2017 Neighborhood-Based Community Arts Training (CAT) Institute Application

Deadline: Thursday February 9, 2017 at 11:59pm

A word of advice: We recommend that you compose your responses to the questions below in a place where you can save your work. (Microsoft Word, for example.) Then, copy-paste your answers when you're ready to submit your application. This will help keep you from accidentally losing your work if your browser has a problem before you hit "submit". It's rare, but it does happen!

Question Title

* 1. Name of Applicant:

Question Title

* 2. Contact Information:

Street Address:

City:

State:

Zip Code:

Home Phone:

Cell Phone:

Work Phone:

E-mail Address:

Website:

Please answer the following questions. Use as much space as you wish. The deadline is Thursday February 9, 2017 at 11:59pm. After you hit the "DONE" button at the end of the application form, be sure to complete your application by sending your CV or resumé to: Liz Pund, Co-Director CAT Institute, Regional Arts Commission, 6128 Delmar Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63112 OR email as an attachment to: liz@racstl.org OR fax: 314/863-6932.

Question Title

* 3. 1. To be eligible for the 2017 Neighborhood-Based CAT Institute, you must have a significant relationship and commitment to The Ville neighborhood and/or The Greater Ville neighborhood. You might live there and/or you might work there, volunteer there, worship there, etc. Tell us about your current relationship to and commitment to the neighborhood. How are you involved in the neighborhood? How do you expect to be involved in the neighborhood a few years from now?

Question Title

* 4. 2. Please tell us about yourself in general. Describe your current work and your personal and professional goals for the next 5 years. (It doesn't have to be related to the Ville/Greater Ville neighborhood, although it could be.)

Question Title

* 5. 3. If you have previous experience working or volunteering in community or organizational settings, describe that experience. (It doesn't have to be related to the Ville/Greater Ville neighborhood, although it could be.)

Question Title

* 6. 4. Why do you want to participate in the CAT Institute? What are your expectations? What are your goals? Any reservations?

Question Title

* 7. 5. How do you feel the arts or culturally-based programs can impact communities? How can communities impact the arts?

Question Title

* 8. 6. The CAT Institute is centered on the belief that art has the power to be an agent for positive social change. How do you define positive social change? How do you believe social change happens?

Question Title

* 9. 7. How do you feel this arts-based community development training – which supports collaborative work between people with different professions, experiences, and roles -- can impact what you do in the Ville/Greater Ville?

Question Title

* 10. 8. At the CAT Institute, we are committed to building a community of fellows with diverse talents, experiences, opinions, and backgrounds. What would you, as an individual, bring to this 2017 class?

Question Title

* 11. 9. Please tell us about a time you learned something about yourself from someone different from you.

Question Title

* 12. 10. How did you learn about the CAT Institute? If you learned about it from a friend, please share their name(s) with us.

11. To complete your application, after you hit the "DONE" button below, be sure to send your resumé (or CV) to: Liz Pund, Co-Director CAT Institute, Regional Arts Commission, 6128 Delmar Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63112 OR email as an attachment to: liz@racstl.org OR fax: 314/863-6932. If you have a portfolio you are welcome to share a link to that, as well, although it is not required.

Question Title

* 13. 12. APPLICANTS' COMMITMENT:
I understand the 2017 Neighborhood-Based CAT Institute involves a commitment to attending all of the training sessions on the following dates in their entirety, including on-time arrival, as well as participating in approximately 60 hours of additional reading, assignments, and team-centered field study, including site visits. Sessions will take place at the Regional Arts Commission building (6128 Delmar Blvd) and locations within the Ville and the Greater Ville neighborhoods (locations to be determined). I am aware that excessive absenteeism may result in my being dropped from the program, so if I am unable to make this time commitment, I should not apply at this time. I have also discussed the possibility of being accepted into the CAT Institute with my employer and I have my employer’s full support for this commitment.

• Thursday, March 23, 2017, 5:30p.m. – 7:00 p.m. (Introduction & Reception)
• Friday, March 24, 2017, 12:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
• Saturday, March 25, 2017, 9:00 a.m. – 4: 00 p.m.
• Friday, April 28, 2017, 12:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
• Saturday, April 29, 2017, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• Friday, May 19, 2017, 12:30p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
• Saturday, May 20, 2017, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• Friday, June 23, 2017, 12:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
• Saturday, June 24, 2017, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• Friday, July 21, 2017, 12:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
• Saturday, July 22, 2017, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Applicant’s signature or typed agreement

Date

All CAT Institute Fellows are accepted on a scholarship basis. The only cost to you might be some books if you choose to buy them.

DEADLINE: Thursday February 9, 2017.
For more information, visit http://racstl.org/art-community/community-arts-training-cat-institute/.

All applications are read by a panel of CAT Institute leaders and alumni. A selection of applicants will be invited to interview. Interview invitations will be sent out beginning February 15 and the interviews will be held between February 21-23, with daytime and evening times available. Interviews are typically held at the Regional Arts Commission building. In cases where the applicant is out of town, the interview may be conducted online with video chat (Skype, Google Hangouts, etc.)

About our selection process: Each CAT Institute cohort has spots for about 16 people. Like most cohort-based training programs, we receive more quality applications than available spots. That means that we aren’t able to accept every individual who would be a good fit for the program. With this in mind, the CAT Institute selection panel follows an intentional selection process with the goal of assembling a well-balanced group. We encourage you to be yourself in your application and, if you find yourself in the position of not being part of this year’s CAT Institute, we encourage you to consider applying again next time.

About our locations(s) and transportation: We recognize that transportation may be a limiting factor for some applicants so we will provide an opportunity for the selected CAT Institute Fellows to set up ride sharing / carpools with each other. In addition, the Regional Arts Commission building is located near many public transit options including the Delmar Metrolink station, which is also served by multiple bus lines. If you have additional concerns, we’d be happy to discuss them with you. Please use the contact information above to reach us.

YOU HAVE ONE MORE STEP: To complete your application, after you hit the "DONE" button below, be sure to send a resumé (or a CV) to: Liz Pund, Co-Director CAT Institute, Regional Arts Commission, 6128 Delmar Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63112 OR email as an attachment to: liz@racstl.org OR fax: 314/863-6932.