Portfolio Requirements

Due to the demand for this program, portfolios that don't adhere to the guidelines will be disqualified.

Please do not use your name on your artist statement or portfolio.

All submitted work must have been created since becoming a parent, and within the last 5 years.

The requirements for each genre differ. Please check the requirements for your particular genre below before applying.

We do not accept portfolios of:

academic writing
blog posts
cookbooks
film/video/tv
motivational writing
music/composition
newspaper articles
performing arts
plays/screenplays
reviews (of art exhibitions, films, books, etc.)
self-help books
travel and/or other kinds of guidebooks

Please see our Residency Grantees page for information on the organizations we support that accept artists and writers working in these fields.

Writers

Creative Nonfiction
Early and Middle Grade Readers
Fiction
Graphic Novel/Graphic Memoir
Illustrated Children's Books
Illustrated Children's Books (Text Only)
Poetry
Young Adult Fiction

Visual Artists

Book Arts
Ceramics
Drawing
Fiber Arts and Textiles
Illustration
Installation
Jewelry
Mixed Media
Painting
Photography
Printmaking
Sculpture
Wearable Textiles

Creative Nonfiction

Creative nonfiction (also known as literary nonfiction or narrative nonfiction) is a genre of writing that uses literary styles and techniques to create factually accurate narratives. If this describes your work, then you should feel welcome to apply in this category.

Please note that we do not accept general nonfiction submissions, and we specifically do not accept submissions of self-help books, academic writing, reviews (of art exhibitions, films, books, etc.), motivational writing, cookbooks, travel and/or other kinds of guidebooks. Blog posts and short newspaper articles are also not accepted.

Requirements for submissions in this genre:

10-15 double-spaced pages (you may submit a complete short work, an excerpt from a longer work, or multiple shorter samples)
English
page numbers
11- or 12-point standard serif font (for example, Times, Palatino, or Cambria)
PDF only; Microsoft Word documents will not be accepted
no identifying information: no name on a cover page; no name in the header/footer
previously published work is allowed as long as name/publication info have been removed
no scanned copies of published work
autobiographical works that reference your name in the body of the submission are acceptable

Early and Middle Grade Readers

Fiction or nonfiction for an intended audience of children approximately 5-12 years old.

Requirements for submissions in this genre:

10-15 double-spaced pages (you may submit a complete short work, an excerpt from a longer work, or multiple shorter samples)
English
page numbers
11- or 12-point standard serif font (for example, Times, Palatino, or Cambria)
PDF only; Microsoft Word documents will not be accepted
no identifying information: no name on a cover page; no name in the header/footer
previously published work is allowed as long as name/publication info have been removed
no scanned copies of published work

Fiction

Requirements for submissions in this genre:

10-15 double-spaced pages (you may submit a complete short work, an excerpt from a longer work, or multiple shorter samples)
English
page numbers
11- or 12-point standard serif font (for example, Times, Palatino, or Cambria)
PDF only; Microsoft Word documents will not be accepted
no identifying information: no name on a cover page; no name in the header/footer
previously published work is allowed as long as name/publication info have been removed
no scanned copies of published work

Graphic Novel/Graphic Memoir

If you write and illustrate your works, submit samples of 1-2 works, with a combined total of 15-20 pages. Each work should be in its own PDF, with each file not to exceed 30MB. For example, you could include one 20-page excerpt or two 10-page excerpts.

Please follow our guidelines about keeping portfolio submissions anonymous:

do not include the cover of your book if it has your name on it
do not submit scanned copies of published work

The general guidelines for writers regarding fonts and page numbering do not apply to graphic novels and graphic memoirs.

If you illustrate graphic novels, but don't write the text, we advise that you submit an application in the Illustration category.

We do not accept text-only portfolios of graphic novels or graphic memoirs without illustrations.

Requirements for submissions in this genre:

English
PDF only; Microsoft Word documents will not be accepted
no identifying information: no name on a cover page; no name in the header/footer
previously published work is allowed as long as name/publication info have been removed
no scanned copies of published work
autobiographical works that reference your name in the body of the submission are acceptable

Illustrated Children's Books

If you write and illustrate your works, submit PDFs of 2 complete books, up to 32 pages each. If your books are longer than the industry-standard 32 pages, please submit excerpts.

Individual PDFs must not exceed 30MB.

Please follow our guidelines about keeping portfolio submissions anonymous:

do not include the cover of your book if it has your name on it
do not submit scanned copies of published books

The general guidelines for writers regarding fonts and page numbering do not apply to picture books.

If you illustrate children's books, but don't write the text, please apply in the Illustration category.

If you write the text for illustrated children's books, but don't illustrate them yourself, you have two options:

You may apply collaboratively with your illustrator only if the illustrator is also eligible for our awards (is a parent of a child under 18). Please read our guidelines regarding collaborations carefully.
OR
You may apply in the Illustrated Children's Books (text only) category.

Requirements for submissions in this genre:

PDFs of 2 complete books, not to exceed 32 pages each
English
the general guidelines for writers regarding fonts and page numbering do not apply to illustrated children's books
PDF only; Microsoft Word documents will not be accepted
no identifying information: no name on a cover page; no name in the header/footer
previously published work is allowed as long as name/publication info have been removed
no scanned copies of published work

Illustrated Children's Books (Text Only)

If you write but do not illustrate children's books, then you should feel welcome to apply in this category.

You may apply collaboratively with your illustrator only if the illustrator is also eligible for our awards (is a parent of a child under 18). You and your illustrator should then apply together in the Illustrated Children's Books category.

Please read our guidelines regarding collaborations carefully.

If you write and/or illustrate picture books for adults, please apply in the Graphic Novel/Graphic Memoir category.

If you write and illustrate your works, please apply in the Illustrated Children's Books category.

If you illustrate children's books, but do not write the text, please apply in the Illustration category.

Requirements for submissions in this genre:

text of up to 3 books, 5-15 pages total
English
the general guidelines for writers regarding fonts and page numbering do not apply to illustrated children's books
PDF only; Microsoft Word documents will not be accepted
no identifying information: no name on a cover page; no name in the header/footer
previously published work is allowed as long as name/publication info have been removed
no scanned copies of published work

Poetry

10 poems, not to exceed 15 pages total, in a single PDF. Please start each poem on a new page.

If you write multi-page poems and 10 poems would exceed our 15-page limit, you may submit fewer than 10 poems, not to exceed 15 pages.

Poetry submissions do not have to be double spaced.

In the required date pull-down, please note the date of the oldest poem you are submitting.

Requirements for submissions in this genre:

English
11- or 12-point standard serif font (for example, Times, Palatino, or Cambria)
PDF only; Microsoft Word documents will not be accepted
no identifying information: no name on a cover page; no name in the header/footer
previously published work is allowed as long as name/publication info have been removed
no scanned copies of published work

Young Adult Fiction

Requirements for submissions in this genre:

10-15 double-spaced pages (you may submit a complete short work, an excerpt from a longer work, or multiple shorter samples)
English
page numbers
11- or 12-point standard serif font (for example, Times, Palatino, or Cambria)
PDF only; Microsoft Word documents will not be accepted
no identifying information: no name on a cover page; no name in the header/footer
previously published work is allowed as long as name/publication info have been removed
no scanned copies of published work

Book Arts

Book Arts is a genre involving making unique (or limited edition) artistic or literary books by hand. It may involve papermaking, printmaking, letterpress, calligraphy, binding, paper marbling, paste papers, and the like.

If your work does not involve physically making or altering books by hand, you should not apply in this genre.

We understand that Book Arts can be much more time-consuming to produce than other types of work. Book artists need not submit images of 10 unique works of art, but may submit multiple images/views from three to five different books to satisfy the portfolio requirements.

Requirements for submissions in this genre:

10 individual images from three to five different books, for a total of 10 images
up to 5 additional images to provide detail and/or exhibition shots. These images should not introduce new works; they should feature one of the 10 works in your portfolio. Detail shots can be used to enhance the reviewer’s understanding of the surface or materials. Exhibition shots can help the reviewer appreciate the scale of a particular piece.
individual JPG or PNG files of each image
high resolution images (1,000 - 3,000 pixels per side)
individual image size limited to no more than 5MB

Please let us see your work at its best. Images should be well-lit, not blurry, and high resolution. Flat artwork should be cropped to show only the artwork itself.

Please follow our guidelines about keeping portfolio submissions anonymous:

no name, watermark, or other identifying information on works of art
gallery installation photos should not show your name
signatures on works of art are acceptable

It is not acceptable to direct us to your website to view your portfolio. The curatorial process is valuable: it is up to you to select the images that best represent your work. Additionally, we strive to keep our review anonymous, and your website reveals your identity.

Ceramics

Requirements for submissions in this genre:

one image each of 10 individual ceramic pieces
each piece may be an individual one-off piece, ceramic functional ware, or part of a functional ceramic design series or limited edition ceramic series
up to 5 additional images to provide detail and/or exhibition shots. These images should not introduce new works; they should feature one of the 10 works in your portfolio. Detail shots can be used to enhance the reviewer’s understanding of the surface or materials. Exhibition shots can help the reviewer appreciate the scale of a particular piece.
individual JPG or PNG files of each image
high resolution images (1,000 - 3,000 pixels per side)
individual image size limited to no more than 5MB

Please let us see your work at its best. Images should be well-lit, not blurry, and high resolution.

Please follow our guidelines about keeping portfolio submissions anonymous:

no name, watermark, or other identifying information on works of art
gallery installation photos should not show your name
signatures on works of art are acceptable

Drawing

If you illustrate (but do not write) picture books or graphic novels, please submit your application under Illustration rather than Drawing.

Requirements for submissions in in this genre:

one image each of 10 individual works of art
up to 5 additional images to provide detail and/or exhibition shots. These images should not introduce new works; they should feature one of the 10 works in your portfolio. Detail shots can be used to enhance the reviewer’s understanding of the surface or materials. Exhibition shots can help the reviewer appreciate the scale of a particular piece.
individual JPG or PNG files of each image
high resolution images (1,000 - 3,000 pixels per side)
individual image size limited to no more than 5MB

Please let us see your work at its best. Images should be well-lit, not blurry, and high resolution. Flat artwork should be cropped to show only the artwork itself.

Please follow our guidelines about keeping portfolio submissions anonymous:

no name, watermark, or other identifying information on works of art
gallery installation photos should not show your name
signatures on works of art are acceptable

Fiber Arts and Textiles

Requirements for submissions in this genre:

one image each of 10 individual works of art
up to 5 additional images to provide detail and/or exhibition shots. These images should not introduce new works; they should feature one of the 10 works in your portfolio. Detail shots can be used to enhance the reviewer’s understanding of the surface or materials. Exhibition shots can help the reviewer appreciate the scale of a particular piece.
individual JPG or PNG files of each image
high resolution images (1,000 - 3,000 pixels per side)
individual image size limited to no more than 5MB

Please let us see your work at its best. Images should be well-lit, not blurry, and high resolution. Flat artwork should be cropped to show only the artwork itself.

Please follow our guidelines about keeping portfolio submissions anonymous:

no name, watermark, or other identifying information on works of art
gallery installation photos should not show your name
signatures on works of art are acceptable

Illustration

If you illustrate (but do not write) picture books or graphic novels, you may apply in this category.

Requirements for submissions in this genre:

one image each of 10 individual works of art
up to 5 additional images to provide detail and/or exhibition shots. These images should not introduce new works; they should feature one of the 10 works in your portfolio. Detail shots can be used to enhance the reviewer’s understanding of the surface or materials. Exhibition shots can help the reviewer appreciate the scale of a particular piece.
individual JPG or PNG files of each image
high resolution images (1,000 - 3,000 pixels per side)
individual image size limited to no more than 5MB

Please let us see your work at its best. Images should be well-lit, not blurry, and high resolution. Flat artwork should be cropped to show only the artwork itself.

Please follow our guidelines about keeping portfolio submissions anonymous:

no name, watermark, or other identifying information on works of art
gallery installation photos should not show your name
signatures on works of art are acceptable

Installation

Installation art consists of works that often are site-specific and designed to transform the perception of a space.

We understand that installation pieces can be much larger and more time-consuming to produce than other types of work. Installation artists need not submit images of 10 unique works of art, but may submit multiple images/views from at least three different installation pieces to satisfy the portfolio requirements.

Requirements for submissions in this genre:

at least 10 and up to 15 individual images of at least three different installation pieces
individual JPG or PNG files of each image
high resolution images (1,000 - 3,000 pixels per side)
individual image size limited to no more than 5MB

If you would like to submit video documentation of your installation work, you may include links on the “Portfolio Notes” section of the Portfolio page. Please limit your video documentation to no more than 5 minutes.

Please let us see your work at its best. Images should be well-lit, not blurry, and high resolution.

Please follow our guidelines about keeping portfolio submissions anonymous:

no name, watermark, or other identifying information on works of art
gallery installation photos should not show your name
signatures on works of art are acceptable

Jewelry

These are small-scale, wearable decorative objects made of glass, ceramic, metal, wood, paper, textiles or other materials. Portfolios of larger wearable garments should be submitted as Wearable Textiles.

Requirements for submissions in this genre:

one image each of 10 individual pieces
up to 5 additional images to provide detail and/or exhibition shots. These images should not introduce new works; they should feature one of the 10 works in your portfolio. Detail shots can be used to enhance the reviewer’s understanding of the surface or materials. Exhibition shots can help the reviewer appreciate the scale of a particular piece.
individual JPG or PNG files of each image
high resolution images (1,000 - 3,000 pixels per side)
individual image size limited to no more than 5MB

Please let us see your work at its best. Images should be well-lit, not blurry, and high resolution.

Please follow our guidelines about keeping portfolio submissions anonymous:

no name, watermark, or other identifying information on works of art
gallery installation photos should not show your name
signatures on works of art are acceptable

Mixed Media

Requirements for submissions in this genre:

one image each of 10 individual works of art
up to 5 additional images to provide detail and/or exhibition shots. These images should not introduce new works; they should feature one of the 10 works in your portfolio. Detail shots can be used to enhance the reviewer’s understanding of the surface or materials. Exhibition shots can help the reviewer appreciate the scale of a particular piece.
individual JPG or PNG files of each image
high resolution images (1,000 - 3,000 pixels per side)
individual image size limited to no more than 5MB

Please let us see your work at its best. Images should be well-lit, not blurry, and high resolution. Flat artwork should be cropped to show only the artwork itself.

Please follow our guidelines about keeping portfolio submissions anonymous:

no name, watermark, or other identifying information on works of art
gallery installation photos should not show your name
signatures on works of art are acceptable

Painting

Requirements for submissions in this genre:

one image each of 10 individual works of art
up to 5 additional images to provide detail and/or exhibition shots. These images should not introduce new works; they should feature one of the 10 works in your portfolio. Detail shots can be used to enhance the reviewer’s understanding of the surface or materials. Exhibition shots can help the reviewer appreciate the scale of a particular piece.
individual JPG or PNG files of each image
high resolution images (1,000 - 3,000 pixels per side)
individual image size limited to no more than 5MB

Please let us see your work at its best. Images should be well-lit, not blurry, and high resolution. Flat artwork should be cropped to show only the artwork itself.

Please follow our guidelines about keeping portfolio submissions anonymous:

no name, watermark, or other identifying information on works of art
gallery installation photos should not show your name
signatures on works of art are acceptable

Photography

Requirements for submissions in this genre:

one image each of 10 individual works of art
up to 5 additional images to provide detail and/or exhibition shots. These images should not introduce new works; they should feature one of the 10 works in your portfolio. Detail shots can be used to enhance the reviewer’s understanding of the surface or materials. Exhibition shots can help the reviewer appreciate the scale of a particular piece.
individual JPG or PNG files of each image
high resolution images (1,000 - 3,000 pixels per side)
individual image size limited to no more than 5MB

Please let us see your work at its best. Images should be well-lit, not blurry, and high resolution. Flat artwork should be cropped to show only the artwork itself.

Please follow our guidelines about keeping portfolio submissions anonymous:

no name, watermark, or other identifying information on works of art
gallery installation photos should not show your name
signatures on works of art are acceptable

Printmaking

Requirements for submissions in this genre:

one image each of 10 individual works of art
up to 5 additional images to provide detail and/or exhibition shots. These images should not introduce new works; they should feature one of the 10 works in your portfolio. Detail shots can be used to enhance the reviewer’s understanding of the surface or materials. Exhibition shots can help the reviewer appreciate the scale of a particular piece.
individual JPG or PNG files of each image
high resolution images (1,000 - 3,000 pixels per side)
individual image size limited to no more than 5MB

Please let us see your work at its best. Images should be well-lit, not blurry, and high resolution. Flat artwork should be cropped to show only the artwork itself.

Please follow our guidelines about keeping portfolio submissions anonymous:

no name, watermark, or other identifying information on works of art
gallery installation photos should not show your name
signatures on works of art are acceptable

Sculpture

Requirements for submissions in this genre:

one image each of 10 individual works of art
up to 5 additional images to provide detail and/or exhibition shots. These images should not introduce new works; they should feature one of the 10 works in your portfolio. Detail shots can be used to enhance the reviewer’s understanding of the surface or materials. Exhibition shots can help the reviewer appreciate the scale of a particular piece.
individual JPG or PNG files of each image
high resolution images (1,000 - 3,000 pixels per side)
individual image size limited to no more than 5MB

Please let us see your work at its best. Images should be well-lit, not blurry, and high resolution.

Please follow our guidelines about keeping portfolio submissions anonymous:

no name, watermark, or other identifying information on works of art
gallery installation photos should not show your name
signatures on works of art are acceptable

Wearable Textiles

Garments created with natural or synthetic fibers as the primary medium are welcome. Items made for everyday wear are not suitable.

Requirements for submissions in this genre:

one image each of 10 individual garments, either alone or on a model or mannequin
patterns or sketches of garments should not be submitted
up to 5 additional images to provide detail and/or exhibition shots. These images should not introduce new works; they should feature one of the 10 works in your portfolio. Detail shots can be used to enhance the reviewer’s understanding of the surface or materials. Exhibition shots can help the reviewer appreciate the scale of a particular piece.
individual JPG or PNG files of each image
high resolution images (1,000 - 3,000 pixels per side)
individual image size limited to no more than 5MB

Please let us see your work at its best. Images should be well-lit, not blurry, and high resolution.

Please follow our guidelines about keeping portfolio submissions anonymous:

no name, watermark, or other identifying information on works of art
gallery installation photos should not show your name
signatures on works of art are acceptable