Robert Giard Grant for Emerging LGBTQ+ Photographers
Frequently Asked Questions

 
GENERAL

Q. How do we choose Judges?

A. Participation as judges is by invitation. In an effort to expand the network of artists who comprise our judging pool, Queer|Art welcomes recommendations for new judges from individuals who have been judges in past years of the grant.

Considerations are made each year around regional, racial, and creative diversity within the field of photography.

Q. How large is the applicant pool for the Robert Giard Grant for Emerging LGBTQ+ Photographers?

A. In 2023, Queer|Art received 193 applications for the Robert Giard Grant for Emerging LGBTQ+ Photographers. 

ELIGIBILITY

Q. How do I know if I qualify as an emerging artist?

A. This grant defines “emerging” as follows:

- Likely to be receiving grant or fellowship support at this level and amount for the first time
- May be of any age
- May be self-taught or already have a fine arts degree
- May have exhibited in regional or local galleries or museums (but not major galleries or museums)
- May have previously received limited grant funding
- May be mid-career but underrecognized

Q. I don’t live in the U.S., can I still apply? 

A. Yes! This is an international grant. All emerging LGBTQ+ photographers are eligible to apply from across the world.

Q. I would like to apply as a pair with my creative partner / I would like to apply with my collective, is that okay?

Yes, creative collaborators can apply as a pair or with a group/collective as long as all applicants who would be benefiting from the grant funds meet all of the eligibility requirements.

If applying as a pair, you can put both names, etc into a line answer (i.e. Reya & Rio). For lines that only allow one answer please put the primary applicants info. 

If you have a joint bio that's best, but if not, two separate bios is fine. If you have a headshot of the two of you together that's best, if not two separate files is fine. 

Q. I’m applying as a pair / collective, what should I do about references?

A. We suggest you ask recommenders who can speak to your work as a pair / collective. If this is not possible, please submit one reference for each artist (up to two) or two for the primary applicant.

Q. Can I submit with a project that is already finished to pay for presentation costs and/or expenses I paid out of pocket?

A. Its best to apply with a project that is in development, production, or post-production. Funds can't specifically be used solely for presentation costs. If you can create a proposal and budget that reflects the funds being used to "make" the work then you can certainly apply. Be clear in your essay answers and budget what has already been paid for or is completed and what the grant funds would be used for. 

APPLICATION QUESTIONS

Q. How do I submit my application?

A. You will be directed to SlideRoom application via the link on our website. You will create an account via SlideRoom which will allow you to work on your application and save changes in draft form before submitting. It is suggested that you also save a working draft of your essay questions on another platform such as Word, Notes, TextEdit, Google Docs, etc. 

Q. What is SlideRoom?

A. SlideRoom is an online application software that we use to help us manage the volume of applications we receive for the Giard Grant each year. You can learn more about SlideRoom here.

Q. Is there an application fee?

A. Yes, there is a $10 application fee. Queer|Art uses the online application software SlideRoom to organize applications. SlideRoom charges applicants for the Robert Giard Grant for Emerging LGBTQ+ Photographers a fee of $10 for each individual application. The fee does not profit Queer|Art. Please reach out to Reya Sehgal (reya@queer-art.org) if you would like to apply, but cannot meet this fee.

Q. Where do I send my work samples?

All work samples must be uploaded through SlideRoom.

Q. Who should I select as references? 

A. Someone who can speak to your work as an artist. Applicants typically chose professors, mentors, colleagues and/or collaborators in their field, etc. You should always contact your references ahead of time, in order to ask for permission to list them and to contextualize the opportunity you’re applying for.

Q. Will my references be required to write a letter of recommendation? 

A. No, references are not required to write letters of recommendation. The judges may reach out to your references, as needed, via phone and / or email if they have any questions as they finalize deliberations. 

Q. I’m having trouble uploading my work samples. What should I do?

A. Please do not wait until the last minute to try to upload work samples so you have time to troubleshoot.

Only image files are accepted. Files may be no larger than 10MB each.

Images do not have to be a particular size, as SlideRoom's servers will process them to fit their system. Their processors will resize anything larger than 1280 x 1280 x 72 ppi to fit within those limitations.

File formats accepted: .jpg, .jpeg, .png, .gif, .tif, .tiff, .bmp, .tga

Q. Can I submit more than 18 work samples?

A. No, our limit is 18 work samples. We recommend submitting no less than 15 images.

Q. What are you looking for in the budget?

A. The budget PDF should be an overall budget of how much it truly costs to realize your project. Your budget should account for how the work will be made. Consider costs for research, talent, travel, editing software, equipment, etc. If you’ve already secured partial funding from another source, make note of it and outline what this grant funding cover. If the cost of production exceeds the grant amount, please indicate within the budget any confirmed funding you have received or additional funding you anticipate that will enable you to complete this project.

Q. What’s a CV? What’s the difference between a CV and a resume?

A. A CV is a list of your accomplishments as an artist that includes your education, shows, publications, and awards. It does not include employment outside your art practice. For instructions on how to create a CV, with samples, visit: https://thepracticalartworld.com/2011/02/12/how-to-write-an-artists-cv-in-10-steps/.

Q. When will I be notified about the status of my application?

The judges will review applications throughout June and July. All applicants will be notified about the status of their application by late summer/early fall.

DEADLINE QUESTIONS

Q. Can I get an application extension?

A. No, to be fair to all applicants, we cannot grant individual application extensions. 

Q. In what time zone will applications close?

A. Applications will close at 11:59PM EST (Eastern Standard Time) on the listed date of the application deadline.

Q. Can I apply after the application deadline?

A. We do not accept applications after the deadline has passed. Please try again next year.

Further Reading

How do you write a good artist statement? What work samples should you include? How much academic language should you use? What kind of story should your application tell about you? Learn about all this and more through two of our blog entries below, written by Queer|Art staff members. There may be some things in there you find useful as you prepare your application.