Intermedia Arts | www.IntermediaArts.org
2011 VERVE Grants
for Emerging Spoken Word Poets
Deadline to Apply: Friday, May 6, 2011 at 6PM
In 2011, Intermedia Arts will award VERVE grants of up to $4,000 to 4-6 emerging Minnesota spoken word
poets. The VERVE grant program is designed for emerging artists who are ready to achieve their next level of
artistic success, and who are interested in developing their abilities to become artistic leaders in their communities.
In addition to their grant award, recipients also participate in a 12-month fellowship program that provides
community, mentorship, guidance, workshops, and resources throughout the program year.
We are looking for spoken word poets who:
 Have a history of performance and involvement in the spoken word community
 Articulate interest in participating in a creative and critical process with peers
 Have begun to receive some recognition for their artistic ability and potential
We define an emerging artist as someone whose work demonstrates a sustained level of accomplishment and
commitment to the art form, but who has not yet received widespread recognition or acknowledgement as an
established creator from fellow writers and/or other arts professionals.
Program Overview:
2011 VERVE grant winners will spend 12-months supporting one another as they complete their grant projects and
work to achieve their next level of artistic success. Grant winners will attend master workshops with artists in a
variety of disciplines, explore new venues for performance throughout the year, stage a final performance of
their work at the end of the grant year, and attend bi-monthly meetings to discuss and workshop new ideas
with other grantees. Artists will also receive support in creating a professional press kit, including headshots,
bio, and CV.
Our goal is to provide financial assistance, professional encouragement, and recognition to a culturally and socioeconomically diverse group of literary artists, in an effort to strengthen and support Minnesota's literary
community.
Past VERVE grant recipients have used the grant to:
 Plan a tour
 Work with an artistic mentor
 Attend a festival or a conference
 Develop a full-length performance
 Create a CD or DVD
These are just a few of the possibilities. We encourage you to give serious thought to how this grant could make a
difference in your career!
Questions?
Call or email 612.871.4444 or Info@IntermediaArts.org
Our staff can answer your questions, help you think through project
ideas, and give you feedback on your application before you turn it
in!!
This program is made possible in part thanks to the generous support of the Jerome Foundation.
Intermedia Arts //Verve Grants for Spoken Word Poets
2011 VERVE Grant Guidelines
Eligibility
In order to be eligible for a 2011 VERVE grant
 You must have been a legal resident of Minnesota for 12 months prior to the application deadline.
 You must NOT be a full-time student.
 The work you submit must NOT be for any degree or diploma.
 The work you submit must be spoken word poetry.
 You may only submit ONE grant proposal per year.
 You must be an emerging artist.
 You must have been a spoken word poet for longer than 6-months.
 You must not earn more than 50% of your income as a spoken word artist, teacher or performer
 You must have headlined, featured in or been invited to perform in at least one spoken word poetry
performance in the past 12-months.
 You must commit to participating in all aspects of the program. This includes attending bi-monthly
program gatherings, 5 Master Classes, 3-5 open mics with my cohort, a program photoshoot, and will work
with my fellow grantees to design and participate in a final performance at the end of the grant year.
 You may not be a 2010, 2009 or 2008 VERVE grant recipient.
 You may not be, or be the immediate family member of, an Intermedia Arts staff or board member.
Selection Process
VERVE grant applications go through two stages of review:
1) Eligibility Screening
Our staff screens each application in order to ensure it is complete and meets all eligibility requirements.
Incomplete or ineligible applications will not proceed to Stage 2: Artist Review.
2) Artist Review
Each year we create an exciting partnership with a nationally recognized spoken word artist. These artists
select the recipients of our VERVE grants using the criteria outlined below. Past judges include: Ursula
Rucker, Ishle Yi Park, Jessica Care Moore, Paul S. Flores and Meri Nana-Ama Danquah. 2011
VERVE grant winners will be notified on or before June 6, 2011.
Judging Criteria
VERVE grant applications are evaluated according to the following criteria:
Artistic Quality
The artist must demonstrate significant artistic potential.
 Does the performance demonstrate artistic excellence and reflect a complete grasp of technical
skill and ability?
 Is the poetic content consistent in its style, demonstrating significant knowledge of craft and
clearly conceived ideas throughout?
 Is the work creative and original? Does it deeply explore the power of the art form, either in form,
content, or both?
Project Merit
The project must advance the artist’s artistic and/or career development.
 Will funding this project support the creation and/or production of new work?
 Will funding this project contribute significantly to the artist’s development or advancement as a
spoken word poet?
 Will not funding this project have a negative impact on the career of the artist?
Ability
The artist must be able to complete the project.
 Is the project well designed, with reasonable expectations and a realistic timeline and budget?
 Has the artist outlined specific goals/outcomes?
 Has the artist given reason to believe that s/he has the discipline and desire to complete the
proposed project?
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Intermedia Arts // VERVE Grants for Spoken Word Poets
APPLICATION CHECKLIST
Before submitting your application, please make sure you have included ALL of the following materials. Incomplete
applications are ineligible for review. NOTE: Please do not staple or bind your application. Use paperclips only.
 Cover Sheet
 Eligibility Agreement
 Emerging Artist Statement (1-pg max)—DO NOT PUT YOUR NAME ON THIS
 Proposal Narrative (3-page max)—DO NOT PUT YOUR NAME ON THIS
 Budget (1-page max)—DO NOT PUT YOUR NAME ON THIS
 Timeline (1-page max)—DO NOT PUT YOUR NAME ON THIS
 Work Samples on CD or DVD; 3 Copies (10-min max). THESE MUST BE PHYSICAL COPIES; DO
NOT SEND LINKS OR URLs— DO NOT PUT YOUR NAME ON THIS
 Written Work Samples (optional; 10-page max)— DO NOT PUT YOUR NAME ON THIS
 Bio or Artist Resume (1-page max)
 Letter of Recommendation (optional; 1-page max)
 Optional Attachment (1-page max)— DO NOT PUT YOUR NAME ON THIS
IMPORTANT!!!
 Your name should appear ONLY on your Cover Sheet, Eligibility Agreement, Bio or
Resume, and Optional Letter of Recommendation
 Please do NOT staple or bind your application. Secure pages with a paper clip.
 Proposals will not be returned, and may be included in our resource library for future reference.
Submission Deadline: 6PM FRIDAY, MAY 6, 2011
Note: THIS IS NOT A POSTMARK DEADLINE.
Applications must be received by 6PM.
YOU MAY SUBMIT YOUR COMPLETED APPLICATION TO INTERMEDIA ARTS VIA MAIL,
EMAIL, FAX OR HAND-DELIVERY.
MAIL OR HAND-DELIVER TO:
Intermedia Arts
Attn: VERVE 2011
2822 Lyndale Ave South
Minneapolis, MN 55408
EMAIL TO:
Info@IntermediaArts.org
Subject: VERVE 2011
FAX TO:
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612.871.6927
Attn: VERVE 2011
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SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY WHEN YOU SUPPORT INTERMEDIA ARTS!
When you support Intermedia Arts, you are joining a group of committed community activists.
Your contribution supports the innovative arts-based approaches we use to help solve
community issues. Art. Changes. Everything. JOIN THE CHANGE.
Yes! I want to be part of the change! Enclosed is my contribution of:
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$1,000
$500
$250
$100
$50
$25
Other $___________________
CHECK (please make checks payable to: Intermedia Arts)
CASH
CREDIT
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VISA
MASTERCARD
AMERICAN EXPRESS
DISCOVER
Card Number: ___________________________________________________________________________
Exp. Date: _______________________________________________________________________________
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USE THIS CONTRIBUTION WHEREVER IT IS MOST NEEDED
USE THIS CONTRIBUTION TO SUPPORT:
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Youth Programs
Artist Development & Creative Leadership
Arts-Based Civic Engagement
Building & Facilities Improvements
FIRST NAME _________________________________________________________________________________
LAST NAME _________________________________________________________________________________
ADDRESS ____________________________________________________________________________________
CITY ________________________________________________________________________________________
STATE _______________________________________________________________________________________
ZIP _________________________________________________________________________________________
TEL __________________________________________________________________________________________
EMAIL _______________________________________________________________________________________
Intermedia Arts
2822 Lyndale Ave South, Minneapolis, MN 55408
Tel: 612.871.4444
Email: Info@IntermediaArts.org
www.IntermediaArts.org
NOTE: THIS PAGE IS OPTIONAL AND WILL NOT AFFECT YOUR APPLICATION STATUS
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Intermedia Arts //Verve Grants for Spoken Word Poets
COVER SHEET
Name (First, Last): ___________________________________________________________________________
Street Address: ______________________________________________________________________________
City, State, Zip: ______________________________________________________________________________
Email: _______________________________________________________________________________________
Daytime Tel: _________________________________________________________________________________
List the title of each of your work samples here (attach an additional page if necessary):
Project Summary (please describe your proposed project in 150 words or less):
Total Amount Requested: $
How did you hear about VERVE? ______________________________________________________________
Nobody likes to be put into little boxes, but collecting this information helps us to know if we are truly meeting our
mission to support writers from a variety of different social, ethnic and cultural backgrounds. This information is
confidential, and will NOT affect your application status. We would really appreciate it if you would help us to
evaluate our program by filling out the survey below.
Age:
Under 20
21-30
31-40
41-50
51-60
Over 61
Ethnicity:
European
African
Native
American
Asian/Pacific
Islander
Chicano/
Latino
Other
Sexual
Preference
GLBT
HeteroSexual
Other
Under 25K
25-35K
35-45K
45-55K
Over 55K
Annual
Household
Income:
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Intermedia Arts // VERVE Grants for Spoken Word Poets
ELIGIBILITY AGREEMENT
In order to be eligible for a 2011 VERVE grant please certify that the following are true:

I have been a legal resident of Minnesota for the past 12 months.

I am NOT a full-time student.

The work I am submitting is NOT for any degree or diploma.

The work I am submitting is spoken word poetry. I understand that this is a literary arts grant, and that this
grant does not support music, performance art, playwrighting, or any genre other than spoken word poetry.

I have been an active creator and performer of spoken word poetry for more than than 6-months.
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Last year I earned less than 50% of my income as a spoken word artist/teacher/performer.
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In the past 12 months I have either headlined, been featured in or been invited to perform in a minimum of
one spoken word poetry performance, or have been hired to teach a residency, workshop or class.
Event/Class Title: _____________________________________________________________________
Date: ________________________________________________________________________________
Venue/Organization: __________________________________________________________________
Organizer/Contact (Full Name, Email and Telephone): ___________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
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I can commit to participating in all aspects of the program. I will attend bi-monthly program gatherings, 5
Master Classes, 3-5 open mics with my cohort, a program photoshoot, and will work with my fellow
grantees to design and participate in a final performance at the end of the grant year.

I did not receive a VERVE grant in 2010, 2009, or 2008.
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I am not, nor are any members of my family, a staff or board member of Intermedia Arts.
By signing this document I certify that all checked statements are true regarding my eligibility for a 2011 VERVE
Grant.
____________________________________________________________________
Applicant’s Signature
Applicants Name (printed)
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_______________
Date
Intermedia Arts // VERVE Grants for Spoken Word Poets
EMERGING ARTIST STATEMENT (1-pg max)
Tell us why you believe you are an emerging artist, and how you think participation in the VERVE program
will benefit you (1-pg max). In your statement, please tell us about the following:
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What is your history of involvement in the spoken word community? What are your accomplishments as an
artist?
Why do you define yourself as an “emerging artist”? How are you NO LONGER a beginning artist and
how are you NOT YET an established artist?
If selected for this grant, will you be able to commit to participate in all aspects of this program, including:
5 master classes, participation in 3-5 local open mics with cohort group, bi-monthly grantee gatherings,
participation in photoshoot, and planning and performing in the final performance at the end of the grant
year? How do you think you will benefit from those aspects of the program; why are they important
at this time in your career?
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Intermedia Arts // VERVE Grants for Spoken Word Poets
PROPOSAL NARRATIVE (3-pg max)
Submit a narrative of no more than three (3) single-sided pages. In it, you must address each of the criteria below.
We suggest you include the three main headings in bold type. You do not have to answer every bullet point below;
they are simply there as a guide to help you think about what you might want to include in your narrative.
I. Project Overview
Describe the way in which you intend to use your grant award. What will you be working toward? What is your
goal?
 Where are you now in your career and where do you want to go? How will this project help you get
there?
 Who are you as a spoken word poet, an artist? Why does your artistic voice need to be heard?
 Describe the focus of your project. Is it about process or product? Why is this project unique and
important?
II. Project Merit
The project must advance your artistic and/or professional development.
 How will funding this project support the creation and/or production of new work?
 How will funding this project contribute significantly to your professional advancement?
 How would not receiving this funding have a negative impact on your career as a spoken word artist?
III. Ability
You must be able to complete the project.
 Why do you think your expectations are reasonable expectations and your timeline and budget realistic?
 What are your specific goals/outcomes? How will you measure your success?
 Describe the ways in which you will make sure you are disciplined enough to complete this project.
BUDGET (1-pg max)
Submit a one-page budget showing how your requested grant funds will be used.
TIMELINE (1-pg max)
Submit a one-page timeline outlining your work plan. Your grant project should begin no earlier than June 2011,
and can take up to 12-months to complete.
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Intermedia Arts // VERVE Grants for Spoken Word Poets
WORK SAMPLES (20-pg max)
Because spoken word is an oral art form, you must submit your work samples in audio or visual form. Additionally,
you may also submit your work in typed manuscript form if you wish. Your poems should showcase your artistic
potential. Choose performances that highlight your artistic excellence and significant knowledge of craft. Judges
will look for creative efforts of high artistic integrity that stand out among the applications.
Work Samples (required)—2 copies; 10-min max.
Submit two copies of your work via CD or DVD. Maximum length, 10 minutes.
NOTE: Please submit hard copies only. Web links etc. will not be accepted.
Written Samples (optional): 10-page max.
 You may submit one copy of a typed manuscript on 8-1/2 x 11 white paper, single-sided and paper clipped
in the upper left-hand corner.
 Font size must be 12-point or larger.
 Do not put more than one poem or one column of poetry on a page.
 Poems that are longer than one page must be continued on subsequent pages.
 Poems should be single-spaced.
 Do not staple.
Maximum manuscript length: 10 pages.
BIO or ARTIST RESUME (1-pg max)
Submit a bio or artist resume outlining your training and accomplishments as a spoken word poet and performer.
Include all featured performances, paid performances, teaching experience, placement in slams, curating/hosting
experience, awards, honors, education, training, and mentorship experiences (1-page max).
OPTIONAL: LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION
You may submit a letter of recommendation if you wish. This is not required.
OPTIONAL ATTACHMENT (1-pg max)
If your project involves you working with another individual, organization or business (for editing, recording,
publicity or other professional services), you may include a summary of their experience and qualifications (1-page
max).
Submission Deadline: 6PM Friday, May 6, 2011
Note: THIS IS NOT A POSTMARK DEADLINE.
Applications must be received by 6PM.
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