About First Person Arts RAW:
First Person Arts RAW, a segment of the First Person Festival of Memoir and Documentary Art, is dedicated to showcasing new work or works-in-progress that push the boundaries of traditional memoir and documentary work. Now in its third season, First Person Arts RAW is accepting applications to be considered for the 11th annual First Person Festival.

We are looking for work in any discipline that is recent, innovative, and is inspired by real-life experience.

The First Person Festival of Memoir and Documentary Art is scheduled for November 8-18, 2012 and will take place across multiple venues throughout Philadelphia. Submissions will be juried by an internal review board.

We are looking for projects that follow specific criteria. Selected projects will:
• be original
• exhibit high quality artistic sensibility and skill
• enable a process that values authenticity and truth-telling
• explore innovative methods of story collecting and/or storytelling
• push the boundaries of traditional memoir and documentary work
• be inspired by your first person or experience or the first person experiences of others

Selected Artists Receive:
• Artistic support on the development of your work
• Four days of workshop space between March and August 2012
• Coordination of one reading or work-in-process presentation
• Performance space during the First Person Arts Festival
• Up to six hours of preparation/technical time in the performance space
• Two production staff during the performance that can run lights and sound. Neither staff may design any aspect of your show.
• Box Office and House Management
• Marketing and Press Outreach

How to apply:
Download, complete, and submit the First Person Arts RAW application form with supplementary materials. E-mailed submissions are preferred, however applications can be mailed to First Person Arts’ offices. (See electronic and postal mailing addresses in application.) A fee of $25 must accompany each application. We accept payment electronically here or via check or money order made out to First Person Arts.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: MARCH 30, 2012. Artists who advance to the second round of the selection process will be notified in mid-March. Second round supplementary materials are due April 9, 2012.

DOWNLOAD APPLICATION AND COMPLETE GUIDELINES HERE.
PAY APPLICATION FEE HERE.
DOWNLOAD VENUE TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS HERE.

Past RAW artists include theater performers Justin Jain, Thomas Choinacky, and John Jarboe; storytellers R. Eric Thomas and Robin Gelfenbien; spoken word artist Michelle Myers; and visual artist Heather Metcalfe. RAW artists have been featured in the Philadelphia Inquirer, Daily News, Philadelphia City Paper, Metro Philadelphia and other media outlets.

ABOUT FIRST PERSON ARTS AND THE FIRST PERSON FESTIVAL
Founded in 2000, First Person Arts transforms the drama of real life into memoir and documentary art to foster appreciation for our unique and shared experiences. First Person Arts believes that everyone has a story to tell, and that sharing those stories brings us closer to each other and the world.

First Person Arts has presented the First Person Festival of Memoir and Documentary Art annually in Philadelphia for ten years. It is the only festival of its kind, dedicated to presenting artistic work that is based exclusively on real-life experience in multiple art forms. Programs feature a wide range of local and nationally-known writers, filmmakers, performers and visual artists. Each year, our audience numbers and public recognition grow, establishing the Festival as a respected cultural event in the Philadelphia region.