Artist Residencies in Middle Schools RFP FY16

The Arts Council of Fairfax County invites professional artists of all disciplines to respond to the FY16 Artist Residencies in Middle Schools Request for Proposal. This collaboration between the Arts Council of Fairfax and Fairfax County Public Schools engages students in cross-curricular learning through arts education.

Residencies can last from one week up to six weeks, with expected total contact hours of nine to eighteen classroom hours. Contact hours can be split between multiple classes, with no less than 4.5 hours spent with each core group of students. Artists selected to participate will receive $1,000 for attending the Artist Residency Seminar (September 22-25, 2015) and up to $5,000 for providing the residency program if placed in a school. Artists will not be paid for materials, supplies, equipment, or technology they personally provide.

Eligible applicants must be at least 21 years old, reside or work in Fairfax County, Fairfax City, or Falls Church, and be legally eligible to work in the US. Professional artists must have exhibited, performed, presented, or published work in a public context demonstrating ongoing commitment to their discipline. Applicants must not be enrolled as undergraduate students in degree or certification programs related to their proposed discipline, employed by FCPS as full-time teachers, or have participated in the Artist Residencies in Middle Schools Pilot Program in FY15. All selected participants must commit to conducting their residency during the 2015-2016 school year and continue meeting eligibility requirements throughout.

Applications must include an online response form, artist resume, and work samples (up to 6 online links and 1-6 media attachments). Work samples should reflect professional standards and be selected to represent creative ability, with artists encouraged to submit work from the last three years. All responses must be submitted online via www.CallforEntry.com by May 22, 2015 at 11:59:59 PM MT. Responses will be reviewed by Arts Council staff for eligibility and completeness, then by a panel of artists and educators based on demonstrated artistic excellence and thoughtful planning of innovative, hands-on programming suitable for middle school students.