On the blog, we've had the chance to exchange ideas with dozens of Massachusetts artists, exploring their work and the way they make it. A number of these artists, along with creating their own work, also teach. What do they try to instill in emerging artists? Here, we share some of their insights into the creative life. Melinda Lopez, playwright Break your characters. … [Read more...]
Tips
Tips on Applying for a Mass Cultural Council Artist Fellowship
The Massachusetts Cultural Council 2012 Artist Fellowships Program guidelines are now available. Here's some advice on navigating the fellowships application process. In the Mass Cultural Council Artist Fellowship Program, we instruct our panelists to make their grants decisions based on two criteria*: 1. Artistic quality, and 2. Creative ability. "But wait!" exclaims … [Read more...]
Copyright, Appropriation, and Creatives
In May 2011, artists Tim Devin and David Taber organized a conference in Cambridge called Play-Jurisms, exploring the complex thicket of copyright, appropriation, and ethics in the work of contemporary artists. We asked the two collaborators to share their observations from that weekend, which approached the idea of creative property from all angles. How does copyright … [Read more...]
Funding for Individual Artists in Massachusetts
We just announced our most recent Artist Fellowships (more on that program below), and, with awards on the brain, we thought we'd take the opportunity to revisit a post we first created in 2008. It's a look at funding opportunities for artists in Massachusetts (though there may be an opportunity or two in here for those of you who live out-of-state). So here, artist … [Read more...]
Poets and Citizens: The Massachusetts Poetry Festival in Salem
In a post for the Vox Mom blog, Massachusetts poet Jennifer Jean writes engagingly about her belief in Literary Citizenship. In her case, that means contributing her time and energy to the poetry community despite the already robust demands of being a poet and working mother. As a Literary Citizen, she makes sure to impart a love of poetry in those around her. She also takes an … [Read more...]