PRIZE APPLICATION

LITERARY ARTS

MUSICAL
ARTS

VISUAL
ARTS

The $20,000 DAG Prize for Literature is awarded annually to an emerging prose writer whose work expands the possibilities for American writing.

The goal of the DAG Prize is to contribute meaningfully to the evolution of American prose literature. To that end, we aim to support writing that offers significant innovation—for example, at the level of form, content, or genre. What more can prose literature be? What more can it do? The recipient will be a writer who has already published one book demonstrating commitment to such investigations but whose work has not yet received prominent literary recognition. The DAG Prize is meant to support a second project already substantially underway.

Prize funds can be used for research, writing, editing, workshops, residencies, or other activities that facilitate the creation of a significant project in prose literature.

Eligibility

  • You have published one book of prose with a nationally distributed U.S. press. Online publication and self-publication do not fulfill this criterion, nor do books first published in another country or in a language other than English.
  • You aim to publish a second book of prose in the U.S., written in English.
  • This second project must be substantially underway.
  • You reside in the United States as of the application deadline.
  • A “book of prose” may contain elements of poetry, visual art, or other forms but should be primarily recognized/categorized as prose.
  • If you have won, or were a finalist or shortlisted for, the Pulitzer Prize, a National Book Award, a National Book Critics Circle Award, an award from the American Academy for Arts and Letters, a PEN America Literary Award, the PEN/Faulkner Award, the Booker Prize, or another major national or international prize, you are not eligible for the DAG Prize.
  • If you have published a second book of prose, or have a second book of prose under contract, by the application deadline, you are not eligible for the DAG Prize.
  • We do not invite or accept nominations from agents, editors, mentors, or peers.
  • The deadline to apply for the DAG Prize in Literature is March 15, 2025, by 11:59 pm.


Application Materials
On the application page, you will be asked for:

  • Your author bio (250 words maximum)
  • Information about your first book. Copies will be requested from finalists in April.
  • Your CV or résumé (3 pages maximum)
  • A description of your new project that gives an overview of its subject matter and discusses its artistic innovations, with an approximate timeline for completion of the project (500 words maximum)
  • An excerpt from your new project (25 pages maximum)
  • We neither require nor accept letters of support. Please do not ask anyone to contact DAG on your behalf.

Applications open February 1st, 2025

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The $20,000 DAG Prize for Music is awarded annually to a musician, songwriter, or producer whose work enriches and advances the diverse musical landscape of the US. 

The goal of the DAG prize is to contribute meaningfully to music being made in the United States. We aim to support artists who draw on established musical traditions without being bound by them, from session players to songwriters, we support creative, collaborative artists whose work suggests innovation, synthesis, or breakthrough, a unique perspective, and a dedicated practice.

The DAG Prize for Music will go to a mid-career musician, songwriter, or producer who has sustained a career in touring, recording, songwriting, and/or producing. Awardees will have reached professional milestones, such as touring nationally and/or internationally, releasing original music with an established label or in cooperation with a recognized distributor, entering into a publishing contract, and/or building a dedicated following.

The prize is intended to support a significant new release or project. Funds can be used for composing, recording, producing, and/or performing music. This may involve renting studio time, hiring session musicians, acquiring new instruments or technology, or other related activities.

Eligibility

  • You are a working musician, songwriter, producer/engineer.
  • You have some combination of the following:
    • History of national and/or international touring.
    • Releases on an established label or recognized distributor.
    • Songwriting credits on an album, film, television project or other significant body of work.
    • Production credit on an album, film, television project or other significant body of work.
    • Publishing deal with established publishing company.
    • Dedicated following as indicated by ticket sales, touring history, headlining shows, and/or social media engagement.
    • Significant live or recorded collaborations with more established artists.
  • You reside in the United States as of the application deadline.
  • If you have won a major national or international music award (Grammy, Juno, etc.), or currently have a major label/publishing deal or a major commercially successful release(gold/platinum record, etc.)  you are not eligible for the DAG Prize. 
  • The deadline to apply for the DAG Prize in Music is March 15, 2025 by 11:59 pm.

Applications open February 1st, 2025

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The $20,000 DAG Prize for Visual Art is awarded annually to an emerging artist whose work contributes meaningfully to the evolution of visual art in the United States.

We aim to support work that offers significant innovation—for example, at the level of medium, content, technique, or expressive style. The award will go to an emerging artist who has achieved some early success but who has not yet received a major prize or widespread recognition. The DAG Prize is meant to support a specific project or exhibition that represents a new direction for the artist’s work.

Prize funds can be used for materials, studio space, exhibition costs, travel for research, or other resources necessary to create and present the new visual art project. This support aims to push the boundaries of traditional art forms and mediums, encouraging artists to explore new directions.

Eligibility

  • You have at least two of the following:
    • A small art grant or prize.
    • Residency at a reputable arts colony.
    • MFA from an accredited studio arts program.
    • Solo show at a curated gallery or artist-run space.
    • Participation in a group show at a curated gallery or artist-run space.
    • Reviews or interviews in reputable arts publications.
    • One or more pieces in a prestigious gallery or museum.
  • You are working on a new project that is substantially underway.
  • You reside in the United States as of the application deadline.
  • If you have won, or been a finalist for, a major national or international art prize, you are not eligible for the DAG Prize.
  • The deadline to apply for the DAG Prize in Visual Arts is March 15, 2025 by 11:59 pm.

Applications open February 1st, 2025

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