SITI, Inc. announces a one-time opportunity for artists and ensembles from across the globe to apply for subsidized mentorship or coaching from SITI Company Emeritus Artists. SITI, Inc. will provide the fees to the Emeritus Artist(s) supporting the successful proposals.
Projects must take place in 2024.
The deadline for submitting applications is Thursday, February 22, 2024.

INTRODUCTION

In 2023 the purpose of SITI, Inc. shifted from creating new work to stewarding the legacy of SITI Company and its Emeritus Artists for the benefit of future ensembles. 

SITI, Inc. will offer service to the field, functioning as a bridge for new generations of ensembles, exploration of international artistic endeavor; and a hub for archival inquiries, training inquiries and alumni support.

One way in which SITI will realize its new purpose will be to offer financial support for mentorship and coaching opportunities between SITI Emeritus Artists and select artists across the globe. Mentorship and coaching opportunities will be with one or more SITI Emeritus Artists. SITI, Inc. and Emeritus Artists will evaluate and select proposals for mentorship or coaching and fund the time given by Emeritus Artists toward these opportunities. This program is designed as a single cycle granting program, and will not repeat in future years.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM & APPLICATION PROCESS

The purpose of this program is directly tied to the part of SITI, Inc.’s new mission that calls on SITI to function as “a bridge for new generations of ensembles and for exploration of international artistic endeavor.” Proposals will be reviewed by Emeritus Artists and supported by members of the SITI, Inc. Board of Directors. 

Please read through all of the guidelines.
There is a link to the online application form at the bottom of this page.

Successful applications address more than one of the priorities below:

• Inclusion of BIPOC and/or other underrepresented artists/ensembles/communities
• Feasibility of the project to take place within the timeline and resources available
• Highlighting the connection between actor training and the creation of new work
• Supporting artists or ensembles who have previously trained in Suzuki Method and Viewpoints to deepen their practice and relationship to both of these techniques
• Geographic reach of the project beyond the large western hemisphere urban areas who have traditionally had the most access to coaching and mentorship opportunities like this
• Strong alignment with SITI’s values (more here: https://siti.org/about/)

The online application form requires basic information and a maximum 300-word project description. Applicants will also be asked to submit a video response to one of the questions (max 2 minutes in length).

Once all applications are received, we might follow-up with select applicants to ask clarifying questions and/or further discuss the details for delivering the coaching/mentorship project. Successful applicants will then be asked to submit a plan that will form the basis of an agreement between the applicant and the Emeritus Artist(s).

Regarding applications and projects in languages other than English:
SITI Company was founded on ideals of working across cultures; and through its 30-year history, the company performed and led workshops in dozens of countries including projects where English was not the primary language. However, the capacity for SITI, Inc to manage and evaluate applications to this program in languages other than English is limited. The vast majority of SITI Company projects, including most teaching, took place in English. There are Emeritus Artists who are also fluent in Spanish and Japanese, but we are unable to provide translated application materials.

We encourage you to use online translation tools for the application materials and to submit your proposal in English. If you need to submit responses to the online form (or your video) in a language other than English, we will make our best efforts to use translation tools to help us get to the heart of your application.

TIMELINE

• SITI, Inc will accept applications anytime between January 22 and February 22, 2024 (online applications must be submitted by 11:59pm Eastern Standard Time on February 22) . 
• Successful applicants will be notified by Mid March 2024.
• We expect most projects to take place between April and December 2024

MENTORSHIP vs. COACHING

SITI, Inc. considers mentorship to be a relationship-focused form of support with occasional engagement over a longer period of time. The mentee, which can be an individual or a group, will be responsible for articulating a clear goal for the mentorship. At this stage, applicants will be asked for details of who, why, and how they would like a mentorship with an Emeritus Artist(s) will work. Mentorships with SITI Emeritus Artists may last months, and be delivered with a regular schedule of sessions (e.g. once a month of 6-8 months) focused on a particular goal. The sessions can take place virtually, in person, or both. Mentorship examples could focus on (but not be limited to) supporting ensemble companies and actor training initiatives.

Coaching in this program is intended to support specific skill development delivered by one or more Emeritus Artists over a concentrated period of time (in person or virtually). Coaching sessions can happen virtually or in-person, depending on the budget and preferences of the applicant(s) and Emeritus Artist(s).  Applicants will need to clearly describe how coaching from Emeritus Artists would be beneficial to their work as well as provide details for how long, where, and when coaching would ideally be provided. Examples could include (but not limited to) coaching for leading Suzuki, Viewpoints, and Composition; coaching for skills related to dramaturgy, design, or ensemble devised performance. 

OTHER FAQs

• Who are the SITI Emeritus Artists eligible for proposals for mentorship or coaching?
  • Akiko Aizawa, J. Ed Araiza, Will Bond, Gian-Murray Gianino, Leon Ingulsrud, Ellen Lauren, Ellen M. Lavaia, Kelly Maurer, Barney O’Hanlon, Neil Patel, James Schuette, Brian H Scott, Samuel Stricklen, Stephen Duff Webber, and Darron L West. Some Emeritus Artists will not be available to participate in this program.
• Can I request to work with specific SITI Emeritus Artists?
  • Yes, but you do not HAVE to request to partner with a specific Emeritus Artist. If you do not have a preferred artist, SITI will pair you with an appropriate match based on availability.
• Do I have to select a specific Emeritus Artist(s) to work with?
  • No. Your proposal will still be evaluated for strong potential matches with Emeritus Artists.
• Can I work with more than one Emeritus Artist as a mentor or coach?
  • Yes. Requesting to work with more than one Emeritus Artist is welcome and Emeritus Artists are strong advocates for the impact they can have as a group over an individual; however, we have limited funds to support this program. Thus, we may come back to you to ask if you are open to working with fewer artists than you have requested.

• What are the costs? Who is paying for the Mentorship/Coaching?
  • For successful proposals, SITI, Inc will pay Emeritus Artists directly a set amount to help cover project expenses including (but not limited to) their time as mentors and coaches. Your proposal should be based on a request of an amount of time with a(n) Emeritus Artist(s) and not a request for money. All other expenses that may occur related to your proposal, such as travel expenses, lodging, per diem for in-person sessions will be the responsibility of the successful applicant unless other arrangements are made with the Emeritus Artist directly. SITI, Inc will not be coordinating or administering any of the project expenses beyond payments to Emeritus Artists.
• Can I apply for both mentorship and coaching?
  • Yes, but please submit one form for each opportunity. Successful applications for both types of opportunities will draw a clear distinction between the two forms of support and outline specific intended outcomes for each. 
• When can the mentorship and coaching opportunities take place?
  • All submitted projects will be evaluated after the February 22, 2024 deadline. We expect the earliest projects starting in April 2024. There are limited funds available and we are prioritizing projects that will take place before December 31, 2024, we do not anticipate having funding for this project beyond 2024. 
• What’s NOT eligible activity for a mentorship or coaching opportunity?
  • Funds for mentorship and coaching from Emeritus Artists are not intended to replace or subsidize fees to Emeritus Artists for creative work such as performing, directing, production designs, stage management, movement/choreography for a production.Emeritus artists are interested in mentorships and coaching opportunities that span the rehearsal room and the training studio, but this program is not intended to subsidize other paid project work for Emeritus Artists. 
•  What is the process and timeline for applications being considered and accepted?
  • Submit your application using the online form not later than 11:59pm Eastern Time (US) on February 22, 2024. After that date, Emeritus Artists may follow-up with selected applicants directly with additional questions and/or requests for materials that might be needed to make formal decisions for support.  We expect to be able to communicate to applicants regarding decisions beginning in mid-March. Successful applicants will then be asked to submit a plan that will form the basis of an agreement between the applicant and the Emeritus Artist(s).Mentorship/Coaching projects can then take place between April and December 2024.
• Other questions?

If you have additional questions about the program or the process, please send an email to SITI-mentorships@siti.org, we will do our best to respond to inquiries within a a couple of days.