The Artist Fellowships Program utilizes the CaFE grant system for applications in visual arts categories: Crafts, Drawing & Printmaking, Painting, Photography, and Sculpture/Installation/New Genres. Here are some tips on preparing and uploading images for the application process. (See CaFE’s own Image and Media Preparation Guide for further research.)
Preparing Image Files
If you do not have photo editing software program such as Microsoft Photo Editor or Adobe PhotoShop, there are numerous free photo-editing software programs available on the Internet. To demonstrate how to resize an image, we’ll use picmonkey.com (the MCC does not endorse any particular software product; this is an example of the many image-editing programs available).
Click on http://www.picmonkey.com/ to bring you to the free image editing software program.
Click the Edit a photo square on upper left side of the homepage. This will let you browse your own computer files to locate your own image. Click on the file name of the image you want to resize and it will open automatically in picmonkey.com.
Click Resize button
Now, make sure the longest side of your image (either horizontal or vertical) is at least 1920 pixels. If it is less than that, revert to a file saved with larger dimensions. If no file exists with a dimension of at least 1920 pixels, it may be necessary to reshoot. Dimensions larger than 1920 pixels are fine; in this case, the CaFE upload system will automatically reconfigure the image to 1920 pixels either wide or high.
Be sure to keep the checkbox on “Keep Proportions”
Click Apply
Click Save
When you click Save, you should be able to see the “File Size.” Make sure that it is under 3 MB. If it is not, change the ppi/dpi to 72 pixels to reduce file size.
Click Save Photo
This will open a window in your computer. Save your image in a folder you will be able to find later. After you save, your image will be optimized for the Artist Fellowship application.
Uploading Image Files
Create a free user account at CallforEntry.org (CaFE).
To apply using the CaFE system, you’ll need to upload work samples into your CaFE Portfolio. When your work samples are uploaded, they’ll be available for you to include in your applications. We recommend that you add the five images you plan to include to your Portfolio before beginning your MCC application.
When in the My Portfolio tab, click “Upload Media” and browse for your images. After selecting “Image” on the Upload Media Page,” you will need to fill in informational fields. All items in bold text are required – including “Price/Value.” This is because the system is often used for sales-oriented calls to artists. Don’t worry – the panelists will NOT see what you write here, so feel free to give an approximate or even a “placeholder” price. Avoid non-standard characters such as !@#$%^&>
For more information, read CaFE’s Image and Media Preparation Guide.
Feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, confused… No worries, we’re here to help.
Email or call MCC Artist Fellowships Program Staff.
Kelly Bennett, 617/858-2705
Dan Blask, 617/858-2706