Music/Sound

• Formats Accepted
  • MP3, M4A, WAV, or AIFF 
• Recommended: No larger than 2 GB
• Do not label your work sample with your name.
• Applicants applying to the Music/Sound category must be able to represent their practice solely through audio work samples, score/lyric sheets, and supplementary statements. Artists working with music/sound who require submitting image/video work samples should apply in the Interdisciplinary Work category.

Note: The panel will only review up to the maximum duration allowed for your application. If your audio uploads go beyond this duration, please provide your timestamps in the work sample description (metadata).

Metadata Section in Application: A metadata section will appear on your application form after your work sample has been uploaded or below your link. In this section, you will be able to provide the following information:

• Title 
• Date of Completion
• Timestamps
• Additional information: Be sure to note whether your work samples represent documentation of a performance, installation, experience, etc.

(Optional) Applicants can submit 1 Score or Lyric Sheet document (corresponding scores, fully harmonized lead, or lyric sheets). 

• Formats Accepted
  • PDF Only 
• Each work may be accompanied by 1 copy of corresponding scores or, where appropriate (e.g. jazz/extended forms), fully harmonized lead sheets, and/or lyric sheets. 
• Scores should be submitted as a single PDF and labeled with the title of each work sample. Please indicate on your score sheets where your excerpts begin to help orient the panel.

(Required, 250-Words Max.): A concise statement giving an overview of your artistic practice. 

• This statement should give a brief introduction to ideas, themes, and methods in your practice (i.e. how you make what you make, and/or why you make what you make). 
• This statement should also specifically reflect the ideas and inspiration relevant to your submitted work samples. 
• Use this statement to highlight your role in creating/executing the work, as well as describing the key technical aspects of the work. 
• You can also describe the circumstances in which the viewer/audience should experience the work. 
• Please include instructions on how to navigate your work if it’s interactive. 
• This is not an Artist Bio.

(Optional, 250-Words Max.): A supplemental statement that describes how your work is related to and/or rooted in a specific cultural practice, tradition, or community. This statement can also offer an opportunity to describe how your artistic work relates to or stems from your culturally-specific lived experience(s).

Peer review panelists will assess eligible applications according to the following evaluation criteria:

1. Artistic Merit
   • A competitive application demonstrates excellence in their discipline through strong Work Samples that highlight the applicant’s creativity, technical proficiency, and cohesive artistic vision. 

2. Clarity and Cohesiveness:
   • A competitive application presents clear, concise, and compelling Support Statements that provide valuable insights into their practice and motivations. The Support Statements should work together with the submitted Work Samples to provide a comprehensive understanding of the applicant’s vision and goals.

3. Originality and Innovation: 
   • A competitive application showcases innovative methods, ideas, and/or concepts that makes their work stand out within the discipline. Panelists will assess the uniqueness and originality of an applicant’s approach, including the quality of execution, innovation in materials or techniques, and the overall impact of your work.

As part of the evaluation process, the NYSCA/NYFA Artist Fellowship prioritizes applications from New York State residents who live outside of the New York City metropolitan area. While this prioritization is considered within each round of review, it does not guarantee any specific outcomes regarding who will ultimately be awarded a fellowship.