FELLOWSHIP CONTACT FORM

Submit the contact form below and review guidelines to the right.

 

Community Partnerships with RAI’s Fellowship & Adult Arts Development Programs

If you would like to get involved as a community partner or would like more general information on RAI’s Adult Fellowships, Arts Development Programs, or the Youth Roundtable Project, please reach out to us at staff@riffartsinstitute.org.

Or the Youth Roundtable Project

If you are an organization, school, or individual wanting more information on the YRP, we would like to connect with you. The YRP program will take place at the 2023 Richmond International Film Festival, providing youth with a one to two-day intensive program centered on the development of the arts, critical thinking, and individual, group and civic leadership. This program will also be made available at various times throughout the year.

 Youth Roundtable Project (YRP):  Creating the next generation of leaders in the arts through the development of critical thinking, visual and performing arts, sciences, humanities and collaborative community engagement across a range of core curriculum areas.

 ·       The YRP is a multi-generational 1-2-day intensive program of RIFF and the RIFF Arts Institute that provides an immersive experience for students to explore core subject matter in new and innovative ways. In this team-building program, students are introduced to a current critical issue that not only the world faces, but also one that affects our local community. At the start of the program, students are placed in the following teams:  Math, Science, Performing Arts, Cultural Studies/Humanities, and Visual Arts.

·       Through intensive research, delegation and engagement with peers and mentors, each team conducts research on the presented issue and through the course of the program develops a student inspired solution to the problem from within their core area.  Through guided exploration and collaborative engagement youth become empowered during the process as they learn about the subject matter and are given new tools to address real world issues.

·       Once the research phase is complete, each team is tasked with creating a project that their team will then demonstrate to the other groups. Bringing all core areas together in the demonstration phase is key as it reflects the need for creativity and new innovation and coordination across all areas, inspiring students to work together collectively across various fields of research.  The program concludes with a celebration of their work and a roundtable discussion between the YRP staff and participants that touches on identifying tangible short and long-term suggestions for how students can execute ideas and put their solutions into action in their local communities. These presentations also include opportunities to create petitions and resolutions that can be presented or shared with local officials, delegates, press, academic institutions, community organizations, and businesses. 

·       Short teaser that shows the YRP program in action:  https://youtu.be/qqShlt-QCI8 (Recommend starting at 45 seconds in).  For more info, email program author, Heather Waters, President & Executive Director of the RIFF Arts Institute.

 

RIFF ARTS INSTITUTE FELLOWSHIP APPLICATION

Filmmaking, Screenwriting, Music, and General Artist Development Fellowships or Business Leadership Fellowships offered twice per year, pending availability. The program is currently full and on a wait list, however, we will receive applications on a rolling basis.

Application:

Applications for the Summer/Fall Program are open. Deadline to apply: May 21
 
Date:

The next round of Fellowship Programs begin early summer.

Size of Fellowship:

Fellowships take place in a variety of settings. Some individual environments working with industry professionals and other one on one development sessions or small groups with joint participants.

Location:

Richmond, Virginia

Eligibility:

  • Candidates for film are required to have written or produced at least one short or feature as writer, lead producer or co-producer (executive producer, associate or line producer does not qualify). Candidates for business, music, or other artist development program must present samples of their work in the field they are applying for.

  • Candidates must be working in some type of production environment for film, music, or related industry or be a graduating student. Some exceptions may apply.

  • Candidates must live in the United States.

  • Candidates must be available for the duration of the program time.

Stay:

If not from Richmond, the RIFF Arts Institute may help provide hotel or accommodations during the festival portion of their stay in Richmond for select dates.

Description:

Three Fellowship Programs are offered: 3-6 month program, 6-9 month program, or a one-year intensive program. The programs are designed to nurture the Fellow through personalized development and support through participation in individual and group sessions, educational lab experiences, select film, music and event production learning opportunities, or business of arts development programs. Activities may also include mentorship and apprenticeship opportunities with RAI, its colleagues or partners. 

At this time, the Program is a complimentary service that RAI offers to participants. The Fellowship Program is designed to refine emerging talents’ creative instincts, further develop strategic communication skills and artistic talents and provide select networking opportunities with industry professionals. Some fellowships also receive the benefit of a customized program based on available resources that RAI can provide during the respective term. RAI reserves the right to discontinue its services at any given time during programming based on the Board of Directors and Institute’s discretion. To be considered for the 2024 Fellowship Program, see the application requirements and process below.

Eligibility & Applicant Deliverables:

In addition to meeting the program initiatives throughout the year, Fellows are required to provide a report at the close of their program, and should an opportunity arise, Fellows should be willing to give back to the RIFF Arts Institute creative community following their fellowship term. Participants may also receive opportunities to take part in panels and other mentoring initiatiatives during their fellowship. For any projects that are accepted, developed, or assisted by the Institute, the Fellow should acknowledge RAI and its partners where applicable.

What you need to include in your application:

  • ELIGIBILITY QUESTIONS – Review the eligibility information above along with the program timeline and participation dates required to ensure eligibility. In your application, state which program you are applying for.

  • CONTACT INFO – Include all pertinent contact info for the Fellowship Applicant.

  • BIO & RESUME - Include a brief bio and resume.

  • COVER LETTER (750-word max) - Introduce yourself and tell us why you are interested in the program, what you hope to gain, and why you believe you would be a good candidate for the program.

  • ARTISTIC STATEMENT (750-word max) – Describe your creative vision as an artist, writer, or producer including the types of projects you are compelled towards and what you see as your unique creative voice. What themes are you most interested in exploring? Why are you passionate about sharing these stories?

  • INCLUDE A WRITING OR WORK SAMPLE - If applying for a writing fellowship, include the first 5 pages of a script, treatment, or other creative writing sample. If for a music, film, or visual fellowship, include samples of your work.

  • HOW TO SUBMIT MATERIALS - Send all of the required materials above to staff@riffartsinstitute.org


Next Steps:
Applicants will be notified on a rolling basis if their application has progressed to the next stage of the selection process. The Executive Director and RAI Fellowship Committee will review and decide on finalist candidates. RAI welcomes all creative projects to apply, however, RAI reserves the right to accept or deny any project submitted to the Board of Director’s review process. Please remember to submit all materials together in one email.  If selected as a finalist candidate, you will then be contacted for an interview prior to final selections made by RAI or the Fellowship Committee.