Updated: 15th August with 2017 Award details
Who needs a (now) $5000 Writers Award that can be used for Anything?
I recently stumbled across this awesome award program, designed to support writers with children, which gives out a yearly award to writers and artists with children under 18 years of age. The award for writers and artists is run by The Sustainable Arts Foundation:
- The Sustainable Arts Foundation Award (of $5000)
And there are 20 prizes of the award given out each round.
It’s coming up quickly too; the online application opens on July 25th, and the deadline for submission is August 31st, 2017.
The program is actually an awards program that rewards excellence in a creative field and is open to all creative writers and artists, as long as you have a child under 18 years old.
It’s important to note that it is an Award, and unlike typical grant awards, the winnings can be used for any purpose, such as child care for example.
The selection process is based on your submitted portfolio, which should consist of samples of recent work (within the last 2-3 years), and is open to writers of almost every form, however, unfortunately, screenwriters of television and film are excluded. You can check the requirements here.
It’s also open to visual artists in the areas of painting, sculpture, drawing and illustration etc.
As well as your portfolio, you will have to submit:
- A short biography
- An artist statement
- Your Curriculum Vitae
- and a ‘How you would use the Award’ statement
The submission guidelines for the writer’s portfolio include:
- 15 pages maximum for Prose Writers (either a single long sample or multiple shorter samples).
- It must be in English, and submitted in PDF format, and must not contain your name anywhere.
The application fee is set at $15 USD.
Please check the application page for further details here .
In Summary:
Award Program: The Sustainable Arts Foundation Award
Prize/Awards:
- 20 awards of The Sustainable Arts Foundation Award ($5000)
Deadline: Applications open July 25 and close August 31, 2017
Application Fee: USD$15
Eligibility: Open to all writers, internationally, except screenwriters of television and film. You must have a child under 18 years of age, and your portfolio must represent work that you’ve completed while being a parent.
I’m definitely applying for this one. Time to set a new goal, and pull together some 25 pages 🙂 If you need any help with setting your writing goals, head over here.
Anyone else keen to try for this one? Let me know your thoughts below and Good Luck!
Erica
Wow! What a wonderful way for a mother to show her skills. Absolutely love this. Wish I had a portfolio of written work. I had a pretty neat idea for a children’s book, but no previous works.
Hi Melanie, Thank you, I agree. It’s wonderful that an organisation is supporting parents like this. Perhaps consider putting something together for next year? It’s an annual award program now, so you have 12 months 🙂 Best of luck with your writing.
Erica, what a beautiful post! Beautiful because you are spreading awareness about something that many would never stumble upon without this post! When my partner and I finally have kiddies this is something that I am going to apply to every year! I thank you so much for this 🙂
Hi Manika, I’m glad I could bring it to your attention, as that’s exactly what I thought when I found out about it 🙂 Thank you for taking the time to respond. Best of luck with your writing.
YES!
This is so cool!
I have never heard of anything like this! What a wonderful opportunity for us to make a little cash.
I am going to send in my portfolio ASAP!
Hi Clyde, it’s an awesome opportunity, isn’t it?:) Best of luck with your submission. Thanks for reading 🙂
Hi Erica, that’s great information to encourage parents! My kids are grown now so I don’t qualify for this one. But, as a copywriter for nonprofits, I CAN give you my 2 cents’ worth of advice:
To make your application easier to process and increase your chances of winning, submit everything they ask for – but nothing else! – in the exact order specified.
Best of luck to all!
Hi Laurie, thank you so much for your insight, that’s a really great point. Read the instructions carefully, and only give what’s asked for:) Thanks for reading 🙂
Wow! This seems quite interesting. I know a lot of writers who would be interested and valid for this challenge. Thanks for sharing, I will spread the word.
Hi Rob, I’m glad to be of service. Thanks for reading! Erica