Delaware Seashore Poetry & Prose Writers' Retreat Application Deadline Extended to July 20
The Delaware Division of the Arts is planning to host the 2020 Writers Retreat from November 12-15, 2020, at the University of Delaware’s Virden Center in Lewes. Lise Funderburg and Chet’la Sebree will be leading the workshops.

We are hoping that we can meet in person. However, there may be COVID-related and/or reopening circumstances that prevent us from doing so. And social distancing requirements may change some elements of the Retreat. We are in regular communication with the venue and the workshop leaders about the possibility of virtual workshops. We’ll keep applicants up to date.

The application process is competitive, and participants will be chosen based on the merit of their work. If selected, the fee for the Retreat, is $325, which includes a private room and most meals. If the Retreat goes virtual, the fee will be significantly reduced
FY 2021 Individual Artist Fellowship
Application Now Open
The Fiscal Year 2021 Individual Artist Fellowship Application deadline is August 3, 2020 by 4:30 p.m. Applications are accepted in 18 artistic disciplines. Masters Fellowship applications will be accepted in the disciplines of Dance, Jazz or Music from artists who received an Established Professional Fellowship in the same artistic discipline more than seven years ago.

The guidelines with links to the application and smARTDE instructions are available on the Division’s website. Contact Roxanne Stanulis with any questions at roxanne.stanulis@delaware.gov or 302-577-8283.
From the Director
The FY2021 budget is now official. We are pleased to announce that the General Assembly and Carney administration continue their support of the arts with level funding from FY2020. At a time of uncertainty with the economy, phased re-opening, and what a post-COVID world will look like, we know the positive impact the arts have in advancing the Governor’s priorities: strengthening Delaware’s economy, enhancing education for all Delaware children, and building strong communities.

With this ongoing support from the General Assembly, the Division is well positioned to continue assisting artists and arts organizations during this time of extraordinary strain. Much of our time in the coming months will be spent in an extensive public strategic planning process. We will be calling on all sectors of our Delaware communities to participate in conversations, surveys, focus groups, and interviews. Our goal is to engage in a comprehensive process to develop a four-year strategic plan that serves all Delawareans with equitable and inclusive programs and services. We are pleased to be working with the Delaware Alliance for Nonprofit Advancement on this initiative.

In the meantime, public funding is only one small part of what will sustain the arts sector into the future. Organizations and artists alike value your input, your participation, and your financial support. The most powerful testament to the importance of the arts in our communities is community engagement. While programming may be limited or looking quite different right now, the arts sector is working vigorously to provide programming in new and innovative ways. Stay engaged, reach out, and find respite during these challenging times through the arts.
National Endowment for the Arts Announces Second Round of FY2020 Funding
The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) announced that two Delaware organizations including the Delaware Division of the Arts, will receive $795,500 in federal grants.
The Delaware Division of the Arts will receive a partnership (State & Regional) grant in the amount of $734,500 to support activities associated with carrying out its NEA-approved State strategic plan.
The Delaware Art Museum will receive an Art Works - Museums grant in the amount of $25,000 to support the re-staging of Afro-American Images 1971exhibition will be on view October 23, 2021 to January 23, 2022.
Shelley Koon
Established Professional, Visual Arts: Photography
It’s been many years since Shelley Koon excitedly got that old Kodak – her first camera – and shot her first portraits. “My subject matter has shifted back and forth through the years,” along with her processes – from film to digital to computers – but “the excitement of photographing and seeing the images I’ve captured always remains the same. Read more
Michael Fleishman
Emerging Professional, Visual Arts: Works on Paper
After a decades-long, full-on career as a professor, illustrator, art teacher, author (Eight published books), and artist (painting, drawing, cartooning), in 2015 Michael Fleishman “packed my life and studio into 300 boxes.” He moved with his family from small-town Ohio, expecting a fresh start easing into retirement in the “offseason beachside bliss” of southern Delaware. Read more
On the Mezzanine
The Pandemic Paintings
by Theresa (Terre) Walton
The Pandemic Paintings, an exhibition of watercolor portraits of health care workers and scenes that represent hope to them by Theresa (Terre) Walton, will be on view in the Mezzanine Gallery from now through July 24, 2020. Walton, a retired art educator with over 25 years of experience, paints in both watercolors and acrylics and has exhibited in various venues in the Newark and Wilmington area.

Images: 2020, watercolors in various venues in the Newark and Wilmington area.
Upcoming Exhibits
Chloe McEldowney
An exhibition of paintings by 2020 Artist Fellow, Chloe McEldowney will be on view August 7-September 18, 2020 with an opening reception to be held September 11, 2020.
Aaron Paskins
An exhibition of sculptures by 2020 Artist Fellow, Aaron Paskins will be on view September 25-October 30, 2020 with an opening reception to be held October 2, 2020.
The Mezzanine Gallery, open weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., is located in the
Carvel State Office Building, 820 N. French Street, Wilmington.

Visitors must wear face coverings and maintain 6 feet distance from other individuals not in their household.
Award Winners XX Exhibition Update
Award Winners XX, the exhibition featuring the work of the 19 artist fellows is now on view at the Biggs Museum. Curator Ryan Grover and museum staff installed the Fellows’ work and have made it available virtually here. Advance reservations are requested if you would like to visit in person. More details here.

NEW: Award Winners will travel to CAMP Rehoboth starting August 3 and be on view with an advance reservation. Stay tuned for updates about Cab Calloway School of the Arts, our other Award Winners exhibition partner.

In the meantime, visit the Division’s website to read profiles of the Fellows and get a preview of their art.
Biggs Museum of American Art
Now through July 23, 2020
CAMP Rehoboth
Exhibition: August 3-30, 2020
Open by appointment for gallery tours only, more details to come. No opening reception.
Featured Opportunities
CARES Artist Relief Grants - Cycle 2
The Delaware Division of the Arts, with support from the National Endowment for the Arts through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, has developed a program to help support Delaware’s artists who add value to the state’s economy and bolster the creative life of our communities.

The CARES Artist Relief provides grants up to $500 to Delaware artists impacted by the cancellation of a specific, scheduled event, gig, or opportunity (e.g., commissions, performances, readings, contracts, teaching classes etc.) because of COVID-19.
Mid Atlantic Arts Regional Resilience Fund
Mid Atlantic Arts Regional Resilience Fund grants will support mid-Atlantic nonprofit arts and cultural organizations with pre-COVID19 budgets of $250,000 - $10 million as they build resilience and look to the future with programming, planning and reimagining their work. In exceptional cases, organizations with operating budgets of less than $250,000 that are highly impactful and otherwise meet program intent may be considered. The program is designed for organizations with visionary leadership and whose work is critical to the region, primarily supporting those making a statewide, regional and/or national impact. Learn more
After careful discussion and consideratio n —and owing to an abundance of caution —many organizations have decided to cancel their upcoming events, performances and exhibitions.

Please be sure to check the organization's website and/or social media page(s) for up-to-date information. Any canceled events will be deleted immediately after we've been notified.

Are you an organization and need to delete or postpone an event? Please contact - contact@delawarescene.com.
Ongoing Division Grant Deadlines
Artist Opportunity: deadline 10/1/2020, for activities happening between 11/15/2020 - 2/15/2021

Artist Residency: rolling deadline, submitted at least 6 weeks prior to start of scheduled residency

Artist Roster : rolling deadline
Arts Access Grants: rolling deadline, submitted at least 6 weeks prior to project start date

TranspARTation Grant: Will return this fall.
Please note: All applications for grants must be submitted through smARTDE.
The Delaware Division of the Arts is an agency of the State of Delaware. Together with its advisory body, the Delaware State Arts Council, the Division administers grants and programs that support arts programming, educate the public, increase awareness of the arts, and integrate the arts into all facets of Delaware life. Funding for Division programs is provided by annual appropriations from the Delaware General Assembly and grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. For more information about the Delaware Division of the Arts, visit  arts.delaware.gov or call 302-577-8278.