Tulsa Artist Fellowship to recognize outstanding artists with cash awards, housing and work space

TULSA, Okla., Dec. 11, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- George Kaiser Family Foundation today announced the establishment of a national artist fellowship program -- the Tulsa Artist Fellowship (TAF). The TAF will enhance Tulsa's growing art scene by providing awards and resources to local and non-local artists. Fellows will be awarded an unrestricted stipend ranging from $15,000 to $40,000 and, in most cases, free housing and studio work space.

The TAF is open to both local and non-resident artists and will provide awards for both early and mid-career artists. In an effort to help grow and shape Tulsa's vibrant arts community, non-resident artists will be required to live in provided housing in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In the first year, fellowships will be awarded to artists in the discipline of public and/or gallery-oriented visual arts with the possibility of adding other disciplines in the future.

Fellowships offered will be merit-based grants and will have a one-year term with an option to renew for a second year. Five to 15 fellowships will be provided depending on the quality of entries. Fellowships will be separated into two categories:

• Early Career Artists: Award of a $15,000 unrestricted stipend with free private housing and workspace during Year One. Year Two is optional and will include a stipend of $7,500 plus free housing and workspace. If the fellow wants to stay in Tulsa, housing and workspace can be retained for a third year for $500/month total.
• Mid-Career Artists: Award of a $25,000 unrestricted stipend with free private housing and workspace in Year One. Year Two is optional and will include a stipend of $15,000 plus free housing and workspace. If the fellow wants to stay in Tulsa, housing and workspace can be retained for a third year for $500/month total.

"This program creates a very unique opportunity for the selected fellows and for Tulsa," said Stanton Doyle, senior program officer at George Kaiser Family Foundation. "It is our goal with these awards to recognize great artists in all stages of their career. In addition, we feel that providing housing and workspace in Tulsa's Brady Arts District gives the non-resident fellows the opportunity to experience the treasures of our art community and share their talents with Tulsa."

The program will reserve some of the fellowship positions for Native American, Alaskan Native and Native Hawaiian artists. A screening committee and selection panel will follow the Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990 as a guideline in awarding Native American artists a fellowship.

"In terms of Native American art, Tulsa has deep roots—diverse artistic traditions represented in the extensive collections of many nearby tribal institutions as well as at the Gilcrease and Philbrook museums—and a vibrant community of contemporary Native artists working in various media and style," said Doyle.  

A coordinating committee consisting of local leaders in the Tulsa arts community will screen all fellowship applications for eligibility and coordinate community programs for the fellows during their time in Tulsa. Eligible applicants will be reviewed by a national panel comprised of national artists, curators, reviewers and experts in the area of focus.

Applications for the TAF are due on February 2, 2015, and fellows will be announced on April 3, 2015. The fellowship will begin on October 1, 2015. To learn more about the Tulsa Artist Fellowship and apply, visit www.gkff.org/taf.

About George Kaiser Family Foundation

George Kaiser Family Foundation is a charitable Type I 509(a)3 supporting organization of the Tulsa Community Foundation dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty through investments in early childhood education, community health, social services and civic enhancement. For more information about George Kaiser Family Foundation, visit www.gkff.org.

About Tulsa Artist Fellowship

The Tulsa Artist Fellowship (TAF) is a program established by George Kaiser Family Foundation. The TAF will cultivate Tulsa's art scene by supporting local artists and attracting national artists. All fellowship artists will receive free housing, workspace and an unrestricted stipend. The Fellows will integrate into the local arts community through studio visits, collection visits, and an arts orientation. These and other activities will introduce the artists to the many treasures at Gilcrease Museum, Philbrook Museum of Art and beyond. The artists will live and work in Tulsa's Brady Arts District and contribute to the local arts community. Fellowships are merit-based, not project grants, with a one-year term and the option to renew for a second year. In the first class, the fellowship will focus on Public and/or Gallery Oriented Visual Arts. For more information, visit http://www.gkff.org/taf/.

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SOURCE George Kaiser Family Foundation