STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITY STIPEND (SOS)

SOS Application 2007-2009 (PDF)

ATTENTION ARTISTS OF ALL DISCIPLINES!!
A Strategic Opportunity Stipend (SOS) of up to $600 is available to Long Island artists, living in Nassau and Suffolk counties. The grant is designed to help individual artists of all disciplines take advantage of unique opportunities that will significantly benefit their work or career development.

The application deadlines for SOS 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 are:

2007-2008
Round 1 - Tues, Sept. 25
Round 2 - Tues, Feb. 5
Round 3 - Wed, May 28

2008-2009
Round 1 - Thurs, Sept. 25
Round 2 - Thurs, Feb. 5
Round 3 - Thurs, May 28


S.O.S. is a project of the New York Foundation for the Arts working in collaboration with arts councils and cultural institutions across New York State, and is funded with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts.

If you are a full time resident living within Nassau or Suffolk Counties, stop by, call or email gallery@eastendarts.org for an application or more information regarding the S.O.S. Program. We encourage those with access to the Internet to download the application from NYFA's website: http://www.nyfa.org/level3.asp?id=49&fid=1&sid=21. This website is loaded with valuable information and opportunities for artists.

S.O.S. Recipients

Congratulations to the SOS Round 2 2008-2009 Winners!

Michel Bouvier

Andrea Cote

Kevin Doyle

David Engasser

Naomi Grossman

Robbi Hall Kumali

Takafumi Ide

Aaron Morgan


Patricia Olstad


Theresa Sauer

Sung Sook Setton

Ellen Sylvarnes

Pamela Topham

Ellen Wiener

SOS: Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is a Strategic Opportunity? A strategic opportunity is an event that will significantly impact the artist’s career. It is usually something an artist was invited to participate in, such as a concert, reading, or solo exhibit. It may be a chance to study with a mentor, a significant professional who will heighten the knowledge and advance the reputation of the artist. The panel will decide the significance by comparing it to your resume.

Can I apply if I don’t have a specific opportunity? NO. You must have an opportunity from a place before you can apply. You need proof of this by a letter on the organization’s letterhead stating the opportunity, (such as a gallery opening, musical performance, acceptance at a unique workshop). If the letter is emailed, it should still be on letterhead.

Can I apply more than once in a year? Yes, you can apply in all three rounds as long as you have sent in your Final Report on time.

Can my opportunity be in another state or country? Yes, as long as you live in Suffolk or Nassau counties as a full time resident.

Can I use the money to buy my supplies, for example paints, film, or printer? NO. The money must be used for the specific opportunity on hand. Some examples that SOS will fund: frames for pictures going in a show; musicians or vocalist that a composer needs to perform a piece; money to ship work to a gallery; babysitting for children while artist is away for opportunity; travel and accommodations to a specific opportunity. Please see second page of app for more suggestions and for what SOS doesn’t fund.

Can I use the money if I go to school? Not if you are a graduate or undergraduate student enrolled in a degree program, including high school students.You must be at least 18 years old.

Can I apply with a group of people or organization? NO. This grant is for individuals only. You can apply collaboratively with one other artist. One application will be accepted, however, resumes from both artists must be included.

Can I use the money for a workshop? If the workshop is something very unique that you may never have the chance again to study, then you can apply. Usually this means there’s a special, popular teacher giving the workshop, who doesn’t give one very often. But the money can’t be used for tuition it can be used for travel expenses and accommodations. The workshop also has to be significant to your career, not just something you feel like taking, (your resume should reflect that). Also if you want to study with a mentor, you need to provide the mentor’s resume, (proof of the mentor’s status is helpful).

Again, many of these questions and others are answered simply by reading the application. If you’re in doubt as to whether there is an opportunity at hand, we encourage you to apply. All you will loose is postage money if you mail it in.

***IMPORTANT ***
When submitting your application, please check to be sure you have 7 copies of each part, (app, resume, letter, any other support material) and you have collated them, (attached app, resume, letter, etc together with staple or paper clip 7 times). This needs to be done before you leave the application with us.

close window