This rejection comes with some nice feedback from the judges –

Dear Trace,

Thank you so much for your application to the Sustainable Arts Foundation.

As our program grows, it becomes even more competitive; in our 7th year, over 3,000 writers and artists submitted their portfolios. We continue to be humbled by the stories we read in the applications, impressed and inspired by the creativity of all our applicants.

As is our practice, past award winners served as our jurors, and each application was reviewed by at least two jurors who focused on the quality of the submitted portfolios. From a pool of applicants whose work was judged as excellent, we then narrowed the field, considering the many facets presented so thoughtfully in your applications.

Unfortunately, we are not able to fund your application, but we want you to know that we are moved both by your commitment to your craft and by the sacrifices you’re making to pursue it.

Our jurors are invited to provide feedback about the applications they review; we want to share their comments:

———-
Essays about loss always speak to me somehow and this one is particularly rich and resonant. Thanks for the opportunity to review your work!
———-
Wow, this portfolio blew me away. Gorgeous, edgy writing, lovely loose structure, a punch at the end.
———-

We know that it is hard enough to create time for art while parenting, let alone to work on grant applications, and we do recognize and appreciate the effort you put into your submission.

We will announce our next application deadline early in 2018.

All applicants are eligible to re-apply, although we can’t recommend strongly enough that reapplications be submitted with new work.

Thank you again for your application, and we wish you all the best, both with your work and with your family.

Sincerely,

Tony and Caroline Grant
The Sustainable Arts Foundation