ArtsConnect Prize

Applicants must:

• Live and work in the greater San Diego–Tijuana region.
• Have at least five years of professional artistic experience. A college degree is not required.
• Not be enrolled in a graduate degree program during the project period.
• If you earned a degree from UC San Diego, you must have completed your program at least five years before applying.
• Not be a current UC San Diego faculty, student or staff member.
• Be willing and available to participate in media interviews and promotional activities related to the ArtsConnect Prize, including speaking publicly about your work and the residency.

By submitting an application, artists confirm that they meet all eligibility criteria and can fulfill the project within the proposed timeline and budget. The selection for this prize does not consider the applicant’s gender, race, national origin, sexual orientation, or any other protected category.

Submit letter of intent.

The ArtsConnect Prize is open to artists working in any discipline. We welcome proposals from artists whose practices span visual art, performing art, writing, film, digital media and more. Artists whose work engages multiple fields or who are interested in cross-disciplinary collaboration are especially encouraged to apply.

Artist collectives of up to three members are eligible to apply, provided they designate one principal artist to serve as the applicant, project lead and primary point of contact. The principal artist will enter into the artist agreement and receive prize funds on behalf of the project.

No, artists may only submit one proposal per application cycle.

The ArtsConnect Prize welcomes proposals in all artistic disciplines and media. Projects should demonstrate an interdisciplinary approach by engaging multiple artistic disciplines, fields of knowledge, communities or ways of thinking. Proposals should also align with the goals of the ArtsConnect Prize and be appropriate for engagement with the UC San Diego campus community.

Proposed projects must:

• Be achievable within the residency timeline and available project resources.
• Be feasible within the available production budget, facilities and technical support.
• Comply with all applicable university policies and environmental health and safety requirements.
• Not involve permanent alterations to university buildings, landscapes or infrastructure. Final approval of project sites and installations is subject to university review and approval.
• Be developed in consultation with ArtsConnect and university staff to ensure feasibility, safety and successful implementation.
• Uphold UC San Diego's Principles of Community.

The ArtsConnect Prize uses a two-phase application process.

In the first phase, applicants will submit a brief Letter of Intent (LOI) introducing their artistic practice and proposed project. The LOI will include an artist bio, resume or CV, work samples and an optional website or portfolio link, along with short responses describing the project vision, its potential to create meaningful connections and how it relates to the applicant’s artistic practice.

A select group of applicants will then be invited to submit a full proposal with more detailed information about the project’s development and execution. This will include an expanded project description, itemized project budget, project timeline, community engagement plan, and information about anticipated logistical, technical and partnership needs.

Submit letter of intent.

A jury of UC San Diego faculty, staff, and students community stakeholders reflecting a range of perspectives will review applications and make a recommendation to the Chancellor based on several factors:

• Artistic excellence: Demonstrates exceptional artistic quality, a distinctive creative voice and a strong record of accomplishment relative to career stage.
• Alignment with prize vision: Responds thoughtfully to the goals of the ArtsConnect Prize, addresses contemporary issues in meaningful ways, and reflects the values and mission of the university.
• Campus and community engagement: Creates meaningful opportunities for interaction, learning and dialogue with students, faculty, staff and community members through public programs, workshops or other engagement activities, with a commitment to accessibility and inclusion.
• Feasibility: Presents a realistic and achievable proposal with a well-considered scope, budget and timeline, and demonstrates the artist's capacity to successfully execute the project.

The selected artist or collective will receive a $20,000 prize, along with up to $10,000 in University support for approved project expenses associated with the development and presentation of the work. Additional support will be provided for travel, lodging and meals during the residency week. Specific funding and reimbursement details will be shared with the selected artist.

The ArtsConnect Prize recipient will be expected to:

1. Develop a new work (rather than a restaging of an existing project). The work should demonstrate exceptional artistic excellence, interdisciplinary thinking, community engagement and the power of the arts to foster meaningful connection. 
2. Engage the campus and local community. The artist will teach one masterclass, workshop or similar educational activity that invites students, staff, faculty and community members to explore the project. 
3. Final public presentation: The artist will present their completed work with the public during the residency through a performance, exhibition, installation, screening or other appropriate format. The October program will be developed in collaboration with the university and include presentation of the ArtsConnect Prize. 

The residency will take place at UC San Diego. Specific locations, venues and project sites will be determined in collaboration with the ArtsConnect team based on the needs of the selected project.

The artist retains ownership and copyright of the artwork. UC San Diego will have ongoing rights to reproduce and share images and documentation of the work for educational, publicity, press, promotional and archival purposes.

Full terms regarding ownership and usage rights will be outlined in the artist agreement.