About the Connie Boochever Artist Fellowship

Mrs. Connie Boochever was an avid performer, director and producer of community theater, and a lifelong patron and advocate for the arts. Her devoted work in support of the arts laid the foundation for many cultural activities that we enjoy in Alaska. Her crusading efforts gave the arts a voice in Alaskan government and she played a key role in advocating for passage of legislation establishing a Percent for Art in Public Places. Connie’s legacy can be seen in art installed in public buildings around the state. The Connie Boochever Fellowship was established to honor and reflect the spirited passion of the arts Mrs. Boochever consistently demonstrated, and to further the message she championed throughout her life: That the arts are important to the citizens of Alaska and worthy of significant support from individuals, businesses and corporations.
 
Purpose of the Fellowship
The purpose of the Connie Boochever Artist Fellowship is to recognize and support Alaska emerging artists of exceptional talent. Fellowships are awarded by the Connie Boochever Endowment through the Alaska Arts and Culture Foundation. The program is administered by the Alaska State Council on the Arts. A select number of $3,000 fellowships will be awarded biennially with specific disciplines funded in alternating years. Uses of the fellowship funds are very broad. However, funds must be spent on activities related to the fellow’s creative career.
 
Application Deadline: Saturday, September 30, 2023, 9:59 PM. 
 
2023 Category: Visual Art, including Film, Digital and Media Arts.

Questions?  For questions contact Andrea Noble at andrea.noble@alaska.gov
 
 

Application Requirements

To Apply

Read the application requirements and eligibility carefully. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Applicants must complete the application using the CaFE system, including uploading a resume, and appropriate work samples (see below for specific work sample requirements).

Required Work Samples
Work samples should reflect high quality work completed within the last two years. All work samples must be uploaded in the “My Portfolio” section of CaFE. Ten images are required. Video and audio files may also be included as links to work online in narrative responses but not as a replacement for work sample uploads. 

Publicity Requirement

The Connie Boochever Arts Endowment, the Alaska State Council on the Arts (ASCA), and the Alaska Arts and Culture Foundation must be credited in brochures, news releases, programs and other printed material related to this fellowship. Please contact the ASCA office for specific publicity information.

Review Criteria

A panel will review applications using the following criteria:
1. Artistic quality of the applicant’s work, as demonstrated in the submitted work samples
2. The level of demonstrated artistic activity and consistent focus as described in the applicant’s resume
3. The extent to which the fellowship furthers the development of the applicant’s artistic career
4. The extent to which the applicant is deemed an emerging artist.
 
Review Process

A panel comprised of Alaskan artists in the disciplines being awarded will review the qualified applications. The decision of the panel will be final. Fellowship recipients will be notified by November 30, 2023. 
 

Requirements for Fellowship Recipients  

• Expend the fellowship funds by December 31, 2024
• Maintain Alaska residency throughout the fellowship year
• Maintain complete financial records reflecting the expenditure of all fellowship funds within the Fellowship period
• Acknowledge funding support as outlined in the publicity section below
• Additional documentation of your Fellowship is welcomed.

Please note: The IRS allows some fellowships to be excluded from taxation under certain circumstances. ASCA encourages you to contact your local IRS office for detailed information if you receive a fellowship.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility

Participation is limited to emerging artists living in Alaska and pursuing an art form on an ongoing basis.
 
What is an emerging artist?
Emerging professional artists are defined as the principal creators of new work who:

• Take risks and embrace challenges
• Have a developing voice or body of work that reveals significant potential
• Are rigorous in their approach to creation and production
• Have some evidence of professional achievement but not a substantial record of accomplishment
• Are not recognized as established by other artists, curators, producers, critics, and arts administrators

Applicant Eligibility

• Be legal residents of Alaska
• Be 18 years of age or older.
• Not be a full-time student or enrolled in any art-related degree or certification program.
• Apply as an individual artist, not a collaborative group or team.