Some grants, contests, opportunities, etcetera:

Nature Awakens Creativity

The Central Indiana Land Trust is pleased to announce an artist call-out for a unique project entitled Nature Awakens Creativity. Fine artists, writers and musicians are invited to submit work inspired by a visit to one or more of the nature preserves. The Land Trust will provide two organized excursions (July 18 and August 15) for artists and the general public to visit selected preserves in order to immerse themselves in Central Indiana's natural beauty. Artists may also visit our preserves on their own, as they are open to the public. The exhibition of this project will be part of the Indianapolis Spirit & Place Festival this November and will be displayed at the Indianapolis Art Center in Broad Ripple October 1 through November 23, 2009.

The Land Grant Trust will begin accepting applications on July 1. Artists will be considered on a first come, first serve basis, so apply early, as space is limited. For more information and an application visithttp://www.conservingindiana.org/spiritandplace.html

Garden Verse Poetry Competition
Sponsored by Horticulture magazine

First Place: $250 each
Second Place: $100 each
Third Place: $50 each

The poems of the first place winner will be published in an upcoming issue of Horticulture magazine. The names and poem titles of all winners and honorable mentions will be posted on www.hortmag.com

For details and application visit http://www.hortmag.com/gardenversecomp
Entry Deadline: September 1, 2009

Fellowship Opportunity: 2010 Robert D. Beckmann, Jr. Emerging Artist Fellowship
The Robert D. Beckmann, Jr. Emerging Artist Fellowship Program awards two $3,500 fellowships each year to qualified and talented artists in music, dance, theatre, literature, or the visual arts. The program consists of two distinct components. The first component, a monetary award in the amount of $3,500, will be awarded for supplies, instruction, workshops, studio or rehearsal space, or other uses specifically related to the growth and development of the fellow's artistic work. The second component of the program involves a unique professional experience opportunity to which many artists may not have access until later in their careers. The Robert D. Beckmann, Jr. Emerging Artist Fellowship program seeks to introduce and provide experiences, connections, and relationships with professional arts institutions and professional artists in central Indiana. For detailed eligibily requirements and to download an application, visit the Grants for Individuals on www.artscouncilofindianapolis.org. Application deadline is July 24, 2009.

Call for Entries to the Aesthetica Annual Creative Works Competition 2009

Aesthetica is looking for entries to the 2009 International Aesthetica Creative Works Competition in Artwork, Photography & Sculpture, Fiction and Poetry. Three winners will be awarded £500 each. Entry to the 2009 Aesthetica Creative Works Competition is £10

This allows you to submit up to 5 images, 5 poems or 2 short stories. Deadline, August 29, 2009. For competition guidelines, visit www.aestheticamagazine.com

Fourteenth Annual Hollis Summers Poetry Prize
Named after the distinguished poet who taught for many years at Ohio University, this competition invites writers to submit unpublished collections of original poems. It is open to those who have not published a book-length collection and those who have. The winning manuscript will be published by Ohio University Press in 2010 and will be awarded a cash prize of $1,000. Deadline: Manuscripts must be postmarked by October 31, 2009.

For information, visit www.ohioswallow.com/poetry_prize