Purpose

The Marian Anderson Award Art Study-Grant Program is founded in the belief that: The early pursuit of artistic excellence magnifies the possibility of individual achievement. Importantly and in a larger sense, that pursuit enhances both the individual and our broader culture in far-reaching and immeasurable ways.

The purpose of the Art Study-Grant is to provide fundamental support to highly talented young artists. Support is extended with the understanding that the student is considering a professional career and shows clear promise of attaining that goal. It is not expected that the student artist will make the transition to professional status through the support of this grant.

Rather, the grant will be made to support the students as they begin working toward a professional career, while lessening the financial burden of that choice.

Eligibility

In addition to demonstrating significant talent and commitment, financial need is a central consideration in the Marian Anderson Award program’s decision to make a grant. Students who submit a request must reside in the five-county region of Southeastern Pennsylvania, Camden or Gloucester Counties in Southern New Jersey, or New Castle County in Delaware.

For 2005-2006, consideration will be given to performing, visual or literary artists who are students in their freshman, sophomore, junior or senior years of a public or private high school.

In addition to a letter of request, a letter of nomination from a professional teacher/coach/mentor must be attached attesting to the talent and commitment of the student making the request.

Requests for support may be submitted annually. Receipt of a grant does not limit the recipient from ongoing requests; however, additional requests cannot be submitted until one year has passed since the previous grant was received. In the event that additional support is requested, a brief summary of the work supported by the previous grant must be submitted with a letter of ongoing support from the nominating teacher/coach/mentor.

Making a request

As in previous years, making a request to this program has been kept as simple as possible. Grant requests may be made in the form of a letter detailing the type of expense subsidization needed and the amount requested. Requests should be in the range of $500 to $2,500, and an interview may be requested prior to providing a grant.

If ongoing support is requested, based upon several factors including interim assessment by the nominator, an increased grant may be considered.

There is no restriction on the financial need the grant will address. For example, instruction, coaching, instrument rental, travel or subsistence are all real costs that the grant may support. However, the request must explain how the grant will support the student’s ability to pursue his or her artistic development and/or how the grant funds will be used to support expenses that the student or the student’s family is unable to bear or is bearing with difficulty.

Requests for support will not be considered once the recipient has begun their freshman year in college.

Grant Disbursement

The nature of the request and the amount will help determine how a grant will be disbursed. This can be discussed during the interview if one is scheduled, or with staff at the Marian Anderson Award office once the grant decision has been made. Grant recipients will be asked to document any single expense of $500 or more. This can be in the form of a receipt or invoice.

The request should be addressed to:
Marian Anderson Award
One Parkway, 12th Floor
1515 Arch Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102
Attn: Young Artist Study-Grant Program

When submitting a letter of request you must:

1. Include your name, age, home address and telephone number.
2. Describe the purpose for which the Study-Grant is requested and the amount of the request; not to exceed two pages (please note that a request for a consecutive grant must include a letter from the nominator detailing the developmental gains that have been achieved since the previous grant was received).
3. Write in a legible manner or type in an easily readable typeface.
4. Include a cover letter from your teacher/coach/mentor nominating you for consideration.
5. Include a letter from an adult (all grant recipients will be minors) who will provide financial oversight of the grant if that person is different from the teacher/coach/mentor. This is the contact person to whom the grant will be sent.
6. Importantly, if a grant has been received in the previous year and ongoing support is requested, a brief report must be provided describing how the funds were used along with an evaluation of student progress by the teacher/coach/mentor. Previous grantees are encouraged to contact the Award office prior to the submission of a second request.

Although it is not compulsory, an individual may include materials that further demonstrate the current level of his or her artistic development. These may include tapes, video, reviews or writing samples.

Materials submitted in support of a request will not be returned.