March 3, 2008


Bush Foundation invites artists living in North Dakota and South Dakota to apply for the new Dakota Creative Connections (DCC) program.

DCC's goal is to help Dakota-based artists develop new ideas and directions for specific projects and their creative lives. DCC will choose 8-12 artists annually, awarding small project grants ranging from $3,000 to $6,000 and hosting professional development activities and meetings with other artists for grant recipients. Artists (over age 21) at all stages of their life's work and in all disciplines are eligible for support.

The categories will rotate annually. In 2008, the foundation will make awards to artists working in three categories:

• Contemporary visual arts
• Media arts
• Visual arts: traditional, ethnic and functional crafts

In 2009, awards will be made to artists working in five categories:

• Literary arts
• Music composition
• Performance-based work
• Script works
• Performance: traditional, folk and ethnic arts

Springboard for the Arts will help administer the program. Applications and work samples will be reviewed by a five-person regional panel, including accomplished artists, folklorists, curators, arts presenters and arts administrators; grantees will be announced in July.

Visit bushfoundation.org for more specific category and eligibility information. Applications must be received by April 25.