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Crafting Stories, Making History

Call to Creatives

African American creative performers, artists, photographers, writers, technologists and other culture makers are invited to apply for a two month residency to create an original work for our Spring Celebration of Crafting Stories, Making History: the African American experience in the Eastside of Covington to be held on at Lincoln Grant Scholar House.

Since April 2022, we have been researching and exploring the rich history of African Americans in Eastside of Covington and its relationship with the Library of Congress’ digital collections. This work has been funded by the Connecting Communities Digital Initiative (CCDI), through the Library’s Mellon-funded Of the People: Widening the Path, opens a new window initiative.

To apply, please learn about the project's history by reviewing the following:

  1. Watch the overview of the Library of Congress Digital Collections and "Q & A."
  2. Watch Library of Congress seeks diverse archivists and storytellers
  3. Watch the Connecting Communities Digital Initiative Summer Symposium; Read "Celebrating Now: CCDI’s Summer Fuse Event"
  4. Read "Meet the Inaugural Connecting Communities Digital Initiative Grant Recipients" and "An Interview with Kenton County Public Library, CCDI’s Libraries, Archives, Museums Grant Recipient."

What will you create? (The following are examples but work is not limited to this list)

Applicants should be prepared to use and/or reference Library of Congress and/or KCPL materials in your work. The Library of Congress website, opens a new window is the central site for finding digital collections. Research guides on specific subjects can be found at guides.loc.gov, opens a new window. You can also ask a librarian a specific question at Ask-A-Librarian.

  • New poems or songs about Covington or perform songs/poems found in the Library of Congress Collections
  • Create posters for historic Eastside landmarks inspired by the Library of Congress WPA posters or create new artwork featuring the Free to Use and Reuse Collections
  • Research your family history and make a short film or article about their story
  • Create a historical display featuring African American history using resources from the Kenton County Public Library and/or Library of Congress Collections
  • Create a portrait of one of our History Fellows (see staff for list)
  • Write an in-depth article about issues important to the Eastside of Covington and its connections to larger historical themes found in the Library of Congress
  • Use your artistic medium to honor a person or place from Eastside history
  • Document the Eastside today inspired by the Library of Congress photographic collections
  • As a social practice artist, engage the community in a collective creation

Award details:

  • An Artist will be selected by the KCPL grant team and community members.
  • The artist stipend for the two month residency is $10,000.
  • Applications are due by January 31*, 2023 at 5pm * Extended to February 6th
  • Award recipients will be notified by February 14, 2023
  • Work must be completed by April 15, 2023 to be performed or displayed at the Spring Celebration at Lincoln Grant Scholar House
The project and selection will comply with all Controlling Guidance for Federal awards.

Request for Proposals Application: Crafting Stories, Making History

A Call to African American creatives and local residents. You are invited to exhibit a work exploring African American history in Covington and Library of Congress Digital Collections.

"*" indicates required fields

Are you available from February 15 to April 25, 2023 and able contribute at least 200 hours to your new work and as a participant in grant activities in Covington?
Name*

Previous work

Describe the type of work you create. We are seeking all types of mediums and formats from spoken word to new technology.
Link to a place we can review your work
If your work has not been published or available online, upload an image (jpg, png, gif) and/or PDF file that demonstrates work that took similar time (2 months or 40-60 hours). Please also include a resume if applicable.
Drop files here or
Accepted file types: pdf, jpg, png, gif, Max. file size: 30 MB.

    Initial Concept for new work

    What will you create for the exhibit? What materials and/or space will you need to perform, display or share it?
    If creating a visual medium, please share a rough sketch of your concept.
    Max. file size: 30 MB.
    During the two months of the grant there will be opportunities to work with youth, provide workshops and collaborate with the public in the Eastside and Covington community. How would you like to share your work and process? Would the new work involve collaborating with residents?
    Provide an example of a similar engagement you have done in or with the community.
    Which Library of Congress collections will inspire your work? If you don't know, what questions and topics will you explore on the Library of Congress website?
    This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

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