Kala 2012 Fellowship Competition

The Kala Fellowship award is an international competition open to artists from the U.S. and around the world. Hosting nine new artists at Kala each year helps to ensure that the artistic energy and vision of Kala’s entire community of artists in residence is continually re-energized and rejuvenated.

Artists producing innovative work in book arts, electronic/digital media (video, sound, animation, etc.), installation art, social practice, photography, and printmaking are encouraged to apply. Fellowship Awards will be given based on conceptual creativity, originality and artistic excellence as well as technical knowledge.

Annually, the Fellowship Competition is juried by a panel comprised of Kala’s Directors and an outside Bay Area arts professional. Kala is pleased to announce Dr. Stephanie Hanor, Director of Mills College Art Museum as Kala's invited Fellowship juror for the 2012 competition.

We select nine artists and each receives a fellowship consisting of:

  • * a $3,000 cash award
  • * up to six months of studio residency at Kala Art Institute
  • * 24/7 access to Kala's studio (An individual studio space may be also available depending on proposed projects and schedules.)
  • * a free class or equivalent tutorial sessions.
  • * an exhibition opportunity at the Kala gallery of the artwork created during the residency

Eight of nine Kala Fellowships awards are available to artists from the US and around the world.

One of nine Kala Fellowship awards is available only to California artists living outside of the main metropolitan areas. To serve a more diverse constituency, The James Irvine Foundation generously funds this Fellowship award for California artists.

California artist eligibility for this award: Artists from North Coast, Central Coast, Central Valley and Inland Empire are eligible and encouraged to apply.

One of nine Kala Fellowship awards is available to artists from the US and around the world working in Social Practice. Social Practice can be loosely defined as a form of collaboration that engages social and public interaction as the primary component of the work. Examples include but are not limited to the following: alternative exchanges of goods and services, community-based projects, activating non-typical art viewing situations, social and political activism.

The Fellowship does not include housing.
(Assistance in finding appropriate low-cost housing solutions is often provided to visiting artists by the program directors.)

To be considered for the 2012 Fellowship Awards, please complete the online application form.

MATERIALS: Applicants must submit the following items:

  1. Project Descriptions (maximum 2000 characters - app. 400 words) discussing the work you intend to pursue at Kala. Please include the list of equipment and facilities expected for your proposed project in the description.
  2. Artist Statement (maximum 2000 characters- app. 400 words).
  3. A current CV or Resume (In a .doc or .pdf format)
  4. A total of 15 digital images with indications of medium, dimensions, title and date. All images must be saved in JPEG (.jpg) format at 72 dpi. The longest side of your images should be a minimum of 1000 pixels long or wide and a maximum of 1220 pixels..
  5. DVDs are also accepted and should be mailed or hand-delivered. DVD submissions are for time-based artworks only. 10 minutes maximum. The online application form is still required. Mail or deliver to: Kala Art Institute: 2012 Fellowship Awards 2990 San Pablo Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94702
  6. Complete the Alliance of Artists' Communities one page online survey.

Application fee: $25

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Friday, May 18, 2012

ANNOUNCEMENT OF AWARDS: Friday, July 13, 2012 at www.kala.org – No phone calls please!

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You must read the agreement below and hit the button "I Agree" in order to begin your on-line application. If you have any questions about the agreement, please see our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.

I agree to allow the Kala Art Institute to use the images and information submitted with this application for Kala's review process, and also to promote the Fellowship Program, which may include use of the submitted images throughout the Kala website or on the printed materials.

I affirm that the work submitted is my own and does not infringe anyone's copyright or ownership.

If you choose not to accept this use agreement, you will not be permitted to submit an application for the fellowship.

Your application materials stay editable until the deadline on May 18, 2012. If you already have an account, please return to the login page.