Apply Now | Immigrant Artists Mentoring Program for Visual Artists

Immigrant artists working in the Visual or Multidisciplinary Arts in the Tri-State Metropolitan area are encouraged to apply for this upcoming mentorship program, made possible with the support of Deutsche Bank Americas Foundation.

Are you an immigrant artist working in the Visual or Multidisciplinary Arts? Are you within commuting distance of the Tri-State Metropolitan area? Consider joining New York Foundation for the Arts’ (NYFA) growing immigrant artist community and apply to be part of the Immigrant Artist Mentoring Program. This is a competitive program open to visual artists from all disciplines (drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, video, film, photography, new media, multidisciplinary, folk, and traditional art) and provided free of charge to accepted participants. The program runs from September 2017 – January 2018, and the application deadline is Wednesday, July 26, 2017.

NYFA’s Immigrant Artist Mentoring Program pairs immigrant artists working in all disciplines with artist mentors who provide one-on-one support for their mentee, guiding them to achieve specific goals and providing them with broader access to the New York cultural world through an exchange of ideas, resources, and experiences.

Additionally, the Mentoring Program aims to foster a community, providing opportunities to connect with other immigrant artists through group meetings, peer learning, and informal gatherings that include alumni from 2007 to the present. Through access to other artists, arts professionals, and organizations, the program offers immigrant artists the opportunity to focus on their creative practice and gain support and exposure for their work while upholding their distinctive identities.

Testimonials:

My participation in the NYFA immigrant program has been an important step in my integration as an artist in NYC. I feel more established now and have many more possibilities available to go forward in my work. I intend to apply to art fellowships, residences, and awards. Very importantly, NYFA allowed me to be part of a group of artists who are now my friends and with whom I want to develop collaborative work. I would do it again without hesitation and would encourage anyone to apply. – Hratch Arbach, Multidisciplinary Artist (IAP ‘16)

New York is an exiting city to be in and so many things are happening in the art scene and it is hard to navigate yourself between the many opportunities and open calls. To learn what is important for you to apply and participate is a challenge in itself. It takes time to know what works for you and your practice and what does not. To work with and see the New York art scene through your mentor’s eyes was the most valuable experience for me in this program. It helped me to focus my energy and time on opportunities that are right for me. – Brigitta Varadi, Multidisciplinary Artist (IAP ‘16)

Eligibility: 

• Live within the New York City Tri-State Metropolitan area. (Within commuting distance of New York City)  
• Were born outside of the United States. (Those born in United States territories i.e. Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, may apply)  
• Have been pursuing a career as an artist within the range of 1-10 years in the United States.
• Are NOT currently enrolled in a graduate or undergraduate degree program.

Program Dates:
Introduction: Tuesday, September 26, 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Meet the Mentors: Wednesday, October 4, 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Alumni Mixer: Tuesday, October 24, 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Check-In: Tuesday, November 14, 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Final Celebration: Tuesday, January 9, 2018, 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM 

Location: all meetings will be held at NYFA, 20 Jay Street, Suite 740, Brooklyn, NY 11201 unless otherwise notified.

Attendance is mandatory to all sessions, so please check your calendar before applying.

Deadline: Wednesday, July 26, 2017

Notifications: By Wednesday, August 23, 2017

To Apply: Click here to review guidelines and to apply via Submittable. First-time users will need to register with Submittable to access the application portal.

Questions? Contact the IAP Team at [email protected].

This program is made possible with the support of Deutsche Bank Americas Foundation.

Click here for more information on the Immigrant Artist Mentoring Program. And don’t forget to sign up for the monthly Con Edison IAP Newsletter to receive opportunities and events as well as artist features directly to your inbox.

Images: Immigrant Artist Mentoring Program, 2017, Photo: NYFA; Artist As Entrepreneur Boot Camp for Artists of Color, Photo: NYFA