ST. PAUL, Minn. (Jan. 11, 2016) — IFP Minnesota, a St. Paul-based media arts center, is now accepting applications for the The McKnight Fellowships for Media Artists, which IFP MN administers on behalf of the McKnight Artist Fellowships Program. Four $25,000 fellowships will be awarded to mid-career Minnesota media artists who have demonstrated continued excellence in their work.
The goal of the McKnight Artist Fellowships for Media Artists program is to identify talented Minnesota media artists whose work is of exceptional artistic merit and who are at a career stage beyond emerging. The fellowship program supports established artists by providing significant financial assistance, by creating opportunities to meet with local and national art professionals, by organizing a public discussion panel featuring the fellows, by providing assistance to attend the Film Independent Forum in Los Angeles and by offering four free classes through IFP Minnesota during the fellowship year.
The program welcomes proposals from screenwriters; film directors; writers and directors of independent radio, television, webisodes, or interactive projects; and independent film producers.
The use of fellowship funds is unrestricted and can help an artist set aside time for study or exploration, take advantage of an opportunity, or work on a new project.
Deadline for applications is March 11. Two “How to Apply” workshops will be held on February 10 and 21.
Additional information, including application guidelines, are available here: McKnight Fellowships for Media Artists.
ABOUT THE MCKNIGHT ARTIST FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM
The McKnight Artist Fellowship Program is one of the oldest and largest of its kind in the country. Established in 1981, the fellowships provide annual, unrestricted cash awards to outstanding mid-career Minnesota artists in ten areas. Eight arts organizations oversee the administration of the fellowships and structure their own programs to respond to the unique challenges of different creative disciplines. Since the program’s inception, McKnight has funded more than 1,500 artist fellowships. Currently, McKnight gives nearly $2 million per year via its fellowships program.
ABOUT THE MCKNIGHT FOUNDATION
Founded in 1953 by William and Maude McKnight, the Minnesota- based family foundation had assets of approximately $2 billion and granted about $86 million in 2013. Program interests include regional economic and community development, Minnesota’s arts and artists, early literacy, youth development, Midwest climate and energy, Mississippi River water quality, neuroscience and international crop research, and community- building in Southeast Asia.
ABOUT IFP MINNESOTA
IFP Minnesota’s mission is to advance a vibrant and diverse community of independent film and media artists through networking, education, funding, and opportunities for showcasing their work. IFP MN envisions a world where expression through images is encouraged and valued. It is the goal of IFP MN to lead the way in supporting the independent filmmaker by creating a healthy and viable filmmaking community in Minnesota.
