LIFTS Application                                    
LIFTS is an artist grant and acquisition award sponsored by Paige West and the West Collection in response to COVID-19. The initiative is designed to offer assistance during this very challenging time. Each week for ten weeks, Paige West will announce on the West Collection website (www.westcollection.org) one artist who will receive $5,000 in the form of a grant to use how they need, and an additional $5,000 for the purchase of their work(s). The primary criteria in selecting an artist is a review of their artwork and how their artwork may compliment or stretch the existing works in the West Collection. The ten artists who are chosen for this initiative will later be part of an exhibition, once the West Collection space in Philadelphia is complete.

FAQs:

1. How to apply?

First read the FAQs, fill out the form HERE below the FAQs and then email us the following information to LIFTS@westcollection.org:

****no links to images, shared folders with images, downloads, Zip files with images will be reviewed, ONLY the email with (5) x 2mb images and other supporting materials please!!!

1. 5 images* (jpegs, each 2MB or smaller, for video see below), file names should follow this format: lastname_firstname_01.jpeg.   (email the images with the below supporting docs)
2. List of Works Form - Numbered list of artworks with the following information: artist name, title of artwork, year, dimensions, a description of artwork, and please include price (more about pricing below). Submit as PDF
3. CV, 1 page maximum, PDF
4. Bio, 100 words, PDF
5. Artist Statement, 200 words max, PDF

For video submissions:
*Only submit links to video. Two minutes of video, film or sound documentation = one work. Artists may choose to include links to Vimeo or You Tube public accounts for time-based work samples - please do not email us video attachments--links only.

**You can only submit once and you will not be able to edit your application.


2. Who is eligible to apply?
Visual artists 21 years or older from anywhere in the world. Collaborative artist teams are eligible.


3. What if my work sells for $500, not $5,000, how much will I receive?
The total initiative is $100,000 USD divided among 10 artist recipients. Each artist receives a total of $10,000. $5,000 goes to each artist as a grant to be used however they need (no strings attached). An additional $5,000 is to buy a work (or several by the artist). For example, if an artist uploads works that cost $2,500 each, the chosen artist would get their $5,000 grant and have two $2,500 works collected for the West Collection for a total of $10,000 USD. The 5 submitted artworks are a representation of the artist's work--the acquisition will be a conversation between Paige West and the selected. All submitted artworks should be available for purchase at the time of submission.

*Should I discount my $10,000 artwork to $5,000 so that I have a better chance of winning?  No. Please don't. If you want to show one $10,000 work in your application because it helps show a complete body of work, then fine. But the other (4) works in the application should be less than $5,000 and the $10,000 artwork in your application is taking up space that really should have a $5,000 or less artwork there. We don't want any special deals, favors, or you to discount your work to help us get some special deal or take advantage of the situation. If your work is of interest, we'll research your prices and verify this.  So please list retail prices as they would normally be in a group show or gallery show or sold in normal times from your studio, if not represented.  We understand this may mean this initiative is not for you because your work sells for more than $5,000.

4. What are the dates of this initiative?
It is a rolling application from March 26-May 29, 2020. (The earlier you submit the better your chances are). Each week Paige West will announce one artist who is chosen for the initiative on these dates, and post some information and an artwork image on the West Collection website: April 3, April 10, April 17, April 24, May 1, May 8, May 15, May 22, May 29, June 5. The application link closes down on May 29, 2020, one week before the last artist is announced on June 5, 2020.


5. Is anyone not-eligible?
Prior West Prize and West Collects winners and awardees are not eligible. SEI employees are not eligible.


6. How are the decisions made?
Paige West will be reviewing submitted artworks. When she comes up with her shortlist, she'll then request a voice call or a video interview (Skype or Facetime). From there she'll decide.


8. How quickly is the money distributed?
Once Paige West makes a decision, the artist is contacted and the money is wired to the artist (usually funding to their account within 24 hours, one banking day). The artist is paid prior to the public announcement.


9. Shipping, who pays and how?
The West Collection will be responsible for paying for the shipping of collected artworks in the initiative. In certain cases, the artists will be asked to assist with crating and packing difficult objects. It is likely that there are also questions around the timetable for shipping given the COVID-19 crisis, so there is a chance we are unable to ship the artwork for an extended period and this must be recognized by both parties.


10. Copyright and usage
Images by selected artist will be featured on the West Collection website and social media during the LIFTS initiative, or later during an exhibition with appropriate credit lines. Artists may be required to provide additional high-resolution images for publication. In addition, winners will be given a short interview to be featured on the web or for press.


11. What if I am represented by a gallery, can I still apply?
This is an artist's initiative, to be applied for by the artists themselves. The ten selected artists will receive payments directly from the West Collection. It is up to the artist recipients to manage their agreements and make necessary arrangements with their dealers, agents, galleries. In other words, if an artist submit works in their application (all submitted artworks must be available for purchase at the time of submission) and those works are consigned to a gallery and the West Collection buys the works, it is up to the artist to honor the consignment, pay the gallery with the proceeds from West Collection, and arrange the logistics of getting the piece for the West Collection.


12. Do all works have to be available for sale at the time of the application?
Yes, however final acquisitions will be determined after a virtual studio visit or phone call.

13. By applying to this initiative, you are agreeing to be on the West Collection email list. Outside of this initiative we typically send 3-4 emails per year.


For further questions, contact lee@westcollection.org


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