Poetry and the Senses Program FAQs
UC Berkeley’s Arts Research Center (ARC) will spend the next two years exploring Poetry and the Senses, thanks to a generous grant from Engaging the Senses Foundation. Annually we will build a fellows cohort to explore the relevance and urgency of lyrical making and storytelling in times of political crisis, and the value of engaging the senses as an act of care, mindfulness, and resistance. Link to the online application is here. Application FAQs are below.
I create prose poetry / hybrid work / experimental or political or traditional lyric poetry / visual art that includes words / poetic films / music / interactive multimedia dance performance / etc, can I still apply?
Oh yes. Please. We are interested in creating conversation/dialog/exploration about poetry and the senses, with a focusing lens of EMERGENCY, in the broadest iterations and incarnations.
Hey, can I submit more than one application?
Each applicant can submit one application, per calendar year.
I realize I made a mistake, can I change or resubmit my application?
Nope. You can only submit once so make sure it is correct before hitting the submit button!
How many fellows are chosen each year?
Eight fellows are chosen each year, two in each catagory: UC Berkeley Graduate students, UCB Undergraduate Students, UCB Faculty, and Community Applicants/local poets.
Can I apply for the student/faculty slots if I am a student/faculty at another UC or other campus in the area?
You must be a matriculated UC Berkeley student or UCB ladder faculty to apply for those spots. But if you live in the Bay Area, you can apply in the community applicants section!
Can I apply for the UC Berkeley faculty fellowship if I am a lecturer?
Due to tricky course release regs, those slots are for ladder faculty only but please apply as a community applicant!
Can I apply in more than one category (like grad student and community applicant)?
No. Applicants must choose only one category/application type.
Can I write my answers to the questions in a doc and copy/paste into the form?
Absolutely! In fact, we suggest that in order to not go over the word count, and so you are happy with the content.
When I pasted my answers into the form, my sentences in bold/italic disappeared. What’s up?
I know, such a bother. The form is limited to basic text. Please put quotes around italicized bits and you’ll just have to forego the bold.
If chosen for 2020, can fellows extend their year, or apply for a second year?
Sorry, but applicants can only be chosen for one fellows cohort. Since there are only 8 fellows chosen per year, we are trying to share the wealth.
If I am not chosen for 2020, can I apply for the 2021 Fellowship cohort?
Yes! Please do!
I am applying for the faculty fellowship, how does the course release work?
The fellowship is for the calendar year (January – December 2020), spanning two semesters. You will receive one course release, that can be taken in either the spring or fall semesters. If chosen please work with your department chair.
How do you define Bay Area for Community Applicants?
We’ll stick with Wikipedia on this one. Remember you’ll have to come to campus upwards of 8 times per semester (6 workshops/2 readings) as part of the fellowship.
I am a senior at UC Berkeley, graduating in May 2020. Can I still apply for the fellowship?
Yes, with caveats. We hope you understand that the fellowship lasts the year, and part of what you will be doing in the spring is helping to define a poetry festival/symposium for the fall. We are relying on your best judgement here. If you are graduating and going to be in the Bay Area, and could continue meeting with your cohort for workshops in the fall, then absolutely apply! If you have already been accepted for a grad program elsewhere, or know you will be going back to a different home/location/job, then please opt out and allow someone else the opportunity to get the full experience.
How much are the stipends?
Each fellow will receive $5,000 over the course of the year, distributed in two $2,500 sums. Faculty will receive course release for one semester, and students can also receive course credit if they choose to.
How does the stipend work?
Stipends are broken up over the two semesters. The $5,000 stipend will be awarded $2,500 in the spring semester, and $2,500 in the fall. Payment will be distributed towards the end of each semester.
I’d like to apply with my collaborator. Can this happen?
Yes, you can apply within categories (grad student with grad student for example) or cross-category (faculty and grad student/community member and undergrad, etc).
We are going to apply as a team. Can we be considered as individual applicants as well?
Yes. In the team section of the application, you’ll let us know if you’d like to be considered individually in the event your team is not chosen, or if you are only interested in attending together.
Where will the meetings be held?
On campus at UC Berkeley, most likely in the Dwinelle Annex (ARC Offices).