Apply Now | NYSCA/NYFA Artist Fellowship in Playwriting/Screenwriting

Quick tips for artists interested in applying for this $7,000 fellowship opportunity.

For the past 32 years, The New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA) has awarded unrestricted cash grants of $7,000 to individual originating artists living in New York State and/or Indian Nations located in New York State. NYFA is accepting applications for 2019 NYSCA/NYFA Artist Fellowships in Architecture/Environmental Structures/Design, Choreography, Music/Sound, Photography, and Playwriting/Screenwriting now through January 23, 2019. 

The Playwriting/Screenwriting category accepts work in the writing of stageplays, screenplays, teleplays, libretti, radio plays, and audio dramas. While librettists may apply in this category, no audio is accepted. Composers of music theater works are advised to apply separately for a NYSCA/NYFA Artist Fellowship in Music/Sound. All Playwriting/Screenwriting applications are pre-reviewed, giving the panel more time to review applicants’ Work Samples.

Quick Tips for Playwriting/Screenwriting Applicants:

• In this category, you can submit up to 20 pages of Manuscript (12 pt. font), either in standard script format or double-spaced. 
• Your 20 pages can include more than one project or work. However, you should supply enough text to give the panel a clear sense of each piece. Alternatively, you can focus your Manuscript on a singular piece by including a few acts or scenes from that work. 
• Start your Manuscript off with a section that creates a strong sense of place or character. Your Manuscript does not necessarily have to begin from the first page of your writing.
• Applications are reviewed anonymously in the initial panel review rounds, so do not include your name or CV anywhere in your Manuscript.

For more useful tips on preparing your Manuscript, check out our blog post on “The Art of the Application | Work Samples: Digital Images and PDF Manuscripts.”

Apply Now

Visit NYFA’s Submittable page to start your application.

For more information about the NYSCA/NYFA Artist Fellowship, visit our website, view our Fellowships FAQ, and download the application guidelines.

Applications close Wednesday, January 23, 2019 at 11:59 PM (EST).

Past Fellows

Recent distinguished NYSCA/NYFA Artist Fellows who have been recognized in this award category include:

Young Jean Lee, Playwriting/Screenwriting ’10
Jen Silverman, Playwriting/Screenwriting ’13
Lloyd Suh, Playwriting/Screenwriting ’04, ’16

Visit our website for a full list of Past Fellows.

NYSCA/NYFA Artist Fellowships are administered with leadership support from New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.

Image: Lynn Nottage (Fellow in Playwriting/Screenwriting ’94,’00; Hall of Fame ’17) at NYFA’s 2017 Hall of Fame Benefit, Photo Credit: Carl Timpone/BFA.com