Since 2009, the Craig H. Neilsen Foundation has partnered with the Vermont Studio Center (VSC) to support visual artists and writers with spinal cord injury (SCI) with residency fellowships. In 2017, the Creative Access Fellowships Program - in partnership with the Alliance of Artists Communities - will expand to include 12 residency stays at four host sites: Vermont Studio Center (Johnson, VT), PLAYA (Summerlake, OR), Ragdale Foundation (Lake Forest, IL), and Santa Fe Art Institute (Santa Fe, NM), selected for their accessible facilities, innovative programming, and reputations for excellence.
Creative Access offers artists with SCI the rare opportunity for concentrated time dedicated to their creative practice in a supportive residency community. Twelve awardees will receive the invaluable opportunity of a 2-8 week residency at one of the four host sites, including room and board, a $1000 stipend, and travel award for a personal assistant/caregiver if needed.
Application and selection for the Creative Access residencies are coordinated by the Alliance of Artists Communities.
About the Craig H. Neilsen Foundation:
Craig H. Neilsen Foundation’s funding is dedicated to supporting both programs and scientific research to improve the quality of life for those affected by and living with spinal cord injury. Following the vision and values of Craig Neilsen, the Foundation focuses the majority of its grantmaking on furthering the promising advances in the field of spinal cord injury research. It supports research in areas of investigation relevant to improving recovery and works to coordinate its efforts with those of other federal and private funders.
The Foundation’s research funding is directed across a broad spectrum, including mechanistic, translational, clinical and psychosocial research, with a goal of opening innovative areas of inquiry and emphasizing progress across the entire translational spectrum. Another main funding priority is the Creating Opportunity & Independence Portfolio that assists individuals affected by spinal cord injury today and builds stronger community and rehabilitative support. The Foundation provides educational grant programs including postdoctoral research fellowships, Spinal Cord Injury Medicine Fellowships, and Neilsen Foundation Scholarships for students with spinal cord injury at selected colleges and universities.
In addition, selected Special Projects related to spinal cord injury and Vision and Values Projects grants support other programs that reflect Craig Neilsen’s philanthropic interests.
For more about this program, contact the Alliance of Artists Communities at [email protected] or 401-351-4320
