spark faqs

what is spark?

spark is an initiative that unites the country's most innovative composers with Atlanta artists, poets, and dancers. Composers and artists collaborate on the creation of new interdisciplinary works to be premiered during sparkweek.

Where did the idea for spark originate?

spark embodies vim’s mission of supporting living composers, fostering interdisciplinary collaborations, and elevating the arts in Atlanta and the Southeastern United States. spark grew out of ensemble vim’s composer fellowship program, which ran from 2020 - 2024.

What makes spark unique?

TIMELINE: Composers and artists are able to develop their ideas over nearly a year, thus promoting the organic evolution of the creative process before it takes center stage.

WORKSHOPS: vim musicians offer workshops to the composer and artist teams (compartments) throughout the process to strengthen the collaborative process both within the compartments and with the performers.

THE SOUTHEAST: spark celebrates the vibrant arts culture of the Southeast by showcasing and endorsing regional artists. It designates Atlanta as the focal point for all spark events, including sparkweek.

COMPENSATION: Both the composers and artists receive funding, a shared project allowance, and a per diem during sparkweek. Composers will receive a travel stipend and lodging for sparkweek.

What other disciplines are involved with spark?

spark rotates between three disciplines: visual art, dance, and spoken word. The inaugural year will feature visual artists. (If you are a dancer or poet, stay tuned for your turn in the upcoming seasons!)

Are both composers and artists from other disciplines eligible to apply?

Only composers may submit materials into a national pool of applicants from which a review panel and ensemble vim will pick three fellows. ensemble vim works with local partners and organizations to select non-music artists to be paired with the composers.

How are the composers paired with the visual artists?

Once ensemble vim selects the three composer fellows, we will pair them with artists from that cycle’s discipline - visual art, dance, or spoken word - to form what vim calls “compartments.” When pairing composers with artists, ensemble vim will take into consideration the composers’ and artists’ work samples, past collaborative experience, creative processes, and ideas proposed in the application.

Which composers are eligible to apply for spark?

All composers living in the continental United States who are citizens or permanent residents of the US are eligible to apply.

If I’m selected as a composer fellow, what do I receive?

$2,000 honorarium
$1,000 project allowance to be used with your collaborator
Two workshops with ensemble vim
$600 travel stipend and $50 per diem to attend sparkweek in person
Lodging during sparkweek
Professional audio and video recording of final performance

When will the second cycle of spark begin?