Application Deadline: Applications must be submitted by January 10, 2014, at 11:59 p.m. Work samples must be uploaded by January 28, 2014, at 11:59 p.m.
How to Apply: http://arts.gov/grants-individuals/united-states-mint-call-for-artists. To be considered, artists must register online with www.Grants.gov. Application guidelines are posted on the NEA website.
To apply for the AIP, artists must be U.S. citizens who are established professional artists, defined as one who meets all of the following criteria:
• Has at least five years of relevant work experience or has received specialized training in his or her artistic field, such as a degree or certification
• Derives a portion of his or her individual earned income from his or her art or areas related to his or her art
• Has experience in digital art techniques such as use of Photoshop, Adobe Acrobat, Illustrator, Wacom tablets, or similar technology
• Has a professional portfolio that includes published or publicly displayed art
Applications and work samples will be reviewed on the basis of:
• Ability to convey complex concepts with symbolism
• Masterful application of ingenuity in interpreting the subject matter and conveying its theme
• Demonstration that the applicant is adaptable to different subject matters and themes
• Ability to render figures, portraits, animals, and landscapes with the use of perspective and scale
Background: The United States Mint and the NEA are pleased to announce a call for artists to participate in the Mint’s Artistic Infusion Program (AIP). Established in 2003, the AIP serves to enrich and invigorate the nation’s coins and medals by commissioning designs from a select pool of outstanding artists. Interested artists are invited to submit applications for consideration. The Mint has partnered with the NEA to manage a new application and review process that is open to all U.S. citizens who are established in the fields of professional art or illustration. As part of the new process, the NEA will convene a review panel to examine all applications and recommend artists to submit demonstration designs. The Mint will pay $1,500 to each applicant for their demonstration design of a current coin or medal program. The review panel will make recommendations to the Mint for final selections. The Mint expects to select up to 20 artists to participate in the AIP. Each of those artists will be awarded a contract for a one-year base period with options to extend up to five additional years. Contracted artists will be invited to submit designs for coins or medals in response to specific commissions from the Mint. Artists will be paid a fee for each commission as well as an additional $5,000 for each design ultimately selected for a coin or medal. The Mint is especially interested in artists who will bring innovative perspectives and utilize symbolism in their work to clearly and evocatively convey subjects and themes. From portraits and landscapes, to depictions of notable achievements in American history, coin and medal designs require rendering a range of subjects and themes on a small space.