FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Sean Elwood, (212) 598-9900, ext. 230

CREATIVE CAPITAL GRANTS IN VISUAL ARTS AND FILM/VIDEO AVAILABLE IN FEBRUARY 2007
Six new program consultants to lead selection process

NEW YORK, NY (November 16, 2006) – Artists nationwide will have a chance to promote their works-in-progress and works-to-be when the nonprofit arts organization Creative Capital accepts proposals for its 2007 grant cycle supporting projects in the visual arts and film/video. To apply, artists must first submit an inquiry form, which will be available February 5, 2007 on the foundation’s website, www.creative-capital.org. The deadline for completed forms is March 5, 2007; those invited to submit an application with work samples will be notified in June 2007.

For the first time, Creative Capital has appointed two outside teams of arts professionals to assist in the selection process leading to as many as 40 grants. Each team will consist of three program consultants, with one designated as lead consultant, working together to review proposals at each stage of the application process. The consultants for visual arts are: Romi Crawford, lead program consultant and director of the Visiting Artists Program at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago; Lauri Firstenberg, director of LAX Art in Los Angeles; and Gilbert Vicario, assistant curator of Latin American Art at the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston, Texas. For film/video, the consultants are: Andrea Grover, lead program consultant and director of Aurora Picture Show in Houston; Kelly DeVine, former acquisitions executive for the Independent Film Channel (IFC), currently artistic director for the Global Peace Film Festival and independent programmer based in Port Jefferson, New York; and Shari Frilot, programmer for the Sundance Film Festival. Ms. Frilot resides in Los Angeles.

Since awarding its first grants in 2000, the organization has earned a reputation for identifying and supporting innovative artists and projects across the country—work that has gone on to earn many of the field’s highest honors, including Tony and Academy Award nominations and Rome Prizes. It is anticipated that the consultant teams, bringing many years of experience and expertise in the industry, will make significant contributions to the process. “We welcome the opportunity to work with the program consultants,” said Creative Capital executive director Ruby Lerner. “Their vast knowledge and passion for artists will be invaluable assets as we move through the upcoming grant round.”

In keeping with the organization’s multi-level commitment to its grantees, at least $1 million is allocated for the selected projects in the first year. Additionally, over the term of the grant, these projects receive follow-up support and can garner as much
as $80,000 each in direct monies and services. Moreover, the grantees gain access to an extensive network of peers and arts professionals who can assist in fundraising, promotional, and presenting opportunities. This comprehensive approach to funding has become the hallmark of Creative Capital’s work with artists.

Grant Calendar 2007
February 5: Inquiry forms available (Visual Arts and Film/Video)
March 5: Deadline for completed inquiry forms
June: Notification of results; applicants selected
July: Deadline for completed applications and work samples
January 2008: Announcement of awards

About Creative Capital
Founded in January 1999, Creative Capital Foundation is a national nonprofit organization that supports individual artists pursuing innovative approaches to form and content in the visual and performing arts, film/video, emerging fields, and innovative literature. To date, the organization has awarded nearly $6 million to 242 artist projects and has provided those artists with a range of advisory and skills-building services.

Since its inception, Creative Capital has developed a unique system of support for artists that is integrated, multi-faceted, and sequential. Drawing on concepts from both the venture capital and nonprofit sectors, the foundation commits to a long-term partnership with its funded artists through the life of the project. In addition, grantees agree to share a small percentage of any net profits generated by their projects with Creative Capital, which applies these funds toward new grants. A complete list of grantees, profiles of funded projects, and up-to-date grant cycle information can be found online at the foundation’s website at www.creative-capital.org.

Sustaining support for Creative Capital is currently provided by The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, The Ford Foundation, Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, The Rockefeller Foundation, The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation, The Nathan Cummings Foundation, The Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation, and more than 60 other foundations and individuals.

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