Slagle Selected for Inaugural Fellowship Program for Arkansas Artists
Dr. Derek Slagle, professor of public administration, has been named as one of the first 25 artists selected for a new fellowship program for Arkansas artists.
As one of the inaugural members of Catalyze, a new program of Mid-America Arts Alliance, Slagle will receive a $10,000 grant as well as professional development training designed to meet the needs of working artists. The program is designed to ignite the careers of artists who reside in eligible central Arkansas countries through funding, mentorship, and management.
“I am really thrilled to be a part of the Catalyze program,” Slagle said. “I often write academic grant proposals, and it is great to receive one for my photographic work. The program is unique because it will provide us with professional development, networking, and education opportunities as well as funding to pursue our artistic projects.”
Unlike many other grant programs, these practice-based grants are not specific to one art project, but rather to the artist’s overall creative practice. Funds can be used for any purpose that supports the continued development of their creative work. From studio rent, to childcare, to equipment, the awards aim to support artists in their processes, with an understanding that artists know what resources they need to let their creative work soar.
“Traditionally artist grants are given for discrete projects to be completed in specific parameters,” said Diane Scott, director of artist services at Mid-America Arts Alliance. “Those are great, but often what artists need to really impact their careers is just what traditional businesses need: equipment, capacity-building, or research and development. This gift from the Windgate Foundation will allow these artists to strategically invest in what they need at this moment to take the next steps in their careers. It’s a real game-changer.”
Through the application process, artists were selected on the basis of their artistry, intended use and impact of the funding in their art practice, and the creation of a balanced peer cohort. Artists demonstrated a desire to participate in a multidisciplinary peer-based learning cohort, attended a professional development retreat June 24–25,, and will receive ongoing small group support and mentorship throughout the following year.
Slagle, a fine-art film photographer, is covering environmental conservation narratives primarily in the Southern and Midwestern areas of the United States. He will use the Catalyze grant to photograph partnerships with nonprofits and governmental entities for documentation of the science of conservation practices.
Slagle is going old school for this photographic project, using a 1940s Speed Graphic camera and Aero Ektar lens that utilizes large-format film. The specialty film must be ordered online, but Slagle said it gives his work a “totally unique look.” He develops, prints, and digitally scans all the photographs himself.
“Using a large-format film camera from the 1940s makes you slow down and be really intentional with every photo,” Slagle said. “One of the photo sessions encompassed a whole day’s work, and I only took 12 pictures. You really have to think through every shot.”
So far, Slagle has photographed beekeepers, bird conservation groups, ranchers, and a feral hog eradication hunt, but he’s on the lookout for other opportunities to photograph sustainability and conservation efforts around the state.
Slagle’s photographs can be viewed at http://derekslagle.com/conservation/. Eventually, he would like to turn the photography project into a museum and/or gallery exhibition as well as publish his photographs in a book.
