclosed simultaneously with the announcement of the Fellowship awardees.
Disciplines
The Foundation recognizes that advancement is being made in a broad array of visual arts mediums and, therefore, does not want to be unnecessarily restrictive. With the exception of film, video and animation, the Foundation will accept applications from any visual arts medium. However, it will emphasize the more classic disciplines in the early years of this program, in keeping with Hallie Ford's interests and experiences.
Eligibility
Application is open to any Oregon mid-career visual artist meeting the following criteria and actively producing new work in the fields of contemporary fine art and craft:
- be a practicing visual artist currently producing works of art;
- be a full-time resident of Oregon for at least 36 months prior to the application deadline and remain a resident through the duration of the grant period;
- maintain Oregon as their primary residence if they participate in an out-of-state residency program or they will not qualify;
- be 30 years of age or older at the time of application;
- evidence, through appropriate documentation, seven (7) or more years of active professional participation in his/her medium, and
- not be enrolled in a degree-seeking program, either part-time or full-time at the time of application or during the successive grant period.
Finalists will be required to provide legal proof of residency in the form of a valid Oregon drivers license, voter registration card or documented payment of residence-related costs such as taxes, utility bill, etc. before Fellowships will be awarded. The Foundation does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, disability or religion.
February 1: Call for Applications open
March 15: Call for Applications closed (10:59 p.m. PDT)
March 27: Jury begins review
May 29: Foundation announces awardees
June 25: Foundation hosts awards presentation
Q. What is The Ford Family Foundation Visual Arts Program? In January 2010 The Ford Family Foundation Board established a multi-year Visual Arts Program to support the exploration, conceptualization, creation, exhibition and documentation of new work by Oregon visual artists.
Q. What is the intent of the overall Program? The purpose of the program is two-fold: to accelerate an enhanced quality of artistic endeavor and bodies of work by Oregon's established visual artists who are at pivotal points in their practice of art to make significant advancements and to improve Oregon's visual arts ecology. It intends to accomplish this by providing resources to Oregon's most promising practicing visual artists to support their exploration, conceptualization and production of new work through enhancing or expanding creative work time and space, and, by making strategic investments in Oregon visual arts institutions that advance and exhibit their work. Funding resources have been dedicated to a number of different educational and programmatic activities, including the annual awarding of Hallie Ford Fellowships in the Visual Arts.
Q. What is the Hallie Ford Fellowship in the Visual Arts?
The Foundation awards up to three unrestricted Hallie Ford Fellowships in the Visual Arts per calendar year, each in the amount of $25,000, to Oregon visual artists who have demonstrated a depth of sophisticated practice and potential for significant future accomplishment. These fellowships honor the late Hallie Ford, co-founder of The Ford Family Foundation based in Roseburg, Oregon who left a legacy of a life-long interest in and support of the visual arts. She believed strongly that others should have the opportunity to realize and fulfill their talents. The Hallie Ford Fellowships are one way in which the Foundation Board intends to sustain her contributions and founding role by actively supporting the people she grew to know and respect for their work during her lifetime.
Q. How are recipients selected?
Recipients are chosen based on the evolution of their work, the quality of their existing work, and the promise of future potential by a panel of arts professionals familiar with the work of Oregon visual artists, the national contemporary art discipline, and who are experienced in fellowship selection processes. The Foundation contracts through the Western States Art Federation (WESTAF), a non-profit arts service organization, for access to its web-based CaFE (www.CallforEntry.org) application system to both accept and jury applications. The panel reduces the initial field of applicants to a pool of semi-finalists and then convenes as a group to collectively review and discuss the merits of each before reaching a consensus on the final three recipients. The Foundation confirms eligibility and compliance with award terms, and contacts references before awarding the fellowships. Panelists' names are disclosed simultaneously with the announcement of the Fellowship awardees.
Q. Who is eligible for Fellowship funding?
Application is open to any Oregon mid-career visual artist meeting the following criteria and actively producing new work in the fields of contemporary fine art and craft:
- be a practicing visual artist currently producing works of art;
- be a full-time resident of Oregon for at least 36 months prior to the application deadline and remain a resident through the duration of the grant period;
- maintain Oregon as their primary residence if they participate in an out-of-state residency program or they will not qualify;
- be 30 years of age or older at the time of application;
- evidence, through appropriate documentation, seven (7) or more years of active professional participation in his/her medium, and
- not be enrolled in a degree-seeking program, either part-time or full-time at the time of application or during the successive grant period.
Finalists will be required to provide legal proof of residency in the form of a valid Oregon drivers license, voter registration card or documented payment of residence-related costs such as taxes, utility bill, etc. before Fellowships will be awarded. The Foundation does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, disability or religion.
Q. Will all visual arts disciplines qualify for Fellowships?
The Foundation recognizes that advancement is being made in a broad array of visual arts mediums and, therefore, does not want to be unnecessarily restrictive. With the exception of film, video and animation, the Foundation will accept applications from any visual arts medium. However, it will emphasize the more classic disciplines in the early years of this program, in keeping with Hallie Ford's interests and experiences.
Q. How may the funds be used?
Fellowship funding is unrestricted and intended to support an artist's living and work expenses.
Q. How do I apply?
Application to the Hallie Ford Fellowships is available beginning February 1, 2013. Artists must be registered on the CaFE system to participate in the application process. If not previously registered, artists may do so by visiting www.CallforEntry.org and pushing the First Time Users Register Here button. All applicants are required to submit an Artist Statement; a resume in PDF format not to exceed five pages; up to (10) sample images of their work (created in the last 7-10 years) in JPG format; three references with appropriate contact information; and answers to questions posed on the application. Please see the Foundation's "call for application" posted on CaFE, which includes the submission deadline (10:59 p.m. PDT, March 15, 2013) and guidelines. There is no application fee. Interested artists must submit their application online by addressing the questions and uploading appropriate images of their work. Please review all Fellowship background material thoroughly. If questions remain, applicants may contact the Foundation by emailing: visualartsprogram@tfff.org. Late applications cannot be accepted and incomplete applications cannot be reviewed. The Foundation is unable to process, nor return applications sent by standard mail.
Q. How often may an individual apply?
Artists who apply, but are not selected for a Fellowship, may reapply annually. However, the Foundation will not consider additional requests from artists who are currently receiving funding through other program activities, until the current grant is closed.
Q. How will I know if my application has been accepted and of the panel's final decision?
All completed applications are acknowledged and considered. The CaFE system prompts an applicant if his/her application has not been completed properly. A dedicated email address has been established to accept and answer questions. The Foundation contacts the three finalists to verify information before making the formal awards. CaFE posts the results on its website and notifies applicants through an automated email delivery system.
Q. When will the three Fellowships be awarded?
The Hallie Ford Fellowships in the Visual Arts will be announced in June, 2013 followed by a public awards presentation later the same month.
Q. What is the Fellowships application and selection process schedule for 2013?
February 1: Call for Applications open
March 15: Call for Applications closes
March 27: Jury begins review
May 29: Foundation announces awardees
June 25: Foundation hosts awards presentation
Q. How and where may I learn more about the Visual Arts Program?
The Foundation's website www.tfff.org has basic program information. Limited staffing prohibits being able to respond to telephone inquiries about the visual arts program. However, questions specific to the Fellowships not addressed by information on the Foundation's or CaFE's websites will be answered by emailing visualartsprogram@tfff.org.