<;strong>;APPLICATIONS ARE CLOSED – PLEASE CHECK BACK FOR THIS YEARS SELECTED ARTISTS.<;/strong>;

Leap Year, facilitated by MINT, is a year long, emerging artists mentorship program that utilizes the established talent and organic connectivity of the Atlanta artistic community. Selected artists will have the opportunity to participate in a program of development with resources culled from numerous organizations and individuals active in Georgia. Leap Year’s goals are to provide space and support for emerging artists to be more thoughtful about their work and creative careers, to foster partnerships and community between various arts organizations, to create a more sustainable arts economy, and to nurture a generous artistic spirit within Atlanta.

Current Leap Year artist, Chelsea Raflo, says, “Nothing is greater than the heightened sense of purpose and motivation that I am developing through my participation in the program. I’m so thankful for this opportunity and feel that it offers something rare and often overlooked in the Atlanta arts community: crucial acknowledgement and support of ‘emerging artists’, with a clear intention to legitimize and accelerate the careers of its participants.”

MINT developed this collaborative effort as an extension of their mission to offer exhibition space, curatorial opportunities and other resources to artists.  Leap Year will not only provide three emerging artists with timely monetary and interpersonal support, it will also help them develop strategies to further evolve as creative individuals.  Participants will be paired with two different mentors, receive free memberships to many arts related organizations in the Atlanta area, and will have the opportunity to participate in a series of workshops and discussion groups specifically tailored to their medium, background and needs.  Leap Year artists will also receive a small supply stipend, free studio space, and opportunities for community service and public art installations. At the end of the program, the three artists will participate in a group exhibition to showcase their new body of work.

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“We’re thrilled to continue this program.  Over the past six years, we’ve been fortunate to meet and work with many amazing groups and individuals who have contributed immensely to our and Atlanta’s growth.  We want to share what we’ve learned and gained with the artists in our community,” says program director, Erica Jamison.

<;strong>;Partner organizations include:<;/strong>;

The Hambidge Center, WonderRoot, C4, Dashboard Co-op, The Goat Farm Arts Center, Georgia Lawyers for the Arts, and more TBA.

<;strong>;WHAT TO LOOK FOR: <;/strong>;

A digital application will be available beginning April 26th at <;a href="http://mintatl.org/lyapplication.pdf" target="_blank">;http://mintatl.org/<;wbr>;lyapplication.pdf<;/wbr>;<;/a>;

All applications will be due by June 7<;sup>;th<;/sup>; at 5pm.

Selected participants will be announced on August 8<;sup>;th<;/sup>; 2012

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<;strong>;All press inquiries/comments:<;/strong>;

Erica Jamison at <;a href="mailto:erica@mintatl.org" target="_blank">;erica@mintatl.org<;/a>; or 404.946.8982
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