Individual Artists

How to Apply to the Arts in Health Care Artist Directory
Deadline: ongoing

Due to budget cuts, new applicants are not being accepted at this time.

Coordinator: Catherine O'Brian, (603) 271-0795, catherine.r.obrian@dcr.nh.gov

The State Arts Council encourages health care providers to bring professional* New Hampshire artists into their facilities or centers to engage patients/residents, family and staff in the arts-making process. Arts in Health Care Project Grants and Mini-Grants are available to support these programs.

Performing, literary, media and visual artists are eligible to apply to be listed in the State Arts Council's online Arts in Health Care Artist Directory which will serve as a resource to health care providers. Artists must have the ability to teach and relate effectively and sensitively to health care staff, people who elderly and/or undergoing medical care, and engage them in arts programs. They must also be able to assist in planning these projects and be skilled in communicating diplomatically with volunteers and staff who are involved with these projects.

*Professional artists are those who devote the majority of their time practicing, performing, and/or teaching an arts discipline and who receive payment for their work in that discipline.

Who May Apply?
Professional New Hampshire artists who have the following:

• Legal residency in the state of NH prior to application (if a group, at least one member must have residency);
• Appropriate professional compensation for their work; and
• Documentation of experience/training in doing multi-day arts programs within a health care setting/nursing home or agencies/centers serving people who are elderly that involve participants in the creative process.

NOTE: If the Council concurs that a particular arts discipline is not fully represented in this directory, nonresident professional artists experienced in offering these types of programs in health care environments in other states or in NH may be eligible to be listed in this directory.

Evaluation Criteria

• Artistic excellence, quality of work;
• Ability to engage patients/residents in health care facilities and/or people who are elderly  and staff in participatory multi-day arts programs that may include staff training sessions;
•  Ability to teach and communicate effectively and build rapport with program participants of different ages and abilities; and
• Relevant experience in health care facilities or agencies/centers serving people who are elderly.

Application Deadline
Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.  If you would like to hand deliver your application,  office hours are Monday - Friday, 8:15 a.m. - 4:15 p.m. The office is closed all state and most federal holidays. The Council cannot accept applications transmitted by facsimile (FAX) or email.

Notification
Applicants will be notified of their status within 4-6 weeks of receipt of their application.
To remain in the directory, members must:
1. Respond to update requests we send every other year; and
2. Receive satisfactory evaluations  for projects we have funded. If feedback received from arts in health care or mini-grant recipients in their final reports or by other health care providers are continually marginal or unsatisfactory, the Council may delete your directory listing.

How to Apply
Applicants are encouraged to contact the coordinator whose name appears above prior to applying to confirm eligibility and discuss their application.

1. Complete the Directory Application Form: MSWord / PDF 

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2. Be sure to include the attachments as indicated on the application. See Preparation of Work Samples for instructions on preparing work samples/support materials.

NOTE: If you are a member of any of the NH State Council on the Arts' artist rosters, are a recipient of an Artist Fellowship or Governors Arts Award from the Council or served as NH Artist or Poet Laureate, work samples are not required as part of your application.

Application Review Process

• Initially, the Council's Creative Communities Coordinator reviews applications for eligibility and completeness. You will receive an e-mail notifying you of its status.
• References will be contacted.
• Work samples will be reviewed in-house. Note: If there is not sufficient staff expertise to review your work sample, an independent reviewer may be contacted to evaluate your work.
• If these reviews are favorable, you will be interviewed by the Council's Creative Communities Coordinator.

Last updated: September 3, 2009