Trust announces artists development training

Artists who reside in Washington State are encouraged to apply to participate in the 2007 EDGE Professional Development Training Program by March 30.

The EDGE Program provides artists with a comprehensive survey of professional practices through a hands-on, interactive curriculum that includes instruction by professionals in the field as well as specialized presentations, panel discussions, and assignments. The EDGE Program focuses on providing artists with the relevant and necessary entrepreneurial skills to achieve their personal career goals, as well as to develop peer support and exchange among the participating artists.

The EDGE Program is open to emerging or mid-career visual artists, except for the April mini-EDGE which welcomes artists of all disciplines. Applicants must be residents of Washington State but cannot be graduate or undergraduate students enrolled in a degree program. Applicants must commit to completing the entire program.

Several cycles of EDGE will be offered in 2007. Artists can choose to participate in one of the following cycles:

• Leavenworth: three day mini-EDGE, April 23-25 - Open to artists of all disciplines. Part of the 2007 Washington Cultural Congress. Fee varies, includes food and lodging at Sleeping Lady; for course description and information go to http://www.wsartsalliance.com/congress.htm. Applications are due mid-February.

• Seattle: Full 50-hour program, June-July, $250. Meets on two Fridays and six Saturdays. Open to visual artists.

• Port Townsend: Week-long intensive, September, $400. Open to visual artists. Fee includes food and lodging at Centrum at Fort Worden State Park.

• Seattle: Full 50-hour program October-November, $250. Meets on two Fridays and six Saturdays. Open to visual artists.

Limited financial assistance and travel stipends are available for some cycles.

EDGE Applications and Guidelines are available on the Artist Trust website http://www.artisttrust.org/services/edge, or by sending a self-addressed, stamped, business-sized envelope to: EDGE Application, Artist Trust, 1835 12th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98122-2437.

Completed applications may be mailed to the address above or may be hand-delivered to Artist Trust at 1835 12th Avenue and East Denny Way in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Seattle by 5 p.m. on March 30. Mailed applications must have a US Postal Service postmark dated on or before March 30.