Antarctic Artists and Writers Program

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is the lead Federal agency managing the U.S. Antarctic Program (USAP), which supports scientific research and education in the Antarctic and the Southern Ocean. The Antarctic Artists and Writers Program was established to facilitate writing and artistic projects designed to increase the public’s understanding and appreciation of the Antarctic and human endeavors on the southernmost continent. The Artist and Writers Program gives priority to projects that focus on interpreting and representing the scientific activities being conducted in the unique Antarctic region. Proposed projects must target audiences in the U.S. and be distributed/exhibited in the U.S. The program does not support site installations or performances in Antarctica. The program also does not support short-term projects that are essentially journalistic in nature (See Section IX. Other Information). Artists and Writers Program field teams should consist of no more than one or two people.  Larger projects—such as television or documentary film crews—should contact the cognizant AAW Program Officer.

Successful projects will be provided with USAP logistical support needed to implement the proposed activity, as well as round-trip economy air tickets between the United States and the Southern Hemisphere. USAP infrastructure available to support projects undertaken by artists and writers consists of three year-round stations, numerous austral summer research camps in Antarctica, two research vessels, and surface and air transportation. The Artists and Writers Program does not provide direct funding to successful applicants for any purpose.

Due to the unique nature of this program, proposers are strongly encouraged to carefully follow the guidelines described in this solicitation and to contact the cognizant Artists and Writers Program Officer prior to submitting a proposal to discuss the unique requirements and restrictions of the Antarctic Artists and Writers Program and Antarctic logistics in general.

If Polar Programs determines, prior to the panel review, that the logistic needs for a project cannot be met in the upcoming field season, the proposal will be returned without review.