Utah Division of Arts & Museums Visual Arts Fellowship Applications Available

Note: Much of the following information was included in a press release issued September 19, 2011. Utah Division of Arts & Museums Visual Arts Fellowship Applications Available SALT LAKE CITY — Guidelines and online applications for the Utah Division of Arts & Museums 2012 Visual Arts Fellowships are now available to Utah artists at utahartsandmuseums.utah.gov.  The deadline for applications is November 4, 2011 at 5:00 p.m. “Visual arts fellowships acknowledge artistic excellence, and are designed to help further the professional development of Utah’s working artists,” says Margaret Hunt, Director of the Utah Division of Arts & Museums. “Recognizing and encouraging excellence in the visual arts has been a priority of the division since it was formed in 1899.” Artists must be Utah residents not enrolled in a degree or certificate-granting program, creating in crafts, drawing, mixed media, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture or new genres such as conceptual arts and video. The fellowships are competitive and applying artists must demonstrate professionalism in their art through quality images and documentation. Two $10,000 fellowships are awarded annually to encourage visual artists in advancing their professional careers.  Funds do not have to be matched.                                                    The juror for the 2012 visual arts fellowships is Seattle-based artist Cris Bruch, who has completed a number of public art commissions in the northwest in addition to maintaining his studio practice. Over the past 25 years, his career has encompassed found-object sculptures, street rubbings, socio-political actions, refined sculpture and works on paper. He holds an MFA in sculpture and an MA in video from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, as well as a BFA in ceramics/sculpture from the University of Kansas, Lawrence. His works are included in the collections of Microsoft Corporation, Henry Art Gallery-University of Washington, Seattle Art Museum, and the New York Public Library Print Collection. Visit artsandmuseums.utah.gov -- Areas of Interest -- Visual Arts -- Visual Arts Fellowships to access the guidelines and online application. For more information  contact Visual Arts Manager Lila Abersold, 801.533.3581, labersold@utah.gov. Media inquiries should be directed to Wendi Hassan, 801.860.6396, whassan@utah.gov.  About the Utah Division of Arts & Museums The Utah Division of Arts & Museums is a division of the Utah Department of Community and Culture with a goal to promote innovation in and the growth of Utah’s arts and culture community. The Division provides funding, education, and technical services to individuals and organizations statewide so that all Utahns, regardless of race, gender, ethnicity or economic status, can access, understand, and receive the benefits of arts and culture. Additional information on programs and services can be found at artsandmuseums.utah.gov or by calling 801.236.7555. # # #