Applications Open for Farmington Area Arts Awards

The Farmington Area Arts Commission has opened nominations for its Artist-In-Residence and Distinguished Service to the Arts awards.

Applications for Artist-In-Residence are accepted from artists in visual art, drama, dance, literature, music, photography, film or music. The Distinguished Service to the Arts Award recognizes outstanding service by an individual or group to the community in the arts.

If you've considered submitting an application for Artist-In-Residence, the 2009 winner has a little advice.

"Develop a portfolio of some kind," Farmington Hills fiber artist Jan Jacobs said. "I won't tell you it's easy. It took me three months to put mine together."

The work is worth it, Jacobs said, whether or not you're applying for an award. "You may need it or want it in the future, whether you're a choreographer or a sculptor or a quilter. The pictures will show how your work has changed."

Jacobs finally hired someone to help her put her portfolio together, and the investment paid off. She used the $100 cash award to purchase a ticket to the opening of a new installation by glass artist Dale Chihuly at the Flint Institute of Arts. Jacobs also got a lot of local press, spoke about quilts at the , rode in the annual Farmington Area Founders Festival parade and volunteered at the Farmington Farmers and Artisans Market, where she talked about how to care for antique quilts.

"And I even sold a quilt or two," she said. "It's just a huge honor."

Nominations for both awards are being accepted until March 21. Last year’s awardees were Andrea Anderson, fiber artist (Artist-in-Residence) and The Farmington Musicale (Distinguished Service to the Arts).

Nomination forms should be accompanied by a complete package including samples, publicity clippings, resume and other information to ensure that the candidate receives a strong representation. Performing artists should submit a CD or DVD. 

Previously nominated candidates are encouraged to re-apply; however, previous award-winners are not eligible.  Nomination forms are available at the Costick Center, 28600 West 11 Mile Road or at fhgov.com under Community/Cultural Arts/Artist in Residence.  For more information, contact the Cultural Arts Division at 248-473-1856.

Portfolio help

Artists interested in assembling a portfolio for an Artist-In-Residence application, or any other purpose, have an opportunity on Saturday, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., to have professional photographs taken of their work.

Artist and photographer PD Rearick is offering 30-minute sessions at the Farmington Hills Stable Studio in . The fee is $15 per image, which includes cropping, color management, and high resolution digital files.

For more information and to sign up for a 30-minute time slot, send an email to pdintheword@yahoo.com or call 847-687-6766. Additional shooting times are also available by appointment.

Correction: The year that Jan Jacobs was Artist-In-Residence was incorrectly reported. She held the honor in 2009.