Q: What is the Miami Individual Artists (MIA) Grants Program?

A: The Miami Individual Artists (MIA) Grant Program provides non-matching awards to individual artists of all disciplines in Miami-Dade County on a competitive basis to support their artistic development and practice. In recognition of the contributions of Miami-Dade’s outstanding artists to the fundamental vitality and creativity of our cultural community, the MIA Grant Program strongly encourages applications from professional artists of the highest caliber with a recognized body of original artwork, and who are deeply rooted in Miami’s diverse cultural life.

Q:  What does this program fund?

The MIA Program provides awards to individual artists to support their artistic practice and endeavors. It’s not a “project-specific” program, but applicants will be asked to provide a summary of their artistic pursuits, including any completed, tentative and proposed plans, during the program funding period of October 1 – September 30

Q: What is the maximum award a selected artist will receive?

A:  Awards of up to $10,000 will be made to selected artists. Applicants may only submit one (1) application per applicant. There is no matching fund requirement for this grant award.

Q: If I receive a MIA Stipend, can I spend the award on living expenses?

A:  Yes, there are no restrictions on these funds. The entire payment will be made directly to the awarded artist or their Limited Liability Corporation (LCC), if preferred.

Q: Do I need a Submittable account to apply?

A: Yes, you need an account with the Submittable to apply. It's free to register and use. If you don’t have an account already, you can sign up here: https://artinpublicplaces.submittable.com/signup 

Q: Who is eligible to apply?

A: Professional artists residing and working in Miami-Dade County for at least one (1) year at the time of application are eligible to apply. These include, but not limited to, visual artists, media artists, composers, choreographers, playwrights, poets, actors, musicians, dancers, singers, performance artists, artisans, ceramicists, sculptors. In addition, artists must be over 18 years of age and actively pursuing their artistic practice between October 1st through September 30th.

Recipients of an MIA Program award in the previous year are eligible to apply. If awarded, the previous year’s final report must be submitted and deemed complete before the current year award can be processed.

Q: Who is NOT eligible to apply?

A:  Professionals who work directly with individual artists - such as curators, arts administrators, producers, or presenters; students pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees, non-professionals who engage in the arts as a hobby; or employees and advisory board members of Miami-Dade County and their immediate families are not eligible.

Q: How will the applications be evaluated?

A:  Applications to the MIA Program will be evaluated based on the evaluation criteria listed on page 4 of the MIA Grant Program guidelines. Panelists will review your resume / curriculum vitae / artist bio, work samples and support documents, so be sure all these materials reflect and substantiate your work as a professional artist.

Q:  I am an artist who is part of a dance company, theater production or artist collective. Am I eligible to apply as an individual artist?

A: Yes, artists affiliated with collectives, duos or collaborative associations are eligible to apply; however, the artist endeavors and work samples presented in the application must reflect those of the applicant. If the work was developed collaboratively, applicants will be asked to indicate their specific role in the work.

Q:  Is this program available to artists of one specific discipline?

A:  No, all art forms and disciplines are eligible to apply. These include dance, film, video and media arts, folk/traditional arts, multidisciplinary, literary arts, music, theater, and visual arts.

Q: Do I need to produce or present a project if I receive an award from the MIA Program?

A:  As an awardee of this program, you commit to pursue the development of your artistic activities and practice during the program funding period between October 1, 2022 – September 30, 2023.  Activities include, but are not limited to, performances, presentations, exhibitions, workshops, research projects and/or development/creation of new artwork.

Q:  What should I include in my Artist Statement?

A:  An artist statement summarizes your artistic practice, work, medium, influences and unique creative pursuits. Simply put, an artist statement is what you do as an artist in 200 words or less. We suggest visiting https://grantspace.org/resources/knowledge-base/artists-statements if you need more assistance.

Q:  What type of work samples am I required to provide as part of the application?

A:  Work sample requirements vary by discipline. Please refer to pages 3 - 4 of the MIA Grant Program guidelines for the list of work samples required by each discipline.

Q: The work samples section on the application has a space for files and a space for links. Can I submit files and links?

A:  Yes, you may submit a combination of files and links. However, each discipline has its own maximum number of samples – including files and links - an applicant is allowed to upload. Panelists will not review samples that exceed the maximum number allowed.

Q:  What file formats are accepted for the work samples?

A:  Acceptable file types include: pdf, jpg, jpeg, mp3, mp4, m4a, wav, mov, avi, mpg, 3gp, flv, webm, wmv, ogg, aac, flac, aiff, wma, mkv, m4v. Direct links to online content are also acceptable.

Q: What should I submit as work samples?

A:  Work samples should provide evidence of your work as a professional artist and may include still images, short videos; audio or dynamic media files; writing samples (e.g., excerpt of poem, script or play), etc. Applicants may also submit images/videos related to the artistic endeavors noted in the application form.

Q:  I see I have the option to submit support documents. What should I include?

A:  You may submit up to three (3) support materials. Support documents should provide further confirmation of your work as a professional artist and may include documents such catalogues, program books/playbills, postcards or flyers, news articles, letters of support, your website (in the form of a link), etc.

Q: What will I need to submit as proof of residency?

A:  Proof of residency is required at the time of application. Acceptable forms of documentation include a property tax record; lease agreement; voter’s registration; or IRS Income Tax Return for year 2021 or 2022. NOTE: applicants providing copies of an IRS Income Tax Return have the option to redact their personal financial information. Artists must have been a full-time resident, resided and worked in Miami-Dade County for at least one (1) year at the time of application.

Q. Do I need to match the funds with additional funding?

A: No, matching funds are not required.

Q. What are the reporting requirements?

A:  Selected artists will be required to provide a summary of their artistic endeavors throughout the program year. Awardees will have the option to provide additional documentation such as images, videos, press reports, etc. The deadline to submit the report is 45 days after the grant end date.

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS?  Email your question to Gilda Mooney, Chief of Grant Services, at gilda.mooney@miamidade.gov. Questions will be answered during regular business hours (Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM).

The Frequently Asked Questions are continually being updated. Click here to visit the Miami Individual Artists (MIA) Grants Program page.

It is the policy of Miami-Dade County to comply with all of the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.  To request these materials in accessible format, please contact Francine Andersen 305-375-4634 / culture@miamidade.gov, at least five days in advance to initiate your request. TTY users may also call 711 (Florida Relay Service).