Wave Farm Media Arts Assistance Fund

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The Media Arts Assistance Fund (MAAF) supports individual artists in New York State to complete and/or publicly present new works in the genres of sound and moving image art, including emergent technologies. The program encourages submissions from women, gender non-conforming individuals, and people of color. The fund offers up to $7,500 for media artworks in their final stages or newly completed works.

 

Information & Application Details:

  • Deadline: March 1, 2025 (11:59 PM EST)
  • Submission Platform: All applications must be submitted electronically via the online platform Fillout (no offline submissions).
  • Notification: April 2025
  • Public Announcement: May 2025
  • Project Period: May 1, 2025 – December 31, 2025
  • Final Report Deadline: January 31, 2026

 

Eligibility:

  • Applicants must reside in New York State.
  • Projects must be media art-focused (sound, video, and mixed media).
  • Works can be in-progress but must be at least 75% complete by the time of application.
  • Only individual artists are eligible (no groups, collectives, or LLCs).
  • Cross-disciplinary works are eligible, but media art must be the core discipline.
  • The proposed work must serve New York State audiences for public presentations.
  • Non-fiction, feature-length narrative documentaries and episodic work (e.g., web series, podcasts) are not eligible.
  • Artists cannot apply for both NYSCA Support for Artists and Wave Farm MAAF in the same funding year.
  • Applicants must demonstrate full rights to exhibit and distribute the work.

 

Theme:

  • The focus is on sound and moving image art, including emergent technology.
  • Experimental documentary works are supported, but team-driven narrative documentaries are not.

 

How to Apply:

  1. Prepare your application offline in advance.
  2. Complete the Fillout application form online.
  3. Upload your project description and materials.
  4. Submit before March 1, 2025 (no late submissions).

 

Submission Requirements:

  • Project Statement: Clearly outline the project, goals, and how the grant will support the completion or presentation.
  • Work Description: Provide details of your media artwork (sound or video-based).
  • Proof of Rights: Demonstrate full rights to distribute and exhibit the work.

Grant Requirements:

  • Amount: Up to $7,500.
  • Funds must be used for eligible expenses incurred during the grant period (post-approval).
  • Public presentations must primarily serve New York State audiences.

 

Selection Process:

  1. Eligibility Review: Wave Farm staff first review for eligibility, completeness, and guideline compliance.
  2. Peer Review Panel: A panel of media arts professionals will evaluate the applications based on artistic merit and alignment with the guidelines.
  3. Final Review: Panel ratings are reviewed by Wave Farm and NYSCA Electronic Media and Film (EMF) staff for final funding decisions.
  4. No Appeal Process: All decisions are final, and there is no appeal process for grantee selection.

 

Program Benefits & Awards:

  • Grant Support: Up to $7,500 to complete or present a media artwork.
  • Public Presentation Support: Help with reaching New York State audiences.
  • Exposure: The project will be publicly presented during the grant period (May-Dec 2025).
  • Final Report: Successful applicants must submit a final report by January 31, 2026.

 

Contact & Resources:

 

Website Link:

https://wavefarm.org/grants-services/nysca-regrants/maaf-artists/about

 

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